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Whatever happens in Uva, more relief packages for big poll
The curtain raiser for next year’s early presidential election, the outcome of yesterday’s Uva Provincial Council polls, remains the major highlight in a week of significant political developments.
Unlike the other PC polls whose outcome was obvious, Uva has caused more than a little suspense for the UPFA leadership. This is because the main Opposition United National Party (UNP) had shown signs of gaining substantial ground. The star attraction no doubt is former Badulla District parliamentarian, Harin Fernando who is unquestionably popular on his turf. Meetings in this district have seen large crowds though such turnouts are not always an indicator that they would translate into favourable votes. Yet, among UNP campaigners it has fuelled confidence of an enhanced vote base for the party. To a lesser degree though, the adjoining Moneragala District too would reflect the same phenomenon, they say.
It is no secret that UPFA leaders have been concerned about the inroads their closest rivals have made. So much so, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was on the campaign trail longer than expected. He moved tirelessly from one public rally to another. He flew in on Thursday morning to Colombo. A ceremony to swear in three judges to the Court of Appeal was put off. He went straight into Thursday’s weekly ministerial meeting. Later he chaired a meeting of leaders of UPFA partners. With the 48-hour legal blackout on campaigns ahead of the poll, he sat at ‘Temple Trees’ on Friday with a group of ministers monitoring developments in Uva. He was livid with one cabinet minister over the formulation of the candidates list without the inclusion of more younger and popular contestants. He noted that such a step was taken both at the Western and Southern provincial council elections and cited names to support his assertion. A guesstimate that emerged was 48 per cent of the votes for UPFA in Badulla District and 58 per cent in the Moneragala District.
The surprise reduction in electricity tariffs and fuel prices this week, though not directly intended for the Uva PC poll, the UPFA expects will be salutary. This move is for a long term objective, next year’s early presidential election. These measures have been discussed for many weeks by Treasury officials with those in the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). More such ‘relief’ packages are on the drawing boards. Whilst their campaigners are confident of victory, there are serious concerns too. The main worry is to which degree the UPFA’s popularity would be dented by the votes the opposition may gain. That includes the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) which, its leaders say, expects a ten per cent of the votes polled.
There is little doubt that such gains by the Opposition, even if it’s not an outright victory, would necessitate further course correction for the UPFA. On the other hand, there is also little doubt that there would be many fathers in the UNP to claim parentage for the gains the party makes. UPFA campaigners have been trying to avoid a worrying situation in the past several days. They stepped up house-to-house campaigns and adopted other attractive measures to encourage voters. This is particularly with increasing indications that a presidential poll is most likely in January.
Chinese People's Liberation Army's submarine 329 at the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT). The Chinese flag on the fairwater is partly hidden by the pylon on the ground.
UNP Gampaha District parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya, who has been in the forefront of his party’s campaign, told the Sunday Times: “As a joint Opposition, we can pose a serious challenge to the UPFA. We are expecting an exceptionally good result. We have seen large crowds come out in support of the UNP. They are feeling the pinch, especially the ‘war in the kitchen’ which they have to wage on a daily basis. People are aware there is too much corruption and waste and the large-scale economic projects are not benefitting them. At the same time there has been gross abuse of state resources and state power by the ruling party. The distribution of goodies, in particular drought relief in the last days leading up to the poll, is a violation of election laws. We hope the Elections Commissioner and the Police will ensure there is a free and fair poll.”
Badulla District parliamentarian and Minister Dilan Perera told the Sunday Times, “‘The UPFA is confident in getting the highest number of seats in both these districts. From the day of nominations it has been known that the UPFA will be able to record a victory.” Added Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa: “We have no doubts that we will form the next Provincial Council in Uva. I was involved in the campaign in the Badulla district and there were clear signs that we will convincingly win the district. It will be same in the entire Province. The people have been rallying round the UPFA. They are convinced of our work programme carried out for them. They are pleased with us. Therefore we have no doubt that they will extend their support.”
The Uva poll’s final outcome, which will be clearer as the day grows, turns the spotlight on who will oppose Mahinda Rajapaksa at the presidential election. The events playing out within the United National Party (UNP) have already impacted adversely on moves by civil society organisations and other groups to field a common candidate. These groups had earlier prided on claims that even some ‘unhappy’ senior UPFA members were to join the effort. Further confirmation emerged when a JVP delegation led by its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake met the Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake the Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera. With the photo opportunities over, the media were asked to withdraw and a discussion continued for nearly two hours.
Dissanayake told the Sunday Times, “We discussed at length the political situation in the country. On the subject of fielding a common candidate at the upcoming presidential elections, we made clear that the need no longer arose. The UNP has made it known that its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will be the candidate.” He declined to comment on the subjects discussed. A source present at the meeting, however, said the prelate expressed concern over what he called disturbing trends in the country. Delegation members, the source said, had pointed out that there was Government interference even in the appointment of chief incumbents to temples. Instances were pointed out to the Most Venerable Thera, the source added.
The PLA warship 861 at the same terminal.
Indeed Wickremesinghe is set to become the UNP’s presidential candidate after mending fences with his erstwhile deputy cum arch-rival Sajith Premadasa. The latter who once called his leader ‘incapable’ and branded him a Napunsakaya (eunuch) has now declared he would wholeheartedly accept his leadership and campaign for him vigorously. On Tuesday, when his party’s Working Committee the main policymaking body meets, Wickremesinghe will propose Premadasa’s name for the number two slot. He also wants to propose the names of other senior members for positions to give the party a “new face” to prepare for the presidential poll. Among those likely are Ravi Karunanayake as assistant leader and Eran Wickremeratne as treasurer. Karunanayake, however, is learnt to be not in favour of the new designation.
So much so, a group of Buddhist clergymen met at the Nalandaramaya Temple in Nugegoda to discuss the issue. Among those present was Ven. Girambe Ananda Thera, (President of the United Bhikku Front – UBF) Anunayake of the Ramanya Chapter, Ven. Bopitiye Dhammasara Thera (Secretary, UBF), Ven. Keeniyawala Palitha Thera, Attanganey Sasana Rathana Thera and Ven. Malabe Seelarathna Thera. Karunanayake was also in attendance. The clergymen who initiated the setting up of the Leadership Council are to urge the UNP leadership to heed their three calls. One is to request Premadasa, who has been named to the Council, to attend Council meetings. Another is for the Working Committee to decide on more than one Deputy Leader. The third is to create an office of deputy national leader. In a bid to ease tensions, UNP national leader Wickremesinghe telephoned Ven. Seelaratne and appealed to him to ask Karunanayake to accept the new post that has been offered. He is said to have politely declined.
At the grassroots level of the party, the emergence of Premadasa as the Deputy Leader has been welcome news. So has it been with some parliamentarians of the party though others differed. “I welcome Sajith Premadasa as Deputy Leader. The rural downtrodden people are asking when Sajith is coming. Regardless of personal agendas the only way to help the poor is for the UNP to play a prominent role. Sajith has already offered a Sahana Mallak (Relief Package) from our party to the poor people when we are in power,” Lakshman Kiriella, UNP Kandy District parliamentarian told the Sunday Times. He said Premadasa joining hands with Wickremesinghe is the best way to serve the people.
Kiriella, a former Deputy Foreign Minister, raised another issue. He said the funds given by China were not donations but loans that would have to be repaid. Even the annual report of the Central Bank has listed such funds as loans. “Every cent has to be repaid. That is a burden on the people,” he said. Kiriella was echoing the sentiments of Premadasa whose speeches during poll rallies likened the loan agreements signed during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping as “gini poli.” (fiery interest rates). He said, “This is the first time a Chinese President is visiting the country. The news that he was coming with a bag of concessions made us very happy. It made people dream that this Chinese aid will be used to give rapid assistance to the people affected by the drought, to start programs to assist the poor village people, to assist poor schools which have many shortcomings and to help poor village hospitals. Alas, now they tell us there is no such aid and assistance in this package of donations. The assistance is for super luxury highways, for concrete lanes, for fly overs and to reclaim the seas and build new islands. Although they said aid, this is actually not aid. This is aid at “Gini Poli” (fiery interest rates). The ruling class likes this kind of aid. ”
Most of those differing over Sajith’s elevation as number two in the grand old party, interestings enough, cite a rather extraneous reason. It is the involvement of Tiran Alles, a shadowy personality and a National List MP of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA). The DNA is the name by which MPs of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna are identified in Parliament. Thus he comes under the whip of the DNA which is almost entirely JVP with the exception of two MPs, former national cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga and Jayantha Ketagoda. The latter is now in the Democratic Party led by former General Sarath Fonseka.
In fact, DNA albeit JVP leader Dissanayake lashed out at Premadasa at election rallies of his party in the UVA province. He said “Remember the UNP and UPFA members are good friends. They do business together. They have deals. The UNP has deals not with the public but with the Government. Sajith Premadasa is the same. This is the person who is aspiring to be the Deputy Leader of the UNP. Has anyone in the Government spoken about this? No, because they have deals.”
The Sunday Times asked Tissa Attanayake, General Secretary of the UNP, about reports that Alles, who is from another political party, discussing with him the appointment of Premadasa as Deputy Leader of the UNP. The question was posed when he addressed a news conference at Siri Kotha, the UNP headquarters on Thursday. It was summoned to say that the Government could have further lowered electricity and fuel prices.
Attanayake replied: “I have not had such talks. There have been various reports about me. This is particularly in websites and in some weekend newspapers. I don’t mind that as I have got more publicity. But I am happy about the role I played to unite the UNP. If the party is to win (the presidential election) all should get together. No one should be left out.”
However, both UNP parliamentarians and members in the Working Committee contested Attanayake’s claim. Ravi Karunanayake told the Sunday Times, “Tiran Alles has been brokering with the UNP much the same way he brokered with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil (LTTE). In 2005, he prevented Tamil voters in LTTE-held areas from casting their votes at the presidential election. He publicly admitted to this. He is now resorting to vicious and baseless character assassination of people whom he dislikes. I have seen him (Attanayake) visiting Alles’ office at Rosmead Place for talks. I have also heard from others he did so a number of times. Many in the UNP are well aware. They have also told this to our leader.”
Karunanayake was referring to remarks at a news conference addressed by Alles after a reported attack on his house at 43 Galpoththa Road, Koswatte, Nawala, on January 22, 2010. Alles disclosed that he was an intermediary to introduce a person with connections to the LTTE to the ruling party leaders. As a result, he declared, he saw Rs. 180 million being given to the Tiger guerrillas. He claimed that part of the money was in US dollars and was handed over by a ruling party leader in his presence. “What I am telling today is all recorded by the TID (Terrorism Investigation Division) in 2007,” a video of the news conference reveals. Claiming that “I have acted only legally,” Alles admitted that “my company along with Dialog started selling mobile phones in the north and east.” In the light of the monopoly enjoyed, his company benefited immensely and the LTTE did not allow other operators to market their products or install their networks in the north and east.
Another UNP parliamentarian who did not wish to be named in ‘view of Tuesday’s Working Committee meeting’ said, “Unification in the party is most welcome. It is long overdue. What is disturbing is the manner in which it is being carried out. Outsiders with questionable background are working on a different agenda to take the party on a disastrous course. That is a worrying factor.” The MP said that Alles had been a strong critic of UNP national leader Wickremesinghe. He said in a speech in Parliament on November 19, 2012, “I think the most expensive Leader of the Opposition in the history of Sri Lanka Parliament is the present Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe. He is the longest serving Leader of the Opposition maintained in Parliament by public funds. He first assumed the office of Leader of the Opposition in 1994. Except for two years he has held the post for 16 years….. He has neglected many of his duties.
“When he was asked about his opinion of the Impeachment Motion against the Chief Justice his reply was to ask from newspaper editors. When questioned about the budget he was evasive. He should know people maintain him in office by public funds to speak about the people’s problems. Today the country is facing an economic crisis in addition to the dangers to the democratic form of government. The people look forward to a powerful opposition to take up these issues and bring relief to them….. It is unbecoming of him to use his office for personal attacks. I request him to use his time in a more gainful manner to improve his party’s electoral prospects….”
A Working Committee member said that the party should “probe whether Attanayake had a mandate to negotiate with Alles.” Defending the move was another Working Committee member who argued that Alles enjoyed very cordial relations with Premadasa and was thus best suited to bring about unification in the party. “Of course,” he declared “why should that be done in secret. There is no harm in doing it openly since transparency is required in such actions. That is how public confidence is built and not by resorting to surreptitious means.”
Opinion within the UNP about the reasons for Alles’ role is divided. A few claimed his role as an ‘intermediary’ was on behalf of the UPFA Government, a claim dismissed as “absolute rubbish” by a senior UPFA minister. “President Rajapaksa is not at all frightened to face the people at any election and will not resort to such devious manoeuvers,” said the minister, who did not wish to be identified. Others said Alles planned to return to Parliament on the National List of the UNP. They claimed it was after Premadasa was well ensconced as Deputy Leader. However, this could not be independently verified.
The Sunday Times has learnt that Alles handed to Attanayake a ‘wish list’ for Premadasa to become the Deputy Leader. Among the requests listed was the abolition of the Leadership Council, Premadasa to function as acting national leader when Wickremesinghe is abroad, re-induction of members who remain suspended and the right for Premadasa to name ten of his nominees to the Working Committee. In fact two of those suspended campaigned for the party in the Moneragala District. Malik Samarawickrema, former Chairman of the UNP and a backer of the reconciliation efforts told senior members in the party that Wickremesinghe “did not accept the letter.” He added “he did not even look at it” but refused to divulge its contents. Yet, he was in favour of Premadasa’s return as Deputy Leader since that would “ensure party unity.”
Another party source said Wickremesinghe would ‘unconditionally’ propose Premadasa as Deputy Leader and has not yielded to any demands. This may perhaps be a reason for bitter media criticism in some sections to mount pressure on him, the source pointed out. The UNP leader told yet another senior member of the party, whilst discussing the Premadasa issue, that he was only dealing with General Secretary Attanayake. He boldly insisted that he had not met nor consulted anyone outside the party. Whether Premadasa will be named acting national leader could be determined as early as next week. Wickremesinghe is expected to travel to Britain to attend the ruling Conservative Party conference. It begins in Birmingham on September 28. There he is due to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron and senior leaders of the ruling party.
While Wickremesinghe is away in Britain, President Rajapaksa leaves for New York in the coming week to attend the 69th sessions of the UN General Assembly. Another highlight of the President’s visit will be the talks on the sidelines with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. External Affairs Ministry sources in Colombo said final confirmation for the meeting, now ‘almost confirmed,’ was being awaited from New Delhi. Sources in New Delhi say Premier Modi will raise with Rajapaksa the issue of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and related matters. During brief bilateral talks with Rajapaksa, within hours after he was sworn in as India’s Prime Minister in May, Modi called upon him to implement the 13th Amendment and go beyond it. This was on the grounds that assurances to do so, in keeping with the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987, had been given by Rajapaksa.
Another matter of importance Modi will raise, according to the same source, is what is being described as “new security concerns for India.” It comes hard on the heels of an earlier Government move to set up an Aircraft Base Maintenance Facility in Trincomalee with Chinese assistance as exclusively revealed in the Sunday Times (Political Commentary) of July 6. As disclosed, the Cabinet of Ministers had decided to locate this facility in Trincomalee. However, the matter was raised by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj when her Sri Lankan counterpart G.L. Peiris went to New Delhi on a private visit. Indian concerns have led to the facility now being located elsewhere, possibly Hingurakgoda. The US$ 40.3 million facility is being set up by the China National Aero-Technology Import Export Corporation (CATIC). Peiris travelled to Vijayawada, the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, for a meeting with Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu. It related to a land issue of a Sri Lankan company that had invested in that state. Part of a large extent of land was to be taken over since the company had allegedly not employed the promised number of persons in the undertaking it had launched. New assurances have now been given to resolve the issue.
The latest concerns arise from what New Delhi perceives are moves by Colombo to enhance closer defence cooperation with China at vice or deputy ministerial level at the helm. Just three days before the visit to Colombo by Chinese President Xi Jinping, a Chinese warship and a submarine docked in the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) at the Colombo Port. The two People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-Navy vessels were berthed in the Chinese built CICT terminal from September 7 to 13. The Navy ship 861 and the submarine 329 left Colombo Port for international waters on September 13. A Sri Lanka Navy source said the two PLA naval vessels were due in Colombo again in October and thereafter in November and has sought official clearance for them. Approval has already been granted, the source added.
Rajapaksa, who is scheduled to address the UNGA on Thursday, among other matters, is expected to re-iterate his Government’s position with regard to the international investigation into alleged war crimes. The official position is that the Government will not allow any such inquiry. Instead, he will refer to the domestic inquiry that is being conducted with help from international experts. For this purpose the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry probing disappearances has been broadened. The move comes as Sandra Beidas, who is coordinator for the three-member international investigation team met several groups in Geneva on the sidelines of the ongoing 27th sessions of the Human Rights Council. Next week, the Council is to hear an oral report on the progress of the investigation.
Beidas has also heard the views of a two-member delegation from Marga Institute led by its Director Godfrey Goonetilleke. A diplomatic source in Geneva said the two member team “very well” articulated the Sri Lanka Government position before Beidas. The same source said that when the OHCHR investigation team’s final report is formulated, it has been agreed that they would not make references to names of those who may be culpable. Only the chain of command is to be identified. Though no details of why such a step is being taken are clear, one reason is said to be the difficulty in identifying the command and control structure of the LTTE and thus who was responsible for what. Hence, making references only to the Sri Lankan side, it is pointed out, could be construed as an imbalance and also reflect on the inability to obtain exact identities with regard to Tiger guerrilla war crime allegations.
Thus, for President Rajapaksa, the work is cut out when he returns from New York. His top priority would be to step up efforts towards the presidential election. For the main opposition United National Party, the priority still remains repairing internal damages. It is only with that over could it turn to the presidential poll. A nation awaits how these scenarios would play out.