Senasinghe eats humble pie

Colombo District UNP parliamentarian is one of the handful of MPs who have been vociferous in the Opposition's campaign. A lawyer by profession, young Senasinghe has been playing a key role for his party as one of the few popular figures in the party although the UNP has failed to field a candidate for the second successive Presidential election.

Senasinghe has been making sweeping statements to increase the morale of his party. A couple of weeks ago he belittled Pope Francis, stating that the Holy Father would definitely visit Sri Lanka as his 'files' are with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"The Pope is frightened these days because of those files," Senasinghe told the Parliament, much to the displeasure of both the Government as well as the Opposition parliamentarians. When he found that his foolish statement would do more damage than good, he played safe by saying that he was merely referring to the Pope's school files such as the birth certificate.

But Senasinghe met his waterloo last week when he attempted to woo a member of the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council for a political crossover. He was ultimately lost for words when the MMC used the Opposition press conference head table to air his views in support of President Rajapaksa. In an apparent cross over attempt that went wrong, UPFA member of the Dehiwela- Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council, Savithra de Silva appeared at a news briefing held at New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Maithripala Sirisena's office in Colombo and said that he would not betray President Rajapaksa.

The news briefing was held with the mastermind Sujeewa Senasinghe in chair with several other members of the local government authorities.

Former Western Provincial Councillor Keerthi Udawatte introduced Savithra de Silva stating that the young MMC was willing to extend his support Maithripala. After little briefing by Senasinghe, he handed over the chair to Savithra who shocked everybody.

Addressing the gathering, Savithra told the news conference that the country was enjoying the freedom at present due to President Rajapaksa and went on to praise him, which startled Senasinghe and others who were present.

Savithra exposed the UNP and Maithripala camp's political nudity before pulled the head table chair down and left the venue. But an equally clever Senasinghe kept his cool in a desperate bid to cover the shame he earned.

"Give him a piece of cake and a cup of tea before he leaves," a smiling Senasinghe said in a clever attempt to divert attention of newsmen.

Fowzi's surprise visitor

Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzie had a surprise and uninvited visitor to his Colombo residence. He was none other than his former Cabinet colleague and New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential election candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

The unexpected visitor greeted Fowzie and sat in the minister's verandah. Maithripala immediately got into business, stating the purpose of his sudden visit. "I came to see you to extend an invitation to you and your son to join our campaign. Join us and let us work together," he said.

But Fowzie's response was a firm no! "We are not that type of people. We will never betray our party and its leader. We will continue to support President Rajapaksa," Fowzie told Maithripala as the latter's face became gloomy. But an ambitious Maithripala did not give up. He played another card to tempt Minister Fowzie.

"I am not just asking you to crossover. There is much more! Let us go to Singapore and discuss leisurely. Just tell us the amount you need and we will pay it then and there," Maithripala played the trump card. But even that could not change Fowzie's mind. "No dear, that won't work. I will never betray the President. I am so sorry Maithri," Fowzie said.

Knowing that even foreign funding could not change Fowzie's stance, Maithripala decided to leave. But Fowzie accompanied him to the vehicle. "That rascal would not come. That won't work," Minister Fowzie clearly heard Maithripala telling someone in the vehicle.

Fonny takes on Chandrika

Differences of opinion are looming in the so-called joint Opposition camp, especially with Democratic Party leader Sarath Fonseka threatening to quit if the original principles which were told to him at the beginning of the election campaign are not met.

Knowing that the things are becoming gloomy and that Maithripala's campaign would lose even the little support it has if Fonseka quits, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga invited Fonseka for talks at her official residence in Torrington Square last week.

Chandrika and Fonseka had a long one-on-one meeting. Fonseka had told Chandrika that Maithripala's campaign is now heading in the wrong direction and that he is unable to put up with it. The meeting eventually turned out to be a heated argument after which an irate Fonseka had walked out.

Chandrika had later briefed Maithripala and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on the outcome of the discussion. Maithripala had pleaded Chandrika to make every effort to retain Fonseka.

But the UNP has been if the view that Fonseka is ungrateful and could take a sudden and unilateral decision at any moment.

"We had enough problems with him even last time," a senior UNP member and former minister said.

President visits flood victims

President Mahinda Rajapaksa took time off his busy Presidential election campaign to visit those affected in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa yesterday.

The President directed that relief be provided for those displaced and instructed the officials to expedite work. The President spoke to some of the flood victims in Anuradhapura area.

At least 15 people died and 12 others went missing due to the torrential rains in most parts of the country. A spokesman for the Disaster Management Centre said that 12 people had been injured while 937,671 people of 258,319 families were affected. Over 85,000 displaced people are being sheltered in 413 camps.

Out of 15 deaths, 11 were reported in Badiulla district while the other four deaths were reported in Kandy, Baticaloa, Ampara and Puttalam districts.

The vehicular movement on the Badulla-Welimada Road came to a standstill last morning due to an earth slip which occurred near the Morethota Temple on the Badulla-Welimada Road.

The Meteorology Department said heavy rains exceeding 100 mm could be expected in most parts of the country particularly in the Eastern, Uva, Central, North-Central, North-Western provinces and in the Hambantota district.

It said low pressure area had intensified into a depression again and was located about 400 km east to Hambantota, which was expected to move northwards affecting the weather of the country and surrounding sea area.

Sanga plays reverse sweep to Opposition bouncer

Veteran Sri Lanka cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan extended his support to President Rajapaksa's election campaign last week. Dilshan and his youth organisation met President Rajapaksa at a meeting to extend their support to the President.

That became a big setback to the UNP and the Opposition, following former Sri Lanka Test captain and ex-UNP Western Provincial Council member Hashan Tillakaratne's decision quit the party and support the President.

Since then, the Opposition has been using various media gimmicks to spread various rumors. One such thing which did its rounds in social media though Mangala's media factory was a rumor that star cricketer Kumar Sangakkara had rejected an offer from the President to join his election campaign for a staggering sum.

But the Opposition's political nudity was exposed after Sangakkara rejected reports that he was offered financial incentive by the President to support him in his election campaign. Sangakkara said in his facebook post that he was surprised and disappointed to hear of such a story being circulated.

"I was very surprised and disappointed to hear of a story being circulated regarding His Excellency the President offering me money to support his election campaign. I would like to categorically confirm that at no time whatsoever have I been asked by the President in any manner to be a part of his political campaign," Sanga said in his post.

"The allegation being circulated on social media claiming that I have been offered a financial incentive to support his election campaign is completely untrue. These are just false stories concocted with malicious intent that are trying to use and abuse my name and I would like to request everyone to ignore them," he added.

Sirikotha goons go into action

A tense situation prevailed in front of the UNP headquarters, Sirikotha in Kotte last week after the UNP goons attacked a peaceful demonstration by the members of the Federation of National Organisations.

The organisation had been protesting against an alleged agreement signed between UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the NDF candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

The protest by a group called Federation of National Organisations commenced in front of the UNP headquarters Sirikotha. But by then the Opposition was armed with UNP thugs inside Sirikotha. With tensions rising there were verbal exchanges between the UNP group that was at the Sirikotha and the protesters outside. After sometime, stones were pelted at the demonstrators from the Sirikotha building. Minutes later, the UNP thugs came into action with iron rods and cinnamon poles and brutally assaulted the demonstrators.

Black or waste oil was thrown and the UNP goons went behind hapless demonstrators who were beaten by wooden clubs. The clash lasted around one and half hours before the Police riot squad was also brought in to quell the clash.

A group of the Maha Sanga supporting the UNP and the common candidate, UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake and UNP Provincial Council Member Mujibur Rahman were among those present. The Maha Sanga and UNP leaders said they do not approve of protests near the UNP Headquarters premises. Police later brought the situation under control.

How Ammer Ali sold his vehicle permit

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) split over the decision by party leader Rishad Bathiudeen to support Maitripala Sirisena, party officials said.

Bathiudeen and recently sworn in MP Ameer Ali had joined the common opposition platform while the party's national organiser M.L.A. Hizbullah said he would continue to support President Rajapaksa. Hizbullah, who is also the Deputy Economic Development Minister, said he had the backing of party's Eastern Provincial councillor Sibly Farook and Western Provincial councillor Mohamed Faize. Ameer Ali, during his ten-day stay in the Government benches in the Parliament, had even obtained a vehicle permit and sold it to a Muslim businessman for a staggering sum.

"All six members of Kattaknkudi Urban Council including the mayor and the five members of Ottamawadi Pradeshiya Sabha will support the President," he said.

Asked what propelled him to take such a position, he said the abolition of the Executive Presidency, as pledged by Maithripala would be disadvantageous to the minorities such as the Muslims.

"Only the executive presidency can look after the interests of the minorities. We are also opposed to the introduction of electoral reforms proposed by the opposition. Under the present system, 18 Muslim MPs have been selected. Yet, there will be a maximum of four MPs in case proposed electoral reforms are implemented," he said.

Responding to the allegation that the safety of the Muslim community has been compromised under the current government, he said similar violence was unleashed against Muslims even during the term of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

"This is not something that has happened under this regime. Three mosques were burnt in Mavanella at that time. There are allegations against Bodu Bala Sena. But the Jathika Hela Urumya, a similar group, is with the opposition. It is even worse," he said.

President unveils Mahinda Chinthana 3

President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiled his election manifesto - Mahinda Chinthana 3, stating that he would introduce a new Constitution during his third term with the support of everyone.

"I will go toward a new Constitution with the support of everyone," he said at the launch of his election manifesto at the BMICH in Colombo. He said the third part titled Mahinda Chintana- Lowa Dinana Maga envisaged preparation and elevation of the country to the levels of developed countries.

"In 2005, I promised peace for all citizens and I delivered that within four years. We developed the country as we promised in 2010. The latest part will make the country a developed one," he said.

The President said that the country had come to a point where no one could make political promises to provide electricity, water, roads or infrastructure anymore.

"At this election, people should decide if they should go back to an era of destabilised society or go forward with strength and stability. I don't have many agreements like others. The only agreement I have is the Mahinda Chinthana," he said.

Tissa challenges former leader Ranil

Health Minister Tissa Attanayaka alleged that his former leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the NDF Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena had agreed to betray the country to the TNA, take President Rajapaksa to the electric chair and the war heroes to the gallows just to secure the Tamil votes.

Producing what he claimed was the agreement signed between Ranil and Maithripala on November 1 for a common programme for the January 8 presidential election, Attanayaka told a news conference that the consensus between the two leaders was a great threat to Sri Lanka's national security, territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"They are doing this to satisfy the TNA and draw Tamil votes for Maithripala. They have also promised to take our war heroes to the gallows via a domestic inquiry to satisfy the Tamil Diaspora.

The Tamil Diaspora is confident of taking President Rajapaksa before a war crime tribunal if and when Maithripala wins the presidential election. That is why Global Tamil Form (GTF) Head Suren Surendran told the Al-Jazeera that the GTF would take President Rajapaksa before an international tribunal once Maithripala wins," he said.

"Clause 2.7.1 of the agreement says that the High Security Zones in the North that cover private properties would be removed and the lands will be given back to the original owners, the clause 7.2 says that a power devolution that would go beyond the 13th Amendment and meet the aspirations of the Tamil people will be implemented and under 7.3 agrees to implement all recommendations made to Sri Lanka by the UNHRC on war crimes and human rights violations," Attanayake said.

He said section 7.4 of clause 2 says that the new government under Maithripala will cut 40% of the defence budget because terrorism had ended and use those savings to develop the North-East while section 6.5 of clause 2 agrees to cut the number of armed forces personnel in the North by half.

New party by Gammanpila

Former JHU provincial councilor Udaya Gammanpila said he had formed a new political party called Pivithuru Hela Urumaya under the founding principles of the JHU. Twenty one members of local government bodies including 18 JHU members and three members from other parties are the founding members of the new party. Party's sole provincial councilor Udaya Gammanpila is the new party's General Secretary. "We will fill other posts and will launch the party in the near future," Mr. Gammanpila said and added that the party symbol was the lotus.Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris today said the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena should clarify the nature of the panel he would appoint to probe into war crimes charges against the military forces.

The minister said the foreign media has announced reports that Siripala was intending to appoint a judicial panel to investigate war crimes charges against armed forces personnel.

"This is a matter that will have far-reaching consequences.

A clear statement is certainly required from the opposition candidate with regard to the nature of the investigation which he proposes to undertake, the powers and scope of the tribunal he plans to appoint, and the use he plans to make of the findings," he said.