The new generation are clamouring for a change
10 August 2015 07:57 pm
The secretary of the Democratic Party and wife of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka the leader of the Democratic Party, Ms Anoma Fonseka was interviewed recently on the role she plays as a candidate from the Gampaha District representing the Democratic Party.
Do you think that your party propaganda had reached the people.
We are satisfied that our campaign had reached the people, and we put to best use the time allocated for our publicity work, and are ready for this election.
What is the response of the people? Do you think that the people have listened to you.
From the responses we had received it is clear that people are clamoring for a change. There are strong supporters of both the green and blue, who never change, but there are others of the new generation who desires a change.
What are the chances of Sarath Fonseka in Colombo?
I cannot tell you exactly what his position is in Colombo, but I know for certainty that he is well loved by a large number of people. I have hopes that if Sarath Fonseka is elected he would work earnestly towards maintaining law and order in the country.
Why do you think that people of Gampaha should elect you?
I am representing Kelaniya, which city I know from childhood, and observe that there is no development there, it is the same city I witnessed as a child. I was able to do some good work being involved with the War Heroes Services Authority, and expect to do more towards the lives of the War Heroes by entering Parliament. I too have a closer relationship with Gampaha.
In the recent past you accused Mahinda Rajapaksa of family dandyism, but now we see the Fonseka family, husband, wife and son-in-law all in the running at this poll.
Dhanuna is no more a family member. But he is contesting from our party. That is the democracy we have in our party. Husband and wife contesting at elections is not something new. We have not thought of only our family like Rajapaksas. There were the Senanayake family, Bandaranaike family - they never harmed people in the manner the Rajapaksa family had been doing.
There is an allegation that Sarath Fonseka was promoted as Field Marshal because he supported President Maithripala Sirisena at the election?
I dont agree with that. It should have been given by Mahinda Rajapaksa. But because he was angry he didnt give that. The post of Field Marshal cannot be awarded to anyone. There should be certain qualifications and only General Sarath Fonseka had them. It is not a post like the JP or a Doctorate that can be bought over. Some had questioned as to how other army commanders did not get that. According to the criteria it should have been given to an Army commander. General Fonseka is a man who was almost killed due to the war and was reborn. If this post was awarded to him during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s period the present political background could have changed completely.
What plans have you for implementation once appointed to parliament
We have broad plans, covering all sectors with special emphasis on Education and Health.
Courtesy Sunday Lankadeepa