When Outlook met him at his official residence, Temple Trees, on Tuesday, March 2, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe sounded confident of victory in the April 2 general election and hoped President Chandrika Kumaratunga would respect the mandate. Wickremesinghe also spoke extensively on the peace process and the positive role India can possibly play in ensuring its success. Excerpts from his interview with Lasantha Wickrematunga:
What do you think this election will decide?
How do you measure Kumaratunga as an opponent?
How will you deal with the situation if results bring back the same political equation?
Was any kind of framework for a political solution discussed with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the six rounds of talks you have had?
India was a major player in the ethnic issue in the past. Do you see New Delhi as having a bigger role to play on the LTTE question now?
What kind of role does India need to play?
Could you be explicit on the defence agreement that you want signed with New Delhi?
Has India been sharing information on the LTTE which has come in useful for you to contain it?
Have you had any kind of discussions regarding Sea Tigers (the naval wing of the LTTE) with India?
How do you propose to balance western interlocutors with India?
How optimistic are you of victory given the ground situation and the fact that you are addressing over 120 public meetings whereas the president is addressing only 20?
As you said, you have worked for two years, brought peace. There has been a suspension of negotiations but there is no civil war now. How frustrating is it to have someone come and rip everything apart, sack your ministers?
To what extent do you think Sri Lanka is being held hostage to one woman's ambition?
