Victory for "People's Agenda" - Attanayake

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

UNP's Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will achieve a clear victory at the forthcoming Election as people from all communities and all walks of life consider Wickremesinghe as a true national leader.

He described Wickremesinghe's management skills, ability to take firm decisions and his international relations as plus points which will put him ahead of other candidates.

Besides, Attanayake said the support of minority communities specially the two main political parties CWC and SLMC which represent large segments of minority voters has strengthened the party's vote base.

"People will select only a national leader as the country's President. Only Ranil Wickremesinghe has the qualities and skills of a national leader which would definitely ensure a clear victory for UNP at the forthcoming Presidential election," Attanayake told the Daily News.

Following are excerpts from this interview.

Q: What is the electioneering process followed by UNP at this election?

A: We have a national campaign which is divided into several sections namely rallies, meetings at provincial, district, towns and grassroots level. Besides, the UNP has launched a special programme called "Dorin Dorata" where party members would speak to the voters on individual basis and they will brief the public on the "People's Agenda" the UNP's election manifesto. We have already completed the first stage of the "Dorin Dorata" and it has achieved 60 - 70 per cent success.

The second stage aimed at explaining the "People's agenda" will continue till October 25. The SLMC, CWC, UCPF and other parties(altogether 15) are extending their fullest support to the UNP in this campaign. Also, the national media will also be utilised to communicate to the general public.

The third stage of the "Dorin Dorata" will be held from November 8 to 14 and is aimed at selected voters who will be briefed individually on the UNP proposals and plans.

Q: What is the composition of the UNP manifesto ?

A: The manifesto has two sections. First is divided into three themes as an end to hunger, employment suited for qualifications and an end to separatism while the second section deals with 20 areas ranging from solutions to the national problem, economic development, tsunami reconstruction to women's rights and foreign affairs.

It comprises short-term solutions as well as long term solutions aimed at resolving the country's problems. It focuses on upgrading every sector of the country's socio-economy ranging from agriculture, industry, transport, health, security, rights of the working class, good governance, law and order, power and energy, art and culture, sports. We are paying special attention to resolve unemployment and safeguard the rights of the working class. This manifesto will also focus on youth and women.

Q: Various criticisms are levelled against this manifesto claiming that this is unrealistic and that only a lot of promises. What is your comment on this ?

A: At the outset, I must say that this is not an ordinary manifesto. This is in fact a programme of action aimed at resurrecting the country. Here, we have included areas which are normally not even mentioned in a manifesto. We have even focused on good governance and maintaining law and order. We will even bring in legislation to prevent politician giving unrealistic and false promises.

A Good Governance Council with powers to prosecute politicians who violate the codes of good governance will also be created. A National Political Commission to consider among other things the suitability of potential candidates for political office will also be established. One key objective of manifestos is to re-build the public confidence in the country's political system.

Q: What are the immediate relief measures you are planning to provide to the people ?

A: Immediately, we will bring down the high cost of living. Prices of essential food items will be immediately brought down and would not be increased at least for one year. This programme will be reviewed every six months and new food items will be included necessary.

We will provide a guaranteed price of Rs 17 a kilo of paddy for the next harvest and a mechanism to ensure reasonable guaranteed price for paddy thereafter.

Q: The JVP and JHU have pledged to support Premier Mahinda Rajapakse. How is the UNP going to face this challenge ?

A: We have no challenge at all. The UPFA failed to fulfil the promises given at the last General Election and as a result, people are fed up with the alliance which was jointly formed by the PA and JVP. There are internal disputes among them. They do not have a proper plan or vision. Their only ambition is to defeat the UNP. This alliance can not even come to one stage. The people will not vote for this alliance which is full of crises.

Q: What is your comments regarding the criticism against the UNP's election manifesto ?

A: They must first present their election manifesto before criticising the UNP one. Although the electioneering process has begun, they have not so far presented the manifesto.

We do not take such criticism seriously. The UNP is a party which immensely contributed to the country's development. We will not allow a division of the country. We will continue the peace process and bring a permanent solution to the ethnic problem through a political solution based on a united Sri Lanka.