From Revolution (Viplavaya) To Transformation (Parivarthanaya): AKD’s Response To 10 Questions

Translation by Dr. Siri Gamage-JANUARY 27, 2022

Opening question: If AKD becomes the next President, what are your plans?

Response: There is an uncertainty as to what we will do if there is our government. It is difficult for some people to visualise it, as we did not rule the country before. This interview will provide a good opportunity to elaborate what we will do?

Q1. Like some other leaders have you prepared your dress (costume) to be the President?

R: Not at all. I have my preferred dress. What we need is not a change in the dress of the person responsible for governance. We need to change in the direction of politics as it is moving to destroy the country. Instead of a society where there is no trust and the people look at each other with suspicion, we have to create a better society where each person work with others in a unified way (samagiyen). We need to change the economic policy that led to the destruction of society. What is important is not the dress but what we can do to transform our economy, polity, and society. We emphasise these. We are engaged in discussions on this path for a transformation.

Q.2. If you become the President, what action will you take urgently?

R: We will propose a vision to build this society collectively. In our country, politics is located in the upper floor (Udu Mahala). The politician who inhabits it is not subject to the rule of law. The politician has a privileged position. He entertains significant privileges (Varadana, Varaprasada). Therefore we are in a position where we think the existing political culture has to be changed. This society has to be changed into a virtuous one (Yahapath Bhavaya). Our aim is to prepare basic foundations required for that journey. We don’t say that we will give free shoes or make the labourer the owner of an estate/plantation. Our duty is to restore the economy, society and the state once again. In our government, the first thing we will do is to prepare the foundation for this journey for reformation along the following lines: 1) remove all privileges given to politicians 2) take steps to stop fraud and corruption 3) Subject everyone to rule of law 4) Implement a new economic plan. These are not actions that will come one after another. Our aim is to implement these simultaneously.

Q.3. Many people talk about the executive Presidency. If you become the President, what will you do? Will you change it?

R: Since 1947 until 1977, our country was governed by a system centred on the parliament. Between 1977-2021, the system was centred on the executive President. If we look back, we can observe that the executive Presidential system has not been successful. In the tribal societies, the leader controls everything including the formulation of laws, administering justice and meting out punishments. He holds legislative, executive and judicial powers. As civilisations grew, instead of a governance system centred on one person, a system based on collectivity emerged. This became the norm. Out country went back to the uncivilised (Ashista) world/era. Instead of the rule by various structures/institutions, the power was concentrated on one individual. Take the examples like change of the Litro gas chairman, the decision to stop importing fertiliser, change of four secretaries in the Ministry of agriculture. The last secretary was an expert in the field. He could not stand the decisions made (by the Government). Some professors with expertise were removed. It is the executive power that led to the problematic situation we face. Under this any (momentary) thought that comes to the mind of the executive President can be implemented without checks and balances. In our country, leaders do not have a higher mindset suitable for the position. He can set free someone already punished by the courts. He can implement half judgement, delay, and stop. Release someone from the prisons. Why is such a power is given (to the President)? If a person is wrongly accused then he can intervene. Thus the leader should have a mind suitable for the power he holds. Authoritarianism has been strengthened through the 20th amendment to the constitution.

Given all the difficulties we face, we think the executive President system is not suitable for us. Therefore, it should be changed. We will bring necessary legislation to do so before the parliament. This is a decision of our collective movement –not my individual view. I am only one factor here. Ours is a collective effort. We have to take the power back to this collective. We can bring about a positive change that way. We have a group of people who are sincere, dedicated to the task of changing this society.

Q 4. Country’s economic problem is the major problem we are facing today. People are suffering from multiple issues. Many accuse the leaders for not developing the economy since 1948. If you become the President, how will you reform the economy? How will you move the country to be a developed one?

R: I will guarantee that we will do it. I am happy that you are asking such questions. In the past, governments changed and people voted not on the economic factor. In 1994, people voted to change the 17-year curse (He gives other examples here). Today we are facing all these problems due to the economy. Economy has become the main factor for deciding on the next government. The main responsibility of politicians has become the securing of economic development. We need a better program.

However, economic program alone is not sufficient. We need a government that is not corrupt. (Mind you) There are good features of the existing economic program. But bad features come to the fore due to bribary, corruption and commission taking. Therefore, before the economic program, we need a government (Deshapalanaya) that is not corrupt. We will establish such a governance system. Secondly, we need collective action. Public servants, the private sector, entrepreneurs, youths, farmers, fishermen etc. have to come to an agreement/decision that we will collectively work towards restoring the country within 3-4 years. For this to happen, we have to escort politicians from the upstairs (Udu Mahala) to downstairs. Citizens should feel that politicians have given up privileges and made sacrifices. In our country, we have to appeal to the youth. To bring about collective responsibility, we have to remove privileges from the politicians.

Thirdly, we need a definitive economic program. We need to get over the debt trap. The gap between imports and exports has to be reduced. We need a program to restore our production. Income disparity needs to be reduced. We have an economic program covering all these aspects. In it we give attention to the specific location of our country, natural resources, human resources, geopolitics of the world, and our civilisation. The task of government is to set targets to achieve. For example, in tourism we have to look at data, predications, trends and determine that we have to take the sector to such and such level by 2030. We have to then invite private entrepreneurs to build hotels. Likewise advice those producing tiles to go ahead with their production levels. Same for food producers. Training for hotel sector is required. Such an approach is necessary in all fields including agriculture, tourism, and construction. I don’t say that I will give free fertiliser. We have to move forward collectively according to a plan. The main priority is to develop the country.

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