Ten eminent lawyers appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as President’s Counsel were sworn in at a ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court on Monday.
According to the powers vested on the President in the Constitution, ten senior lawyers were appointed as President’s Counsel. It is a tradition to hold a party after being sworn in as President’s Counsel.
President Wickremesinghe was not short of parties last week because of the appointment of the new President’s Counsel. It is a tradition in the legal profession to invite the President for the party as well. This started on Monday night and continued till Friday. It is also significant that politicians and lawyers mingled freely at these events irrespective of political differences.
President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, who phoned President Wickremesinghe last Sunday said that a group of Sri Lankan fishermen had been captured by Somali pirates. He told the Navy Commander to promptly report this to the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain.
He also contacted the Foreign Ministry Secretary and other officials to call for assistance of foreign countries through the Embassies. Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda was already in discussions with President Wickremesinghe about how to rescue the fishermen and the multi-day vessel.
On Monday morning, the President summoned National Security Adviser Sagala Ratnayaka and asked him to find out if a Navy ship could be sent to rescue the fishermen. The President asked the National Security Adviser if the ship that was ready to be sent for naval security operations in the Red Sea could not be sent to rescue the fishermen.
On the instructions of the President, Ratnayaka discussed this with the Navy Commander and was ready to send the ship that was to be sent to the Red Sea. The ship was due to depart that evening, but Foreign Ministry Secretary Aruni Wijewardene told the National Security Adviser that the Seychelles Coast Guard had rescued the “Lorenzo Putha-04” multi-day vessel and fishermen.
Ratnayaka thereafter called Bahrain and thanked the Joint Maritime Forces and arranged for a naval vessel to bring the fishermen and the vessel safely.
New State Minister
Lohan Ratwatte was sworn in as a State Minister on Monday morning. In the discussion with Pohottuwa regarding the State Minister portfolio of Water Supply, which was vacant following the death of State Minister Sanath Nishantha, it was proposed to give it to Shasheendra Rajapaksa and to give the State Minister portfolio he held to Lohan Ratwatte. Accordingly, Lohan Ratwatte was sworn in as the State Minister of Mahaweli.
Following the Cabinet meeting, the President went to the party of President’s Counsel Iraj de Silva on Monday night. He is the son of President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Minister Harin Fernando, Minister Tiran Alles, Ruwan Wijewardene, Sagala Ratnayaka as well as Harsha de Silva and Sujeewa Senasinghe from the Opposition were also present.
Attorney-at-Law Dinesh Vidanapathirana and Sagala Ratnayaka sat next to the President and started talking about the upcoming Presidential Election. It was there that the President gave an indication to the lawyers that he would contest the next Presidential Election. Sagala Ratnayaka supported it.
“Sir, don’t come as a party candidate, come as a common candidate.” When lawyer Dinesh Vidanapathirana said so, the President nodded his head endorsing it. Meanwhile, Sunil Watagala, a leading lawyer of the JVP and Jathika Jana Balawegaya also approached the President.
“Hold the Presidential Election soon. What is the first election?” When Sunil Watagala asked, the President said, “Yes, there will be a Presidential Election at the appropriate time. I told Anura that. Didn’t he tell you?”
Watagala said, “Our candidate will win and he will be the President.”
The President looked at him for a while and said, “In six months, you will also be on our side.” The lawyers burst out laughing when the President said that.
On Tuesday morning, President Wickremesinghe discussed with the officials about Independence Day and the Parliament speech.
The UNP Management Committee met on Tuesday evening and the President sternly said that party reorganisation should be done soon. General Secretary Range Bandara also presented a report about his work and also recalled the religious ceremony at Somawathiya.
Range Bandara also provided information about the readiness of 500 bhikkhus to chant Jaya Piritha in front of Ruwanweliseya. Range Bandara is working to build a house for a needy girl with the help of a Japanese friend.
Even though members of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) told the President not to attend the opening ceremony of the new building of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the University of Kelaniya, the President went there.
Although there were posters such as ‘Let see what happens if you come’, the President went there and opened the building, remembering that he laid the foundation stone of the building.
At the end of the ceremony, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Prof. Sampath Amaratunga came to the President and said, “ Sir, it is good that you came, many people had doubts about you coming here.”
“I was invited by the Ven. bhikkhus and I came accepting their invitation. If the Ven. bhikkhus had told me not to come, I would not have come,” the President said with a smile.
“The President engaged in politics in Kelaniya and Biyagama for some time. He knows the four corners of this area very well.” The President smiled and said nothing when an officer said that.
JICA head to visit Sri Lanka
That evening, Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka met a former Japanese Ambassador Konichi Shuganuma, who was in Sri Lanka, on the instructions of the President. The former Ambassador said that immediately after the completion of the debt restructuring, Japan will resume all the stalled projects in Sri Lanka. It was also discussed that the head of JICA will visit Sri Lanka on February 14.
President Wickremesinghe visited the Ministry of Finance as usual on Thursday and a group of politicians including Ministers also met the President.
Their conversation was about the President’s visit to the Kelaniya University. “Just like former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left when the group of IUSF asked him to leave, they must have thought that when our President was told not to come, he would not come,” MP Wajira Abeywardena said.
“Many university students didn’t come for this. There is a division about this even within the IUSF. This has happened because of Wasantha Mudalige’s involvement,” Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.
“I am thinking of giving more money to buy equipment for this faculty. But, if the students ask for it, I will be able to allocate the money,” the President said.
“The SJB’s protest was also diluted because of Sarath Fonseka’s statement. In any case, Fonseka was given a ministerial portfolio by then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the Yahapalana Government even when then President Maithripala Sirisena didn’t like it. Fonseka was also given an organiser post of the party,” Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said.
The MPs also asked the President regarding the statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat about the powers of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. “The people have given sovereignty only to the Parliament and the Executive. It is clearly enshrined in the Constitution. The statement has been issued to remind everyone,” the President gave a direct answer. “Yes, in 1977, JR’s younger brother H.W. Jayewardene was in the Committee that drafted this Constitution. At that time, Ranil Wickremesinghe, a young lawyer, was his junior. That’s why he knows every letter of this Constitution,” Wajira Abeywardena said.
“On the other hand, President Wickremesinghe was also a Minister in the Cabinet that brought the Constitution,” said Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
“On that day, we were the ones who gave the information to the Select Committee that was appointed to discuss the Constitution. Then Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa was the head of that Committee. Only I know this history. We need to follow this Constitution as introduced by President J.R. Jayewardene,” President Wickremesinghe said in a stern tone.
“President Wickremesinghe was also in the Cabinet when the 13th Amendment was brought. The 17th Amendment was brought and the Commissions were set up on the advice of then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Amendments were brought under the Yahapalana Government of 2015 under his guidance. The 19th Amendment is also the same. Therefore, if anyone thinks of teaching him about the Constitution, it is a joke,” Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said looking at the President.
Thereafter, the President spoke at length about granting title deeds to landless people.
High cost of living
It was during the Budget debate in Parliament that a proposal was made by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentary group that action should be taken against the high cost of living that the Government has imposed on the people and its repressive ruling. The SJB MPs said that a protest should also be launched against this Government move.
Several MPs had submitted proposals to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara in this regard.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had said that considering the upcoming holiday season and festive season including Christmas in December, it is appropriate to do so at the beginning of the New Year.
General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the proposal should be implemented after discussing it at the SJB Management Committee and the Working Committee.
The Working Committee and Management Committee meetings held towards the end of last year unanimously approved it and the party General Secretary Madduma Bandara was assigned to organise the program.
The General Secretary discussed this with a group of MPs and party officials. Then MP S.M. Marikkar said the people should be brought to Colombo representing every electorate and a protest should be held.
Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy said that the people who are suffering due to the cost of living owing to the burden of taxes are keenly watching the action taken by the Opposition against it.
Former State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe said that JVP’s political aim is clear and they just act without pressurising the Government on the burning issues of the people.
MP Rohini Wijeratne said that women in the country have suffered the most due to the cost of living and the collapse of law and order.
MP J.C. Alawathuwala said that Government employees, pensioners and people in all sectors on social welfare are living in a very miserable condition.
MPs Nalin Bandara and Kins Nelson said that farmers are also facing many crises.
General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said, “Considering all this, we will hold a massive protest in Colombo.”
After a number of initial discussions on this, it was decided to hold a protest against the Government on January 30 in Colombo by gathering the members of SJB and groups from various sectors.
At a meeting at the SJB office, MP S.M. Marikkar was assigned to invite people for the protest, arrange facilities and have a wide campaign under the direct guidance of the party General Secretary.
In that discussion, the party’s National Organiser Tissa Attanayake and Senior Vice President Imtiaz Bakir Marker said that the main media and the social media coverage are important regarding pre-campaign activities and the protest day activities.
MP Ashok Abeysinghe said that the Government will not allow the protest to be conducted in a peaceful manner. He said, “Because the struggle to get rid of Gotabaya Rajapaksa began during the protest march of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to the Presidential Secretariat, the Government is likely to launch a severe crack down.
General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said, “Let’s decide at the last moment what we will do and what we should not. Let’s start organising.”
Former MP Mujibur Rahuman said that Hyde Park and Campbell Park in Colombo should be reserved for this purpose.
MP Kins Nelson said, “Are we going to have a meeting or a protest and what are we going to do?”
General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said, “Let’s decide on that at the last minute. Anyway, I will look at the decision taken by the Government and say what needs to be done at the last minute.”
With that decision, MP Marikkar started the pre-campaign activities aimed at the January 30 protest. He worked to get the support of traditional media along with the help of 15 social media networks. MP Marikkar also added a program of pasting posters across the country. A number of discussions was held in this regard under the patronage of the party General Secretary.
“A year of making a difference” was chosen as the theme of the protest.
General Secretary assigned Aruna Dahanayake and the team at the SJB Head Office to make slogans and slogan placards for the visiting crowd while checking the progress of those activities.
The General Secretary had received information that the Government is trying to take some measures against this protest. Intelligence agencies continued to try to find out what the SJB was doing. So, it was not disclosed until the last moment because it was known that the Government was going to suppress the protest.
At the final discussion on January 29, it was decided to gather people at two places in the Colombo city, Maradana junction and Lipton roundabout and come to Colombo Fort.
Some MPs said that we should go to the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Finance.
General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that without making a decision, we will inform the people about the place to come on the morning of January 30 at the last moment.
On the morning of January 30, a lawyer told the Opposition Leader that the police stations in Colombo city are working to obtain injunction orders against people gathering within their police jurisdictions. The Opposition Leader asked the General Secretary to direct the Opposition’s legal teams to the Magistrate Courts that conduct judicial matters under the jurisdiction of Colombo city.
At that time, people were coming to Colombo for the protest. Although injunctions were obtained from several courts, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court rejected the request made by the Cinnamon Garden Police stating that the court cannot impose restrictions on basic rights such as freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution.
SJB protest
Taking into account all these facts, General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, on the instructions of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa planned to gather the people near Viharamahadevi Park and then proceed to the Hyde Park grounds.
Around 3.00 pm, a large number of people, including the Opposition Leader, General Secretary, MPs and organisers gathered at Viharamahadevi Park, giving support to the protest.
MP Marikkar asked General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara what should be done when the police and the Army had blocked all roads from Viharamahadevi Park to Hyde Park and the Liberty Roundabout. Taking a prompt decision, the group tried to proceed from Viharamahadevi Park to Kollupitiya along Dharmapala Mawatha to face whatever happens.
When the group of MPs including the General Secretary came forward, the police stopped the protest march by using roadblocks near the Public Library on Dharmapala Mawatha.
Then the General Secretary asked the police how could they stop this protest march and the police said that there was a court order.
The Secretary General said, “We are in the Cinnamon Garden police area and there is no injunction order here. If you are saying that there is an injunction order, show that order.”
Tear gas attack
By that time, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and a group of MPs had arrived near the roadblock. At the same time, without any notice, a police water cannon vehicle launched a water cannon attack on the Opposition Leader and others. At the same time, a tear gas attack was also carried out.
The Opposition Leader was covered with tear gas smoke as there was tear gas smoke all around. The Opposition Leader’s security officers brought the Opposition Leader to Viharamahadevi Park to protect him from tear gas and water cannon attacks.
General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara’s security guard was also injured by a tear gas canister. Mujibur Rahuman who was nearby had a severe breathing problem due to a tear gas attack. Several others were also injured and all of them were hospitalised later.
When the protestors came forward, the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Due to the tear gas canisters falling in the Viharamahadevi Park and the Public Library, the people who visited the Public Library as well as the Viharamahadevi Park had to face severe inconvenience.
Somehow, MP Marikkar, who brought a truck to the Viharamahadevi Park, gathered the remaining people and provided an opportunity for the Opposition Leader to address them from the truck.
After the meeting, the Opposition Leader went to the Colombo National Hospital to inquire about the well-being of those injured and came to the Office of the Leader of the Opposition along with the MPs.
The Opposition Leader said, “This is a brutal attack. This was done while we were in the Cinnamon Garden police area. This is a violation of basic rights. We should go to court against it.’’
The Opposition Leader gave instructions to party Legal Secretary Farma Cassim and other lawyers to take legal action. He also gave instructions to all the MPs to hold press conferences about this incident.
In the meantime, Prof. G. L. Peiris, who spoke to the Opposition Leader’s Secretary Thisas Wijegunawardena, PC,said, “The diplomatic community paid a lot of attention to this incident. Please send me the photographs and videos on the attacks. At that moment, the photographs and videos on the attacks were sent to Prof. Peiris to apprise the diplomatic community.
Commenting on the incident, MP Kins Nelson said that even the children who were at the Public Library and the ponies in the Viharamahadevi Park were under pressure due to this shameless attack. Two elephants in the Viharamahadevi Park were also badly affected. If the chains they were tied with, broke at that time, great destruction would have occurred. This is a disaster for both humans and animals.
MP Eran Wickramaratne said that we should continue to talk about this and take action. MP Harsha de Silva said that how can investments be brought to the country and we should talk about the effects of such things on the economy.
The Opposition Leader said to use the media to inform the people about this in the coming days.
