The Budget debate which continued for 27 days in Parliament ended without much opposition from the Opposition.
Although there was a lot of fuss about the Budget, the Government successfully passed the Budget due to other issues such as cricket, raised by the Opposition during the Budget debate. The Bill to increase VAT as well as the Budget was passed with more votes than the Government expected.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the man of the match for the ruling party and the Opposition due to his smooth functioning in Parliament throughout the Budget debate. When the President went to Parliament on the last day of the Budget debate to present gifts at a sports event for the MPs, they called him the Man of the Tournament.
“The Budget was also passed. The VAT was also passed and the IMF loan was also obtained. Now all that is left is to rebuild the country,” the MPs told President Wickremesinghe, calling him the Man of the Match.
Even though the President stayed in Parliament for a long time as the Minister of Finance, he carried out other work as the President without hindrance. President Wickremesinghe who was in Colombo on Sunday, was also attentive to the debate on increasing VAT by 3 percent in Parliament that day.
Prof. Ashu Marasinghe gave the news that the VAT debate stopped midway due to a lack of quorum in Parliament. The President promptly spoke to Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga and said, “If the Opposition itself says no to the debate that they requested, then let’s take it up in Parliament tomorrow and pass it without debate.”
Prasanna Ranatunga expressed his agreement and passed the VAT bill without debate in Parliament on Monday.
The President went to Pitipana on Monday morning to attend the graduation ceremony of NSBM University. After speaking about how university education can be used to develop the country, President Wickremesinghe came back to his office to take part in some important meetings.
The Executive Board of the IMF was due to meet on December 12 to take a decision on the second tranche of the IMF, so the President convened a discussion with Finance Ministry officials on Monday.
Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Director General of Chief of Staff Office Shirantha Herath also joined them as they were the group that had been involved in the discussions with the IMF from the beginning.
The President thanked them for their commitment in getting the support of the IMF. President Wickremesinghe also thanked the Finance State Ministers Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Shehan Semasinghe in Parliament. They said that the President’s plan was also a reason for getting this IMF loan.
The launching of the biography of senior administrative officer Austin Fernando, a former Governor, a Defence Secretary and a Secretary to the President took place at the BMICH.
Opposition Parliamentarians Tissa Attanayake, Thalatha Athukorala and former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Chandrika Bandaranaile Kumaratunga and Maithripala Sirisena were also present. President Wickremesinghe was also invited, but President’s Secretary Ekanayake participated on his behalf.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Sarath Amunugama. Many who were present expressed displeasure on the way Dr. Amunugama criticised Parliament and all 225 MPs. They told President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake that they never expected such a speech from a person who was a top official in the administrative service as well as a Public Administration Minister. Many people whispered that it was clear that he deliberately did that to bring another person to power as party Chairman.
The President came to Parliament on Tuesday morning to attend the Cabinet meeting and his Ministry’s Budget debate held that day. Recently, cakes were cut for the birthdays of MPs under the patronage of President Wickremesinghe in his office in Parliament. On Tuesday too, a cake was cut to mark Kegalle District MP Sudath Manjula’s birthday.
Henry Pedris
The President presented a new Cabinet paper. It was the appointment of a committee to investigate the death of Henry Pedris, who was murdered by the British imperialists.
When the MPs asked about this, the President told about his history. “His ancestors were the top of the Wahumpura caste. He did not join the Sinhala Muslim riots that day but his father was in the national struggle. Henry Pedris must have been killed to hurt him. On the other hand, there were many people of this caste in Wanawasala, Hunupitiya, Kelaniya and Peliyagoda areas. The ‘white men’ were also afraid that they would come out. They owned a large amount of land in Thimbirigasyaya.”
The President did not stop at this and gave a long explanation, showing his knowledge of history.
The dinner traditionally hosted by the Prime Minister during the Budget was held at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Temple Trees on Tuesday night. President Wickremesinghe had a cordial conversations with MPs. The MPs spoke to the President and the Prime Minister about the problems that arise with Government officials when they go to work with the people. Prof. Ashu Marasinghe told the Prime Minister that it took the company he contracted to restore the Beira Lake more than three months to bring down the equipment.
The President went to Parliament on Wednesday with a good message. That was the news of IMF’s second tranche approval. Minister Nimal Siripala and Prof. Ashu Marasinghe who went there as soon as the President arrived at his office in the Parliament, congratulated the President and wished him success in the future work of the country. The President also remembered Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe who helped to make this a success.
President Wickremesinghe who went to the Chamber and made a statement about the country’s economic situation, said that the vine bridge has reached the end, however, there is still a long way to go.
Then the President participated in the distribution of gifts to the winners of the billiard, carom, chess and snooker tournaments organised for Members of Parliament. The sports competition was organised by Member of Parliament Nalin Bandara. MP Nalin Bandara invited the President to make a speech. Sports Minister Harin Fernando and the Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando were also present.
“Nalin Bandara is a member of Parliament who criticises the ruling party very much. But we don’t come out of the Chamber and act like haters. This tradition exists in all democratic countries. Criticism and debate should be kept only in the Chamber. Sports is something that relaxes the mind. So, there are good players here. I am very good at playing the political game. Because I have been doing it undefeated for about 45 years.” Everyone couldn’t stop laughing when the President said this.
The President who distributed gifts and returned met MP Eran Wickramaratne face to face by chance.
President Wickremesinghe said, “I didn’t see you talking about this Budget. You are the Member of Parliament who makes well prepared speeches. What happened this time?”
Wickremaratne said, “I am speaking today” and left.
The President passed Eran towards the Lobby of the Opposition members. The President went to the place where Opposition MPs such as Kabir Hashim, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Dr. Harsha de Silva and Gamini Waleboda were present and took a seat there, joining the group in a friendly conversation.
Role of Opposition Leader
The President spoke to MP Anura Dissanayake, who happened to pass by. “I came to hear your speech on the last day but you didn’t speak.”
Anura Dissanayake said, “One person has been appointed to speak for all of us. He takes our time and speaks. He is the only one who speaks for the entire Opposition.”
“Then we’ll send him to North Korea because only one is talking there.” Everyone couldn’t stop laughing when the President said that.
“President, if possible, can’t we hold Parliamentary sessions for another two or three days, because after tomorrow there will be no place for him to speak,” an Opposition MP said.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena said, “I also came after hearing what these MPs said. We really don’t have a chance to speak now. He always gets up and speaks.”
Seeing that President Wickremesinghe was accompanied by his team, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also came towards them and the President said, “We were talking about you,” making everyone laugh.
Sajith said, “I am playing the role of Opposition Leader for the people.”
Then the President said, “However, the Finance Minister of your Government is Nalaka Godahewa.”
Sajith replied, “No, no, not yet” and slipped out.
The Green Hydrogen project was commended by the Opposition and they also praised the President for passing the Budget and VAT, naming him as the Man of the Series. On the same day, the Japanese Ambassador, the country head of JICA and its international head met President Wickremesinghe at the Parliament complex and discussed development activities.
President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka met Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera and Ven. Bellanwila Dhammarathana Thera at the Presidential Secretariat. Commending the program carried out by the Government, both Theras said that the Government worked to inform the people about its program. They also asked Sagala Ratnayaka to inform the people of the Government’s program to rebuild the country because the Opposition is attempting to create a misunderstanding about the work of the President.
SLPP Convention
The second National Convention of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Friday, December 15 under the patronage of Party Leader former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, SLPP founder and National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa, Party Leaders of the constituent parties of the SLPP, Ministers and a large number of district and provincial leaders of the SLPP and its party supporters attended the Convention.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected to the leadership of the SLPP at the convention. MP Gamini Lokuge proposed his name while MP Johnston Fernando seconded it. Party members approved it by raising their hands.
The Convention which turned another chapter in the political history of the country, commenced with the arrival of former President Rajapaksa at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. All political parties and independent groups which have tied up with the SLPP were invited for the Convention. The SLPP’s future course of action and the work program aiming at taking the country forward were unveiled at the Convention.
Former President Rajapaksa told the Convention that a Commission of Inquiry should be appointed to inquire into the damage caused to the SLPP members during the ‘Aragalaya’.
He said that the youth who have never heard of the war or terrorism that the country had undergone are being integrated into society and some elements are trying to take them for a ride to achieve their petty political objectives.
The former President recollected how these groups had slung mud at him when he took over the country in 2005. “No Leader in the country succeeded in eliminating terrorism from the country. Some Leaders of the country gave weapons to LTTE Leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran to end the war,” he said.
Former President Rajapaksa said, “We were targeted by social media when the SLPP Convention was round the corner. But you all have given a message to these uncouth elements targeting us, using social media by participating in the convention.”
He said that some elements wanted to have a change in 2015 which resulted in an economy with a minus growth rate. The country was engulfed by the Covid-19 pandemic in this backdrop. Some Leaders prepared suits to take up the reins of the country. But these Leaders did not come forward when the country was in crisis. Are you prepared to hand over the power to such Leaders,” the former President queried.
At a wedding at the Hilton Hotel, on the night of December 14, many people’s attention was drawn to a table with a group of prominent people. Leader of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of Mawbima Janatha Party, Dilith Jayaweera, former Presidential Candidate R. Pallewela, United National Party Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena and others were discussing the current political situation.
Commenting on this, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, “ The Pohottuwa will be the decisive factor at the upcoming elections.”
“There are many Presidents at this table,” everyone laughed at what MP Wajira Abeywardena said.
Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said, “I hear that there are too many Presidential candidates this time.” Apart from politics, the round table was full of other chatter; so many people’s attention was directed towards it.
“People are under a lot of pressure. Therefore, we need to think more about this,” former Minister Sarath Weerasekera interrupted the speech of a State Minister.
“Let’s work without complaining. Finance Ministry officials are not working properly,” Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.
“What Minister Manusha Nanayakkara is saying is right; we don’t want people to be taxed. But we have to stand with the Government. We have no other choice. This has to be done,” MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.
“The Department of Inland Revenue collects less tax. Less taxes have been collected from us Parliamentarians. If we levy taxes like this, how can we face the people?” MP Sanjeewa Edirimanna said.
“No matter what anyone says, I am against this. How can we go to the village after raising our hand for this? Officials are free to make decisions. That’s why, I say send these officials to answer the questions raised by the Opposition,” MP Chinthaka Mayadunne said.
“You have the right to oppose. Earlier also you abstained from voting. But we are working with the Government,” Mahindananda said.
“Everyone here is working with agendas. We are not ready to work for that,” Chinthaka Mayadunne said aggressively.
Mahindananda was ready to clash with Mayadunne by asking “What is the agenda.”
The Leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa warned both these MPs not to speak aggressively. At the same time, the quorum bell to convene Parliament rang. The two MPs Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Chinthaka Mayadunne, who were ready to clash a moment earlier, entered the Chamber smiling at each other.
Although Parliament convened last Sunday as a day to debate the VAT Amendment Bill, the Deputy Speaker had to adjourn sittings due to lack of quorum.
During the debate related to the VAT Amendment Bill, the debate became heated due to the questions raised by the Opposition during the comments by the State Minister of Finance.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said, “The VAT on infant milk powder and electricity tariff has been lifted, hasn’t it? It’s like a little heartache. The VAT is going to be charged in a surreptitious manner. Are burials and cremations also subject to VAT? They are going to charge VAT on the dead body as well. It is because of the tax concessions that the state revenue was decreased drastically. Now they say that VAT should be increased. There are no plans to bring back the stolen money?”
SJB Kurunegala District MP Nalin Bandara said that during the debate, there was no quorum in Parliament.
