Sunday Observations: The Political Column

Blues and Greens walk together

The meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and UNP Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday turned a new page in the political scene when the two leaders agreed to work towards a common goal with regard to issues of national interest. It was a landmark meeting with the UNP leader assisted by his Deputy, Karu Jayasuriya, a moderate politician. The trio expressed views at length during the two-hour meeting that was very cordial. Wickremesinghe also focused on social issues in addition to the ethnic crisis. President Rajapaksa responded positively and stressed the need to work towards a common goal in the national interest. The President pointed out the urgency to name two teams at party level to study and handle the subjects that were of national importance. Wickremesinghe responded saying that he would request Jayasuriya to lead such a party delegation.

Returning from the President’s House, Wickremesinghe and Jayasuriya had a lengthy discussion on all issues discussed with the President. The two leaders agreed to set aside all petty political issues and to go ahead with the assurance given to the President. The UNP leader said he would brief the parliamentary group on the outcome of the talks while Jayasuriya was delegated with powers to speak to the MPs in groups on what would be put before the agenda. Thereafter, the two leaders who met the following day held another round of discussions to select the group for talks at party level. The President’s move also gave an opportunity to the UNP leader and his deputy to mend fences within the party. The UNP at present looked an entity with dissension. There appeared to be many groups. Some claimed to be loyal to Wickremesinghe while others reportedly favoured Jayasuriya. But, Jayasuriya has never backed or made claims of a group that supported him. He is known as a man who never back stabs and has remained loyal to Wickremesinghe.

The two leaders who discussed the formation of the committee decided to request the President to enlarge the committee from five to seven. The President readily agreed as the UNP stated that wide ranging issues were to be discussed. This helped Wickremesinghe and Jayasuriya to bring in two politicians in the party who never saw eye to eye. They were Milinda Moragoda and Ravi Karunanayake. In addition, the UNP leader included Rukman Senanayake who is tipped to take over as Chairman from Malik Samarawickreme. The inclusion of Moragoda and Karunanayake has surprised many. Both are aspiring young leaders in the UNP. Representing the same district, both Moragoda and Karunanayake lead the preferential vote list behind Wickremesinghe.

On the SLFP side, Prime Minister, Ratnasiri Wickremenayake will spearhead the team. The Prime Minister, a veteran in the field of negotiations is assisted by the party general secretary, Maithripala Sirisena who has cordial relations with members of the UNP. The two sides are evenly balanced with Prof. G. L. Peiris likely to tackle matters relating to the peace process from the UNP side. Peiris had been the chief negotiator of the UNP at peace talks after the demise of A. C. S. Hameed.

The agreement to work together has been welcomed by all quarters. The economists and the business sector have hailed it stating such a program would help uplift the economy despite a war like situation prevailing with the troops repulsing attacks from the enemy. The government has successfully driven the enemy out from several territories it held before with the troops advancing on foot to recapture those areas. The pattern of defensive attacks by the troops have been welcomed by the people and it has strengthened the administration of President Rajapaksa. The people are of the view that the troops are engaged in a politics free exercise to meet the terrorist threat posed at the people and the nation.

In the UNP, the battle for reforms has been put off for sometime with Wickremesinghe stressing the need to put the country before politics. Earlier, several groups forged ahead with various proposals to restructure the party. But with the President’s call for the support of the UNP to work together on national issues, Wickremesinghe put the President’s request on top of his agenda. It was endorsed by Jayasuriya who has a good command over the rank and file. Jayasuriya too has a heavy responsibility over the committee that would work on national issues with the SLFP. He should ensure that deliberations do not collapse as in the past for petty reasons. In the past, such dialogues have failed after a brief period when the UNP harped on impossible demands that could never be met.

If the new committees continue successfully, it would pave the way for the UNP to enter the All Party Conference to submit proposals on the ethnic conflict. The government has already indicated that it would welcome proposals from all parties before deciding on the final package that would be put before the people. Therefore, the UNP should not miss this opportunity in the national interest. The members of both committees are well experienced politicians who could work towards the interests of the nation and people.

The two sides met for the first time at the parliamentary complex on Friday. They discussed the modalities to move into sensitive areas regarding the agenda. At the conclusion a joint statement was issued stating that two members were requested to draw up areas for urgent discussion. At present the approach looks positive for cooperation. The UNP must keep it up.