Rajapkse says Sinhala Buddhists did not discriminate against tsunami affected Tamils

The PM admits, however, that there are Sinhala extremists in Sri Lanka. But the Tamil community, he says, have lived in Sri Lanka in peace and harmony.

He is of the view that forming a coalition with the UNP would not serve any purpose.

Following is the second batch of answers from the PM for your questions...

Q: Do you think, the JVP will return to the coalition under your leadership? In fact if you were president and if JVP demand the post of prime minister, would you agree to rescind the executive powers and empowered the parliament, mean to Prime-minister? If JVP form a coalition without SLFP and invite you to join offering a key position of that coalition would you consider?
Suresh Perera, Rahima, K.S.A

A: All this is still very far away. The assumptions in your second and third question are so hypothetical that I find it very difficult to respond to either one or the other.

Q: When will the noble philosophy of Buddhism and compassion for all living things be reassumed in my homeland Sri Lanka so that expatriates may return?
Anand Buvan, New York, USA

A: The relationship between a country and its dominant religious philosophy has never – in any country at any point in history – achieved the potential that many who espouse a religion would have liked. .For instance It is the experience of all countries that noble philosophies, whether of Buddhism or of any other religion, have seldom – if ever – given direction to the political affairs of a country in some total or absolute way. It is unfair to expect a religious system to play such a role. At the same time we should not confuse this reality with the ways in which religious systems have influenced the cultures of different countries that come under the influence of a particular religion. Sri Lanka is no exception.

Q: Sri Lanka rates 3.5 on the World Transparency Index. Who is ultimately responsible for this showing and what can you do about it?
Milinthe Peries, Morgantown, USA

A: The whole country is responsible for our position on the transparency index, assuming we can place reliance on this assessment and the manner in which it has been established. After all, the level of corruption in a country is an expression of the functioning of its total political system at all levels.

Q: Are you a Buddhist? If you are, Why are you hesitant to implement Buddha's philosophy which respect all creatures. Could you write a Buddhist code of conduct?
Joe Rajah, Caldwell, USA

A: I am a Buddhist. We follow our religion as best as we can and like all others we too fall short of its ideals on some occasions. In this respect I am unclear about your use of the word ‘implement’.

Q: P-TOMS was in the offing for some time. Why was it not brought before the House of elected members of the country for a discussion much earlier so that you would have avoided all present problems? Is it democratic to sign it and bring it before the House later?
Douglas Wicks Wickramasinghe, Pickering, Canada

A: The position of the government has been clarified on numerous occasions, and it is hardly necessary for me to add anything to these explanations.

Q: Why can’t SLFP and UNP form a coalition Government?
Satish Subramaniam, Toronto, Canada

A: For what purpose? To achieve what objective? To defeat whom? And why only the SLFP and the UNP? Why not also the JVP and the left, and the Tamil and Muslim parties?

Q: Why only Sri Lanka is pushed by western nations to hand over ancient Buddhist Sinhalese land in the North and East (maybe the hill country also added if they take up arms)to a group of mindless Tamil racists who fear to face democratic elections and are wiping off every day the Sinhalese heritage from those regions? Will the people tolerate this forever and ever?
Raja Amarasekara, Melbourne, Australia

A: Your question should be addressed to the western nations to which you refer, and not to me.

Q: Could you please tell me why tsunami aid money we are sending to Sri Lankan bank accounts is not getting through to the recipients and we receive no acknowledgement of receipt by the banks?
Gillian Kirk, Goudhurst, UK

A: This is a matter that should be investigated and for this purpose could you please send all information available with you to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Colombo 1.

Q: What is you stand (solution) on the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka?
Ragu, London, UK

A: Sri Lanka has a population of many cultures and of people speaking different languages. We need to evolve a political system which allows these people to enjoy equal political and other rights. The constitutional framework within which this is to be achieved, if it is to endure, must have the support of all communities as well as of the neighbouring countries. Such a constitutional framework can be described as democratic.

Q: Why have you not refunded the $1,000,000 duty that you forced Oxfam to pay on 4x4 vehicles that were brought into your country to aid your tsunami victims? This is taking money (aid) away from other people who need the help.
Lesley Clarke-Round, Lee-on-the-Solent, UK

A: Every government has legitimate sources of revenue. Customs’ duties are one of them. Many generous concessions were made for the import of goods for tsunami relief. Beyond a certain limit, however, they are not exempt from duty and import duties have to be paid. This I believe is what Oxfam has experienced.

Q: There is a free software movement in the world. Country like ours can be greatly benefit from participating in this. We can save lot of money being paid as software licenses. Countries like India and China is already on this path. What is your government is doing on this behalf?
Crysanthus Silva, Panadura, Sri Lanka

A: Though perhaps somewhat behind some of our neighbouring countries, our government is making efforts to explore and exploit these opportunities seriously. We have recently taken a number of meaningful steps to develop the infrastructural support necessary for the rapid development of the IT industry in our country.

Q: Would you say Sinhala extremism doesn't exist in Sri Lanka? Do you think minorities can live in peace without LTTE leadership's care? If your answer is yes, why was there a racial conflict in the past & what has been done to prevent it in the future?
Karuna Ahilan Ahilan, Harrow, UK

A: Extremisms of all sorts exist in all countries. Sri Lanka is no exception. The answer to your second question is ‘yes’; Our minorities have lived in peace and harmony in most parts of the country and continue to do so, while the LTTE presence to which you refer is confined to only a small part of the country.

Q: Even though Sri Lankan Police force has made a breakthrough in Mr. Sivaram's killing why the top Cop in Sri Lanka ordered to stop the investigations further going on? Will justice be served in this case?
Nirmal Mailvaganam, Toronto, Canada

A: I am not aware of such an order, and am confident that the Sri Lankan police will investigate this crime in a fair and competent manner. Therefore the need to answer your second question does not arise.

Q: When will Sri Lanka pass some laws to control the encroachment of buildings and shops on the very narrow roads like those to Kandy and Galle? These main roads are killers with trucks passing on corners, crossing the yellow lines.
John Benham, Camarillo, California, USA

A: Improvement of highways is a major aspect of infrastructure development in our country. The laws to which you refer are in fact in place and we have taken steps to strengthen their enforcement.

Q: Who will be the next presidential candidate in your party?
Rohita Dharmapriya, Las Vegas, USA

A: That is for the party to decide.

Q: What are the pros and cons of a constitution giving foremost place to Buddhism when you are trying to build a multi-religious nation?
Ruben Thurairajah, London, UK

A: It is not possible to go into this question in the course of a sentence or two. The matter no doubt is being debated and will figure in the deliberations of those who will frame a new constitution.

Q: The UPFA came to power in 2004 April. Since the UPFA came to power in April 2004 there has been lot of development in the South of Sri Lanka. Why not there has not been any development or new investment in North or the East (All Tamil homeland) of Sri Lanka? There is also lot of violence committed by arm forces and the Sri Lanka Security forces against Tamil Minority in the Island of Sri Lanka. Why is this in an increasing level and the government is not bringing the culprits to face the law?
Rajiv Baskarasingam, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

A: Regarding your first question, your premises can be questioned. You are perhaps not aware of the pattern of development activity in the different parts of the country including the north and east after the UPFA came to power. As for your second question it would be argued in the south that the position you present is unfortunately very one-sided. As for the transgressions which you say occur in the island and are not being properly investigated, please be good enough to forward the detailed information to me so that I may take appropriate action.

Q: Is it not possible for even a PM from Hambantota to initiate & speed up construction of the much desired international harbour in Hambantota?
Harshana Somapriya, Mirigama, Sri Lanka

A: Steps have already been taken by our government to expedite this project.

Q: The single largest problem facing Sri Lanka is the ethnic problem. In my opinion, to solve this problem, the UNP and SLFP should come together. Are you planning to take any steps taken in this regard?
Valan, Bristol, UK

A: I have already answered this question.

Q: Why are the Leading Buddhist religious leaders do not want to accept the Tamil community as Sri Lankan Citizens by protesting against the delivery of Tsunami aids equally to all those who were affected? Do you admit that they have shown the world that the Sinhalese nationals have shown discrimination against the Tamils nationals of the country?
Siva Sivanu Mookiah, Scarborough, Canada

A: The premises on which your first question is based are unfortunately incorrect. There are no reported instances of Buddhist leaders objecting to the distribution of tsunami related aid equitably to all affected persons and communities. Hence your second question does not arise.