With the long holiday at the end of the year, destinations outside Colombo started to get crowded. Although the country is not out of bankruptcy yet, the people have chosen places away from Colombo to spend their holidays due to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic program.
Last year, most people could not spend their holidays outside Colombo due to the implementation of the fuel quota system. As there was no such obstacle this time, the people started going out of Colombo to enjoy their freedom. Due to this, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kataragama were filled with people.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe was staying in Nuwara Eliya last week. As a tradition, he spends the last few days of every year in Nuwara Eliya or Diyathalawa. He had decided to spend his annual trip with First Lady Prof.Maithri Wickremesinghe in Nuwara Eliya.
With the year-end vacation, even the people who criticise President Wickremesinghe’s program spent the vacation away from Colombo without any problem. Even though the President was away from Colombo, he did not forget to discuss with Ministers and officials by phone.
The President was in frequent telephone contact with President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka regarding official work. On the instructions of the President, Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka called Road Development Authority (RDA) officials and police officers to the Presidential Secretariat to discuss a problem of the Special Task Force (STF) officers. Fire fighting on expressways and all work at control points has been handled by STF officers. The RDA has only done toll collection and road maintenance. Therefore, the STF officers had complained that it was difficult for them to perform their regular duties over the past 12 years due to lack of officers.
Sagala Ratnayaka, who sought the views of the officers of the STF and the officers of the RDA, advised Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, who was present to immediately devise a system to solve the problem.
The President had instructed Minister Harin Fernando and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka to organise a festival targeting the Southern Province in January which was the period when European tourists would visit Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe tried to hold this festival in January every year since he became the Prime Minister in 2015. But as it was not possible to do it properly, the President instructed Minister Harin Fernando and Sagala Ratnayaka that it must definitely be done this time.
The festival will be held with many artistic elements such as Galle Literary Talk and Book Exhibition, Matara Art Festival, Ahangama Fashion Show and Koggala Drum Show. It is noteworthy that this festival, which is held with the aim of bringing European tourists, includes art traditions which are unique to Sri Lanka.
Before leaving Colombo, the President met the newly appointed High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha. Following the discussion with the President, he met Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, where they discussed the progress of India’s investments in the country.
Presenting the Budget 2024, the President had proposed to offer deeds to Colombo condominium owners and as the first phase, 8,351 house owners will be presented the deeds next month. A discussion about how it will be done was held under the patronage of Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka.
Officials of the Housing Development Authority and the Urban Development Authority participated in it and discussed how to resolve all the basic obstacles to the grant deeds in January.
Long vacation
While in Nuwara Eliya, the President was constantly paying attention to the political discussions in Colombo. Prof. Ashu Marasinghe who called the President said that everyone is happily celebrating the weekend holiday. “From Colombo to Chilaw, people take to the streets to celebrate Christmas. On the other hand, almost everyone has gone on a trip due to the long vacation,” Prof. Marasinghe said.
“The people were stuck during the recent past. They want to freely eat, drink and have fun with their children. The people like that freedom, no matter what the problems are,” the President replied.
“Yes, it was only after a while that people got to walk freely. No matter what difficulties there are, people still want to have fun with their children and wives,” MP Wajira Abeywardena said.
“Even though the members of the Opposition say that it is difficult for the people, it cannot be seen when we go to Nuwara Eliya,” MP Madhura Withanage said.
“There are also poor people in the country. But Christmas, January and the Sinhala year is a time when people celebrate as much as possible,” the President said.
“Yes, the President is trying to save the country from this situation. So the majority of people have faith that the President will improve the country’s economy,” Minister Shehan Semasinghe also said during the telephone conversation.
The President said that he also got caught in the traffic jam when he went to a ceremony at Gurutalawa as thousands of people came to the Central Province including Nuwara Eliya.
Even though President Wickremesinghe went to Nuwara Eliya on vacation, he did not forget to attend to some of the work he had planned earlier. One was the centenary celebrations at the Gurutalawa Muslim National School, Badulla. There, President Wickremesinghe again invited all parties to unite to develop the country.
He said that he would dedicate himself to a prosperous and united Sri Lanka. State Minister Aravindh Kumar, SJB Parliamentarian and Presidential Adviser Vadivel Suresh were also present.
In the meantime, President Wickremesinghe got to know that a group is planning to field Dhammika Perera as the Presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.
The same information was given to the President by a member of the Pohottuwa. “Sir, now they are trying to bring in Dhammika. Three conditions have been presented to him for that,” this MP said.
“Yes, yes, I also heard that he asked the company that did the campaign of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do his campaign,” the President said.
MP Madhura Withanage said they are carrying out a campaign saying that 10 MPs are coming over to the SJB from the Pohottuwa. MP Premanath Dolawatta who joined in the discussion said, “You are talking about Prof. G.L. Peiris and Prof. Channa Jayasumana.”
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga also spoke to the President and asked whether a group of President’s Counsel had been appointed.
In response to that, the President said that everything is ready to give positions to such a group.
“Didn’t you give it to someone from the National People’s Power?” Prof. Ashu Marasinghe also asked.
“It is also said that the President appointed him President’s Counsel at Anura Dissanayake’s request,” Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said with a smile.
“Yes, there is talk of a deal between the President and Anura Dissanayake.” When MP Dolawatta said, President Wickremesinghe smiled and said nothing.
But when Attorney-at-Law Dinesh Vidanapathirana asked about this matter later, the President said that these positions are not given on the basis of politics, but on the basis of his experience as a lawyer.
Last Thursday, the President appointed members to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption for the first time after the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023. Two members were appointed by the President under the chairmanship of a renowned Supreme Court Judge Neil Iddawala and their appointment letters were presented by President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake last Thursday morning. These three are due to assume duties tomorrow.
President Wickremesinghe who spent his vacation is due to return to Colombo today, December 31. It is clear that the President, who devoted himself day and night to building the country in 2023, will continue it in 2024.
Sathutu Pawla
The educational and trade fair of the Sathutu Pawla (Happy Family) Organisation set up by the ruling party’s backbenchers commenced on Christmas day at Kirindiwela under the patronage of Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga and Tiran Alles. Members of Parliament Tissa Kuttiarachchi, Sumit Udukumbura, Milan Jayathilaka and others worked hard for its success.
Operation Yukthiya
“Has Operation Yukthiya stopped?” Minister Prasanna Ranatunga asked Minister Tiran Alles.
“It’s not like that. Since it is Christmas and Poya, it was stopped for only those two days,” Minister Tiran said.
“No, some people say that it has stopped. That’s why I asked,” Minister Prasanna said.
“No, Minister. It is the racketeers and the henchmen who attack the ‘Yukthiya operation’,” Minister Tiran said.
“That is true Minister. If the Yukthiya continues, it will be a great relief to the innocent people. Schoolchildren are being destroyed because of these drug addicts and criminals. People in the villages welcome this program,” Minister Prasanna said.
“I will continue this work as long as I am in the Ministry. In six months, drugs and the underworld will be eliminated,” Minister Tiran said in a loud voice.
After that, both Ministers went to the residence of MP Milan Jayathilaka for tea. Several people took selfies with the two Ministers.
“Ah…Reindeer and Santa are taking photographs.” Both Ministers did not understand what MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi said. That’s why they started looking around.
“No… Sir… Minister Tiran dressed as Santa Claus for a function today. That is what it means,” said MP Milan Jayathilaka.
“Then who is the Reindeer?” asked Minister Tiran.
“The reindeer is Minister Prasanna.”
Minister Prasanna also laughed at MP Milan’s story. Women MPs such as Kokila Gunawardene, Muditha Zoysa, Rajika Wickramasinghe also participated.
Former President and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa joined in the ceremony on the second day of the Sathutu Pawla event.
“Sir… come back.”You are the one who will do the right thing for the country,” said a group of women at the exhibition grounds surrounding former President Rajapaksa.
“If you say so, I will come back,” the former President said with a smile.
“Sir… there is a rumour that you are trying to take the Opposition Leader’s post?” asked a former Local Government member.
“Why go from the Government to the Opposition? We will form the Government next time,” the former President said with a smile.
“Now those who were involved in the Aragalaya are not to be seen. The people have understood the truth, sir,” MP Sumith Udukumbura said.
A meeting of MPs and State Ministers was held at MP Namal Rajapaksa’s residence in Malalasekara Mawatha, Colombo last week. The topic of the MPs was about the Yukthiya operation which is being talked about by everyone these days.
A Member of Parliament said that people are talking about Yukthiya now. I think that this is being done by Minister Tiran in good faith. MP Namal Rajapaksa said that he has faith that this will be done properly. Those caught by the Yukthiya operation should be rehabilitated. “I said that because I did a lot of work on rehabilitation when I was Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs.”
It was decided at the meeting to hold a series of discussions with officials in the banking sector in early January. Thus, in the New Year, Namal will start the work of the New Year by meeting the officials of the banking sector.
New alliance
All the activities have already been finalised to commence the Presidential election campaign of the new alliance tomorrow, January 1, 2024 morning at its party office at Lake Drive, Rajagiriya. It will be headed by the operational leaders of the new alliance MPs Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Nimal Lanza. The party office has already sent invitations to all the trade union representatives who have joined the new alliance.
MP Nimal Lanza was abroad last week and with his best wishes, a Christmas celebration was held for the staff of the new alliance party office at Rajagiriya last Wednesday.
SJB Working Committee meets
The Working Committee of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) met at the party headquarters, Pitakotte, under the patronage of Party Leader Sajith Premadasa.
At the meeting, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara presented the criteria for appointing District Organisers of the party and the members of the Working Committee expressed their opinions.
Former Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahuman said that a Member of Parliament should not be appointed to the district leadership. Former MP Sujeewa Senasinghe said that District Leaders should not interfere in appointing organisers.
General Secretary Madduma Bandara said that a District Leader is important to run the district affairs properly.
SJB Leader Premadasa said that it is appropriate to discuss the matter and reach a final decision. Accordingly, it was decided to further discuss the appointment of District Leaders.
“Now, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa can go and see the pyramids in Egypt with State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe,” a group of MPs told the Deputy Speaker after the setting up of the Sri Lanka-Egypt Parliamentary Friendship Association.
State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe was appointed as the President of the Sri Lanka-Egypt Parliamentary Friendship Association. Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa was appointed as the Secretary of the Association.
A meeting between UNP Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena and young UNP party activists representing the Galle district was held last Wednesday evening at the UNP Head Office in Galle.
As various stories about a Presidential election are spreading in society these days, the youth group wanted to know about it from the Chairman of the party.
The meeting started by asking whether President Ranil Wickremesinghe would contest the Presidential election.
“Minister, many say that there will be a Presidential election and a Parliamentary election next year. The President also made statements about this at the party Convention. But people from other political parties say that the President will not contest the Presidential election. This is the main thing we need to know.” One of the people at the meeting started the meeting by presenting the question.
MP Wajira Abeywardena said, “After many years, the Christians in our country could celebrate this Christmas. For the past three years, the people of our country were under a lot of pressure due to the economic pressure and the pandemic. Ranil Wickremesinghe took over responsibility at a time when no one would take over the bankrupt nation. Somehow, after one year and six months, he was able to remove that bankruptcy label. Now, when our children travel to another country, no one says that they are children of a bankrupt country.
“Now we have transformed the country into a non-bankrupt nation. The Letters of Credit of the businessmen of our country are accepted by the world now. By next month, the development projects of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, JICA and other groups which have been stopped are due to begin again in Sri Lanka,” he said.
