Astrologers no, no, on Ranil’s political future

Many politicians concentrated on the astrological changes that took place last Friday. Prominent astrologers had to work overtime to cater to the unprecedented demand from leading politicians, mainly from the Opposition.

Some UNP politicians thought that they could get undue mileage and pose some kind of threat to the Government, at least using the movement of the planets. Those close to Ranil thought that it was the best time to make a couple of leading astrologers to state that the UNP leader’s stars look brighter and that Friday’s planetary change has given a distinct advantage to Ranil.

They decided to hold a one day workshop at Sirikotha with the participation of several leading astrologers. The intention in organising the workshop on astrology to get a couple of astrologers to make an astrological forecast at the end of the workshop saying that the UNP could return to power before the end of this year.

Ranil loyalists thought that they could make the best use of the latest astrological developments and raise the morale of the party supporters.

But the UNP failed to get a favourable response from any of the prominent astrologers, who politely turned down the request as they have not seen any chances whatsoever of Ranil becoming the head of state or the UNP gaining power in the near future.

“How can we lie and ruin our names. In whichever the way Ranil’s horoscope is analysed, it does not show any Rajayoga. When we don’t see any astrological chances of Ranil becoming the President or the UNP capturing power in this decade, how can we say wholesale lies and tarnish our images?” a well-known astrologer said.

Another astrologer, better known as UNP loyalist, said that he too was shocked with what the UNP seniors requested from him. “I have made astrological forecasts to suit the party that I have my loyalty. But it does not mean that I could make an unrealistic lie as a forecast and ruin the good name that I have earned,” he said.

Jayalath’s death - shock to UNP

The news that shocked the main Opposition last week was the death of UNP parliamentarian Dr Jayalath Jayawardena who passed away in Singapore on Thursday after a brief illness.

The 59-year-old parliamentarian was receiving treatment at a hospital in Singapore at the time of his death. A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Jayawardena was elected to Parliament from the UNP in 1994.

President Rajapaksa paid his last respects to the Gampaha district UNP MP at his Ja-Ela residence on Friday. Dr Jayawardena who was the Deputy Secretary of the UNP, was the Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees Minister from 2002 to 2004.

But the talk in the UNP circles was on the person who had given misleading information to Dr. Jayawardena on the cause of action that should take for his heart problem. Dr. Jayawardena was known as a confidant of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. He stood by the UNP leader during the difficult times against the Reformist Group within the party.

When Jayalath was touring London last year, he was taken ill and the doctors in London recommended a heart bypass for the UNP parliamentarian.

Accordingly, the family members of Jayalath made preparations for the operation.

In the meantime, Jayalath’s fellow parliamentarian, a prominent UNP figure from the East, met him and recommended another doctor, named Michael, from France.

On his UNP colleague’s advice, Jayalath had changed his mind and agreed to meet Dr. Michael in Paris to have a stent, instead of an open heart bypass. But month’s after that operation in France, Jayalath was taken ill again. Jayalath would have well saved his life if he had taken advise of his doctors in London.

Why Ranil wanted postponement

Jayalath’s family members originally planned to hold the funeral today in Ja-ela. When they informed Ranil, he advised Jayalath’s family members to postpone it to Monday. No reason was given though Jayalath’s family members responded to the party leader’s request positively.

But it has now come to light why Ranil asked to put off Jayalath’s funeral by a day. Ranil had already made arrangements for a holiday in Nuwara Ealiya this weekend with his inner circle friends and was not willing to compromise even to pay last respects to one of his loyal party seniors.

When the funeral organisers found why Ranil wanted a postponement, they ignored the UNP leader’s call and decided to hold the funeral today as scheduled.

When Jayalath’s body was brought to his residence in Ja-ela on Friday, several UNP parliamentarians were seen discussing how Ranil had let down Jayalath in the latter stages. Despite being an ardent supporter of the UNP leader, Ranil had not visited Jayalath when he was sick.

A UNP parliamentarian said at the funeral house that Ranil had not even given a telephone call to Jayalath’s family even on the day the body was brought from Singapore.

Thai PM, cynosure of all eyes

The cynosure of all eyes was the visiting Prime Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra who came to Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte to address the Parliament on Friday.

Making a historic speech at the Parliament, the Thai premier said that democracy is the best form of the government to protect the rights and liberty of people and advance social interests.

“Democracy is not an internal affair of one country alone. Democracies around the world must join to protect the people. Our two countries with our experiences and lessons can contribute greatly to the advancement of democratic forces,” she told Parliament on Friday.

Shinawatra said she was in Sri Lanka with the intention of building a closer partnership between the two nations and to seek Sri Lanka’s support in building a bridge of multi-dimensional cooperation throughout Asia.

“Ayubowan, Wanakkam, I am excited to speak for the first time in this Parliament after 10 years my brother, the second Prime Minister of Thailand. It is a great pleasure for me to be in Sri Lanka, a beautiful island nation at the opposite end of the Bay of Bengal,” she said.

“Although we are separated by an ocean our two countries share common religious faith, and close cultural and political beliefs. I feel privileged to speak to the elected representatives of the people of Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan people have always shown great courage in protecting their nation and the value of their democracy. On a personal level I am deeply honoured to be addressing the same Parliament where the world’s first female Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike once led the government,” she said.

“I am here in Sri Lanka with the intention to build a closer partnership between our two nations, and to seek Sri Lanka’s support in building a bridge of multi-dimensional cooperation throughout Asia. In the religious dimension, the reference of Thai word ‘Lanka wong’ carries a noble meaning for Thais,” the Thai Prime Minister said.

“It showed the establishment of Buddhism from Sri Lanka to Thailand some eight centuries ago, and 260 years ago a group of monks from Thailand gifted higher ordination to Sri Lankan monks. These eventually led to the establishment of the Siam Maha Nikaya here in this country. This made our Buddhist link unique and this is the reason why our people are so firmly connected. More importantly, with rapid changes in the world with economic capitalism, political turmoil and social disruption these days we must work together to strength Buddhism as a religion and a way of life. I would like to ask you all to join this quest so that, Buddhism can be a force to bring peace not only to the individual minds but also for human communities as a whole,” she said.

Prime Minister Shinawatra, on a two-day state visit to Sri Lanka, also called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday and held bilateral talks.

Speaker says Sri Lanka grateful for Thai friendship

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 2.45 p.m on Friday at a special session for the address to the Members of Parliament by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Yinghluck Shinawatra.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said it is an honour and privilege to welcome to our Parliament at this special session, Yingluck Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, one of the most dynamic and outstanding leaders in South East Asia. She is also the first woman Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand.

“In the year 2003, we were honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity to welcome Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the then Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and the beloved brother of Your Excellency, who graciously accepted our invitation to address our Parliament.

“Today, we are equally privileged and honoured, to be able to listen to your address, Madam Prime Minister, which will be delivered after ten years from the address of your distinguished and illustrious brother Dr. Shinawatra, which is a historic event in our Parliament.

“Madam Prime Minister, your visit to our Parliament will strengthen the long standing relationship with Thailand, which dates back to many centuries. Both our countries have a predominantly Buddhist culture based on the Theravada tradition. We are also grateful to your country for the assistance rendered to revive Buddhist practices at a time when Buddhism suffered a decline in our country.

“The Parliament of Sri Lanka and the Parliament of Thailand have had a close friendship for many decades. Our Parliament is privileged to have formed a Sri Lanka -Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Association to further consolidate and strengthen the relationship between the two Legislatures,” the Speaker said.

Prime Minister Shinawatra became the third world leader to address the Sri Lankan Parliament after former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1985 and elder brother, Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003.

President returns after successful tour

President Rajapaksa returned to the island mid last week after a highly successful tour of China, during which he strengthen bilateral relations further. Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang met President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the final day of his tour at the Great Hall of the People and assured him that the trade imbalance, which is now in favour of China, will soon be addressed to benefit Sri Lanka as well.

“China will explore the possibility of setting up an industrial zone in Hambantota,” Prime Minister Keqiang said. “In addition, we will help Sri Lanka to develop capabilities in satellite communication, space technology and maritime industries,” the Chinese premier said.

Prime Minister Keqiang reiterated China’s commitment to following through on all the development projects that were agreed upon during the bilateral agreements on Tuesday.

They include Colombo-Jaffna and Colombo-Kandy-Kurunegala expressways, the extension of the Southern Expressway, working towards a free trade agreement, water supply schemes in Attanagalla, Minuwangoda and Kurunegala, an international conference hall in Kandy and an arts theater in Anuradhapura, among several other projects.

President Rajapaksa, who is currently on a four-day state visit to China, thanked the Chinese government for its continuous and multifaceted support of Sri Lanka’s development and noted that the East Asian nation has become a key development partner in Sri Lanka’s post-conflict era.

The Chinese Prime Minister said, “The long-standing friendship between the two countries has now reached the level of strategic cooperation” and described President Rajapaksa as “a mature politician and able leader who ushered in peace to the country.”

President Rajapaksa told the Premier that the terrorist war that went on for nearly 30 years devastated infrastructure particularly in the North and East. Now that peace has returned to the country, the President said, the government’s focus is to develop all areas of the country on an equal basis.

President Rajapaksa also expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its consistent support in combating terrorism and its support at regional and international fora.

He further reassured the Premier that Sri Lanka is committed to maintaining the “One China Policy” in its foreign policy.

Before concluding the bilateral talks, President Rajapaksa reminded the Premier of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that will take place in Sri Lanka in November of this year and invited China to send a business delegation to the Commonwealth Business Forum, which is open to non-Commonwealth nations. Prime Minister Keqiang said his country will make use of the opportunity. The President also extended invitations to both the Chinese President and Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka.

On Tuesday, the visiting Sri Lanka president met his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The two leaders held bilateral talks encompassing several areas, strengthening Sri Lanka- China relations and laying the base for a new era of friendship and cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan welcomed President Mahinda Rajapaksa accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa at the Great Hall of the People.

President Rajapaksa is on a four day State visit to China. President Rajapaksa was accorded a 21-gun salute on arrival and he later inspected a Guard of Honour.

During discussions, China pledged to provide further funding to develop Sri Lanka’s transport sector that includes a number of expressways, road networks and railway lines, including a new Colombo-Jaffna Expressway. The agreement was one among several others reached during the bilateral meeting.

President visits Lingguang Buddhist Temple

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, along with members of the Sri Lankan delegation, visited the Lingguang Buddhist Temple located on the outskirts of Beijing last Monday. Chief Incumbent Most Venerable Chang Zang and fellow monks welcomed the President, the First Lady and the delegation, and invoked blessings.

The temple, which was established 1,200 years ago, has become a centre for Buddhist pilgrims because of the Buddha Tooth Relic that it houses.

The only other recognized Tooth Relic of the Buddha is located in the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic) in Sri Lanka.

The Tooth Relic at the Lingguang Temple had first been taken to what is now Pakistan after the passing of the Buddha before it was brought to China. President Rajapaksa donated a gold-plated Buddha statue to the temple when he visited China in 2007.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Douglas Devananda, Parliamentarians A.H.M. Azwer and Namal Rajapaksa, Chief-of-Staff Gamini Senerath and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in China Ranjith Uyangoda were also present.

Minister to get to bottom of Port fire

Measures will be taken promptly to prevent a repetition of the fire which broke out at the Colombo Port, Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said last week.

He said three separate investigation teams are still continuing the probe into last week’s fire at a warehouse in the JCT Terminal. Accordingly, the CID, the Government Analyst and the security division of the Colombo port are conducting investigations.

The Minister noted that the investigations will reveal the cause and the story behind the fire soon, probably within the next few days. Investigations are being carried out with transparency and stern action will be taken against those who are found responsible for the act.

The Government Analyst has collected all necessary samples in connection with the incident.

Further investigation will be based on the Government Analyst’s investigation report.

Colombo Port sources said that it was the biggest ever fire that had occurred in the port.

The total cost of damage is being estimated. There had been 25 container loads of textiles imported for apparel factories and electronic goods.

The fire was brought under control by the Police, Army, Navy and the Air Force fire brigades with the assistance of Colombo Harbour fire fighting unit after a few hours, it caused severe damage to cargo stored in the warehouse and the warehouse building. According to a rough estimate, the damage is estimated at over Rs 40 million.