President Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped on the political stage for the first time after two years in Kuliyapitiya last Sunday.
He participated in the “Sabewa” political rally organised by UNP Deputy Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam on the invitation of the United National Party (UNP).
At the rally, the President spoke about a ‘Sattambirala’ (king’s manservant) and a ‘Goda Perakadoruwa’, recalling the disaster that has happened to the current Opposition.
The President also pointed out the damage done to the old UNP because of the political refugees who infiltrated the new party when the UNP was dismantled.
He spoke about how certain people sidestepped the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s party policy and dealt with those who were servile to the Rajapaksa Government. Showing the strength of the UNPers, President Wickremesinghe pointed out how JVP’s policies had changed after becoming the National People’s Power (NPP).
After the rally, the President went to Akila’s house in Kuliyapitiya and discussed with the District Organisers for a while and left after having tea.
President Wickremesinghe, who arrived in Colombo on Monday morning, had discussions with the members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who were in Sri Lanka.
Only the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had accepted the President’s invitation to the Opposition to meet the representatives of the IMF. As TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran was present, President Wickremesinghe and others discussed with him. The President agreed to present all the documents requested by MP Sumanthiran.
IMF discussions
The credentials of the Ambassador of Thailand and the High Commissioner of Pakistan were received at the President’s House, Fort. After that, the President had discussions with a group of Ministers before going to the Cabinet meeting. Even though the Opposition was invited to discuss the IMF program, the Ministers asked the President about the Opposition boycotting the meeting.
“The Opposition has always said that we have a secret agreement. They would have known if it was true or not if they had come there. They go to the people and tell one thing, but when they are invited to come, they keep away,” Minister Bandula Gunawardena said, looking at the rest of the group.
“Harsha, Eran and even Kabir said that everyone should get together and talk to the IMF. When the President asked them to come, they said no. What stops them from coming here is the group that has left ‘Pohottuwa’,” State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.
“There is no room for UNP members in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) now. The story that the President said in Kuliyapitiya is true,” MP Wajira Abeywardena said.
“If the Opposition participated in the discussion along with the Government, we would have had more influence on the IMF as a country. They missed the opportunity to help the people,” President Wickremesinghe said with regret.
“They are due to meet separately,” Director General of Government Information Dinith Chinthaka, who was there, gave new news.
“If we had talked together, the power would have been greater. The IMF does not change simply because it is done separately. This will result in them getting stuck as well,” everyone nodded when State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said this.
After that, the national education policy was discussed. That evening, the President joined the 150th anniversary celebrations of Wesley College, Colombo.
On Tuesday morning, the Security Council discussed the method of returning the lands owned by the people of the North which are in the custody of the military. It was also discussed how the 109 acres of land occupied by the military was distributed to the people by National Security Adviser Sagala Ratnayaka two days earlier.
The exhibition held in Jaffna to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Air Force was also recalled there. National Security Adviser Sagala Ratnayaka said that when he went there, 250 children from the North had applied to join the Air Force, but by the time he left, it had increased to 450.
After President Wickremesinghe arrived at the Presidential Secretariat, Secretary Saman Ekanayake discussed with him the lack of a CT scanner at the Colombo National Hospital. After talking to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials and informing them that it could be done, Secretary Saman Ekanayake intervened and arranged to provide the machine to the National Hospital under ADB assistance on the instructions of the President.
UNP Management Committee meeting
The UNP Management Committee met at the Presidential Secretariat that evening. They spoke about the Kuliyapitiya rally and the story of ‘Sattambirala’ (king’s manservant) came up there. “Many people ask me who a ‘Sattambirala’ is,” asked Attorney-at-Law Dinesh Vidanapathirana, who was there for another matter, amidst the laughter of everyone.
While talking about Minister Harin Fernando’s absence at the rally, Harin had said that he was unable to attend due to an irrevocable matter. Another person brought up the message Navin Dissanayake sent on social media about not being given a slot to make a speech.
“I will never permit a Governor to speak on a political platform where I am present. This is a political rally,” the President said in a stern tone.
They also talked about the Anuradhapura youth political meeting organised by the party and the rally of professionals in Kandy. There, the President advised that this should be held in a free place. Since it is a youth meeting, instructions were given to hold a meeting where the youth of all parties were gathered without limiting it to one party. After that there was a discussion about the appointment of electoral and regional organisers of the party.
UNP General Secretary Range Bandara said that although many people said that new faces should be brought in, the Colombo district has not seen new faces as yet. He said that a group of 1,000 electoral and regional organisers can be appointed by next week.
The President inquired about the May Day rally, assigning the responsibility to Range Bandara and Manusha Nanayakkara giving them appointment letters. A long answer was given to that by Harin Fernando. President Wickremesinghe also participated in a discussion organised by the United Youth Union that evening.
No free data
A former Secretary of President Wickremesinghe, Sudath Chandrasekara had organised this meeting. Answering a question posed by a youth at that discussion, the President said that free data cannot be given. At the informal meeting held after the discussion, the President went to him and said, “After building a good economy for the country, you will not need to ask for things from anyone free.”
The young people applauded him when he said that. The President had to stay there for a long time as the youth showed great interest in posing for selfies with him. The President who had dinner with the youth left the venue when it was almost midnight.
On Wednesday afternoon, President Wickremesinghe visited Galle at the invitation of Minister Ramesh Pathirana and discussed the development of the tourism industry by opening an environmental park. That evening, the President, who discussed problems with a group of people in the construction industry.
He also allocated Rs. 50 million to purchase paddy at the discussion with officials including Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera.
The President visited the Ministry of Finance as usual on Thursday and discussed the current economic situation. Prof. Ashu Marasinghe asked the President about the response given by Prof. G.L. Peiris to his speech at Kuliyapitiya.
“When the student was the Prime Minister, the teacher worked under him in the Cabinet,” the President said with a smile.
Director General of Government Information, Dinith Chintaka gave the President a description of the discussion held by the election operations sub-committee appointed by the Political Cabinet about the preparation of the name and logo for the new alliance.
PM in Puttalam
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena left for Puttalam on Tuesday, March 12 to open the new Mundalama Divisional Secretariat building.
A special event on that trip was, Premier Gunawardena went to Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Cathedral and met the fourth Bishop of the Chilaw Diocese Dr. Don Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, who was appointed last December. The Bishop of Chilaw had not met any political leader after his appointment.
“These people had not been invited to the consecration ceremony,” the Bishop said with a smile, pointing to State Ministers Ashoka Priyantha and Arundika Fernando representing the Puttalam district who had accompanied Premier Gunawardena. Parliamentarian Yadamini Gunawardena was also present.
The Bishop said, “Where do you find those facts in the speeches you make in Parliament? The Prime Minister is keeping abreast of new developments. I was surprised when I heard those stories.”
“Reading books has been a part of my life since child,” Prime Minister Gunawardena replied.
“Talawila was converted into a Sacred City during your time, we remember that. You also helped in the development of Ragama Tewatta Church,” the Bishop said, recalling some of the work done by Premier Gunawardena when he was the Minister of Sacred Area Development.
“The Prime Minister was the first and only Sacred Area Development Minister of this country,” a person who was there added another point. The Prime Minister and the Bishop discussed for a long time some matters of religious as well as national importance.
The Prime Minister then bid farewell to the Bishop and went straight to Navadankulama Vidyalaya and St. Mary’s College, Chilaw. The Prime Minister, who had a friendly conversation with the students and teachers, also presented books to the libraries of those schools.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in France
Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga is on an official visit to France at present. During the visit, he met members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
“Sir, what is happening in Sri Lanka now.” That is what the party members asked in many places.
“Now we have fuel, gas and electricity. Relief is provided to the people as much as possible. We are now moving forward past the crisis line. The situation in Sri Lanka will improve by the time of the New Year,” said Minister Ranatunga.
“But as far as we hear Minister, the issues have not been resolved as yet,” said a Sri Lankan during a discussion.
“Don’t believe what you see on social media. Those news items are planted for money. The ‘Malimawa’ (compass) is there to show the right direction. But the compass of our country shows people the wrong way. Sunil Handunneththi once requested Sri Lankans in foreign countries not to send money to Sri Lanka. As a result of it, the country’s economy was greatly affected and innocent people suffered,” Minister Ranatunga said, citing examples of JVP’s past activities.
“Then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Anura Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa to take charge of the country during the crisis. But they avoided it under the pretext of the crisis. Ranil Wickremesinghe was the only one who accepted that challenge. Now the economy is on the right track. He is proving that he is the capable leader. If we love the country, we should support him. But what JVP and SJB are doing is obstructing the Government’s work. So, don’t believe what such hypocritical people say. You should also give us the best possible support,” the Minister said.
“At the last Presidential Election, we voted for Gotabaya Rajapaksa. But we were sadly mistaken,” said another.
“The future will decide whether what he did was right or wrong. He alone should not be held responsible for the recent crises. Everyone who ruled the country should be held accountable. Now the country and the economy are away from the risk limit. We are playing this match slowly. Please support us. Don’t believe what you see on social media,” Minister Ranatunga said again.
Namal meets UNP strongman
MP Namal Rajapaksa met a UNP strongman recently and the meeting took place at his residence at Flower Road. “If there is a Presidential Election at this time, we will lose even if we get help. If that happens, the UNP will have to go down like it did before. If we go for a General Election, it will be disadvantageous.” When Namal said that, the UNP strongman listened very attentively.
“Yes, then what do you suggest?” asked the UNP stalwart.
“First of all, if there is a General Election, you can win. Or you can compete side by side. If the number of seats is reduced, the President can form a National Government by taking people from the SJB or Tamil and Muslim parties. That is the advantage if there is a General Election followed by a Presidential Election,” said Namal.
“Yes, that is also true,” said the UNP strongman. “Let’s discuss this with the President. Let’s fix a time to meet the President. Besides, Namal, you are also talking to the President. You could also tell him that,” the UNP strongman told Namal.
These days, there has been a lot of discussion in the political arena regarding the book ‘Conspiracy to oust me from the presidency’ written by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Various opinions are exchanged in this regard, and heated debates can also be seen in the political arena.
Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera had said that he was the one who allowed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to leave the country by avoiding the obstacles of the activists.
Sugeeshwara Bandara, who was the Private Secretary of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who gave an answer by mail, said that Ven. Sobitha Thera’s statement was false. Bandara said the President of the country does not need anyone’s help to leave the country.
‘Press vs Prez’
MP Wajira Abeywardena left for Anuradhapura last weekend to visit Atmasthanadhipathi Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera to present the “Press Vs. Prez” book.
Wajira presented the book to Ven. Hemarathana Thera by showing some special cartoons in it. After presenting the book to the Ven. Thera, Abeywardena presented the book to the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweliseya Temple Ven. Eethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera. Wajira, who returned to Colombo then came to the Abayaramaya to present the book to Most Ven. Muruttettuwe Ananda Thera.
From there Wajira then came to Rukmale Temple to present the book to Chief Incumbent of Pannipitiya, Rukmale Sri Dharmavijayaloka Most Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera.
Secret discussions
While there is talk in the political arena these days about which election will be held first, discussions are taking place between the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and a group of MPs who have broken away from it and become independent in Parliament. It is reported that more attention has been paid to popularising the opinion that the General Election should be held instead of the Presidential Election at these secret discussions.
During these meetings, views were exchanged regarding the fact that the President should be compelled to conduct the General Election instead of the Presidential Election.
Their opinion is that if the General Election is held by June or July, the number of seats of the SLPP can be increased. It is also reported that they have come to the conclusion that Sajith Premadasa’s slot in the Opposition will be highlighted and the number of members of the National People’s Power (NPP) will drop to two seats. The people who participated in the discussion are of the opinion that it is best to go for a Presidential Election after weakening the NPP. It is also reported that it has been suggested that Parliamentarians should start collecting signatures for a petition to force the dissolution of Parliament.
New Nationlistic grouping
A new patriotic camp is to be set up to bring in local businessmen and local industrialists to stop the privatisation of state property, oppose the ETCA agreement and develop some anti-Indian sentiment. It is also reported that a group of people including the Patriotic National Movement, Yuthukama Organisation, Wimal Weerawansa, Dr. Navaratne Bandara and others have held a preliminary discussion in this regard. It is known that Dr. Wasantha Bandara, a former stalwart of the JVP, is behind the operation of uniting patriotic forces in this way.
The ‘Jathika Balawegaya’ (National Force) has decided that the Narahenpita Abayaramaya temple should intervene to preserve the mandate of 6.9 million votes and defeat the efforts of other camps. It is also reported that another group of them has informed Ven. Muruttetuwe Ananda Thera to discuss this matter. Ven. Ananda Thera was the main focal point for creating the mandate of 6.9 million votes and took the most effort for it. It is reported that a group of the patriotic camp made up of national forces has suggested to Ven. Ananda Thera that the mandate should not be used for other purposes.
