Herath says people longing for change

December 30, 2014

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna says the downfall of the Rajapaksa regime is evident and the “good days” of family rule are limited. 
JVP parliamentarian Vijitha Herath expressed that the President and his Government are now using cheap psychological gimmicks to trap the people. “It is clear that the people are no longer with President Rajapaksa. People need a change and they are rallying around Maithripala Sirisena.”
Following are excerpts: 

Q: How successful are the JVP’s election campaigning activities?

A: Our campaign is different. We are carrying out a very successful door-to-door program at the village level. We distribute leaflets and educate people. Although people don’t see us on a platform with other political parties we too are actively involved in the campaign.

Q: What do you have to say about the high incidence of election-related violence? 
A: This regime is losing power. Now it is evident that their good days are numbered. Rulers in the country are going mad and as a result they are acting in an outrageous way. Now what they practice is a do-or-die method.
On Friday night several of our members were attacked in Madirigiriya in Polonnaruwa. They were hospitalised. Those who attacked our members later set fire to a nearby election office of Maithripala Sirisena. A police complaint was made about the incident. There are so many similar incidents all around the country. Sadly, most are not reported.
The ruling party is trying to use the wrong ways and means to suppress the Opposition. This is exactly why we see election violence occurring throughout the country. But they don’t understand that by doing this they are losing more votes.
On the other hand, the Government is misusing state property, state media and state officials. Since they don’t have the people’s support they are using employees of the Road Development Authority, Ports Authority and workers of Avant-Garde to carry out their campaign work. Not only the workers but they also use vehicles and property belonging to these institutions.

Q: How will this do-or-die approach affect the end result? 
A: The President has openly said that come what may, he will remain the President on 9 December. This is a psychological gimmick. One way he is trying to discourage supporters of the other candidate. Then he is also trying to tell the people that he will not give up his position even if the other party wins. This is why I say it is a psychological trick. But there is no truth in what they say. If he loses he has to go home. It is clear that the people are no longer with President Rajapaksa. The people need change and they are rallying around Maithripala Sirisena.

Q: What are your remarks about Deputy Minsiter Muthuhettigama leaving the country despite a warrant being issued for his arrest?
A: This was just one incident. The Judiciary is controlled by the Executive. The police department too is under their control. There are appointments and transfers taking place on a daily basis in favour of the ruling party. The truth is that there is nothing called law and order in this country. Why can’t they arrest people? What did the police do until a man with an arrest warrant left the country through the VIP entrance?
Actually they no longer care about law and order. The Defence Secretary is actively involved in election campaigning. He is on election platforms and attends rallies. What does this mean? Regardless of the consequences he has decided to act according to his own wishes. Is this how a country should function? When the Defence Secretary acts in such a shameful manner what can we expect from the people below him?

Q: Are you not disturbed by various allegations levelled against Maithripala Sirisena such as the alleged agreement exposed by Tissa Attanayake and the latest foreign cash conspiracy?
A: We don’t know the actual truth of the foreign cash story. Since we don’t know much about this matter I cannot comment on that. But we know very well that the so-called agreement was a lie. Sadly, it is an unsuccessful lie.
These are just cheap trumps played by the ruling party. First they said that the agreement was an international conspiracy. Then they said it was a conspiracy by the Tamil Diaspora. People no longer believe in these fabricated stories. They were so desperate they came up with an agreement. These are jokes and nobody believes these jokes anymore.

Q: How certain are you that Maithripala Sirisena will fulfil his promises? 
A: We cannot solely rely on agreements. The pledges made by Maithripala Sirisena are what we have always wanted; the abolition of the executive presidency, the abolition of the 18th Amendment and building good governance are needs of the hour. But we believe there has to be some intervention. After 8 December someone has to be there as a constant reminder of what needs to be done, what needs to be changed and what needs to be initiated. This is exactly why we have had a different mechanism – a different campaign. We believe it is our duty to remind and put pressure to make sure they will fulfil the pledges they made.

Q: Do you believe Maithripala Sirisena will win the election? 
A: When we study the current trend closely it is clear that Mahinda Rajapaksa’s days are numbered. The Rajapaksa regime is experiencing a downfall. We strongly believe people are ready to make a change. They are longing for a change.