President Ranil Wickremesinghe spent the weekend amid the joy and happiness of Urumaya land owners in the Polonnaruwa district.
Most of them left thanking the President because they got a freehold deed after a long time.
On the same day, the President, who arrived in Colombo, met Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and discussed how to restart the stalled Japanese projects including the light rail project.
That night and the next morning, the Ministers who met the President discussed the problems that had arisen regarding the issue of visas by Immigration officers.
At the end, it was decided to keep the tourist visa fee at the same rate. President Wickremesinghe decided to place the authority to issue visas under the Immigration Department as it was earlier and to maintain the work section that VFS had been running in the same way.
The President apprised Ministers Tiran Alas, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Harin Fernando about this matter and got it approved at the Cabinet meeting on Monday evening.
“The father of the youth who shouted at the airport had contested from the Gampaha district under the JVP banner. The youth’s wife is a Russian woman,” Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the MPs.
Ranatunga said, “He has the right to question but he was talking about his wife’s visa. If that problem is solved legally, it will be over. But no one can break wires and behave in an unruly manner at the airport. Discipline should be maintained in a country and those engaged in the tourism industry also spoke to me in this regard.”
The Cabinet decided to keep the visa fee as before. The President also intervened in this matter. On hearing that, State Minister Chamara Sampath clapped.
“The distribution of ‘Urumaya’ deeds is the most important thing and not this issue. Minister Prasanna Ranatunga did that job well in Gampaha. Prasanna, you tell others about it,” the President said.
Then Minister Ranatunga gave a detailed explanation to the MPs about the distribution of ‘Urumaya’ deeds.
“Prasanna, you should look into this matter. You are doing a good job.” Finally, the President entrusted the task of finding out about the distribution of ‘Urumaya’ deeds to Minister Ranatunga.
Busy day
Monday was a hectic day for President Wickremesinghe with meetings and discussions. He also had to participate in the Cabinet meeting and the Government parliamentary group meeting.
At the Government parliamentary group meeting, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara and MPs Sanjeewa Edirimanna and Mahindananda Aluthgamage spoke about people stuck in the crib after taking loans.
“Sir, many people obtain credit cards from banks, sign for creditors, and are stuck in the ‘crib’ because they cannot repay their debts. Most of the people who signed as guarantors are here. These people are unable to do anything. Give a solution to this,” Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said joining in the conversation.
The MPs said that since there are 200,000 to 300,000 such people, another relief system should be prepared for them. Provide the opportunity to re-borrow to pay off that debt. The MPs requested the President.
The President instructed the Central Bank Governor to prepare a system in consultation with all the banks.
On Tuesday morning, President Wickremesinghe went to the Security Council meeting along with two MPs who are currently sitting in the Opposition. They were MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara and Gamini Waleboda. President Wickremesinghe summoned them to the Army headquarters based on the information given by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara the day before about the trafficking of retired Sri Lankan military officers and soldiers to the Ukrainian and Russian army.
According to the notice given by the President to reveal the information held by the MPs before the security chiefs, the MPs revealed that the retired soldiers were illegally sent to those countries and put into trouble and many of them died in the battle front.
The security chiefs also had the opportunity to listen to the story of two MPs, who contacted a soldier who had fled to the country. The President advised them to look into this immediately and take necessary measures.
After the Security Council meeting, the President called on the Director General of Government Information Dinith Chinthaka Karunaratne. The President told him to inform the people about the soldiers going to Russia and Ukrain and asked him to contact two MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara and Gamini Waleboda for that. Following the President’s instructions to the letter, the Director General of Government Information launched an operation in this regard.
UNP Management Committee meets
When the UNP Management Committee met that evening, Party General Secretary Range Bandara presented a review about the May Day rally and the group discussed it.
The General Secretary highlighted the shortcomings on that day and also presented a numerical report about the people who came to the rally by bus and train.
Ravi Karunanayake, who had taken over the responsibility of inviting 100 bhikkhus, said that the Presidential Security Division had obstructed the arrival of the bhikkhus.
When General Secretary Range Bandara said, “The gate on the side of Samantha Hall was reserved for the bhikkhus to come in,” Ravi Karunanayaka replied that they were not allowed to come from that side.
“We had given a list to the PSD that the bhikkhus would come. So, I don’t know if the group came in pants and shirts.” The crowd could not stop laughing when General Secretary Range Bandara said this.
If there is a deficiency in the figures presented by the Sirikota officials regarding people’s participation, the General Secretary informed the Management Board to take separate documents from district officials and compare the data of Sirikota with their data.
According to the instructions given by the President, UNP General Secretary Range Bandara, Chairman Wajira Abeywardena, National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka, Ravi Karunanayake, Kithsiri Manchanayake, Ronald Perera and Lasantha Gunawardena met on Wednesday and discussed this matter further.
Appointment of Grama Niladharis
The President went to Temple Trees on Wednesday for a ceremony to present the letters of appointments to 2,100 Grama Niladharis. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was also present as the Public Administration Minister.
In his speech, the President outlined four projects that the Grama Niladharis can be involved in and added how their service was important for the country. At the end of the President’s speech, there was a big applause from the audience.
The Secretary to the Public Administration Ministry as well as the Prime Minister’s Secretary and President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake appreciated the President’s speech and said, “We have never heard such a speech.”
The President went to Parliament on Thursday to inform Parliament about the economic situation of the country. The President, who made a statement in the Chamber analysed the economy. Even though Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was there, the SJB MPs had told the ruling party MPs that they had no facts to counter the President’s speech.
After the President completed his speech, he first went to the ruling party lobby. Secondly, he went to the opposition lobby. MP Diana Gamage’s issue came up in the lobby of the ruling party.
“It is useless for the SJB to shout now. Did they appoint her as the Deputy Secretary of the party without knowing this? No,” Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said loudly.
“It is because she crossed over to the Government and obtained a ministerial portfolio that they have seen this matter now, MP Premanath C. Dolawatta said, looking at the MPs.
“Sir, due to your answer given to Sajith’s question, he had nothing to say. Because of that, he finally shouted when you were leaving. But Sajith may not be able to tolerate the answer given by Minister Manusha Nanayakkara.” Everyone laughed at the comment made by MP Madhura Withanage.
Election Commission
“How can the Election Commission say that money cannot be given to Regional Development Committees?” the MPs asked the President.
“How can they say that? The Presidential Election has not been called yet. The Election Commission cannot ask to stop the Government’s work,” the President told the MPs.
“The Election Commission cannot at any time ask to stop the work of the Government,” Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura also confirmed the President’s speech.
“The Election Commission is saying this because the Local Government Election has not been cancelled as yet,” the MPs said.
“Now there is no Local Government Election. Only the Presidential Election has to be declared,” Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.
MP Sanjeewa Edirimanna reminded the President again of the matter raised at the Government parliamentary group meeting.
“Talk to Prof. Ashu Marasinghe about it. I will also tell him to look into this,” the President said in reply to the question raised by the MP about crib.
Thereafter, the President went towards the Opposition Lobby and said, “Looks like there are less MPs today. Here is a party leader.” The President, saying that, sat down next to MP Rishad Bathiudeen. At that time MP Athaullah came there and the President welcomed him saying that he was another party leader.
The President also spoke to MP Haris, who was far away, saying that he was another party leader. The President gathered all of them and said, “Let’s build the country together.”
When the President came to Parliament office, the ruling party the MPs near him asked him whether former MP Mujibur Rahman could return to Parliament as he is a candidate in the Colombo Municipal Council list. They said that the Speaker should ask for its legal background from the Attorney General.
President Wickremesinghe met nearly 20 Government and Opposition members on Thursday and it was coordinated by Prof. Ashu Marasinghe.
“Every day, the Opposition Leader talks about everything. Because of him, there is no way to talk to the others in that party. Therefore, shall we set aside a day on Saturday for him to speak alone? Then he can talk the whole day and get it off his chest.” When the MPs said this, everyone laughed.
Opposition Leader meets Japanese Foreign Minister
Last week, there was a meeting between Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and the Japanese Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa.
The Opposition Leader informed the Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister about the plans of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to overcome the economic crisis that Sri Lanka is facing.
Premadasa informed the Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister how the SJB plans to restore the country again after the end of the current regime and the establishment of a populist regime.
There was a discussion on the political stage last week about the problematic situation in the visa issuance procedure at the Katunayake Airport.
At the discussion held at the Opposition Leader’s office, Colombo, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said, “Although there is a visa issuing program in Sri Lanka, US$ 18.50 is charged separately and the revenue goes to foreign companies. Our country is losing a lot of dollars through this. The Government should take such decisions in a data-centered, scientific setting. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the country should be looked into. Various rumours are spreading that this is a more serious money fraud than the bond scam.’’
MP Lakshman Kiriella said, “This was discussed last week as well about the visa fee charged when tourists come to the country. Minister Tiran Alles said that all those charges were approved in Parliament. But I looked at the gazette presented about it. It has approved the increase in visa fees. But the VFS fee has not been approved.
“The visa fee is a different thing. If the VFS fee is to be included, a separate proposal should be brought and approved. Now I have the details of a passenger from India. The visa cost is zero, the service fee is US$18, the convenience fee is US$ 3. In addition, another US$ 20 to 21 is charged as VFS fee. But it has not been approved. So this is misleading Parliament. The VFS fee has also been included illegally under the guise of increasing the visa fee,” he said.
MP Prof. G.L Peiris who was involved in that discussion said, “This is the second Central Bank robbery. The purpose is the same. The Central Bank was robbed in broad daylight to find money for an election. Now a visa crisis has been planned to find money for the Presidential Election. It is said that a Cabinet decision was taken to give the issuing of visas to a foreign company. But the Tourism Minister says that he does not know about it.”
MP Mujibur Rahman who joined in the discussion said, “The Tourism Minister can’t say that he doesn’t know. Minister Harin Fernando was in the Cabinet when the Cabinet decision was taken to permit a foreign company to issue visas. Minister Harin Fernando has that collective responsibility. The entire Cabinet should be held accountable for this problem. The Cabinet played the same game with Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s issue.”
MP S.M. Marikkar said, “Even though the agreement with the company, which issues visas, has been cancelled, nothing has happened. We have to fight against this theft.”
Parate law
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said, “We will present facts in this regard in Parliament. MPs get ready for that. We will also present seven amendments for the amendment of the Act related to the Parate Law in the debate in Parliament. We are happy with the move taken to suspend the Parate Law.
“I have spoken 18 times in Parliament about micro small and medium scale industrialists. Through that, it was possible for the SJB to contribute to protect entrepreneurs,” he said.
MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said, “The Parate Law was abolished due to the efforts of the Opposition Leader. After December 15, a plan is needed to build the industries of micro small and medium scale industrialists. We request the Government to take an immediate step on that.
Diana Gamage
Another issue that was discussed last week was the decision of the Supreme Court that State Minister Diana Gamage has no legal right to sit in Parliament. As soon as the Supreme Court gave its decision, Farman Cassim, PC informed Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa about it.
The Opposition Leader has said that the Working Committee of the SJB should take a decision on who will be appointed for the vacant parliamentary seat of Diana Gamage.
The Working Committee of the SJB met at the party headquarters, Pitakotte under the patronage of Party Leader Sajith Premadasa. The name of former MP Mujibur Rahman has been proposed for the vacant parliamentary seat of Diana Gamage. It was decided to refer the name of Mujibur Rahman to the Election Commission.
At a discussion held at the SJB party headquarters, former MP Mujibur Rahman said, “MP Diana Gamage has been sitting illegally in the place where laws are made. The President and the Government team protected this MP. The Supreme Court gave a historic decision. Diana Gamage was maintained for three and a half years with the people’s tax money and that money should be recovered. A case should be filed against her for fraudulently taking oath as a Minister and getting all the perks and privileges.”
MP Nalin Bandara said, “A non-Sri Lankan has represented Parliament for almost four years. This decision is a big relief for Parliament. There were criticisms in society about the way MP Diana Gamage spoke in Parliament.
Auspicious sign
MP Thushara Idunil said, “MP Diana was a ‘gully bowser’ who has been a problem for the SJB. She has lost the parliamentary seat today. Instead a war tank of the SJB is coming to Parliament. This is an auspicious sign for leader Sajith Premadasa’s future victory. Mujibur is an asset to the SJB.”
MP Kins Nelson said, “Mujbur must come to Parliament. I think Harin and Manusha will also come to us as they have nowhere else to go.”
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said, “I will submit the name of Mujibur Rahman to the Election Commission for the vacant parliamentary seat.”
Mujibur Rahman said, “Thank you to everyone for re-appointing me to Parliament.”
Unforgettable day
May 9 is an unforgettable day for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). It suffered the most damage due to the violence across the country. SLPP Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala was brutally beaten to death on the road.
MP Namal Rajapaksa and a group of SLPP Parliamentarians including State Minister Sisira Jayakody came to the Abhayaramaya temple, Narahenpita on May 9 to commemorate Amarakeerthi Athukorala.
Namal came to the Abhayaramaya early in the morning and met the Chief Incumbent Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera. After that, Ven. Ananda Thera delivered a Dhamma sermon to invoke blessings on the late Parliamentarian Athukorala.
On Thursday morning, the trade union centre of the New Alliance and affiliated organisations handed over a special public communiqué to congratulate President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his immense efforts to move the economy in a positive direction after the May 9 ‘Aragalaya’ (struggle). A special feature was to give tribute to the heroic security personnel who protected the country.
