President Ranil Wickremesinghe was at the Presidential Secretariat until the evening of the previous day before his visit to China as many discussions were held.
On Sunday afternoon, a group of representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) and the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) met the President.
They presented their problems to the President. After the university teachers presented their problems, President Wickremesinghe agreed to pay their academic allowance. He also promised to rectify it in the next Budget.
The President, who promised to solve the problem of the working hours of doctors, also agreed to solve the tax problem, which was a common proposal of both parties. Both discussions ended amicably as everyone came to an agreement.
Following that President Wickremesinghe engaged in a conversation with UNP General Secretary Range Bandara and others about the party convention. The President informed them that he will return after his visit to China on Friday evening and said that he will participate in the party convention on Saturday evening.
After completing all the activities, the President left for China that same night, along with several Ministers. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena, President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Board of Investment Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody also joined the trip.
Belt and Road Forum
The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in China from October 16 to 20 and President Wickremesinghe joined the trip following the invitation from the Chinese Government.
As his first meeting, the President attended an investment, trade and tourism session in China on Monday. The meeting was held at the Sri Lanka Embassy in China. President Wickremesinghe asked the Chinese businessmen to invest in Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe had bilateral discussions with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who was in China to participate in the Forum. On Tuesday morning, the President embarked on an observation tour of Huawei, one of the world’s strongest companies as well as in China. An agreement to launch a project with Huawei for schoolchildren was also signed.
President Wickremesinghe also held discussions with Pakistan Prime Minister Anwar-Ul-Haq Kakar on the sidelines of the Forum. The recovery from the economic crisis was also discussed.
Director General of the Department of Government Information, Dinith Chinthaka Karunaratne informed the President who was in China, that the appointment of the Inspector General of Police had not been approved by the Constitutional Council.
The President promptly looked into this and expressed his regret about the decision of the Constitutional Council when he and the Minister in charge of Police were not in Sri Lanka. When the President looked into this, he came to know from many other parties that this decision was taken in the absence of the President to destabilise the country.
Finally, the President informed his Secretary Saman Ekanayake to immediately appoint C.D. Wickramaratne as the Inspector General of Police again for three weeks. He also advised the Secretary to send the appointment again to the Constitutional Council.
The Belt and Road Initiative Forum chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced on Wednesday. The Chinese President outlined a series of eight-point policies and invited the state leaders to the conference with great courtesy. After the start of the summit, the Heads of State also appeared for a group photograph with President Jinping.
President Wickremesinghe also held bilateral talks with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. There was an exchange of views on economic and social development between the two countries. The President also addressed the “Green Silk Road for harmony with nature” high-level conference held in conjunction with the Forum. The President outlined how climate change affects the region.
President Wickremesinghe met Chinese Finance Minister Liu Kung on Thursday. The meeting with Sri Lanka’s biggest creditor, brought a lot of hope to the country. As expected, the Chinese Finance Minister said that China will support a medium-term and long-term program to suit both parties in the country’s debt optimisation program.
On the same day, the President met representatives of several major Chinese companies. Among them were China Communications Construction Corporation, Sinopec Company and BYD Company. At the discussions the company representatives promised the President to bring investments to the Port City. President Wickremesinghe who returned to Sri Lanka on Friday went to the Sugathadasa Stadium on Saturday evening to join the special party convention.
Party leaders’ meeting
A meeting of the leaders of the parties representing the Parliament was held at the Parliament complex on Wednesday afternoon presided over by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Many party leaders representing the Government, Opposition and independent parties were present.
Premier Gunawardena said, “We have been saying for a long time that a mixed electoral system should be introduced for the parliamentary election as well. We talked about this in three parliamentary committees chaired by me and gave recommendations. Now the Minister of Justice has submitted a proposal to the Cabinet. It states that the number of Members of Parliament should be 225. Of them, 160 should be directly elected by the people from the constituencies, and the remaining 65 members should be elected by proportional system at the national or provincial level.”
Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who brought these proposals to the Cabinet also presented the facts. He had also submitted an amendment to the Cabinet regarding the deposit of money by the candidates for the Presidential Election, General Election and Provincial Council election.
“We have called you to ask the opinions of the Party Leaders in Parliament about these proposals.” Each of the Party Leaders who were present expressed their views. The advantage of getting a member elected for the electorate by introducing the mixed system for the General Election was noted.
“Even when the Dinesh Gunawardena committee gave these recommendations, they were not implemented. It would be good if they are implemented now. We should discuss this more,” said a Party Leader adding, “Another discussion can be added in the next parliamentary week.”
The Prime Minister said, “At the end of the discussion, we will submit a report to the Cabinet after including the views of the Party Leaders.”
On Tuesday Prime Minister Gunawardena arrived at the President Primary School at Wijerama, Maharagama, unannounced to investigate the accident caused by the sudden collapse of an unprotected wall adjacent to the school. A ten-year-old student was injured in the accident. MP Yadamini Gunawardena and former Provincial Council member Salochana Gamage accompanied the Prime Minister. Premier Gunawardena, who observed the school by walking everywhere, also had discussions with the principal.
Health sector
Two discussions were held in Parliament recently with the participation of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and members of the Opposition. Parliamentarians Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Dilan Perera, Duminda Dissanayake, Eran Wickramaratne, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Hector Appuhamy, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardene, Udaya Gammanpila and many MPs participated in the discussions. Opposition Leader Premadasa said that he raised the problem of the health sector in Parliament and society and took steps to make an impact.
MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the MPs who worked to defeat the No Confidence Motion against the Health Minister must be held responsible for the health sector problems in the country. MP Mano Ganesan said that people’s lives are under greater threat than fraud and corruption in the country.
During the discussion, MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that everyone should come to the same platform to find solutions to the country’s crisis without party differences. Nanayakkara also said that he will inform them about it after discussing with his party and his team. MP Udaya Gammanpila said that immediate action should be taken against the fraud and corruption in the country and the threats to people’s lives.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called the lawyers and gave an explanation to the MPs about the legal proceedings taken by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in this regard.
MPs Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena and Wasantha Yapa Bandara were named and given the responsibilities to coordinate this work with the Opposition members group and carry this program forward. Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena said that plans will be made to implement the program to inform the people at the district level in the future.
Clear plan
The other meeting held in the Parliament was the discussion held with the Executive Council of the Opposition and the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA). MPs Lakshman Kiriella, Ashok Abeysinghe, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Chandima Weerakkody, J.C. Alawathuwala, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Mayantha Dissanayake, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Dr.Harsha de Silva and Mano Ganesan were present.
At the discussion, Secretary of the FUTA, Athulasiri Samarakoon said that the economic problems and tax policies have caused many serious problems for university teachers. There have been reports of university teachers committing suicide due to this problem. The Government has not yet given a proper answer to this problem and only promises have been made.
Senior Lecturer Charudatta Illangasinghe said that the university teachers are not asking for a salary increase and they are asking for the revision of the unfair tax system. Prof. Roy Prasanna of the Peradeniya University said that Sri Lanka’s universities have fallen below international rankings. It is because of the disparity in the provision of students, lecturers and physical resources that should be in the university rankings.
Prof. Kennedy Gunawardena said lecturers of state universities are working in private universities. He said there is a threat of a serious collapse of state and private universities in the current situation. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa asked how many university teachers should be in the universities.
FUTA Secretary Athulasiri Samarakoon said that according to the University Grants Commission (UGC), there should have been 12,982 university teachers in 2017. But according to the approved employee composition, there are 8,500 university teachers today. However, after taking the seven-year leave and study leave into consideration, there are only 6,200 university teachers. He said 700 university teachers have left and 300 university teachers have taken the seven-year leave and 700 – study leave.
At a discussion with the Government, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siayambalapitiya said that permanent recruitment is not the Government’s policy. Its underlying purpose is not to recruit university teachers.
“Although arrangements had been made to enrol 30,000 students by 2018, 45,000 students by 2022 and 59,000 students by 2023 in state universities. But the facilities have not increased,” several professors said at the discussion. Another university lecturer said that the Faculty of Management of the University of Moratuwa is run in the space reserved for other faculties. Prof. G. L. Peiris said that legal action has been taken regarding these problems. He said this is a more complex issue than a financial factor.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that he will work with academics to prepare a clear plan and program to strengthen the national university system. He said that he will raise the issue in the Parliament regarding the current situation. An important issue raised by the university teachers was that a problematic situation has arisen in the appointment of Vice Chancellors. They pointed out that the current scoring system has become politicised.
MP Lakshman Kiriella said that when he was the Minister of Higher Education, he gave the opportunity to the universities to work independently to choose the Vice Chancellors. Changing it is the root of this tragedy.
Executive Presidency
News started circulating that a referendum is to be held on whether to abolish the Executive Presidency and that Parliament is going to be further strengthened with an Executive Prime Minister. However, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) expressed its strong objection to that.
MP Harshana Rajakaruna said, “The Government knows that it will lose no matter what election is held. So, there is a total fear of elections.”
MP S.M.Marikkar said, “An extraordinary power of two-thirds of Parliament is required to change the electoral system. But the SJB should not support such amendments brought with the aim of postponing the elections at all.”
Meanwhile, Sajith Premadasa told Parliament that the Government is trying to spread fake news through the media that he as the Leader of the Opposition expressed his desire at the Parliament Consultative Committee to change the electoral system. Sajith also said that the Government is continuing the process of postponing the elections by uttering various lies.
Clash in Parliament
A clash which took place in the Parliament complex on Friday, October 20 attracted the attention of many people. There had been a heated argument between State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage and SJB Anuradhapura District Parliamentarian Rohana Bandara.
The incident took place near the elevator in front of the library on the ground floor of the Parliament complex. Gamage alleged that Bandara scolded her and SJB Kegalle District MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera assaulted her.
However, Rohana Bandara said that Gamage scolded him harshly. Perera said that when he attempted to control the clash, Gamage hit him with her handbag. The MP also said that he tried to prevent the attack. A committee has been appointed to conduct an investigation regarding this by viewing the CCTV footage received from both sides. Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa has been appointed as the Chairman of the investigative committee and Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, MPs Chamal Rajapaksa, Gayantha Karunathilaka and Imthiaz Bakeer Markar have been appointed as members.
