Blaming President for each and everything:

Joseph Michael’s strategy to bring UNP back to power

It appears that the festive season has given a short break to most of the politicians from their day-to-day busy schedules.

Making the best of the season is the leader of the Opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe who embarked on a tour of Europe. Accompanied by his wife Maithree Wickremesinghe, an eminent university lecturer by profession, he is expected to tour several countries in Europe, including the Vatican.

During his tour, Ranil is expected to meet several UNP Branch Organisation heads in key European cities. Ranil seems to be relaxed after securing that much sought-after six-year term as the UNP leader.

Despite many sinister campaigns by the UNP reformist group, led by Sajith Premadasa, Ranil kept his cool and ultimately secured the green light of the UNP Convention on December 1 to continue as the party leader until 2018.

This had strengthened the hands of Ranil and several Reformist group members are approaching the party leader for a ‘U’ turn. That includes a senior UNP parliamentarian from the Kurunegala district, better known for his singing at a TV reality show than voicing in Parliament. The UNP parliamentarian had almost kneeled down before the party leader in tendering an unconditional apology. But Ranil had stood firm in telling the parliamentarian that he would present his case to the working committee to obtain exoneration.

It appears that Sajith Premadasa is in two minds after Ranil stole the limelight and cemented his place. That has not only forced Sajith to put off his leadership dreams for at least another six years but also in danger of losing his deputy leadership post as there will not be any election to posts of Deputy Leader, General Secretary and the National Organiser of the UNP.

Hence, Sajith has little or no option but to act as a confidant if he is to get the nod from the party leader and remain as the Deputy UNP leader. Sajith is acutely aware that he could even lose the deputy leader’s post if he antagonises the leader who holds the key, according to the UNP constitution.

Prior to his departure, Ranil met some of his confidants and party seniors, including General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and parliamentarians Ravi Karunanayake, Karu Jayasuriya, Joseph Michael Perera and Lakshman Kiriella, at his Jawatte office.

”I have only allowed Tissa Atnnanayake and Lakshman Kiriella to speak on matters relating to the impeachment of the Chief Justice. Others should refrain from making their personal views on the matter,” he said.

Veteran UNP parliamentarian Joseph Michael Perera suggested that the UNP should adopt a new theory to capture power by targeting the President and conveniently crediting all mistakes to “his account”.

“It is not easy to topple this Government. The UNP will have to wait for many more moons to see at least a slim possibility of regaining power. People in the villages are still with the President and the UPFA. I don’t see any person who could lead the party to victory at this stage. We have only one option right now,” Joseph Michael said.

“What’s that, let's go for that option, whatever it is!” the majority voiced. “We all should target the strongest point – the President. This Government is going strong because of the President’s charisma and the masses’ affection towards him. We have to break that somehow. We must put the blame for each and everything on the President. When we repeatedly do that and discredit him, people would start believing us gradually and his popularity would go down,” he disclosed his master plan to bring back the UNP to power.

Fonny’s invitation tells it all

Sarath Fonseka is experiencing the worst ever period since taking to politics two years ago and has lost all his political buddies, including long-standing confidants Tiran Alles and Arjuna Ranatunga.

Needless to say the strength Fonseka had in contesting the 2010 presidential elections unsuccessfully though his campaign attracted a staggering sum of foreign donations and grants, mainly from INGOs and those who day dream of a regime change in Sri Lanka.

The same forces have now sent a message to Dr. (Mrs.) Shirani Bandaranayaka who is facing an impeachment motion and found guilty by the PSC. The messenger was none other than Fonseka.

It was last week that Sarath Fonseka invited Dr. (Mrs.) Bandaranayaka to enter politics and join him. Working to a political agenda, Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka has been invited by a group of traitors.

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva said Dr. (Mrs.) Bandaranayaka was acting a political role though she has been found guilty by the PSC in its investigation on the impeachment motion signed by 117 parliamentarians.

Fonseka’s invitation is a clear example of the cat being out of the bag and time to identify the forces behind the anti-impeachment drama. Minister Silva said there were a number of contradictions in the statement on the alleged shooting incident at UNP parliamentarian President’s Counsel Wijedasa Rajapakshe’s residence.

Bar Association of Sri Lanka vice president and senior Attorney-at-Law Anoma Goonathilaka said no fault was found in the process of filing impeachment motions against previous Chief Justices, but the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka was condemned. She said a few were attempting to create chaos in the country at a time when peace was achieved after defeating terrorism.

President visits Rajapakshe’s residence

A section of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) membership has been making a desperate attempt to discredit the Government on the impeachment motion against Dr. (Mrs.) Bandaranayake. The very same lawyers were instrumental in using the Supreme Court premises for their demonstrations which took a political line.

A tense situation had erupted during a Special General Meeting of the BASL at the Colombo District Court premises last weekend. However, the situation was soon brought under control by a group of lawyers who had been instrumental in calling the meeting. Some senior lawyers were confused about the outcome of the proceedings as there was no vote taken, though ideas for and against the resolutions were brought forward by the members.

Vice President of the BASL, Attorney-at-law Anoma Gunathilake decided to resign in the wake of three resolutions regarding the impeachment motion against Dr. (Mrs.) Shirani Bandaranayake being adopted without taking a proper vote. Gunathilake, a former Assistant Secretary of the BASL and former President of the Colombo Law Society, was reported to have stated that the cause for her resignation was due to the resolutions not being passed in a proper manner.

The BASL had passed the resolutions with a show of hands instead of moving to conduct a ballot, which had reportedly angered several of its members. Subsequently, the resolutions were declared unconstitutional as adequate time had not been given to present them.

It was in this backdrop that BASL president Wijedasa Rajapakshe, who is also a UNP parliamentarian, had a bitter experience last week. President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Rajapakshe’s house at Nawala on Thursday after he came to know that Rajapakshe’s residence had come under attack.

The alleged shooting had taken place outside Rajapakshe’s house around 12.20 am on Thursday morning. After visiting the scene, the President instructed the Inspector General of Police to conduct a full scale investigation into the incident and apprehend those responsible.

President’s Counsel Rajapakshe had complained about the shooting outside his home to the Police. The Police immediately arrived on the scene and launched an investigation into the incident. Following the probe, the Police found three bullet shells outside the residence at Nawala.

BASL upholds President’s decision

Meanwhile, the BASL Secretary Sanjaya Gamage said they welcome the decision by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to appoint a committee to further study the report on the impeachment motion. Gamage said, the President had said he will appoint an independent committee to advise him on the impeachment of Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka.

“The BASL upholds the President’s decision,” Gamage said and added that the decision is consistent with a BASL resolution adopted on Saturday at the Association’s Special General Meeting, which was held to discuss the state of the judiciary in view of the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice.

Gamage said of the three resolutions adopted by the BASL on Saturday, one is to urge the President to reconsider the impeachment motion. President Mahinda Rajapaksa had said the independent committee that will be appointed to advise him on the outcome of the impeachment motion will not be a challenge to the Parliamentary Select Committee(PSC) that heard the allegation levelled against Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka.

The BASL Secretary said they expect the President to take appropriate action.

“It was commendable on the part of the President to appoint an independent committee on the matter.” Gamage said the BASL is not against the impeachment process against the Chief Justice which is a constitutional process, but they are concerned about the conduct of a fair process before she or any Supreme Court judge can be removed from office.

Asked how the tense situation arose at the BASL meeting, Gamage said there were some resolutions submitted by certain members of the Association that BASL could not proceed in accordance with the BASL constitution.

“Two parties have tabled resolutions and they expressed their views about them. After considering their proposed resolutions, the head table presented three resolutions.

The resolutions were adopted with their approval and consent,” he explained. “The tense situation arose after the resolutions had been adopted and not before,” he said.

The resolutions include not to welcome a new Chief Justice if the current Chief Justice is removed without a fair trial. “This does not mean that we are going to boycott Courts or anything that would cause unrest in the judicial sphere. It is our custom to host a dinner for the newly appointed Chief Justice. We will not host the customary dinner in case the current CJ is removed without a fair trial,” he explained. Asked if any political influence had manifested around the BASL because its President Wijedasa Rajapaksa is a member of the Opposition, Secretary Gamage said, although Wijedasa Rajapaksa is a member of the Opposition, he cannot have any political influence on the BASL. “He can only act according to the BASL constitution and the will of the BASL members,” he said,

President condoles with the US

President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week sent condolences to the US President Barack Obama on the shoot-out in an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, where 27 persons, including 20 innocent little children were tragically gunned down.

“I was greatly saddened to hear the news of the shoot-out in an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, where 27 persons, including 20 innocent little children were tragically gunned down."

“I wish to convey my personal heartfelt sympathies to Your Excellency, while the people and the Government of Sri Lanka join me in expressing our sincere condolences to the Government and the people of the United States at this tragic moment,” the message said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the parents and siblings of the children who lost their lives, as well as the families of the six adults who were killed. In this Christmas season, our sympathies are also with the people of Newtown, who will need fortitude and courage to come to terms with their grief over this terrible carnage in their community,” he further stated in the message to the US President Obama.

Sri Lanka strengthens ties with India and Afghanistan

Last week’s developments saw Sri Lanka strengthening its relations with two South Asian neighbours, India and Afghanistan. Though there has been severe opposition from Tamil Nadu for providing military training to Sri Lanka’s Security Forces, India’s central government has given a firm assurance that it would continue to support Sri Lanka in every sphere.

The visiting Indian Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh, paying a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, said that the Indian government and military are fully committed to Sri Lanka’s security and to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

He said that Sri Lanka Security Forces have acquired vast strategic knowledge and experience, Gen Singh praised Sri Lankan soldiers for their discipline, competence and outstanding skills.

He said it would be useful for both countries to learn from each other. President Rajapaksa thanked India for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the war and said the task would have been much more difficult if not for India’s help.

During the discussion, President Rajapaksa also brought up the issue of Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lankan waters to which Gen Singh responded by affirming that a strong message has been conveyed to officials of the State of Tamil Nadu to take measures to control the situation, while thanking the Sri Lankan government for constructing the monument commemorating the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), Gen. Singh promised to assist Sri Lanka in meeting the training requirements of the security forces. Maj. Gen. Rajeev Tewari and the Defence Attache at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka Capt. Sumith Kapoor joined Gen. Singh for the discussion while Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya were also present.

Meanwhile, Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Zalmai Rassoul, who is on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka met President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat. “I am very proud to be the first Foreign Minister of Afghanistan to visit Sri Lanka,” Dr Rassoul told President Rajapaksa. “The Afghan people consider you a friend, and we are honoured.”

A range of issues were discussed during the meeting, including cooperation in the areas of education, trade and reconciliation. When President Rajapaksa inquired about the current situation in Afghanistan, Dr Rassoul said that while there is improvement, challenges still remain, particularly in the area of security. Given that Sri Lanka is also undergoing a post-war period, Dr. Rassoul asked President Rajapaksa for Sri Lanka’s support in the reintegration and reconciliation process.

“We need your support for a peaceful Afghanistan,” Dr. Rassoul told President Rajapaksa. “Afghanistan is not going to be a threat to anybody.” In the area of educational collaboration, Dr. Rassoul told President Rajapaksa that the government of Afghanistan awards millions of dollars in scholarships for Afghanistan’s top students to study abroad and that his government is keen in sending students to higher educational institutions within the region, including Sri Lanka.

Dr. Rassoul said such exchanges would be a good way to promote better people-to-people contact between the two countries that have many cultural affinities.

President Rajapaksa welcomed the idea of Afghanistan students pursuing higher educational opportunities in Sri Lanka. The Ambassador of Afghanistan in New Delhi Shaida M. Abdali and the Director General of the First Political Division of the Afghanistan Foreign Ministry, Azizudin Ahmadzada, were a part of the Afghan delegation that met President Rajapaksa.

Rainy weather takes 27 lives

The rainy weather experienced in most parts of the island during the early part of the week crippled normal life and took the lives of 27 people. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) announced that the number of deaths due to floods has increased to 27.

Fourteen persons reported missing have not yet been traced and 36 injured persons are receiving treatment.

According to the Disaster Management Centre situation report released yesterday, 328,913 people belonging to 82,687 families had been affected by landslides, floods, and strong winds caused by heavy rains, while 56,744 people belonging to 15,589 families among them had been provided shelter at 174 evacuation centres.

One thousand four hundred and thirty four houses were fully damaged and 4,782 houses partially damaged. Flash floods and landslides were experienced in the Ratnapura, Kegalle, Mullaitivu, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Trincomalee, Ampara, Batticaloa, Monaragala, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Matale, Hambantota and Galle Districts.

The DMC states the Laggala-Wilgamuwa road at Elawanakanda, Raththota-Illukkumbura road at Bodhikotuwa and the road stretch from Matale to Galewela were blocked due to earthslips.

Rescue missions in areas affected by the inclement weather are going on with the assistance of the Tri Forces and the Police. Minister Mahindananda Amaraweera further said that the Ministry will provide a report to the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry on public officials who have neglected their duties during the latest disaster situation which occurred as a result of the inclement weather.

He said the government had disbursed sufficient funds to District Secretariats to provide necessary relief measures adding that the Ministry is ready to disburse more money as the need arises without any delay.

He said the Treasury has also agreed to disburse money if necessary. He said the President had instructed that adequate relief be provided to all affected by the inclement weather.