Pow-wow with former UNP parliamentarians:

Kabir bats for Ranil amidst heavy resistance

The much-looked forward to second round leadership crisis issue meeting between Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his reformist group stalwarts Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya has now been rescheduled for Thursday.

Amidst heavy pressure to step down from the UNP leadership, Ranil was compelled to hold the first meeting with Sajith and Karu on October 11. Though many expected it to be the turning point for new UNP reforms, Ranil was clever enough to evade the growing demand for a new leader by yet another smart move.

At the initial meeting, Ranil suggested that they will have to assure that the matters discussed should not be disclosed to anther third party or to media. Since Karu and Sajith demanded that the leader too should abide by such agreement, Ranil reluctantly agreed.

Immediately after the first meet held on October 11, media experts in Ranil's inner circle got into action to spread the story that the trio have ironed out all differences. That was a calculated move to show that Sajith and Karu have united with Ranil and that the duo has reached an agreement with the party leader.

Though it was agreed to hold the second round of talks in the following week, Ranil evaded that by making another overseas tour, appointing his Royal College buddy Ravi to represent him. When the reformists were not in favour for that move, he entrusted Kabir Hashim to use his good relations with Buddhist clergy and negotiate with the UNP's National Bikkhu Front.

After a discussion with the Bikkhu front, Kabir invited UNP's former parliamentarians' association for a similar meeting to resurrect the image of his leader.

Former Minister Themiya Hurulle, a close relative of Ranil too stressed the need to have a new leader who could give that much needed winning formula to the party.

"True that Ranil is my relative. But I must speak the truth for the best interest of the party. We have no future as far as Ranil remains as the leader. Not only masses have become sick of Ranil but also our own party members. We cannot change that.

Hence Ranil must step down and pave way for a new dynamic leader who could win elections. We must follow the proposals put forward by the Bikkhu Front," Hurulle said.

Most former UNP parliamentarians present at the meeting endorsed Hurulle's views and demanded that they appoint a new leader. But Kabir intervened to voice in support of Ranil. They also accused Kabir of playing political games to safeguard the interests of Ranil. "You are playing political game to retain Ranil. You did the same last time when we were about to change the party leadership. You try to do the same now," they accused Kabir.

But a helpless Kabir denied all such allegations and said he would submit a report to the UNP leader on the discussions he had. Kabir had to eventually admit that he too feels that there should be a change within the party but he was clever enough not to specify whether it should be a change in the party leadership.

Helpless Mangala turns cry baby

UNP Matara District parliamentarian has been in wilderness ever since he quit the SLFP. Things are turning out bitter and bitter for him in his adopted party UNP. Knowing that his political future will be secured only as far as Ranil remain at the helm, Mangala has been engaged in a do-or-die battle to retain his former Royal College colleague as the UNP leader.

It was under such a scenario that Mangala and his goons attacked the peaceful protest organised by the UNP Reformists from Matara. But Mangala had to pay the price and ultimately surrendered to Matara police and is on bail.

Mangala is notorious for various controversial media gimmicks from time to time. He is better known for concocting stories when the going gets tough. His latest ploy was to claim that he has received death threats and certain people are trying to kill him.

But even those with a basic knowledge on politics would know that hardly anyone is interested in killing a politically bankrupt person such as Mangala.

Following a complaint by Mangala on a plot to assassinate him, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa last week ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security to all parliamentarians in an impartial manner.

Mangala raised a question of privilege in the House last week, complaining that two underworld figures had been hired to murder him. He claimed that there are intelligence reports about such a plot.

While attempting put the blame on the Government, Mangala claims that the murder had been planned at a sensitive time ahead of the Commonwealth Summit.

That alone shows his political immaturity as the Government would never dream of such an unfortunate incident that would discredit the Government before a high-profile summit of that magnitude.

Moreover, Mangala is not a threat to the Government whatsoever. In fact, his presence in the UNP is politically advantageous for the UPFA as it would create further divisions within the country's main Opposition. Hence, even a Kindergarten student would understand that there is no threat to Mangala's life.

Latest reports from Sirikotha said that the UNP Reformists have launched a campaign against Mangala. A prominent UNP parliamentarian loyal to Sajith said their aim is to protect the party from political parachutes such as Mangala.

He said Mangala is the only obstacle to the unity of the party as he often conspires with the leadership against die-hard party seniors such as Karu and Sajith.

Sajith holds discussions with all

Former UNP deputy leader and Hambantota District parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa has adopted a different strategy for his call for the UNP leadership. Sajith held a series of discussions with fellow UNP parliamentarians, his loyalists and those who support Ranil. On Thursday, Sajith held discussions with Dr. Harsha de Silva, Ajith P. Perera, Niroshana Perera and Ruwan Wijewardene at the Parliament Library. They discussed wide range of issues that prevents UNP from winning elections for over two hours.

On the following day, another discussion was held with Thalatha Athukorale, Ranjith Maddumabandara, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Buddika Pathirana and a few other UNP parliamentarians.

In the meantime, the UNP leadership has launched another operation to woo Sajith loyalists and since the call for sweeping reforms to the party.

The latest such incident was the offer that came to Ranjith Maddmabandara, who has often criticised Ranil's leadership and ability to lead the party to victory.

Maddumabandara told his Reformists group colleague that he had a close call last week and evaded a post that was forcibly being entrusted on him. The UNP leadership has made desperate attempt to win Maddumabandara by appointing him as the Chairman of the UNP's trade union - Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS).

But Maddumabandara has said the need of the hour is not JSS chairmanship when there are so many problems in the party. He has offered to accept it, after the UNP overcomes its present crisis.

Wignes says Tamils have rejected separatism

The inaugural session of the newly-elected Northern Provincial Council (NPC) was held in Jaffna on Friday. The claim by the new NPC Chief Minister C.V. Wigneshwaran that Tamils have rejected separatism has won the hearts of many in the South.

Wigneswaran, in his inaugural address, said the Tamils had rejected separatism and violence in any form and the Southerners should clearly understand that message.

The NPC had its inaugural session in a building at Kaithady in Jaffna after a grand ceremony conducted in accordance with Hindu cultural rituals.

Soon after the unanimous election of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, Chief Minister and former Supreme Court Judge, Wigneshwaran said that internal self-determination was possible only within a united Sri Lanka. He said his NPC administration would extend a hand of friendship to the Government with the expectation of its reciprocal.

Vigneshwaran stressed that the people of the South should not consider the people of the North as separatists, adding that the Northern harbour must be re-established in order to help develop the country. But Wigneshwaran's controversial remarks on land and police powers have been rejected by all.

Responding to comments by the NPC Chief Minister that Tamil-speaking policemen should be recruited to serve the people in the Tamil-dominated Northern Province, the Inspector General of Police N.K. Illangakoon has said that different police forces cannot be created to suite different races and that all function representing all communities in the country have to be carried out by a single police force.

He stated that the police force started recruiting Tamil-speaking officers to resolve the language barrier long before Wigneshwaran's call. According to the IGP, around 2,000 Tamil-speaking officers recruited to assist in the affairs of the Police Department are currently serving around the country.

Meanwhile, C.V.K. Sivagnanam was appointed Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council, paving way for another controversy within the constituent parties of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which won the NPC elections.

The appointment of Sivagnanam who contested the NPC elections from the ITAK for the Jaffna District, has been criticised by a couple of constituent parties of the TNA.

Tough regulations against doping in sports

The Parliament last week passed a landmark bill against doping in sport. Apart from the bans imposed by the local and international bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, the Sports Ministry initiative will serve prison sentences to those who test positive for performance enhancing drugs in future.

Minister Aluthgamage said that if a sportsman found guilty for doping he will be imprisoned for two years and banned from sports for life.

This is the first instance in Asia that such strict laws imposed against doping. Doping in sports has so vast that it could not be stopped by means of advice. Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage told the Parliament last week that he is happy introduce new legislation, fulfilling a long-felt need to discourage doping in sport.

"We introduced a national sports policy. The doping in sports has become a serious issue. In rugby, boxing, weight lifting, etc. the doping is being spread rapidly. In a particular sport item we checked the pool instantly," he said.

About 60 percent of the sportsmen found to be below the qualifying level. It means all sportsmen in the pool were in the habit of doping. "We are constructing nine international standard stadiums in each province. Each Pradeshiya Sabha will get two fully fledged playgrounds.

India has said that this Act is exemplary and has requested it. We have informed the Education Minister to include the health subject in the school syllabus," he said.

"Our target is to be the best in sports in Asia. Apart from cricket, rugby the only sport that we have reached at Asian level. Today 800 schools play rugger.

It has become a professional game. Standard players in Kandy get an allowance of Rs. 250,000 a month. Our government takes everything to the village.

You know four leaders of UNP came from Gampaha but it was Minister Basil Rajapaksa ultimately who carpeted all roads in Gampaha," he said.

Australian PM commends Sri Lanka

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott last week praised Sri Lanka for the support rendered in one of the major Australian national issues of human smuggling, which has drastically reduced illegal boat arrivals from Sri Lanka.

Abbott made this comment when Sri Lankan High Commissioner Admiral (Rtd) Thisara Samarasinghe paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister to formally hand over the invitation for CHOGM from President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Prime Minister of Australia.

Prime Minister Abbott recalled on this occasion with gratitude President Rajapaksa's noble and friendly gesture of telephoning him within two days of his election victory.

The Australian Prime Minister also recalled the savage and brutal terrorism that Sri Lanka had to confront even to the extent of losing the country's President and key leaders and emphasised the value of eradicating the most ruthless terrorist organisation out of Sri Lanka and ushering peace to the country and its people.

Whilst appreciating the progress made within a short period of time, Australian Prime Minister said that he was very happy and enthusiastic to visit Sri Lanka for the CHOGM to see for himself the achievements and to interact and engage with Sri Lanka's leadership and the other participating Commonwealth Leaders.

He took the opportunity to thank the Government of Sri Lanka for the support rendered in one of the major Australian national issues of human smuggling and that the government of Australia was grateful for the genuine and willing assistance which has drastically reduced illegal boat arrivals from Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner in response conveyed greetings from President Rajapaksa and people of Sri Lanka to welcome the Prime Minister and his delegation to Sri Lanka and thanked with gratitude the support rendered by Australia at various international fora, specifically the period leading to the CHOGM.

US in hot water over spying

Days after the Amnesty International accused the US over war crimes, the Obama administration faced another problem over spying in Europe.

Germany and France said they want the US to sign a no-spy deal by the end of the year after leaders of the European Union warned a lack of trust with the United States could harm the global fight against terrorism.

As well as the bugging of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone, there are claims the US's National Security Agency has monitored millions of telephone calls by both German and French citizens.

In the end, pragmatism out-pointed outrage... but that should not disguise a very real sense of betrayal in parts of Europe"

Spain on Friday followed Germany and France in summoning the US ambassador to explain reports of spying on the country. Italy has also expressed anger at reports it too has been spied on.Meanwhile, the Amnesty International in a document on US drone strikes in Pakistan, accused the US of unlawful killings in Pakistan which could amount to war crimes.

"Secrecy surrounding the drones program gives the US administration a license to kill beyond the reach of the courts or basic standards of international law.

It's time for the USA to come clean about the drones program and hold those responsible for these violations to account," said Amnesty International's Pakistan Researcher, Mustafa Qadri.

The organisation reviewed 45 known drone strikes in northwest Pakistan between 2012 January and 2013 August and carried detailed research into nine strikes which showed a serious violations of international law and could in fact amount to war crimes or extra judicial killings.