“I apologize for defecting unexpectedly”

28 July 2015 04:12 am - 3 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Upeksha Swarnamali, popularly known as ‘Paba’ is a woman striving to make a change in the political arena. Amidst many criticisms and mud-slinging she has been able to battle her way through to the post of co-organizer for the Divulapitiya electorate. In a candid interview with the Dailymirror, Upeksha spoke about her political career, how she would work to protect the rights of women and her future political aspirations. Excerpts are as follows:

Q How are the canvassing campaigns progressing?
The start didn’t happen as expected and it was quite slow. The biggest issue that we had as a party was the conflict between our present and former Presidents. Actually the statement made by the current president a couple of days back completely affected our campaigns. On the other hand I kept asking for the position of an organizer for an electorate for the past 3 years. On the day of nominations I was given the post of co-organizer for the Divulapitiya electorate. There was another candidate who is the chairman of the urban council and we are in conflict. Things are sorted out and are moving forward. My first meeting will be held on July 26 and I hope and pray that it will shoot on from there.

" The biggest issue that we had as a party was the conflict between our present and former Presidents. Actually the statement made by the current president a couple of days back completely affected our campaigns."

Q Why did you choose politics besides your career as an artiste?
I was honestly forced in to it. I didn’t have any hopes in doing politics because I didn’t have any political background or experience. We see many women entering politics because of their spouses. After my divorce I got in to politics. In my case I also joined politics because of the husband but he wasn’t involved in it. With the experience I have had for the past 5 years I am confident that I will be able to make a change.There’s a lot that needs to be done for the development of the country but before that the entire political culture needs to be changed. Therefore I believe that I will be able to make a change in my policies and thinking pattern.

Q Recently you mentioned that you were not a typical politician. Then what qualities do you think should be expressed by a typical politician?
The biggest issue in today’s political system is that we try to find satisfaction in minor things. For example, politicians attend funerals, weddings, give letters and answer phone calls. But when looking at it in a broader perspective we don’t see politicians practising any initiative to enhance job opportunities, initiate sustainable development programmes or minimize the adverse impacts introduced to this entire system through the open economy. As such we don’t see them practising their policies. Politicians should always adhere to their policies and work for the country.We could speak a lot about the investments introduced to the country by our former leaders. For example former President Mahinda Rajapakse was able to bring in the Mattala airport and harbour amidst criticisms. One reason why such mega investments were not introduced was due to terrorism. Yet after the end of the ethnic conflict we now have the opportunity to travel on a highway. In that way the country has developed massively. If we are to get rid of robbery in broad daylight we have to support the mixed electoral system.

"Politicians should always adhere to their policies and work for the country.We could speak a lot about the investments introduced to the country by our former leaders. For example former President Mahinda Rajapakse was able to bring in the Mattala airport and harbour amidst criticisms."

Q You spoke about giving a hand to women. During the last few months we came across many women’s organisations who requested for a 25% quota in Parliament. What do you think about this request and how would you work for women’s empowerment?
Not everybody mentioned this quota. Even at present women do get nominations from parties but a majority of them lose. All female politicians are in parliament today either due to fame or because they had had a political background. Even at Provincial or urban council level we see a lower percentage in women’s active participation in politics. Percentage wise it’s only 5.2% in parliament while in Provincial councils it is 4.8% and it is even less at the urban council level. For this I have only one suggestion. People in our country won’t vote for women since women don’t rob money because they want to maintain face. But men rob from commissions, take bribes; for example they rob Rs.10-15 lakhs when giving job opportunities to the youth and all these corrupt practices are not done by women. But without robbing money they also don’t have any other way to spend for campaigns during elections. Yet we see that most politicians don’t depend only on money as of today. Personality is another matter here. Women don’t need to be like men; but there are many women out there who speak the truth and have a good knowledge about society as well as politics. But they have different presentation skills. I always face this problem since I am an actress they sometimes wonder whether I am acting in the political arena as well. So when I become angry with people at times they are surprised to see that it is not really a performance that I have done up there. Another issue that I see is women in foreign employment. They are quite insecure and are facing many hardships while abroad. Their children and husbands are left isolated and there are chances of incest and under-age crimes. So children have to waste time in probation. Foreign employment has given rise to many issues and it is high time we took action for the betterment of the lives of these women. Also many issues can take a different turn if this mixed electoral system is introduced and I’m always supporting the 20th amendment for that matter. We also need to give a chance to minority parties as well because they too can contribute to make a change.

Q You entered politics from the UNP but later joined the UPFA. Do you regret this decision?
I regret when I think of all the people who supported me initially. They had a lot of faith in me and I joined politics while I was popular as an actress. I apologize to all those who supported me to win while I was in UNP. As soon as I left for the UPFA I realized that the number of votes I received were comparatively reduced. But then again we see other politicians defecting in broad daylight and I just can’t believe how they do that

Q Now that you are representing the Divulapitiya electorate what are the main issues that you have identified there?
When I consulted a few authorities I learned that there were many incidents of child abuse in this electorate. We know that child abuse is a serious concern in the country as of today. Divulapitiya is a mountainous area and many families suffer from a shortage of water. Also it is an area where there is a lot of poverty. These are some of the major issues which I have come across when examining the area closely. So I think it is my responsibility to work towards minimizing these issues amidst others like women’s empowerment and welfare which I mentioned before. There is a weekly fare in Divulapitiya but I always see that it is deserted. So I have plans to donate stalls for self-employed individuals so that they could make a living out of it. We see that huge sums are being donated for mega investments but there are families without basic needs like sanitary facilities. Such a situation prevails here and I hope I will be able to be of some help to the people.

Q Katana is the neighbouring electorate to Divulapitiya and is represented by RanjanRamanayake who is quite popular as a politician and an actor. Do you think you have tough competition?
Absolutely not. Ranjan is a politician who is acting in the political arena as well. His popularity does not affect my campaigns at all. The way I work is different to his. You have to always be with the people in politics and always walk the talk.

Q What are your future political aspirations?
As a representative of the youth there are many things that I still have to learn in politics. When speaking about the career I would like to get involved with civil society organisations and work towards the betterment of the lives of women in Divulapitiya. There is more to a civil society organisation than just getting some funds and securing their accounts. They need to dedicate their service to the people. Also as a woman I have a different agenda to work for the rights of women. The children and women need to be given priority in safety and education when looking at social issues faced by both these group of people and I will work for them as well. I was unable to fulfil these requirements during the last 5 years. I was able to donate funds, equipment for self-employed individuals and organize training programmes which I think every politician can do in his or her capacity. I want to emphasize on the importance of women to society and also want to change the mechanisms in how the law is being enacted on them.I also have plans to give a hand to the youth in my electorate by initiating empowerment programmes and giving them job opportunities.I want to initiate all projects from my electorate and then spread to the rest of the country.

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Comments - 3

Bala Tuesday, 28 July 2015 06:29 PM

Aney - stick to teledrama. Bolanda kathaa upita epaa. What political immaturity is displayed. Waste of time.

Cobra Tuesday, 28 July 2015 07:57 PM

We are not interested about the haste in which you defected to MR and let down your voters, what we want to know is WHY an HOW MUCH!!!!!

puss vedil Monday, 03 August 2015 06:32 PM

Try to reduce your tummy do that first

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Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

“I apologize for defecting unexpectedly”

" The biggest issue that we had as a party was the conflict between our present and former Presidents. Actually the statement made by the current president a couple of days back completely affected our campaigns."

"Politicians should always adhere to their policies and work for the country.We could speak a lot about the investments introduced to the country by our former leaders. For example former President Mahinda Rajapakse was able to bring in the Mattala airport and harbour amidst criticisms."

Comments - 3

Add comment

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