Aweek has passed since the Presidential Election was announced. The election battle has started with four candidates. Since President Ranil Wickremesinghe is also among them, he spends most of his time these days in the political office. He meets various MPs and various groups to prepare election plans.
President Wickremesinghe spent the last weekend holding meetings in Jaffna, Trincomalee and the Batticaloa districts. A meeting was organised at the residence of SLFP Parliamentarian and Deputy Chairperson of Committees Angajan Ramanathan. President Wickremesinghe and the President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka were also present.
The business community of the North, scholars and youth groups was among the people who met the President. The Bishop of Jaffna, chief priest of the Nallur Kovil and the Chief Incumbent of the Nagadeepa temple repeated the same story. That is, “You are the one who saved this country. We have a duty to bless you.”
When the President went to Batticaloa, he met the lawyer community. The meeting was organised by MP Ali Zahir Moulana. The President, who also attended a youth meeting of MP S. Viyalanderan’s party, then went to a meeting of civil society activists organised by TNA MP Shanakiyam Rasamanickam.
Chief of staff Sagala Ratnayaka who went to Batticaloa received requests from the people saying that they also want to discuss with President Wickremesinghe.
Accordingly, he organised a civil society activists’ meeting including bank officials and it turned out to be a successful meeting in which the President participated.
Several public meetings in Trincomalee had been organised by Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman. The President got to know that the Chief Incumbent of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera had passed away while he was on a tour of the North and the East. Therefore, the President decided to attend to some work that had been planned for Sunday evening in the morning and come to Colombo the same evening because it was the temple of his family.
On Sunday evening, Minister Bandula Gunawardena also went to the temple to pay his last respects to Ven. Gnanissara Thera. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also went to the temple at that time and he had asked if the Opposition Leader had to make a speech at the funeral. As the cremation arrangements should be shortened, the cremation ceremony committee earlier planned to limit it to only two lay speeches, but due to this request, the committee had to add another speech.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena publicly spoke about this matter that took place in front of him at an election steering committee meeting chaired by President Wickremesinghe.
The President went to pay his last respects to the Ven. Thera on Monday morning.
Former MP Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa, who was nearby, told UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene that the Opposition Leader did not say the right thing when he sought permission from the Maha Sangha during the cremation in the evening.
President Wickremesinghe had cancelled a number of evening meetings due to the cremation of Ven. Gnanissara Thera.
The President had reserved more time for election work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Many meetings were held at President Wickremesinghe’s political office at Flower Road.
Election symbol
There was much talk about the election symbol, colours and public rallies. The name and symbol of the alliance that will contest the General Election following the Presidential Election was also a topic at these discussions.
When the President went to the office on Thursday afternoon, many Ministers and MPs were present to meet him.
“While the President is talking about the country and the people, the other candidates are talking about themselves,” said MP Wajira Abeywardena, opening his speech.
“Among the candidates, there are only two who have gone to a university in Sri Lanka. The other two are the former President’s sons. No one knows which country they studied in,” Manusha Nanayakkara said with a smile.
“It is true that one of the two sons is a reflection of the father. I saved the other person’s father from impeachment,” President Wickremesinghe said.
“Then, who is the other person who went to a university in Sri Lanka,” asked MP Premnath Dolawatte.
“I built a Central College in Thambuththegama so he could go to university.” Those present couldn’t stop laughing when the President said so.
“All the MPs who joined the SJB alliance are those who were there. Dayasiri stayed with Sajith and later teamed up with the SLFP. The Tamil and Muslim parties are those who came to Parliament through the SJB. Our people joined the SJB after the Aragalaya. This is like Sajith getting married to Jalani again,” said Prasanna Ranatunga, sending those who had gathered into fits of laughter.
Media show
“There were no people, the chairs were empty. This looked great on live telecast. This makes it clear that Sajith is doing a media show,” Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said rejoining the conversation.
“MPs of Bangladesh are being killed and hanged on bridges. Youth are hearing cases on the streets. Fortunately our President stopped this from happening in Sri Lanka,” MP Sahan Pradeep said.
“The Opposition in Bangladesh was not willing to take over either. It is said that there are people hiding in Bangladesh like Anura and Sajith did in Sri Lanka,” MP Kokila Gunawardhana said.
MP Harsha de Silva’s statement in Parliament that the IMF agreement will be revised was also taken up there.
“The Embassies are disturbed by this statement. They told us that the IMF has not revised such agreements. A unilateral amendment of an agreement means that the agreement is cancelled. If the IMF withdraws from the agreement, the economy will collapse again. Because the country is still not in a good position,” Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said seriously.
“The Japanese projects are being relaunched because of the IMF, MP Dolawatte said.
“The people who joined Sajith went on certain conditions. It is a well-known fact that the President secretly deals with these people. If the President was not sure, this election would not have been called. The President will pull these people to his side in time, some MPs said.
Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was also there.
“Our people are talking about the boss playing a game silently,” State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said. On hearing these stories, President Wickremesinghe smiled and did not say anything.
Media parameters
The Commissioner General of the Election Commission had assigned the responsibility of investigating and reporting on the Presidential Election media parameters as well as whether the media acts independently, to Director General of Government Information Dinith Chinthaka Karunaratne.
He had told this to the President as well as President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake. President Wickremesinghe asked them to do their duty properly and joked that they will also make complaints.
On Thursday evening, the President went to Sirikotha, the party headquarters to seek permission to contest the Presidential Election as an independent candidate. The Executive Committee unanimously approved contesting as an independent candidate and supporting him. The President left for Kandy and Nuwara Eliya over the weekend for some work planned.
A large number of people including bhikkhus participated in the cremation of Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera. There was also talk about the current political situation in various places. After Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera’s cremation, Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera of the Narahenpita Abharama Temple, Chief Incumbent of the Havelock City Vihara Ven. Athapaththu Kande Ananda Thera and Ven. Gatamanne Gunananda Thera visited the official residence of SLPP Leader former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Wijerama Mawatha and had a long chat.
It is also reported that they had said that they should support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Presidential Election. SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa also participated. After that, they met President Ranil Wickremesinghe the next day and held discussions.
Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was about to leave the place after the cremation of Podi Mamuduruwo of the Gangaramaya, extended an invitation to another political leader UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena who was nearby.
Wajira, come and get into my car. Let’s go to our house and talk for a while,” said former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Wajira Abeywardena accepted the invitation and got into the car with the former Prime Minister Rajapaksa. The two sat in the back seat and began a serious political conversation. It is also significant that both of them went to the official residence of former Prime Minister Rajapaksa at Wijerama Mawatha and the conversation was restricted to both of them.
Aggressive speech
It is reported that much attention has been focused on the political field regarding the aggressive speech made by SJB Colombo District MP and Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance Dr. Harsha de Silva in Parliament on August 7.
Harsha said very strongly that the IMF agreement will be changed under their Government. Minister Bandula Gunawardena’s response to that was one that would stir up the whole country. “If the current IMF program is changed, there will be no Budget for next year (2025). If this is the SJB’s theory, only politics can be done,” Minister Gunawardena said and pointed out with facts that they will never be able to form a Government.
Dhammika Perera had told the party leadership that he would not contest the Presidential Election due to personal reasons. The leaders of the Pohottuwa were quite disturbed by it. It was suggested that Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena should be invited for the Pohottuwa Presidential candidacy. When asked about it, Dinesh said that he and the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) had decided to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe, so he could not accept the Pohottuwa’s invitation.
Next, these people turned towards Namal. However, Namal was in Anuradhapura when the notification was made. Namal who worshiped at the Sri Maha Bodhiya and Ruwanweli Seya went to Katu Seya where he goes as a habit.
“Not enough time, no? Let’s just go to Colombo,” Namal said.
“Okay, then let’s leave for Colombo,” said State Minister Thenuka Vidanagamage.
When they were on their way for a short distance, Namal said again, “Let’s turn around again. Let’s go to Katu Seya.”
Meanwhile, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, Gamini Lokuge, Sagara Kariyawasam and others at the Nelum Mawatha office were searching for answers to the problem of who will be chosen as their Presidential candidate.
Although the names of various people were proposed, it was finally proposed to present Namal Rajapaksa.
“Let’s ask Namal,” said former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“Okay, wait, I’ll ask,” and Basil told Namal on the phone.
“Namal, Dhammika has sent a letter saying that he cannot contest. Can you be the Presidential Candidate?” asked Basil.
Mahinda Rajapaksa again referred the same question to Namal.
“Yes, I am ready to accept any challenge, for the sake of the party,” Namal said firmly.
It is significant that the phone call to Namal came exactly when he was coming out after worshiping at the Katu Seya, Mihintale.
With the announcement that Namal Rajapaksa will contest as the Pohottuwa Presidential candidate, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is trying to socialise a certain message through trade unions. “We have no competition with any of the other candidates now. The competition is only with Namal. Therefore, keep it in mind and let’s work.” This message is being communicated from place to place.
New alliance meets
The Ministers and MPs of the new alliance met on Thursday afternoon at the Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla for the meetings of the Presidential Election Operation Committees.
After the meetings were over, they had a friendly chat and enjoyed black coffee.
“Oh dear, what kind of party is this, today it has to beg for a Presidential candidate,” Chamara Sampath said at the beginning of the conversation.
“Dhammika was made the candidate and Namal came out of it and tried to take the Opposition Leader’s post. Dhammika came to know that they were going to make him a ‘Billy Boy’ and he withdrew at the last moment,” Piyankara Jayaratne said.
“Now these guys are saying that the President has broken the party,” Nalin Fernando said looking at the crowd.
“The President did not have a party to break. It was not the President who broke the party,” Nimal Lanza explained while enjoying a cup of coffee.
“Yes, that is true. There is no one from our Badulla who is boasting. He talks as if this party was formed by him,” said Chamara Sampath in a loud voice.
“Today there is a situation where the Pohottuwa cannot set up a party office,” Susil Premajayantha said. “Yes, all those who are shouting today will be here in a few days,” Duminda Dissanayake said.
The number of MPs supporting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has now increased to 102. Meanwhile, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi also extended her support to the President on Thursday. She was undecided until Thursday. But Pavithra’s journey hastened with the Presidential candidacy of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna on Wednesday. She went to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Wijerama residence and worshiped him and announced her decision. “Make a decision that feels good to you. I have no objection to that,” former President Rajapaksa had said.
Gampaha Bala Mandala meeting
The Pohottuwa Gampaha district Bala Mandalaya meeting was held in Udugampola, Gampaha last Sunday under the patronage of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.
Nine of the thirteen MPs representing the Gampaha district participated. Only former Local Government members were invited to the Bala Mandala meeting called by Minister Prasanna. They attended the meeting by marching with supporters.
“I want to count the exact number of MPs. So please forgive me,” said Minister Prasanna approaching the supporters after the meeting.
“It doesn’t matter, Minister. But we also need a meeting,” said supporters.
“Of course. Give me two or three days. Then we will meet,” said the Minister.
“When Mahinda lost, the people who were with him left. But I was with him. When the Mahinda Sulanga went around the country, I was the one who organised the meetings. But I was always behind him. It were the Local Government members who made me a leader. It was also proposed to give me the premiership but I didn’t accept it. We should know our limits,” Minister Prasanna said amid the applause of former Local Government representatives.
