Sajin Vass on solutions for Sri Lanka, sanctions and backdoor resolutions

Whatever solutions that evolve to resolve the country’s conflict have to be within the framework of the 13th Amendment, emphasises Sajin Vass Gunawardena, Member of Parliament and Monitoring MP for the Ministry of External Affairs. Gunawardena points out that the nature of the solution will be worked out by the Parliamentary Select Committee and that one person will not be able to define what the final formula would be. He further notes that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) does not want a permanent solution to the conflict immediately.

Gunawardena, who holds a different view on devolution of power, stresses that although the people in north and east desire land for development and livelihood, what the TNA desires is land for separatism.

Following are excerpts of an interview:

Q: What is happening to the talks between the Government and the TNA?

A: The Government is awaiting the names of the TNA representatives to appoint the Parliamentary Select Committee.

Q: What have you achieved so far from these talks?

A: I am not privy to say the exact achievements, but we have made a fair amount of progress.

This is probably why a segment of the TNA wants to avoid further talks.

Q: Do you believe the talks with TNA should continue and if so, for how long?

A: Obviously a solution can only be arrived at with continued discussions. The PSC process has a clear deadline of six months. I think this speaks for itself. Also it has to be an all inclusive process where all the parties in the Parliament must participate.

Q: What are you hoping to achieve from these discussions

A: Obviously a permanent solution. Is this not what is expected?

Q: Has the Government suspended the talks with TNA? If so, why?

A: It is imperative that any solution that is spoken of must be ratified by the Parliament. Therefore, it is only prudent that the Parliamentary Select Committee be the suitable vehicle for this purpose. All parties can be heard and it would be an inclusive process. The franchise of the people vests with Parliament and this should be respected.

Q: Why are you pressurising the TNA to join the Parliamentary Select Committee?

A: So that a final decision can be given. How long does the TNA want this problem to continue? It is my strong view that they do not want a permanent solution this fast.

Q: What is Government’s position on devolution of power?

A: We have been very clear on this. We have offered a 13+ proposal where this will enable a larger minority participation in governance.

Q: Does the Government believe in devolving power to smaller units at regional level?

A: Whatever solutions that evolve will have to be within the framework of the 13th Amendment. We have been very consistent on this. The nature of the solution will be worked out by the PSC. No one person can define what the final formula would be.

Q: Why is the Government so reluctant to implement the full 13th Amendment with land and police powers?

A: When you take the existing powers of the Provincial Councils, they are far and wide and quite adequate to serve the needs of the people. Just imagine, if you give nine chief ministers police powers in a small geographical area such as Sri Lanka, what will happen? Perhaps I might not be able to go to the south.

The Government has always said that it will recruit Tamils and Tamil speaking people to the police and we have already recruited about 700 and are continuing to do so. On land powers already provincial councils are utilising lands for projects and developments.

Allocations for such purposes are being done by the respective AGAs.

The subject of vesting lies with the Executive; this has been very clearly defined by the Supreme Court in one of the previous judgements.  What the people desire is land for development and livelihood; what the TNA desires is land for separatism – this is the difference.

Q: What is 13 plus? How can the Government talk about the13 plus when it has failed to fully implement the 13th Amendment?

A: In my mind it can be the Senate that is proposed. In Sri Lanka the need of the current day is to enable a larger participation of the Tamil and minority polity in politics, especially at the centre. With the Pradeshiya Sabha elections that were held, the TNA won the majority of the seats. This perhaps will be the situation for any future provincial council elections as well.

Where the vacuum is, is at the centre. The LTTE has killed all the eligible Tamil leaders. This is why we would need more participation at the centre. This is exactly what the TNA would not want.

Larger minority participation at the centre would erode its stronghold and liberate the community towards a more democratic process, where they will be an integral inclusive aspect of the decision-making process. In my view the TNA will scuttle any process that would dilute its stranglehold on the people of the north and the larger Tamil community.

Q: What is the Senate? Why do you want another unit when you already have many other elected organisations that do not have any power without consent from the centre?

A: It is vital that there is larger minority participation at the centre. The Senate will be the best option with veto powers in identified areas. This is my personal opinion on the matter. It further democratises the process of governance with adequate checks and balances between the Executive, Legislature and the Senate.

Q: As the monitoring MP for the Ministry of External Affairs, what actions will be taken about the Iranian sanctions?

A: The sanctions that have been imposed are by the United States of America and not the United Nations. As a sovereign country, we have a right to make our own decisions. The US sanctions is a matter for the USA and not Sri Lanka. Our relationship with Iran is as one sovereign nation to another.

Q: US officials Robert O. Blake and Maria Otero are of the opinion that the LLRC failed to address accountability and that there are noticeable shortcomings in the LLRC report. Have they informed this officially to the Government?

A: I have seen that they have issued some statement in this regard. Once again, it is a matter of interpretation. Various individuals can have their own views on these matters.

However, we as a country and as a Government will do what is right by the people of Sri Lanka irrespective of ethnicity.

I think the LLRC report covers this aspect quite adequately. On the subject of accountability, hearsay cannot be considered as credible evidence to take action. There is an accepted legal process in Sri Lanka that has to be followed. The related agencies would take required action based on the LLRC recommendations. This process is already underway.

Q: What have you discussed with the US envoys?

A: Basically about the development that is taking place, resettlement and of course the LLRC.

Q: Blake and Otero say the US will support a special resolution to implement the recommendations of the LLRC. Have you agreed to such a resolution? If so, who will present the resolution at the Human Rights Council?

A: It is a decision taken by the USA. Well, what can I say? Sri Lanka does not agree to such a resolution. We will not consent to backdoor resolutions being brought in to the UNHCR. There is an accepted procedure and we would expect that such procedures would be adhered to.

The Universal Periodic Review is coming up in October 2012 and this would be the appropriate forum to discuss these matters. We have been consistent in our stand on this. Today it will be Sri Lanka and tomorrow it will be another country. Our sovereignty and integrity as a nation must be respected.

Q: Why does Sri Lanka rely so much on China?

A: Sri Lanka has an excellent multifaceted relationship with China. It is not something new; from the time of the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike Government, we have had excellent relationship with China.

China is a super power to be reckoned with. China has assisted Sri Lanka in developing our economy and people. It is not a question of relying on China but it is a position where the two countries understand each other very well to the mutual benefit of both countries and peoples.

Today China is holding the world economy together. If China withdraws its investments and funds from the United States economy, for example, the entire US economy would collapse. This is a fact. So what is good for the USA cannot be wrong for Sri Lanka.