Q. Are you satisfied with the progress so far of the National Council you have formed with the UNP?

A. Yes, of course we are satisfied with the progress so far. It has been one month and 10 days since we formed the National Council and the response we have received by the people is immense. The support of the people was very evident during the rallies we have had in Colombo, Matara, Anuradhapura, Nittambuwa and Kurunegala. The response of the people to our actions reflect the success the National Council has tasted so far. It took two years for the UPFA to form a government. But, this is more successful due to the support of the people.

A. Whether there is a General Election or not, we have decided to throw away this government. The President has no right to stay as President and govern the country. This government has ignored the wishes of the people and has failed to fulfill its promises to those who voted for the government. The rate of corruption in the government is high and immensely strong. Today people are burdened by the government due to the rise in the cost of living. It is also facing charges with respect to human rights violations. Therefore, we have decided to overthrow the government.

Q. You had complained to the Bribery Commission on the MiG deal. Have you received any information with regard to the investigations carried out on this issue?

A. We are yet to receive information with regard to the investigations carried out. We lodged a complaint during the time Iqbal Athas had made the revelation with regard to the MiG deal. Several people in connection with the deal, including the President’s brother Gotabaya Rajapakse’s connection was also revealed. However, the President has failed to interdict them. This shows that the President has had a part to play in this whole issue. As for the investigations, I don’t think that it has started. Small cases reported to the Bribery Commission are made big and investigated, but it is not so when there are ministers and individuals from the government involved.

Q. The government is set to impose new taxes including mobile phones. What type of impact would an average citizen face due to these steps taken by the government?

A. The government plans to get five billion rupees out of these taxes. Rs. 50 will be charged for a mobile phone. The mobile phone is used by people in all walks of life and mainly by poor people and small time businessmen. This will have a great effect on their lives. Already they are burdened with the rise in fuel prices. This will be reflected in the increase of prices of electrical appliances as well. This also shows that the government is trying to justify the illegal use of the CESS fund.

Q. You have been critical of the Rajapakse Brothers. In your view what damage have they caused to the development of the country?

A. We have a situation where the President’s Advisors are referred to as ‘Sir’ by the Ministers. I went for a couple of meetings chaired by Gotabaya Rajapakse. Although I stayed for the first meeting, I came out halfway at the second meeting. The brothers’ are ordering the Ministers. The steps taken to develop the country have been hampered by the President and his brothers due to their interference. The President has appointed 138 of his relatives in various parts of the country so that they could enjoy power at the expense of the people. The brothers are also not allowing the Ministers to call for tenders and asking them to submit cabinet papers. I wrote a lengthy letter explaining all these corrupt acts and was sacked from the party in 10 days.

Q. The government announced that it had captured certain parts including Silavathurai in Mannar. You also said at a press conference 10 days ago that the government would initiate an operation in the north as an eyewash. Is this the operation you spoke about?

A. Yes, this is the operation. Earlier, Minister Champika Ranawake said that the forces should go to Mannar. This is a pre-arranged statement. They should have gone to Killinochchi or Mullaithivu where the main weapons and equipment of the LTTE are. Why didn’t they go there? During the time of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kuma- ratunge, the LTTE attacked Trincomalee. The President removed certain officers and targeted Jaffna and prevented the LTTE from making a separate state. This so-called ‘New era Dutugemunu’ regime has not done that because it has paid Rs. 200 million during the 2005 Presidential elections and Rs. 800 million during the Mawilaru issue. They are not going to Killinochchi because of the pact.

Q. Do you say the pact is still on?

A. Why weren’t there any bodies of the LTTE during the Mawilaru fight or in any of the confrontations in the east? Even Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said the TNA would not allow the government to be toppled. How is this possible without the LTTE’s support? Silavathurai is not a big place. I have been there before. They should have gone to the main LTTE area instead of going for a less important place.

Q. What do you think is the JVP’s role in these circumstances, especially with the budget to be presented in a couple of months?

A. The JVP has constantly stated it would not work with the UNP. The JVP had worked with the UNP in the 2000 elections. In fact they paved the way for a UNP victory in 2001. Therefore, this statement is not acceptable.

Secondly, the JVP accuses the UNP of imperialism. The present government had signed a cross service agreement with the USA without the knowledge of parliament. The President has appointed people who are foreign citizens in important positions in the government — namely Gotabaya Rajapakse, Basil Rajapakse, Dulles Alahaperuma and Milinda Moragoda. What would have happened if Ranil Wickremesinghe had done this?

Thirdly, Weerawanse said the corruption of the government is like stealing a rice pot from behind the kitchen while the corruption of the UNP is larger and more professional.

Today the government is faced with charges of corruption worth billions. Namely the MiG deal, the Telecom deal, LIOC. I’m talking about billions and there is the Mawilaru fraud where the amount is around Rs. 200 million. The government is corrupt — from milking a cow to buying aeroplanes.

As far as the budget goes, I think the JVP would support the government by the looks of things. However, the JVP should be firm on their decision — whether to stand by the people or by the government and its corrupt activities.

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