During the last week that ended amidst political and national security upheavals what president Mahinda Rajapakse had to hear too was not so good. However, Mahinda who polished his leadership qualities making use of his political experience and strategic plans was not ruffled by them. That is why when Minister Dinesh Gunawardane informed the President of the Supreme Court decision that the Northern and Eastern provinces should be separated again he treated the news with a smile.
"It is the people of these areas who should take a decision about this more than me. We shall let them take a decision in the course of time," the president told Dinesh.
It was around noon Monday that the President came to know of the massacre of Navy personnel by an LTTE attack at Diganpatha, Habarana. Mahinda addressed one of his closest political allies Dallas and requested him to rush to the place of the disaster and see that everything needed for the injured Navy men and additional Army cadres was provided. Mervyn Silva also joined Dallas.
Meanwhile Mahinda also spoke to North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal." "See whether the Anuradhapura hospital is equipped with the necessary facilities for our soldiers", he told Berty. By that time Minister Jayatissa Ranaweera was on his way to Colombo to attend the Cabinet meeting. "You need not attend the Cabinet meeting. Go to the Kurunegala hospital immediately and provide the emergency facilities required," the President told him.
While the necessary facilities were being provided for the injured military men Mahinda summoned Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse and the Service Commanders. He inquired from Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda the reason for this incident.
"There had been a small loophole in the security and the attack had been launched creeping through that", the Navy Commander said. Mahinda said that the lives of soldiers should not be sacrificed any longer through such security lapses.
While the discussion was on the news of the Kaffir fighter plane crashing into the Negombo lagoon was broken.
"Has anything happened to the pilot? The President inquired as soon as the air Force Chief broke the news. When the Air Force Chief answered in the negative Mahinda said that he can find fighter planes but he cannot find men.
At the Government Parliamentary group meeting held recently at the Presidential Secretariat presided over by the President, after discussing government business relating to parliament proceedings, the MoU to be signed between the government and the UNP became the main subject of discussion. Mangala who is adept at creating news while being in power as well as in the opposition is silent these days. We do not know whether there is any reason for it. Mangala raised his voice at this meeting from a different angle. He is a government delegate in the Government-UNP talks. However, it is reported that he has not participated in all the four rounds of talks. Mangala's answer to a query raised by a Government leader was that he had not been informed when such talks took place.
Mangala raised a question that drew the attention of everyone at the parliamentary group meeting. "We should be cautious when signing this agreement. Sometimes this may politically boomerang on us. Already our main partner in the Alliance, the JVP at the point of leaving us. We should direct our attention mainly to the 2011 Presidential election. We should face the Presidential election under a government of our own. Sometimes the UNPers who join us can desert us on such an occasion. Then we will have neither the JVP nor the UNPers," he said delving deep into the vagaries of politics.
Mangala is a strategist in politics. He said "We can break the UNP in two through the MoU. That should be the meaningful and successful political strategy. It is no use taking political actions without a strategy. If more Ministries are given to UNPers, problems are likely to arise among our own people. It is important not to take decisions that will weaken the party and the government. The President who was attentively listening to him said "Then I will have to dissolve Parliament." Instead of someone directly replying to the president the back benchers said "Parliament can be dissolved but it cannot be said that we can come back to power."
When the MPs were talking about the attack on the navy personnel by the LTTE the president said "The LTTE is badly hit. That's why they launch such attacks", he told Mangala. "Mangala you strengthen the security of the harbour and the airport, well. The LTTE will launch further attacks on economic targets."
The President said that all Ministers should make it their responsibility to strengthen the security of national security targets and the security of economic targets, under their Ministries. The Government Parliamentary Group next began to ask in one voice of another political battle. That was about the MoU to be signed between the Government and the UNP. They questioned the President whether the premiership will be given, will Cabinet portfolios be given and how will such portfolios be given etc.
"I will have to give first priority to the country. This problem cannot be solved without-bringing different parties together. The UNP had not made big noise on the Habarana and the Galle incidents because I worked well with them. Today it has come to a point when all think of the country rather than the party. We shall have a budget that will give more relief to the people, this time. If necessary we can go for an election," saying so Mahinda looked inquiringly at the Government Parliamentary Group. But no one seemed to agree to go for an election.
Ranil opens his speech knowing that there will be commotion
Even when the United National Party Executive Committee meeting commenced this time it was like a hornet's nest about to get stirred. Ranil who knew before hand that the majority of UNPers were out to question him opened the discussion on the Government-UNP talks referring to the second letter received from President Mahinda Rajapakse in that regard. Here Ranil seemed to have deliberately forgotten about the first letter President Mahinda Rajapakse had sent to Karu inviting for talks. Ranil aimed the first stone at the hornet's nest relating to the incidents to date.
"I agreed to make two of our delegates also participate in the Experts Committee of the All Party Conference at the discussion with the President. I also said that it was decided not to oppose the budget" Ranil said.
Not stopping at that Ranil said "when discussing about the day the MoU between our two parties - a day auspicious to the President was proposed. I agreed to that date."
"I have to make a statement. There have been various stories planted with regard to the meeting with the President. We acted as one as delegates of the UNP. Very honourably. It is said in the newspapers that we asked for portfolios. It was there in the newspapers that the names of some people have been proposed for posts of Ministers. This is mud-slinging", Karu said.
Gamini Lokuge spoke after Karu. "Why should we sign MoUs without any power for others to carry on the Government. If we sign agreements with the Government we should accept posts and powers. When the Chief Ministership of the Western Province was slipping off the hands of Reginold Cooray, we saved it for him. Now it is SLFPers who get jobs in the Western Province. Our people are looking up having given the Chief Ministership to Reginold," Gamini Lokuge said. Sajith is well-known as a person who persistently keeps notes of not only what the UNP leader says about the reorganisation of the Party but also of the decisions at all Working Committee meetings, on a lap top computer. It is, for this reason that everyone's attention was drawn to Sajith rising to speak after Gamini Lokuge.
Sajith concurs with what Lokuge said
"I endorse what Mr. Gamini Lokuge said not hundred per cent but a thousand times. I say that not only those who accept posts but all our MPs should get powers by this MoU. Our leader said that he requested that every MP should get a provision of Rs. 10 million. We already get Rs. 5 million and Rs. 2.5 million from Maga Neguma. Therefore I say that this provision should be at least Rs. 30 million.
"This is not a party now. It is very weak. There is no programme. It just moves. Some of our people have held workshops for Provincial Councillors at Anuradhapura saying that at least 1500 liquor licences should be given to build the party. In a few days they will tell that 100 brothels should be set up to build the party." Sajith ended his speech by saying that those to whom the cap fits can put it on if they want," he said.
Rosy also likes accepting power
Indrani Iriyagolla and Rosy Senanayake, members of the Working Committee were on the stand that powers should be accepted when Hemakumara Nanayakkara began to speak with a note in hand.
"I noted down points in a paper lest I miss them. I submit that also." Hemakumara said opening his speech. "The UNP is today not a party. It is a limited liability private company," he said.
What is the leader doing to his party today along with his friends. This has been made a limited liability private company. There are some cheap politicians in this. They are maintained by paying them money monthly. Accordingly, these cheap politicians change their political principles okaying everything the party leader does." There is a group of lozenge type media persons also today. They are also maintained in the same way. The UNP is run by press conferences and press releases, today! If you think that the UNP can win this way that is where it has gone wrong."
Ranil realised Hemakumara was batting round the wicket. Hemakumara raised another question. That was with regard to the funds the UNP was getting.
Party funds in the pockets of friends
"Today the funds the party receiving are in the pockets of a few of those who call themselves friends of the leader. There are no lights at Sirikotha. Telephones have been disconnected. No envelopes. That is why I say that the UNP is a limited company", Hemakumara confirmed his opinion.
The speech Rajitha made at the Working Committee was also heated. "I am happy that the two parties are going to enter into a MoU on the 13 proposals I had made after going through six committees. But I cannot be happy about the party. Are we going to hold demonstrations like the JVP asking for the implementation of MoU after signing it without obtaining any power. The UNP is a proud party. It is not the JVP. If our two parties get-together and do it properly the extremists will be finished. Otherwise the country will go to extremists. Rajitha beginning his speech on that note started to castigate Ranil's habit of taking unilateral decisions.
"Who gave you the power to tell the President that two of our delegates will come to the Experts Committee of the All Party Conference? It is against the party decision. Who gave you the power to say that the budget which we have not yet even seen will not be opposed? If the government servants' salaries are cut and the people's subsidies are cut by this Budget will we agree to it? This is where you always went wrong. We won the Government for you. When Chandrika was to have been chased out you took unilateral decisions and foiled it. When Chandrika declared war you talked about peace. When Chandrika wanted peace you declared war against it. Chandrika vested the Defence Ministry and agreed to give back everything except promotions and training. Malik told us that Chandrika agreed to give back two ministries at the Mano-Malik talks. You did not agree to it. You informed us at that time not to let these things out. SB is also witness to this," Rajitha said.
At this moment Ranil looked at Malik questioningly. Malik don't say that it is not so. SB is also witness to this," Rajitha pre empted. Rajitha spoke again. "Our leader always took decisions by himself. We came to do politics and not business. One who was calling names at the leader is now trying for the post of Deputy General Secretary. He is telling utter lies like the sun rises because of our leader, the wind blows because of our leader and flowers bloom because of our leader. Be careful of these people. Don't take decisions by youself. Let the Party take decisions," Rajith said.
Ranil came to the Parliamentary Group meeting in a victorious mood
After the Working Committee Meeting the Parliamentary Group met. The tradition hitherto in the UNP was for the Parliamentary Group to meet first and its decisions to be discussed and approved at the Working Commitee Meeting.
However, Ranil called the Working Committee Meeting first because he enjoys the powers of the majority there. It was in a victorious mood that he came to the Parliamentary Group meeting after the Working Committee meeting. The reason was the Working Committee vesting complete authority in him to sign the MoU with the government, as the party leader.
What Ranil did, at the very outset, at the Parliamentary Group Meeting was to read the reports of the Seven Committees, approved after the SLFP-UNP talks. Ranil said that the document containing the facts relating to the 17th amendment will be made available to every MP and requested that any suggestions or ideas in that regard may be submitted in writing. After Ranil's harangue it was Vajira Abeywardena who spoke. "There are 82 UNP MPs in Parliament. The SLFP has only 62. If ministerial posts are accepted the Parliament Act will have to be amended. The 17th Amendment was our greatest bungle.
"We could not even give a job to a supporter of our Party because of this useless amendment and the Independent Commissions. We should vote against these commissions", he said surprising UNP MPs. Ranil did not speak of the 17th Amendment or the Commisions. Therefore Ranil had to question: "Vajira we did not talk about these things. What are you talking about."
Suttara Puncha taking everyone for a ride
It was Mano Wijeyeratne sitting close to Vajira who perplexed him. When Mano looking at Vajira said "Suttara Puncha you were taking all of us for a ride. Today, we took you for a ride," there were ripples of laughter. Even when Mano was saying so, Vajira did not dissociate himself from the 17th Amendment. "The Parliament Petitions Committees are of no use. Nothing happens even if we are in them. These Independent Commissions are also meaningless. If you can reply, do so," Vajira said with force of conviction.
It was Naveen Dissanayake who replied Vajira. "Don't tell lies. It was not because of the 17th Amendment that we couldn't give jobs. It was because of the Charitha Ratwatte's Circular. We know who gave instructions for it from top. Don't try to hide culprits." Naveen's reply hit Ranil harder than it hit Vajira.
Ampara District MP P. Dayaratne said openly that ministerial posts should be accepted after the MoU is signed. No one talked against joining the Government and accepting posts here. Everything ended with Ranil being given authority to sign the MoU and thereafter hold discussions with the President.
Treatment given to artiste SP Charles unbecoming
It was Wimal Weerawansa, MP, who broke the death of veteran artiste and sculptor S. P. Charles to President Mahinda Rajapakse. "Mr. Charles' body is kept at a florist's shop. It is not good enough. It would be good if the body of the man who contributed to creating the national flag of the country and the mace in Parliament is kept at the Art Gallery," Wimal told the President.
The President who praised the idea directed the relevant officials to take necessary steps to keep the body of the late Mr. S. P. Charles at the Art Gallery for the public to pay their last respects.
Among the soldiers who were injured in the battle at Muhammalai recently was Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna MP Achala Jagoda's brother. He had been admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo. When Achala was waiting near his brother Deputy Ministers Jagath Pushpakumara and Rishard Badurdeen came to Achala Jagoda saying that they brought some assistance to the injured soldiers.
Achala Jagoda's brother who had lost a leg was describing to friends the experiences he underwent in the war.
Around 8 p.m. the same day, Achala Jagoda's mobile phone started ringing. He came to know that the call was from Temple Trees and that the President wanted to speak to him.
Hela Urumaya opposed to water resource sell-out
It was with the primary aim of protecting the indigenous resources that the Jathika Hela Urumaya set up the "Lanka Shakthi Sammelanaya" last Monday. The main matters to which attention was drawn there was to inquire into the Water Resources Management policy put forward by the Government and to register a protest against the sell-out of the water resource which can be its aim. Accordingly it was decided to file objections on the 30th.
The judgment given by the Supreme Court to de-merge the North-East Province was the main subject of discussion at the Jathika Hela Urumaya Political Central Committee.
"Sixty-thousand Sinhala youth sacrificed their lives in 1987 against the merger of these two provinces. The JVP has done justice to these lives through the legal process. We should express our thanks for it. However, if the JVP did what they have done today then these 60,000 lives could have been saved," Patali Champika said.
Rotten tomato attack on anti-war meeting
It was to hold a special discussion at the D. S. Senanayake Hall, Kandy that Anti-War National Campaign's Kumar Rupasinghe and Rajitha Senaratne and a group of its members went to Kandy last Thursday. However, because of the security situation that had arisen by then, they decided to put it off temporarily and hold a press conference at the Jana Medura.
While the press conference was on, a group including Jathika Hela Urumaya Pradeshiya Sabha Member Thusitha Swarnatilake broke into the hall throwing lighted fire-crackers into it. At the same, a rotten-tomato attack was launched on those present. When the press conference turned into an utter fracas the police in charge of security were also watching it regardless.
WS, 6.11.2006