Ranil ‘borrows’ a humane face to overcome leadership crisis

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, with or without his knowledge, seems to be making a speedy attempt to become a leader close to the masses. Over the years, the most common allegation by Ranil’s opponents within his party – the UNP Reformists, has been his inability to read the pulse of the people and move closely even with his party seniors.

Ranil, amidst the severe challenge faced by him after the Central and North Western Provincial Council election debacles, seems to be making every attempt to give up his old habits and become a popular leader.

The latest conduct by Ranil was witnessed last week at a UNP meeting regarding their protest against the Government which was held at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo. Ranil was in an aggressive mood, making every effort to get close to his fellow parliamentarians.

It was unusual behaviour for the UNP leader who normally does not move freely even with his party seniors and refrains from casting any unofficial remarks.

But it was a different Ranil altogether as he personally spoke to many of the party seniors, showing an unusual keenness to make the protest a success.

Ranil had his own reasons to do so after the bitter experience his party had in Matara where two UNP factions fought each other. The protest which was originally scheduled for last Thursday has now been put off for tomorrow. The UNP leader pleaded with his seniors to bring as many people as s possible for the protest.

When Ranil suggested them to get in touch with UNP’s Western Provincial Council members to get down party supporters for the protest, Palitha Thewarapperuma intervened. “Sir, I could even find 20 bus loads of people for the protest but I don’t have money to meet their transport and other expenses,” the UNP parliamentarian said.

UNP Treasurer Daya Gamage volunteered to meet the cost of one bus. On hearing Daya’s gesture, Ranil too wanted to emulate him and how his new common touch. An unusual Ranil promptly came forward to support Thewarapperuma. “Okay, I will also support you. I will sponsor one busload,” Ranil said much to the surprise of the other UNP seniors who were present.

A UNP Reformist group member, commenting on the sudden new approach by his party leader, said their campaign for a change in the party leadership has brought fruitful results. “It seems that the leader is fast changing in his conduct and attitudes. That is a good sign. But that does not mean he could be a winning leader,” he said.

UNP report to Working Committee

The report on the outcome of Ranil’s discussions with UNP rebels Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya will be presented to the party’s Working Committee meeting due to be held at the party headquarters Sirikotha tomorrow. The final discussion between Ranil and his reformist leaders will take place, before the Working Committee sits. There have been contradicting reports on the UNP’s leadership crisis. While Ranil loyalists claim that the differences between the UNP leader and the Reformist group has been ironed out, sources close to Karu and Sajith claim that they have not reached any agreement.

They said that the only solution to the current UNP crisis is the resignation of Ranil from the party leadership while retaining the post of Opposition Leader. But Ranil’s camp knows that it could the stepping stone of the UNP reformists. “They would initially say that our leader could remain as the Opposition Leader but once they get the UNP leadership, they will subsequently make a claim for the Opposition Leader’s post too,” a Colombo District UNP parliamentarian close to Ranil said.

Meanwhile, a group of disgruntled UNP parliamentarians are planning to set up a new political party, if the UNP Working Committee rejects a change in the party leadership. If tomorrow morning’s discussion between Ranil and his former deputy leaders Sajith and Karu fails, this group of disgruntled UNP parliamentarians plan to form an UNP alternative party and invite Sajith to become their leader.

The dissident UNP MPs will also seek support of all Opposition parties to form a common front to contest future elections.

They have also held discussions with a few senior most figures in the UNP. Reports said UNP MPs, Palitha Range Bandara, Ashoka Abeysinghe and Dilip Wedaarachchi, who have been at the receiving end for demanding reforms to the party, plans to function as independent MPs, if the party leaders fail to resolve its differences at tomorrow’s Working Committee meeting.

The disgruntled UNP parliamentarians who plan to form a common front with the Reformist group and a few other parties in the Opposition, alleged that the UNP leader has violated the agreement that he reached with the United Bhikkhu Front and is plotting to dilute powers agreed upon for the proposed Leadership Council.

Memorable day for President Rajapaksa

Last Sunday was a memorable day for President Mahinda Rajapaksa as he opened Sri Lanka’s second highway – the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway which connects the commercial capital with the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

The President has a habit of giving due recognition to party organiser in the area whenever he attends a public function in an electorate. This was witnessed once again he came to declare open the expressway on Sunday morning.

As he reached the Peliyagoda entrance of the 26.5km highway, he turned back, as if he is searching for an important person missing. He first looked for veteran UNP parliamentarian John Amaratunga saying that the UNP was only talking of building an expressway to the airport.

“Where is person who is in-charge of Kelaniya?” he questioned later referring to the SLFP organiser in the area.

Minister Mervyn Silva knew that the President was looking for him as the Minister had been the SLFP’s chief organiser for Kelaniya electorate. Mervyn who was a little behind the President then came out to his leader, singing a Sinhala song meaning “forgive me if I have done anything wrong”. He then invited Mervyn to join the ceremonial opening of the new airport expressway which cuts down travel time to BIA from Colombo up to 20 minutes.

The President, accompanied by the First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa in the front seat, drove a white SUV to Katunayake.

As the Presidential convoy reached Katunayake exit point, President Rajapaksa was greeted by a special team at a ceremony organised by parliamentarian Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle. Among the other VIPs present were Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Bandula Gunawardena, Priyankara Jayaratne and Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.

A large group of schoolchildren greeted the President when he arrived at Katunayake. A smiling President then walked put to the children to share a few words. “Didn’t you all attend today’s Sunday damma schools?” he questioned from the children present.

“Yes sir, we went to Dhamma schools and then came here to welcome you,” all of them said in one voice. “Good that you came to see me. But you’ll should never miss Dhamma school,” he told the children.

A world record by Namal?

The Hambantota District parliamentarian would perhaps have created a world record. He may have become the first serving parliamentarian to lead a national sports team. A parliamentarian captaining a national team to win a rugby union game is definitely a world record.

Namal achieved this rare feat when Sri Lanka edged out Poland in a thrilling game played on Friday evening. Sri Lanka scored a historic win over Poland by 26 points to 25 to emerge runners up of the Dialog Serendib Cup triangular tournament played under floodlights at the Race Course. This was the first time that Sri Lanka had beaten a European nation in a Rugby Union Test.

It was a great performance by the rejuvenated Sri Lanka outfit led dynamic hooker Namal who was a source of inspiration to his teammates, including his younger brother Rohitha Rajapaksa, giving of their best to match up to the heavier Polish forwards.

Namal’s exemplary leadership was evident right through the game and it was a great comeback by the hosts. Sri Lanka, having narrowly losing the opening game to Madagascar, came back strongly after trailing 15-17 at half time. Beating a far superior side than Madagascar was a great achievement for Sri Lanka under Namal’s able leadership.

Wignes hospitalised

After the recent Provincial Council elections in the Central, North Western and the Northern Provinces, it was decided that the Chief Ministers of all nine provinces be called for meetings with the Cabinet of Ministers. The move was made to enable Cabinet Ministers to take up provincial issues directly with the respective Chief Ministers.

However, on the eve of the first such meeting between the Chief Ministers and the Cabinet, NPC Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran was admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for cardiac test. He was discharged in the afternoon of the following day after completing medical observations.

Wigneswaran caught media attention last week after writing to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, inviting him to visit Jaffna.

In a message to Dr. Singh, Wigneswaran thanked the Indian Prime Minister for the interest shown regarding the Tamil community and invited Singh to make a visit to the North when the Indian leader comes to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013).

Australia and India support CHOGM 2013

Australian and Indian foreign ministers said last week that they will not follow Canada in boycotting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka later this month.

Speaking at a press conference with her Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid in Perth on Thursday, Julie Bishop said it was important to engage with Sri Lanka as it rebuilt itself in the aftermath of the humanitarian operation. “It’s our view that Commonwealth countries should work with Sri Lanka to meet the challenges that they face and we certainly will be encouraging countries to do that,” Ms Bishop was quoted as saying.

“We have sent that message to Canada in a number of ways. They make their own decision obviously.

“But both Prime Minister Tony Abbott and I will be there, working with the Sri Lankan government, encouraging the Sri Lankan government to address its challenges to be a contributing regional and Commonwealth global nation.

“We think that’s essential for the long-term prospects of reconciliation in Sri Lanka,” she said.

Khurshid said he would attend, but it was yet to be confirmed whether Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would also be there. He said it was important that the Commonwealth was strengthened.

“People have very strong deep-rooted views about what should be done,” he said. “There are obviously serious concerns that may have been felt in domestic terms by the Canadian government.

“But I think it is important for leaders to take some things in their stride and look at the larger picture and the commitment that we all have to the Commonwealth,” said Khurshid who was in Perth for key talks at the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation meeting on Friday.

Speaker’s biography

There was a distinguish gathering as the biography of the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, written by Punya de Silva, was launched at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) last Wednesday.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe made use of the opportunity to have a dig at his opponents in the UNP while making an interesting speech. He said anybody who is aspiring to be a leader of a political party should have patience.

It was obvious that Ranil was targeting Sajith, who was occupying a back bench in the hall.

But Sajith only had a smile when Ranil was making indirect references at him.

Though many looked for Sajith when Ranil was casting those remarks, could not find him as he was sated as the rear of the hall. Speaking to his confidants after the event, Sajith has said that this was only a beginning and that Ranil could react even worse in the weeks to come.

The first copy of the book titled ‘Chamal Rajapaksa’ was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by his elder brother Chamal Rajapaksa himself.

The book, published by the D. A. Rajapaksa Foundation and authored by former Deputy Inspector General of Police Punya de Silva was launched to coincide with the Speaker's 71st birthday and twenty five years in parliament.

The keynote address was delivered by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo Dr. W. K. Hirimburegama. Leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva also spoke at the occasion.

Religious dignitaries, Government and the Opposition Parliamentarians, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, family members and friends of the Speaker and high ranking government officials attended the ceremony.

Activities in Colombo unhindered

The much-looked forward to Commonwealth Summit (CHOGM 2013) is fast approaching. With only 12 days to go for the 53-nation event, some paint a gloomy picture that the activities in Colombo would come to a complete standstill during the week-long event.

But Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary Dr. Charitha Herath said that day to day activities in Colombo city would not be hindered due to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from November 10-17, Responding to a question at a media workshop held at the Government Information Department premises on Friday, Charitha said that access to Colombo roads would not be closed down, adding that there would be a special traffic plan in operation where the smooth flow of traffic will not be hindered.

He said prior announcements would be made to the public on the traffic arrangements.

He said only three main routes will be closed only for a limited time during the Summit in Colombo, adding that this action would not hamper daily business in the city. Commenting on the media accreditation, the Secretary said over 300 foreign media personnel and about 530 local media personnel have already been registered.

He said the applications for local journalists have been closed, while applications for the foreign media are still open. Herath said the Media Centre at the BMICH premises would be in operation from November 11-17.

Rajitha asks fishermen to avoid IMBL

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has requested Sri Lankan fishermen to avoid violating the International Maritime Boundary Lines (IMBL) of India.

He asked fishermen and vessel owners to refrain from going beyond the Sri Lankan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for fishing.

According to Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry statistics, there are 87 Sri Lankan fishermen and 16 Sri Lankan fishing vessels in Indian custody due to violation of the Indian IMBL. These fishermen were arrested during the past two months and are now in the custody of the Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh authorities.

The fishing vessels seized are from Trincomalee, Negombo, Dikkowita, Kalpitiya, Tangalle and Matara.

Seventy five out of the 87 arrested fishermen along with 14 fishing vessels are in the custody of the Tamila Nadu authorities while the rest are in Andra Pradesh.

“The Sri Lankan authorities is making arrangements for the release the fishermen and vessels and are discussing with the Indian authorities via the Foreign Ministry and Sri Lankan High Commission in India regarding the matter,” ministry sources said.