I Am A Minister by Name Only

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I am a Minister by name only - Harin

2017-03-23
Q Is it true that as expressed by certain UNP Ministers and
MPs, that this is the result of two different ideologies
being represented in the government?
There is some truth in that. It is opportune to come out of this
political frame even though it is an arduous task. This is
something unusual for many. Viewing from outside it is natural
that there are issues, but overall; leaving aside this system of
change of government, ground work had been done for far-
reaching development of the country which may not be visible to
the naked eye.
Q For a government which laboured for two years to lay
the foundation, could they complete the brick work and
put up the roof in the next three years?
We have to prove it at the end of this year, failing which, there
may be severe issues.
Q The Minister of Telecommunication portfolio is a
powerful position in any government, but recently you had
stated that you were a Minister only by name. Your views
on this...
This portfolio is governed by the stock market. The
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is not under me. As
the Minister of Telecommunication, I only have the Sri Lanka
Telecom under my purview, however, I have no official status
there and I can give only directions and no authority for
approvals. Frankly speaking, it is only in name that I am a
Minister.
Q The incumbent Presidents brother is the Chairman of
Sri Lanka Telecom, is he

considered more powerful


than the Minister?
Yes, the CEO is more powerful than him. He is officially
empowered with the authority to sign.
Q Then what is your position in the ministry?
That is what I brought up before the executive committee and
expressed my desire to resign from the post of Minister. I begged
before the Prime Minister to make me the Chief Minister of Uva
instead. I was told it was not possible.
Q Do you remember that you were holding the promise to
provide free internet browsing just before the
Yahapalanaya government was established?
Yes, it was promised during the 100-day programme. Free Wi-Fi is
presently in operation, following discussions with the companies
who provide internet services. It is true that the services provided
by the companies are limited. Those companies who provided this
service freely are being subjected to heavy taxes. This has
created much issues, as they are being taxed for a service given
free. We have no right to compel them to provide free service in
the face of heavy taxes. This has not happened in any part of the
world. In the face of accusations of heavy taxes being imposed on
internet facilities, I can say positively that I had no hand in levying
this tax. People with some sense would definitely realize that the
Minister in charge of Telecommunication has had no intervention
in this matter.
Q Free Wi-Fi, Google Loon and the Tax on internet have
been subjected to many allegations. Dont you feel that
these are scuttling your political acumen?
Yes, I have now realized that a politician who shot into fame is
now at the forefront of public antipathy. This I knew from the day I
became Minister. This is my Challenge.
Q The UNP leadership recently announced that the party
reorganization should be expedited. Do you think that you
would get more responsibility within?
At the recent working committee meeting, I directly hinted that
according to my conscience, we must consider what went wrong
during the past two years, and that I firmly believed that the party
has taken correct decisions at all times.
Q The SLFP Minister who came from the same electorate
as you recently declared that a fraud eclipsing the CB
Bond scam had taken place in your Ministry. How do
you respond to this?
He was very careful by the choice of his words. Indirectly he
hinted that I was connected. I was surprised as to why he spared
me. There is no truth in that. When considering the air time
allowed to the particular media channel, one can assume the
necessity of this channel to portray this matter. If there was a
fraud, they could haul me up or the particular individual they
mentioned before the courts. I am at a loss to understand why
attempts are being made to thwart an opportunity that was made
available to our country by a most powerful international institute.

Q Despite the government


and joint opposition members exchanging blows in public,
recently social media published a series of pictures of
Ministers and MPs embracing each other. Is it a part of the
drama?
As a firm believer in the adage that all prisoners are humans. So
I can only say that all politicians are humans too.
Q Did you say recently that those who became Ministers
with the blessings of Badulla voting public were handing
over job opportunities, while you languish without such
authority?
Honestly I am frustrated, because at the last elections Mahinda
Rajapakse came first in the list of preferential votes, second was
Ranil Wickremesinghe, and next I stood at the third slot. A man
from Colombo winning the confidence of the masses in Badulla
was something I never expected, but being unable to do
something for them during the past 17 months, I now feel
dejected. Any way I continue to visit them in Badulla. I remain in
my office there and do not travel to the interior as a fear is
constantly preventing me from doing so. I am afraid that I cannot
go to them as Harin once again.
Q Are you hinting that the government you strived to
build, has now let you down?
I reserve my opinion on that matter.
Q There is a rumour to say that you would contest from
Gampaha next time...
After a period of five years, I am thinking of taking a political
decision. If I fail in that, the most challenging decision, then I
would consider that politics is not my way. I cannot go before the
people and say I am at fault and beg for their votes saying that I
would correct it next time. I cannot tell them a lie.
Q Do you say that a future Parliament would be without
Harin Fernando?
I got involved in some work during the past few days, and if they
turn around, my political aim would not fail. I am not keen to bring
the people of Badulla to Colombo, but to take the job
opportunities that are available in Colombo to Badulla. I pleaded
with the people to give me time till the end of this year, before
that I shall do something for them.

Q It appears from what you


say that you feel dejected in the political arena. Any
particular reason that drove you to think as such?
When I realised that the masses still had trust in me, I felt very
sorry for them. After meeting 1,000 to 1,500 people in my office, I
became so sad and it brought tears from my eyes.
Q In the proposed Cabinet reshuffle, would there be a
change in your portfolio?
I have laid the foundation for it and there might be issues in the
event of a change, which is preferable. This would pave the way
for
new creativity.
Q Was it the UNP that was not in favour of the local govt.
elections?
No, we of the UNP are very much in favour of having the elections
early. There is no disagreement between the two parties.
Q Last Friday there was an unpleasant scene in
Parliament, and as a Minister, what is your opinion?
I was away in Badulla at that time and therefore, I did not attend
the sessions.
Q It was shown over the TV channels...
For the past two months, I did not watch TV news.
Q The UNP Ministers and MPs led by the leader of the
House left the chamber protesting the decision of the
Speaker to allow more time for the Opposition. This is the
first time in the history that the government members
flouted the orders of the Speaker and walked out. Is it
morally correct?
In politics one cannot find fault with it. The Joint Opposition had
brought disrespect to the House on many occasions. I too was
once an Opposition member. When the JO attempted to get the
Parliament to act according to their whims and fancies, it was
natural for the government group to act in that manner. I do not
see anything wrong in that.
Q However, the JO maintains that it was the UNP that
made the opposition weak within Parliament. What are
your comments on this?
It is not so, the question is what right the opposition has. The so-
called group is responsible for the abuse of political morals in Sri
Lanka. This group is bent on creating instability in the country,
leading to a situation of anarchy. This group, while being in the
government, created dissension in all other parties and destroyed
them. These are the very people who brought in a Constitutional
Amendment to hold the post of President until their death. This
opposition group now claiming for their rights and privileges are
completely a mockery and its a joke!
Q When the present PM was the then leader of the
opposition, do you remember that he stood for the rights
of the opposition?
Yes, most certainly.
Q Could you recall the last occasion when the present
opposition leader spoke in Parliament? I have seen and
heard him speaking in Parliament during debates and expressing
his views. For the success of any Parliament there should be a
forceful opposition. When we were in the opposition and attacked
the government, there was much interest and it added decorum
to the House.
Q What is the position now?
The JO too has the right to speak. The issue of theirs is not with us

but with their own party. They


should sort out those issues with their party leaders and not bring
them to Parliament and harm its sanctity.
Q Who will be nominated as the Presidential candidate in
2020?
Who thought that Maithripala Sirisena would become the
candidate for presidency until November 2014. There is still time
left and its absurd rushing to conclusions early.
Q Do you infer that in 2020 there would be a presidential
poll?
Yes, definitely.
Q Mr. Minister, the Yahapalanaya government and Maithri
rule emerged saying no more executive presidency. We
would like to query your views on this...
That is true, what I say is that it would be possible if this system
does not change.
Q Does the UNP still continue to represent Arjuna
Mahendran?
Do not say such things. Have you seen anything of that sort? You
may have seen some are doing that, but not everybody. Do not
harm the dignity of the party when making such allegations.
Posted by Thavam

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