A beautiful train journey to alluring Nuwara Eliya was organised for the Ambassadors in the country on the advice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
It was the first time in recent history that a group of Ambassadors and High Commissioners were taken on such a trip.
President Wickremesinghe went to Nuwara Eliya last weekend to join the group. Following the presentation of credentials to ten new Ambassadors and High Commissioners in Kandy, the President went to Nuwara Eliya to join the Ambassadors and High Commissioners.
The Ambassadors and High Commissioners came to Nanu Oya by train from Colombo. The group of diplomats who received new credentials from Peradeniya also joined the trip and Chief of Staff of the President Sagala Ratnayaka also joined them. They danced and sang and had fun and came to Nanuoya in an old Viceroy Special - a vintage train.
The President had invited them for dinner at the Nuwara-Eliya President’s House. The members of the diplomatic mission who arrived at the President’s House were received by First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe.
When US Ambassador Julie Chung came to the President’s House and looked at the ancient building built by the British rulers, she saw something and stopped near it. It was an ancient telephone installed by the white men.
It was a wonderful antique telephone consisting of a large panel with rows of telephone numbers and many buttons that had to be pulled up. When she asked about the details of the phone marked “Made in England”, President Wickremesinghe told her about the past and explained how to make a call from that phone, surprising everyone. For a few moments, the President became Ambassador Julie Chung’s telephone operator.
When asked by an officer, “Sir, have you somehow given a message to America?”, President Wickremesinghe said that he had given a message to the world about Sri Lanka through this trip of the Ambassadors.
A bonfire was lit in the courtyard to cut off the chilly wind of Nuwara Eliya as a reminder of the past. Diplomats had the opportunity to enjoy a simple Sinhala meal.
The next day, they travelled by train from Nanuoya to Demodara and stopped at several places on the way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the environment. At Pattipola and Riverstone railway stations, they got off the train and watched the scenery around. They got off the train near the Demodera Nine-Arch Bridge and had a chit-chat with the local and foreign tourists who were there. After watching the Demodera railway loop, the group of diplomats returned to Colombo.
Kataragama perahera
The President went to Kataragama from Nuwara Eliya to watch the annual Kataragama perahera. A huge crowd had come to watch the procession and President Wickremesinghe did not forget to greet the people on both sides of the road.
The President watched the procession along with Kirivehera Viharadhipathi Thera, Thai Ambassador, State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and Sagala Ratnayaka. The President went to Hambantota that morning to participate as the chief guest in the ceremony organised to celebrate 35 years of the political journey of Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. At the ceremony, President Wickremesinghe invited the Opposition including the Leader of the Opposition to join hands with the Government to solve the problems of the people.
After the ceremony, when the President came to the tea party, former Mayor Eraj Fernando came to the President and asked, “Sir, can you recognise me?” Then the President said, “Why not, the whole country knows about you.”
A group of the oldest members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party who came to congratulate Minister Amaraweera approached the President and inquired about the Aswesuma Program and the President said that everything will be rectified in the people’s interest.
President Wickremesinghe who arrived in Colombo on Tuesday, held the Cabinet meeting which could not be held on Monday as it was a public holiday. When several Ministers asked about the appointment of the new Inspector General of Police, the President, as usual, ignored the issue. A fuss was also made about the former IGP’s presence in Nuwara Eliya and Kataragama.
The President asked Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga and Prof. Ashu Marasinghe about parliamentary affairs. They outlined parliamentary activities of the week accordingly.
In a message to the International Digital Marketing Conference, the President said that the potential of digital technology will be used to the fullest for the advancement of the economy. Udeni Rajapaksa, who was appointed as the new Air Force Commander, met the President, the Chief of Staff and the Presidential Secretary in the traditional way on Wednesday. That afternoon Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay came to discuss the preparations for the President’s visit to India. The President’s Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Prof. Ashu Marasinghe briefed the President on several events of the parliamentary week over the phone.
It was a story told by TNA Parliamentarian Charles Nirmalanathan who came to meet Ashu Marasinghe.
“MP Udaya Gammanpila told me a good story. That is every mother will eat if there is any left over after feeding her child. But the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament is not like that. If he kills the time, he will give the time to the children of minor parties like us to speak.” MP Nirmalanathan told Ashu Marasinghe with a smile.
“Yes, several members of the Opposition told me that they don’t get the opportunity to speak about the subjects they want to speak about because the Leader of the Opposition talks about all these subjects,” Prof. Marasinghe replied.
President Wickremesinghe went to a private hotel in Colombo to attend the wedding of State Minister D.V. Chanaka on Wednesday evening. A seat was reserved for the President next to former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapaksa. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Chamal Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa were also sitting at the same table.
The three Presidents had talked about the future political plans to rebuild the country. While the Presidents were talking about nation-building plans, Prof. Ashu Marasinghe talked with the journalists present about the nation-building media plan.
Economic plans
On Thursday morning, the President went to the Ministry of Finance to discuss economic plans. The President discussed with the officials about the decrease in bank interest and fixed deposit interest rates.
“The people believed in the program implemented by the President to restructure debt. The Opposition said that the banks were collapsing, but no one believed that story,” State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.
“The behaviour of the Opposition in the past showed that it does not know how to do politics. As the President was invited from Hambantota, the Opposition didn’t extend their support to the Government’s program. The Opposition Leader is miscalculating,” MP Wajira Abeywardena said, looking at the President.
When State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said, “When will the Inspector General of Police be appointed?” The President with his usual smile said, “I will appoint a good person soon.”
“Won the trust of the people”
Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said, “Sir, it has been a year since you became President. I remember the Government parliamentary group meeting that was called as the Acting President. That day MPs Rauff Hakeem and Sumanthiran and General Shavendra Silva told you to resign.”
“Because he did not accept what they said then, today the President has become the leader who has won the trust of the people. Although not a popular leader, the President has become a leader who has won the trust of the people.” When the Director General of Government Information Dinith Chinthaka spoke, the gathered officials said, “You gave a good point.”
“When his house was destroyed by fire, he thought about the country and assumed the presidency, so he was able to rebuild the burning country,” said State Minister Shehan Semasinghe, ending the conversation.
UNP Bala Mandala meetings
The United National Party Bala Mandala meetings are currently being held countrywide and party leaders such as Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Chairman Wajira Abeywardena, National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka and General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara are participating in them encouraging party members.
UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene who went to Moneragala for the Bala Mandala meeting, received complaints from the people about the Aswesuma issue and the land issue. He promised to discuss it with the President and resolve them. The Director General of the Chinese International Department and others met Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene and discussed training youth involved in politics.
Govt Parliamentary Group meets
The Government Parliamentary Group meeting was held at the Parliament complex under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Wednesday evening. The Minister of Justice and other legal experts explained about the Anti-Corruption Bill and the Crime Victims and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Bill.
“According to this Bill, will the Police be removed from Bribery Commission investigations?” asked an MP.
“Not at once” was the reply of an officer.
“Then it will be a failure,” said the MP.
Another proposal was made to make asset declarations electronically.
“What do you do with false complaints, media shows, and character assassination?” That was another question raised.
“In the new Act,” Premier Gunawardena intervened and referred an important issue to the drafting officers. “Many MPs are asking, is there a specific period of time in the new law when the complaint will be examined and completed?”, “It has to end quickly.”
“Not immediately, it takes time, doesn’t it,” Prime Minister Gunawardena explained the common question of MPs. Attorney-at-Law MP Jayantha Weerasinghe criticised the activities of a certain commission.
Many proposals were presented by the MPs. They asked if their proposals would be added to the amendments.
“Now we have been discussing it for days. There are amendments that have been presented. The interpretation of those clauses can be done through Parliament. Any MP has the right to ask for an interpretation from the Minister when presenting the clause.” Premier Gunawardena made a comprehensive analysis to an MP about the opportunities in the parliamentary system.
Then the Prime Minister looked at State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe and said with a smile, “I wish Minister Geeta Kumarasinghe a happy birthday on behalf of everyone.”
The “Bhikkhu Upadeshana Sabha” (Bhikkhu Advisory Council) which was organised by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on the theme “For a Disciplined Society” was held at Solis Reception Hall, Colombo recently. Nearly 700 bhikkhus were present and many SJB leaders including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and his wife Jalani Premadasa were also present.
Sajith Premadasa outlined the idea of setting up the Bhikkhu Advisory Council some time ago. He handed over its responsibility to the party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, National Organiser Tissa Attanayake and Gayantha Karunathilaka. All the three of them dedicated a lot for this task and did not forget to speak personally to the Chief Incumbents of many temples.
Ven. Uggoda Dhamminda Thera extended great support to it.
“Our aim is to implement a governance system based on the ‘Dasa Raja Dharma’. For that, we need to create a disciplined society. It is worthwhile to start a Bhikkhu Advisory Council.” That is what Sajith Premadasa advised a few months ago.
“The best three people have been chosen for this work. All three of them have a great connection with temples,” Ashok Abeysinghe said regarding Sajith Premadasa’s selection of General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, National Organiser Tissa Attanayake and Gayanta Karunathilaka to form the Bhikkhu Advisory Council.
While the inaugural ceremony of the Council was held at the Solis Reception Hall and arrangements had been made to conduct the alms giving at the SJB head office.
For more than two weeks, the organising committee worked hard for this purpose. The SJB had set up Bhikkhu organisations throughout the country so that a large number of bhikkhus would gather around. However it was possible for them to get only a limited number of bhikkhus to the Solis hall which has limited space.
“Thousands of bhikkhus from all over the country are currently in contact with us. The biggest problem is how we can get all of them into one place,”Tissa Attanayake said. He contacted a large number of temples through the Sandaham Yatra program.
“Then we will invite five hundred bhikkhus and then the Bhikkhu Advisory Council from each district.” This proposal was brought by Karunathilaka.
“Okay, Gayanta’s proposal is good. Then we can invite all the bhikkhus who are connected with us,” Premadasa said. General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara and his team started inviting five hundred bhikkhus.
“General Secretary, even if three bhikkhus are invited from each electorate, there will be nearly seven hundred bhikkhus,” Karunathilaka said. “It’s okay, let’s invite them,” was the group decision.
The program was scheduled to start at 8.30 am and by 8.15 am the hall was filled to overflowing with bhikkhus. Ven. Uggoda Dhamminda Thera was involved in arranging seats for the Venerable Maha Sangha. To complete the program on time, a short agenda had been prepared and time had been set aside for ‘Anusasana’ for a few bhikkhus.
Ven. Agalakada Sirisumana Thera commenced the Anusasana. He said, “The SJB has conducted various action programs to turn the degraded society into a prosperous country while keeping the hopes for the future of the country. Discipline in education, politics and Parliament has deteriorated. A political party needs to be prepared in advance to gain power.
“The SJB has thought about it and that is why they brought together the Maha Sangha from all over the country. The Maha Sangha came with the hope that the Leader of the SJB will save the country and that there will be solutions to get the country out of the current situation.
“First ensure discipline within the party based on correct vision and show society and then gain power as a disciplined party in society. We will help at any time to overcome the challenge of rebuilding the country,” the Thera said.
“When the Maha Sangha raises any doubts in many Dhammadeshanas, we listen to them when we are in the Opposition. When we come to power, we don’t work in accordance with that principle, but act against it. In fact, there is a lot of truth in the Dhammadeshana presented in the past 75 years of history. Venerable Thera, we are trying to make a clear revision of that practice. We follow the Dasharaja Dharma and accordingly, we will carry out our journey forward,” the Opposition Leader said.
Many people paid attention to the President’s invitation to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya led by Sajith Premadasa, but for two days there was no response from the SJB side.
However, on the third day, Sajith Premadasa responded to it in Parliament itself. He said, “The President says to come forward in the national interest. But I am asking whether it is to catch thieves or to protect thieves, to save lives or to destroy people? To catch or to protect Pandora Paper thieves? To catch or to protect sugar tax, coconut oil and gas thieves? Do you want to join to protect or catch people who killed journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga and unleashed violence against journalists including Upali Tennakoon?
“I responsibly say that every time the representatives of international organisations and financial institutions met, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya have stated that they should always help the 22 million people but we asked to do it transparently. They said they will also help me to become President and protect my Opposition Leader post. I know what they did together with former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2019. I don’t need that kind of help.
“Where we go and where we stop is not decided by political deals. They are revealed by expressing the opinion of 22 million people. I don’t expect to be the Leader of the Opposition for 21 years,” Premadasa said.