“Diaspora and part of international community jealous of our victory”

The LTTE Diaspora is operated in countries around the world and has a strong and organised network which the Sri Lanka Government does not have, asserts Minister of Irrigation and Water Resource Management and Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva. In a candid interview, the Minister expressed that the Tamil Diaspora was willing to spend any amount of money and time to create an impression that Sri Lanka is not a country suitable to return to.

He stresses that although Sri Lanka should be complimented and supported for the victory it has gained as a nation against terrorism, the international community is trying to ridicule and punish us. Minister de Silva points out that Sri Lanka has overcome the biggest challenge of defeating the world’s most brutal terrorist outfit and we will somehow face and defeat the conspiracies of the Diaspora and the international community.

He further notes that the Government will not rush to find a solution to the ethnic issue and needs to be careful in its approach since extremist elements such as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna are waiting for an opportunity to burn and destroy the country. Following are excerpts:

Q: Why has the Government failed to address the arsenic controversy?

A: I am not involved in that matter. You have to ask that question from Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. This matter is up to another Minister, so how can I encroach upon the work of another Minister?

Q: It is said that arsenic is found in water used for agricultural purposes. As the Minister of Irrigation, it is your duty to prove whether these allegations are true or not.

A:In the Mahaweli area it is our view that the people use more organic fertilisers. But because the farmers want a higher yield during a short period of time with minimum output, they prefer to use imported fertilisers. By regulation or law we are unable to stop this situation. We cannot ban other fertilisers. It is impossible. We have to look at the practicality.

In this country there are people who come up with various theories. But how are we going to put these into practice? Farmers are used to using these fertilisers. However much we tell them not to use imported fertilisers, they don’t listen to us. But I have to say that we are trying to discourage the use of imported fertiliser.

Then there is another problem; the kidney disease among farmers. As the Minister of Health, I got assistance from the World Health Organization to embark upon a study on this kidney disease. Unfortunately the experts have not given a clear report as to what caused these kidney diseases; whether it is arsenic or some other factor.

One university says one thing; then another university says some other thing, some are still researching. We can’t act just on presumptions and assumptions. We need evidence based conclusions to act. Therefore, with regard to arsenic too, my perception is that.

There are numerous opinions. One expert says it is within the permitted levels but some say it exceeds the permitted level. Some say we don’t have the necessary equipment to do a proper test. This is a one big confusion. Nothing has been concluded. No evidence based-results have come up so far. There is a question of credibility. Whose version are we to go by?

I believe we are still at a premature stage therefore in my view this issue has to be addressed like the kidney diseases. We need more and more experts getting involved this matter and coming up with proper evidence based results. We as politicians cannot say what is right or wrong. This kind of matter needs to be proved with scientific evidence.

Q: Has the water used for cultivation been checked for arsenic?

A: Yes of course. Water has been checked by various people but there are diverse opinions. It is only good for the media, so they can confuse the people more and more. We have to understand the gravity of this situation. We should not be misleading people with these various baseless reports. We have to ensure that the experts embark on a good research and get the correct results.

Q: Why did the Government send you to Geneva for the Human Rights Conference?

A: Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe has been going throughout and I went to support him. It was my responsibility to look after the interests of Sri Lanka. That session was a very important session, more than the sessions held before. I must confess that Minister Samarasinghe did a great job on behalf of Sri Lanka. He is an expert in that field. He has the necessary contacts and has won a good reputation. I had the pleasant task of assisting him and placing the Sri Lankan situation before the world.

I am a lawyer by profession and have taken part in peace talks. I was the Chairman of the World Health Organization. I had a lot of contacts in Geneva and all over the world, so I believe I have the right requirements to go to Geneva and represent my country.

Q: What was the outcome of the meetings?

A:In Geneva we comprehensively answered all queries and questions about Channel 4 and other allegations against Sri Lanka. We don’t have anything to hide. Now we know the Channel 4 documentary was a creation. Amnesty International had a side event in Pale. A representative of the Attorney General and a representative of the Government Analyst went and confronted them and stated our position clearly.

Q: We have more and more allegations coming out against the President and Government. How prepared are you to face such allegations?

A: Those are all planned propaganda of the LTTE Diaspora. Although the LTTE is defeated, the Diaspora is active. They still have the LTTE money at their disposal. They are making films, bribing the international community, senators, parliamentarians and non government organisations. They have enough resources. They have a very organised network which the Government doesn’t have. They are operating in many countries.

There are many economic migrants who have gone to these countries. They all want to show the world that Sri Lanka is not a country suitable to return to. So to create that impression, they are willing to spend any amount of their time and money.

The Diaspora and part of the international community are jealous of our victory against terrorism. It is because Sri Lanka and President Mahinda Rajapaksa has achieved what they couldn’t achieve. I strongly believe that for the victory we have gained against terrorism and eradicating this menace, Sri Lanka should be complimented and supported. Instead of that they want to ridicule and punish us. That is not equity or justice. Though we are a smaller nation and not a super power, we have our pride which cannot alienate due to pressure.

Some of the nations can violate human rights and commit blatant war crimes but easily get away. The killing of Osama Bin Laden was the best example. Osama was an unarmed prisoner; a person who could have been taken into custody without any problem. His killing was witnessed by the President of United States of America and the Secretary of State. They are asking about the accountability of war in Sri Lanka. Shouldn’t we ask the accountability in killing Osama Bin Laden? These are all double standards.

Q: Don’t you think these allegations will have a negative impact on the country’s image and on the economy?

A: As a nation we faced the most brutal terrorist outfit in the world. We have to overcome that challenge. Therefore, we will face and defeat the conspiracies of the Diaspora and the international community.

It is true. These allegations are damaging Sri Lanka’s image. The Diaspora wants to tarnish our reputation. The question is how we could stop them? We can explain and tell them what the correct position is. In the process some people may think what Tamil Diaspora says is correct. But we know it is wrong. In the same time we have to go through a difficult process.

How many children have died in Libya due to NATO bombing? When powerful countries take the law into their own hands, we have to face it.

Q: How are discussions between the Government and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) progressing?

A: We are discussing many issues, including power sharing. However, both parties have agreed not to reveal what we discuss. We want to keep them confidential, but we do issue a statement after every meeting.

Q: What do you have to say about the allegations made by the TNA that it doesn’t have the freedom to engage in political activities?

A: The TNA did not have the freedom to engage in politics in north for the last 30 years. Not only the TNA, even we didn’t have the freedom to engage in political activities due to the brutal terrorism. Now that is over and the situation is very much better than what it was.

However, still there may be certain areas that need to be improved and the Government is taking measures to address this issue. This is a process. We are talking about an area that was terrorised – the gun culture was there much more than in the south. But don’t you think the situation today is very much better than it was before?

Q: There were news reports that the President is to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to find a solution for the devolution of power. Don’t you think such a move would only delay the process?

A:When there was terrorism we were not able to give a solution. Because whatever solution we present, the LTTE would have influenced the people to reject it. Now as the LTTE is no more, this is the best environment for us to discuss and arrive at a settlement.

It is with that intention we have embarked upon this one. But one has to understand the complexities of this problem. You can’t have an instant solution. For over 30 years there was terrorism in this country. Shouldn’t we learn from all the experiences what we have gained?

On the other hand, this needs to be a solution acceptable to the people in the north and east, but to all communities. Otherwise that solution cannot be implemented. That will divide the country more and more. Therefore rushing for a solution will not bring the envisaged result, because you have to look at the extremist elements in the south also, such as the JVP. They are waiting for an opportunity to burn the country. They are waiting for issues. So we have to ensure that we do not give weapons to them to destroy the country. We have to be very, very careful in our approach.

Q: What are the major projects and programmes lined up in your Ministry?

A: We have embarked upon several projects which would derive benefits to a large number of farmers in this country. Meantime these projects would contribute immensely to the national economy.

The Deduru Oya project is one such important project. We have completed 80 per cent of this project and before the end of next year we are hoping to complete the entire project. By implementing this project we would be able to provide water to the farmers in Kurunegala and as a result they would be able to cultivate during both seasons. Meanwhile, as a result of this project, the water table in the area will also rise and there will be more vegetation. The dryness in these areas will also diminish.

We have embarked upon another study to connect to the Deduru Oya scheme, how we could provide water, especially to the Galgamuwa area, which is the driest part in North Central Province. We will be visiting the farmers in the area in a few days and formulating the additional engineering work which has to be implemented. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also keen on this project.

Rambaken Oya project in Ampara is another important project which would irrigate another 4,500 acres of dry land in Maha Oya and Padiyathalawa area. It is a project that has been designed not only to get the water for agriculture, but a project to reduce floods in Padiyathalawa Maha Oya as well as in Batticaloa.

As a result of the diversion of Rambaken Oya, the amount of water which would flow in the event of high rain will be stored in the Rambaken Oya tank. We will be releasing water in a regulatory manner; therefore the flooding in the area will also stop.

I consider this as a very important project, because this area was under terrorist control for a long time. Villagers were suffering for decades; some of them were virtually living in the jungle. By implementing this project we can transform the benefit of the peace dividends to the presence of that area through agriculture and thereby give them a better livelihood and income generation.

At present there is a high demand for rubber in the commodity market. We have earmarked about another 10,000 acres of land in that area suitable for rubber cultivation. But we don’t intend to give it to the multinational companies. We want to give to the national entrepreneurs on the basis that the people in the area are fully involved in plantation. We want to ensure that every farmer in the area gets a certain number of acres. With these two projects people in Padiyathalawa, Maha Oya and Rambaken Oya areas can get a better deal.

The most important project in the pipeline is the Moragaha Kanda project. The Government has already spent more than Rs. 500 million from the consolidated fund. We have also received assistance from the Saudi fund for part of the project. We were expecting funds from JICA for the balance expenses. But unfortunately the JICA funding is getting late and now the Treasury is looking for other sources of foreign funding in order to ensure this project could be completed within the next four years.

We are confident that we would be able to get the balance funding. This will serve a lot of farmers in the Moragaha Kanda area and the project will also generate some amount of electricity which will get added the national grid.

The Uma Oya project will intercept the Uma Oya at the Welimada electorate Puhulpola and Dayabar junction. We will be building a dam and also collecting water in two reservoirs. This water will be siphoned through a long underground tunnel to Kirindi Oya in the Monaragala District. The study which is related to the Uma Oya has clearly shown the excess water in Uma Oya is just drained without being fully utilised.

Certain fears have been created in the minds of the farmers from the beginning of this project that by intercepting Uma Oya at Puhulpola junction at the downstream, Baduru Oya, Kandaketiya, Dikmedilla and Meegahakirula area farmers will not get sufficient water. Therefore, when this project was formulated we gave a guarantee that the normal flow of water in the Uma Oya would remain intact. What would be siphoned to the Monaragala would be the excess water.

They have taken readings of the amount of cusecs every month of the last 10 years. They will ensure that that amount of water will always flow through the radial gates of these dams. Therefore, nobody should have any fears that the farmers would be affected. But in the meantime, when this project was formulated and we had discussions with farmers, they made a demand that another reservoir called Thalpitigala would be built at Bakmedilla area. We have given an undertaking that before the full implementation of the Uma Oya project, this reservoir would be built. This project costs around Rs. 7,000 million.

The Government has in principle agreed to build this and at present the geological investigations are being done under my supervision. We are hopeful this project would begin next year. So in parallel with Uma Oya, the Thalpitigala reservoir will also be constructed.

Q: Do you agree that we still lack a proper irrigation plan?

A: Comparatively Sri Lanka has the best irrigation system in the world. At the beginning of this year the total amount of rain that we would have got during six months time fell on Sri Lankan soil in eight days. Therefore, nobody can cater to a situation like this. But our irrigation was planned so well that there were no major disasters.

For example in Gal Oya, the amount of excess water was three times that could be retained in the Gal Oya reservoir. So that flooded and went back from one reservoir to another and went to the sea. There have been minor damages here and there but we were able to retain the main irrigation system.

What we have to do at the moment is that with the experience we have gained and considering the rainfall pattern and so on, still there is water that is going into the sea without being utilised in certain parts of the country. Therefore, we need to have some few new schemes.

If we take the Mahiyangana electorate as an example, it is being served by the Nagadeepa tank. We were trying to raise the spill of the Nagadeepa tank, but if we did that a lot of villages and the temple will go under. Therefore we have to keep in mind that this is a two way process.

My irrigation experts recommended that we build another reservoir in Rotawewa. We have to think about the environment, forestry and especially people living in the nearby villages. If we are to store the water, we need space. But from where are we going to get space? At the same time there should be land available for cultivation, otherwise what’s the use in having a reservoir unless the reservoir is built mainly as a flood safety measure?

We have embarked upon another study for the Kalu Ganga area. An Israel company is awarded to prepare a feasibility study to prepare a master plan to avoid Kalu Ganga flooding. At the same time we have embarked upon another important project called ‘Gin Nilwala,’ mainly due to Matara District flooding.

We have done work under French and Chinese assistance. We have installed some pumping stations in Ging Ganga. We have spent lot of money last year as well as this year to ensure speedy pumping of the water when it is accumulated there, so that the southern area does not go under flood.

But there is a study that says that we have to break some of the rocks in between the land and the sea which is a complicated process. We have decided to have a broad feasibility study how the Gin Nilwala water could be diverted. One of the suggestions was to divert part of the Gin Nilwala water to Hambantota through an underground tunnel.

We have another interesting project called Hurugal Oya. This is between Nuwara Eliya and Kandy District. The bunt which we are going to put in Hurugal Oya will join the two districts by a road. Now we are in the construction stage. The Yarn Oya project and the NCP canal are two more important projects. NCP canal will take all the excess water in Malwathu Oya and the downstream.

We have a special project for Monaragala District. We have rehabilitated several old tanks and connected them with canals to provide more water to that area. Meanwhile, we have earmarked a large irrigation scheme Nakkala reservoir in Monaragala District. This has been the demand of the people of Monaragala for a long period of time.

In Anuradhapura we are rehabilitating over 20 tanks under my purview. People in Ampara District have also asked to restore Kalugal Oya and the Giant tank. These are our future projects. Once we complete these projects our irrigation system will be far better than what we have at the moment.

I am happy to say that although heavy damage was caused to our irrigation system due to the unprecedented floods last year, we have been able to give water to all the farmers who were cultivating without any hindrance. However, that does not mean we have completed all the renovation work. In certain places we have taken certain temporary measures. But I am happy to say that we have completed over 90 per cent of the renovation work.