UNP's day-night youth office akin to Ranil's Yovun Puraya

Opposition Leader and UNP chief Ranil Wickremesinghe is well-known for devoting more time for youth, though most such ventures were not focused on finding any solution to the problems faced by them.

Instead, he has a track record of mingling with youth and spending more time with them whenever he gets an opportunity. These activities reached a peak when he served as the Minister of Youth Affairs in late President J.R. Jayewardene's Government in 1977.

He introduced the infamous Yovun Puraya and took it easy until the wee hours of the morning.

It was more like a youth camp under the patronage of the then Ministry of Youth Affairs but hardly anybody knew what knowledge the youth gained by participating in those day and night camps and mingling with youthful Ranil and other officials who were dedicated to youth.

It seems that a glimpse of all those youthful activities has been given a new facelift with the UNP's decision to open a new 24-hour office for youth activities at the party headquarters. It was reported last week that the youth wing of the UNP has opened a new day-night office for youth at Sirikotha.

Though it was stated that the opening of the '24-hour youth' office at the UNP headquarters is a brainchild of the UNP Youth Front leader, parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene, it has now come to light that the mastermind behind the concept is none other than his party leader who pays extraordinary attention on matters pertaining to youth.

Speaking to media on the UNP day-night youth office, parliamentarian Harin Fernando has said that youth could discuss their problems and grievances at any time of the day and even make complaints on problems faced by them. It will be open to youth, including the undergraduates and unemployed graduates.

The Badulla District UNP parliamentarian has said that complains and problems faced by youth are entertained 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week at the UNP Youth Office at Sirikotha through fax and email.

He had promised to discuss these youth problems even in Parliament. But to what extent the new day-night youth office would serve its purpose or how it would differentiate from Ranil's previous Yovun Puraya is left to be seen.

Is Dayasiri gearing for political somersault?

Kurunegala District UNP parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera was the talk of the town with the dissolution of the North-Western and Central Provincial Councils, amidst strong rumours that he is gearing for a political somersault.

There have been several news reports claiming that Dayasiri, known as one-time reformist group leader supporting Sajith Premadasa, will be named the ruling UPFA's chief ministerial candidate for the North-Western Provincial Council.

But neither Dayasiri nor the UPFA confirmed any such move. Dayasiri has been tight-lipped over the past few days and even switched off his private mobile phone in a desperate bid to avoid media and all those eager to know his next move.

When questioned whether Dayasiri would leave the main Opposition and support the Government at the forthcoming Provincial Council elections, a senior UNP leader said that anything is possible though he has still not got any information.

"I don't know whether Dayasiri would leave UNP or not. But I can't rule out such possibility either. Some UNP MPs who had previously said that even their dog would not join the Government had done so. Hence, anything is possible at this juncture," he said when questioned yesterday about Dayasiri's possible cross-over.

Meanwhile, UNP parliamentarian Harin Fernando has said that Opposition members who vociferously blamed the Government were the ones who crossed over. "Those who crossover are the ones who keep blaming the government.

Although at the start they vow never to join the ruling party they were among the first to join the government," Harin said at the opening of the UNP Youth Front Office on Friday.

Meanwhile, Governors of the North-Western Province and Central Province, Tissa R. Balalle and Tikiri Kobbekaduwa said on Friday that the two provinces have been dissolved from midnight.

The official gazette notifications dissolving the two provinces one year prematurely at the request of the two Chief Ministers, Sarath Ekanayake of the Central Province and Athula Wijesinha of the North-Western were issued on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Secretariat spokesman said the decree by President Mahinda Rajapaksa instructing Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to conduct polls in the Northern Province was issued on the same day.

Accordingly, the elections to the Northern, North-Western and Central Provincial Councils are expected to be held in the last week of September.

Political scene heats up with PC polls

Nominations for the three Provincial Council elections will be called within a week, Deputy Elections Commissioner was quoted as saying.

The local political scene has heated up with the dissolution of the Central and North Western Provincial Councils, one year ahead of schedule.

While there are many aspiring candidates seeking nominations from the UPFA, the main Opposition UNP is battling hard to keep their remaining parliamentarians together.

Unconfirmed reports said that the UNP leadership has personally called the UNP parliamentarians and sought their support for the PC elections, an indirect move to find out their political pulse.

This follows widespread rumors that Dayasiri would say goodbye to the UNP, with dreams of holding the post of Chief Minister of the North Western Province from the UPFA.

Meanwhile, the forthcoming PC polls has given fresh hopes to the UNP's Reformists Group which is in touch with Dayasiri to retain him and flex muscles against the party leadership.

The UNP Reformists supporting former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa are of the view that they could definitely expel Ranil from the party leadership if the party loses once again.

But Ranil is smart enough to play the right card at the right time when it comes to internal party matters and retaining party leadership.

His confidants has already advised him to hand over the UNP's election campaign in the North Western Province to Sajith.

They are of the view that the UPFA is much stronger in the North Western Province than the Central Province. Hence, they anticipate a landslide victory for the UPFA at the elections to the North Western Provincial Council. They say that placing Sajith in charge of the party's campaign would allow party leader to undermine Sajith and cover up the weakness of the party leadership.

President addresses Seychelles National Assembly

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed a special session of the Seychelles National Assembly early last week. "While we are trying to bring about national reconciliation and economic development, we are not without post-terrorism challenges," he told the Seychelles National Assembly.

"Interested parties endeavour to undermine our victory over terrorism and humiliate us in the international arena. We count on the valuable and continued support and understanding of friendly nations such as the Seychelles," the President said.

"Modern international relations are marred by self-interest of the states and their struggle for power. We feel that the very colonialism that we had fought and freed ourselves from a few decades ago is making a comeback in a different form in today's global scenario.

New power blocks are emerging, states are intervening in the affairs of other states using their strength and the past seems to be re-surfacing," President Rajapaksa said.

He said that it has been decades since Africa and Sri Lanka had freed themselves from the shackles of colonialism and oppression. "The walk to freedom was long and full of obstacles. When looking back at the past, we can see that we were united in our struggle against colonialism. We rallied together genuinely irrespective of our differences in size, political or military power and economic strength for a common cause. That is to gain independence and bring prosperity to our nations," the President added.

The welcome remarks were made by National Assembly Speaker Dr. Patrick Herminie. Following the President's address, the Leader of Government Business addressed the National Assembly. The concluding remarks were made by the Leader of Opposition. Dr. Herminie said the Seychelles legislature is greatly honoured by the presence of President Rajapaksa, a man widely renowned as a champion of freedom, peace and stability.

He commended President Rajapaksa for his political strength, courage and determination to protect the integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.

The Speaker said he saw firsthand the rapid development Sri Lanka had gone through over the last four years when he visited Sri Lanka in 2012. "I was particularly amazed by the transformation of the Northern part of Sri Lanka which bore the brunt of terrorism. It also bears testimony of your vision of long-lasting national reconciliation, a prerequisite for the economic growth of Sri Lanka," the Speaker said.

On Monday morning, the final day of the state visit to the Republic of Seychelles President Rajapaksa attended the Sri Lanka-Seychelles business forum.

The President was received at the venue, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam, Principal Secretary of Finance, Trade and Investment Steve Fanny and Chairman of Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Marco Francis. External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris made the opening remarks and introduced the Sri Lankan delegation.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa made presentations at this forum. Principal Secretary of Finance, Trade and Investment Steve Fanny and Chairman of Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Marco Francis made presentations

Following the business forum, President Rajapaksa visited the Seychelles Bio-Diversity Centre accompanied by Minister for Environment and Energy Prof. Rolph Payet, Senior members of the environment sector and NGO's were present during this visit. The President planted a Coco-de-Mer seed at the Bio-Diversity Centre to commemorate his visit.

Malaysian support for CHOGM in Sri Lanka

Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamed Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak assured his country's participation at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, when President Rajapaksa met him in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last weekend.

The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global 2013 Smart Partnership Dialogue.

The two leaders discussed CHOGM which will take place in Sri Lanka in November.

President Rajapaksa briefed the Prime Minister on the current status of planning and also invited Malaysia to send a delegation for the business forum that will be held on the sidelines of CHOGM.

Prime Minister Najib assured President Rajapaksa of Malaysia's participation and wished the summit success. "We supported Sri Lanka's hosting of CHOGM so we should be there," the Prime Minister said.

President Rajapaksa also briefed the Prime Minister of the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and post-terrorism development activities.

The President said the best way to determine Sri Lanka's progress after was to come to the country in person. The Prime Minister agreed. This will be the first time the Prime Minister will visit Sri Lanka.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Hj Aman who had been in Sri Lanka about 13 years ago, said it was really difficult to get things done in those days, and there is "big improvement today."

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal were present.

Chandima meets Sharma

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody met Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, while attending the 62nd Westminister Parliamentary Conference at the British Parliament last week.

The Deputy Speaker briefed the Secretary General on Sri Lanka's preparations for CHOGM in November this year. Sharma has expressed his appreciation of the efforts of the Sri Lanka Government to make the conference a success.

The Commonwealth Secretary General impressed on the Deputy Speaker the desire of many countries to be a part of the Colombo meeting of the Heads of States of the Commonwealth, and stressed on the need to strengthen cooperation between the Sri Lanka Parliament and the Commonwealth and also the importance of sharing Sri Lankan Parliamentary strategies with member countries for further development.

Vasu ready for Amendments

Democratic Left Front leader and National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said last week that Amendments are needed with regard to the 13th Amendment to make it more effective for national integration.

He said parties such as the UNP, JVP and the TNA are duty bound to represent the people who voted them to power, at the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) or else they will be failing in their duty to the people.

Nanayakkara said he and his party would attend PSC sessions on Constitutional changes.

"I am very happy to be a part of this government as it is an anti-imperialist government which never succumbed to any foreign influence.

People have various arguments on the Provincial Council system. But, there is no problem with Provincial Councils as a whole and it only needs some changes," the minister said.

He said India did not wield any influence on the functioning of Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka.

"India would not create problems in the North because if there are problems it is bound to spill over into Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the Indian government never wants to see any problem arise in their country," Nanayakkara said.

If the entire Provincial Council system is to be abolished, it will badly affect reconciliation efforts in the country.

Though the majority of the Sri Lankan population are Sinhalala Buddhists, there are provinces in the country where other ethnic groups form the majority.

"Hence they have a close relationship with their own local leaders and can easily solve their problems through them," the minister said.

Nimal Siripala on 13A

SLFP Vice President and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that at the time the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was introduced, the Sri Lankan government and its leaders were under immense pressure exerted by internal and external forces and as a result they did not have the ability to take independent decisions.

The minister said as a result, the 13th Amendment which resulted from the Indo-Lanka accord of 1987 was forced upon the country rather than Sri Lanka accepting it of its own free will.

He said that the amendment contained both good and bad aspects, and added it was time to take a decision on the nature of this amendment.

Minister de Silva who also heads the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into changes to the Constitution including the 13th Amendment, said this at a public gathering in Badulla last week.

The minister said that the SLFP even engaged in a 'Satyagraha campaign' at Colombo Fort protesting against the introduction of the 13th Amendment.

"Even a section of the ruling UNP at the time, protested against it.

Gamini Jayasuriya resigned and Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa, senior UNP members Lalith Athulathmudali and others openly stated their opposition to the 13th Amendment," he said.

"Today, the UNP has forgotten that its leader at the time J.R. Jayewardene signed the Indo-Lanka accord after imposing a curfew," the minister said. He said that there is a raging debate on the 13th Amendment and added that the best platform for people's political representatives to express their ideas was the PSC.