12 THE SUNDAY TIMES PARLIAMENT Sunday April 25, 2010 National List Newcomers

Career banker Eran Wickramar- this country and participate in policy Harsha De Silva hitherto was known as the (DFCC) and had co-founded a market were urgent. “You cannot continue atne is one among the nine individu- debates” he said. man who had helped write former Army research organisation earlier in the dec- to have a 10 per cent budget defi- als nominated by the United Nation- When the Sunday Times asked him Commander General (retired) Sarath Fonseka’s ade which was later sold to the Nielsen cit,” he says referring to the 824 al Party (UNP) to the seventh Parlia- how he would don the role of an MP election manifesto prior to the high profile presi- Company. Taking technology to vil- billion rupees interest and capital ment on the national list. Till recent- he answered “we have the responsi- dential election of January 26. De Silva is an lages, he says, has been one of his ini- debt payment figure as against ly, the 52-year-old Wickramaratne bility of holding the executive arm of economist whose doctoral thesis in the early 90s tiatives in recent times. “A lot of people revenue earnings of 702 billion ru- was CEO of the National Develop- the government accountable.” Ac- from the University of Missouri in the US had in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector are pees in 2009. “I want to challenge ment Bank (NDB), a job he enjoyed countability on how public finances dealt with a case study of Sri Lanka in the era of poor. They need technological tools to people who are always saying very much, but adds he had “always are utilised would be a key issue for economic liberalisation. increase efficiencies,” De Silva says. things without evidence or data,” been interested in larger issues con- him. But writing General Fonseka’s manifesto He added as part of a new project in he says hinting at his strategy for cerning the country.” The UNP’s national list released a would have been a tougher venture because the Dambulla, he has been able to help peo- Parliamentary debates. Since his post-graduation in economics from few days ago had surprised many even from document had to reflect a middle path between ple monitor the prices of vegetables through cel- Apart from the economy, De Silva says, his at- the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) within the party. two contradictory economic policies of the main lular telephones. When the Sunday Times asked tention would be focused on restructuring public in London, three decades ago, Wickramaratne “A lot of people may know you but it takes protagonists – the relatively liberal UNP and the him as to why he opted to join politics given his institutions. “For democracy to flourish, we need has been working on enhancing banking infra- time for people to know what you stand for,” says ultra nationalistic Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna engagements otherwise, his response was, “I to ensure that institutions work well.” structure in this country. Wickramaratne when asked whether his lack of (JVP). was happy with whatever I was doing but I also When asked if his entry into Parliament had While he may have been ideologically close to experience in electoral politics would impede his Prior to his nomination to Parliament this week realised that there is only so much you can do.” become a contentious issue for many within the the UNP for many years, his association with the growth in the party. While Wickramaratne knows from the UNP’s national list, De Silva, 45, was Now, with a seat in Parliament, De Silva as- UNP who had been hopeful of berths in the na- party became obvious in 2001 during UNP leader many senior UNP members and careeer politi- careful not to be identified as being close to the pires to influence policy making. As a strong vo- tional list, he says, “The national list has tradi- Ranil Wickremasinghe’s second premiership. cians have been left out of the national list, he party. “I was not a card holder of the UNP. It was tary of economic reforms he seems to think that tionally been for people from non-political, under- Wickramaratne was an advisor to the then does not think this would spur tensions within just that my views were very close to those of protectionism with regard to the economy that represented groups. It is only in the last few government on the application of information UNP ranks. According to him, political parties the UNP,” he says, may have been necessary during the war should years that this had become a route for backdoor technology (IT) for development. “We launched should continue with the tradition of offering De Silva has been a chief economist for the now be set aside. The need for liberalisation and entry into Parliament for those who lost at the the electronic governance programme for the seats through the national list to people from non- Development Finance Corporation of Ceylon better fiscal management, according to him, polls.” country then. The idea was to create jobs in new political backgrounds. technology sectors and build the IT communica- While hoping the Lankan economy gets the tions infrastructure,” Wickramaratne says. Bridg- post-war policy focus it deserves, Wickramaratne ing this country’s digital divide has been of inter- does not share the perception that the UNP Malani Fonseka - In a recent survey on ac- Malini’s colleagues from the film world whether you contest or come on est to him. “I worked hard to get global brands should alone be blamed for its disastrous per- tors in Asia, the American TV network CNN - Geetha Kumarasinghe – had contes- the National list it is obvious the such as Microsoft to invest in this country a few formance at the recent general elections. “You hailed Malani Fonseka as one of the continent’s ted the parliamentary elections but parties put forward their best years ago,” he adds. can’t look at the UNP in isolation. It is the current Top 25. was defeated. On this subject, Malini’s choice and it is the responsibility Although Wickramaratne by his own admis- political situation of the country after 30 years of Educated at Gurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya and response was: “As an artiste if she of those parties. I cannot assess sion had “assisted the UNP leadership in organi- conflict,” he says while admitting that there has a career spanning 40 years in as many as 150 came to politics it would have been the party decisions. It is up to sational and management matters related to the been a consolidation of “gratitude votes” in favour films, she is Sri Lanka’s queen of the silver better but it is difficult to assess the them,” Malani said when asked if party,” he could still be considered a novice in of the ruling party. screen. This week, Malani was nominated to public. The people have decided on the public were really concerned parliamentary politics since he never contested He was coy to mention his connection with the Parliament from the national list by the United that and we cannot go beyond it we about who is elected to Parlia- elections. He had been a backroom boy in the Assembly of God (AoG) Church in Sri Lanka play- People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). “I have been have to accept the verdict.” ment. UNP. But now he will be sharing Opposition space ing down what he merely called was his "associa- in the film field for over 40 years. I think I have UNP parliamentarian from Gampaha Ronald Reagan was an actor be- with his elected colleagues in Parliament. “I hope tion" with it. He could not be drawn into elaborat- reached the peak in that field. As a citizen I think and small screen actress Upeksha Swarnamali fore he became the President of the US. The to contribute to (making) sensible legislation for ing on his role in its activities. I can do a better service. That’s why I entered who made it to Parliament with a substantial Sunday Times asked Malini. “Do you think an politics,” she said when asked about her enter- number of preferential votes would be sharing actor will become the President of Sri Lanka ing the political theatre. “I was invited earlier to the Parliamentary forum along with Malani. someday” (or are you saying that Mahinda Raja- enter into politics but I did not want to enter pol- Swarnamali often referred to as ‘Paba’ after her paksa is an actor because he acted in some Tiran Alles has been nominated During Samaraweera’s tenure as itics then,” she told the Sunday Times. TV name became famous with just that one tele- film)? “It not matter from which profession you to Parliament on the national list by Telecommunications Minister a According to her, Sri Lanka is a free country drama series before being elected to the new come from. What matters is how you serve the the Democratic National Alliance few years ago, Alles had been em- where she now is ready to take on “any respon- Parliament. “Unlike Paba, I came on the National people. You can be an engineer, a doctor or from (DNA). Although the 50-year-old broiled in a controversy over alleg- sibility and carry out any duty.” “It depends on list. I would not like to comment on the public any other profession, but as a politician you businessman does not have any pre- edly making money by securing ex- the responsibility given to me,” she said adding opinion and about electing her but it is good if should serve the people. So in Sri Lanka too any vious experience in active politics, clusive rights for the sale of cellular that apart from the “field of arts,” she would be she can get more experience in the field of arts, person from any profession can rise to the top,” he had been associated with the telephones in the erstwhile LTTE- willing to “take other responsibilities.” One of before entering Parliament. I wish also to say she said. campaigns of the JVP during last controlled areas. “I started my January’s presidential elections. business in Jaffna in 2002. I star- Educated at Royal College and Anan- ted business during the ceasefire da College in Colombo, Alles had agreement. But it was not only me, Professor Rajiva Wijesingha nominated from When we asked him if he was enter- Speaking on allegations raised earlier served as Chairperson of the Airports even the big companies including all the blue the UPFA as one of its national list members is ing parliament as a member of the Liber- by the NFF leader at a recent held and Aviation Services. chip companies started the business,” he said distinguished for his political analysis. An aca- al Party he said, “I'm a member of the press briefing he said “I think the “During the Presidential elections I was in- when asked about the controversy, elaborating demic by profession he was senior Professor of UPFA National List. But of course this crux of the press conference was volved in politics. I got involved with the Presi- no further on the subject. Languages at the University of Sabaragamuwa. In sprang up because the Liberal Party the disappointment his party mem- dential election campaign. Thereafter automati- “I was neither a fund raiser for the DNA or 2007 he was Secretary General of the Secretariat asked for some sort of understanding ber wasn't appointed. That's under- cally with the removal of Mangala Samara- the JVP, nor was I a campaign manager during for Co-ordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP). Pro- with the government.” On his role in par- standable. I don't necessarily see weera as Minister, I was virtually pushed into the elections,” Alles said when probed about fessor Wijesingha was also Secretary to the Min- liament Professor Wijesingha said “I that as criticism as me. politics,” Alles told the Sunday Times when whether he had offered financial support to the istry of Disaster Management and Human rights. hope to be particularly involved in consti- According to Professor Wijesing- asked about his initiation in politics. DNA-JVP combine during the recent Presiden- He resigned from the Ministry, as he was a candi- tutional reforms that are planned. One ha the manape system was terri- According to him, creation of the Opposition tial and Parliamentary elections. date on the National List of the United People’s would be able to, in a sense, give ideas.” ble. He said it was very tough on coalition the United National Front (UNF) and The new MP denied using any financial mus- Freedom. Speaking of the changes he would like to see people, not very fair on any politician really he General (retired) Sarath Fonseka’s entry in the cle to enter Parliament and instead said: “This Speaking on his experiences in parliament Professor Wijesingha said there were three very said. “That's why I think it's very important to fray during the last Presidential elections drew is the first time I entered Parliament, I have not where his father had been Secretary General for important areas: Firstly electoral reform -- a sys- have electoral reform.” him further into politics. “Personally, I thought contested any election previously, not even for many years and now entering as an MP, “it's quite tem that is fair to the minorities. Secondly the Refering to an occassion where a Liberal Party while General Fonseka was directly involved in a local council or a provincial council but I was sentimental. For instance, when Mr. Chamal Ra- need for the Second Chamber. MP refused to abide by a party decision to stand politics, it would have been difficult for me to on the national list of the DNA and got into Par- japksa was elected Speaker my mind went back Thirdly the unity of the country to ensure that down and hand his seat over to Chanaka Amara- be in a different party. It was not correct, I liament.” to the first time I went there. Maybe it was the ef- there's a sense of togetherness and all parties feel tung Wijesingha said “He refused to stand by his thought it was wrong to go and do politics with Finally, when asked if he agreed with the JVP fect of the shawl. His father was Deputy Speaker adequately represented. own promise. I think that's the really sad part. It a different party. Therefore, I thought I should economic policy that the state must control the at the time. There were some memories, seeing Those are areas in which I hope there will be was unfortunate because the SLMC had agreed to go with the DNA. That’s why I did it,” he said “commanding heights of the economy,” Alles all those things. But of course it's very different. I Constitutional reform and maybe adjustments to nomiate Chanaka as a Liberal Party MP. But there when asked as to why he broke ranks with Sa- said: “That is not exactly their policy. You will have a sentimental affection for the old parliament the 17th Ammendment, which I believe was a was a lot of pressure. The SLMC subsequently maraweera. have to check with them.” and I think this building is a bit impersonal”. very hasty and impractical piece of legislation said that it had been President Kumaratunga.

New faces in Parliament The full National List MATALE UNP UPFA Thenuka Vidana- Chamika Wijaya Dahanayaka UPFA gamage Buddhadasa Palitha Thewarapperuma Former Deputy Chairman Businessman Born 1969 Matugama Organiser of the SPC „ Ratnasiri Wickramanayake Lakshman Perera Hails from a politi- Businessman Elected to parliament from Elected to parliament „ D. M. Jayaratne Attorney-at-law cal family the Kalutara district with with 44,463 preferential „ Dallas Alahapperuma Chairman Hingurana Faced an election 51,153 votes votes „ Prof. G. L. Peiris Distilleries and Lak FM for the first time „ D. E. W. Gunasekara Served as Laggala Elec- „ Tissa Vitharana torate organiser and or- „ Geethanjana Gunawardena ganiser Matale district „ Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera „ Muththu Sivalingam Ajith Perera „ Achala Jagoda Attorney-at-law UNP „ Vinayagamoorthi Muralidaran UNP Chief Organiser Bandaraga- „ J. R. P. Sooriyapperuma ma Buddhika Pathirana „ Janaka Priyantha Bandara Wasantha Aluvihare Elected to Western Provin- Media personality and „ Rajiva Wijesinha Born 1962 cial Council with 28,568 former Leader of the Op- „ A. H. M. Azwer Former Chairman of the preferential votes position SPC „ Malani Fonseka Central Provincial Council Elected to parliament with Elected to SPC in 2009 „ Kamala Ranathunga Studied at Trinity College, UNP 48,588 preferential votes where he topped the Kandy UNP preferential vote UNP Harin Fernando list with 57,802 votes Former member of the Uva MATARA Enters parliament this „ Tissa Attanayake Provincial Council year with 62,499 preferential votes – the high- „ Joseph Michael Perera BADULLA Elected to UPC on the UNP UPFA est in the UNP list „ Eran Wickramaratne ticket with the highest pref- „ Harsha de Silva UPFA erential votes Sanath Jayasuriya „ D. M. Swaminadan Topped the UNP Badulla dis- Born 1969 „ R. Yogarajan „ Udith Lokubandara trict preferential votes list at this year’s Gener- Former Captain of the Sri BATTICALOA Anoma Gamage Son of Former Speaker W. al Elections Lanka cricket team „ Hassan Ali J. M. Lokubandara Holder of multiple world re- „ Aslam Mohomad Saleem Mohomad SLFP Badulla District Organ- cords ITAK KALUTARA iser First time in politics DNA Elected to parliament with Topped the UPFA Matara district preferential S. Logeswaran 38,124 preferential votes UPFA votes list with 74352 votes to his name Elected to parliament „ Anura Kumara Dissanayake Read for a PhD in Marketing from the ITAK ticket „ Tiran Alles Vidura Wickramanayake with 20,569 preferential Son of former Prime Minis- votes TNA ter Ratnasiri Wickrama- Dr. Rohana Pushpakumara nayake Hemal Gunasekara „ Mathiaparanam Abraham Sumanthiran A medical doctor by profes- Horana SLFP Organiser Former member of the sion Elected to the Western Pro- Southern Provincial Council Former Chairman of the Uva vincial Council on the UPFA Elected to parliament with Provincial Council ticket 63,323 preferential votes Elected to parliament with 50,114 votes from Organiser for Kamburipitiya Compiled by Himal Kotelawala with the assistance of Anton Cruz in Batticaloa and the Kalutara district Palitha Ariyawansa in Badulla