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Bad memories were revived and the image of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa took a beating.It was over an announcement that the former controversial Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kapila Chandrasena had been named the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier.

One source said the move came on the recommendation of Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, though this could not be confirmed. However, when Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, received a howl of protests, he directed that the appointment be immediately withdrawn. He has now appointed G.S. Vithanage, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport.

The role of Mr Chandrasena has become the subject of detailed scrutiny by a Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to probe both Mihin Lanka and SriLankan Airlines. It is headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Anil Gunaratne.

Besides that, there are three different investigations being conducted against alleged serious irregularities committed by Mr Chandrasena.One such investigation, carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), related to tenders and other multimillion dollar transactions carried out by a company registered in Brunei. Detectives allege that the company belongs to a close relative and had been formed just days ahead of the opening of a major tender.

The Sunday Times has learnt that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is also conducting a separate investigation, in a case involving Mr.Chandrasena and a local businessman over an alleged foreign currency fraud involving duty free outlets at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Meawhile, Mr. Chandrasena was requested to appear before the CID investigation unit to make a statement after summons were issued to him by the Commission of Inquiry.

Hooliganism for all the world to see
While it was a free- for- all in Parliament for three days in a row this week with fists and things flying all around, it was all played out in the front of camera with a large number of media personnel allowed into the Chamber. During the past three days, both Parliamentary proceedings and as other coverages in the House were covered by over 100 media personnel giving the latest news coverage of the unfolding events with comments from politicians on all side of the divide.

Coverage of the tumultuous sessions from inside the Chambers by the electronic media is unprecedented and is part of the liberalisation of coverage of parliamentary proceedings put in place by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya under whose watch live telecast of proceedings were started and the public galleries were opened for all.

Mango achcharu Mayhem in the House
The events which transpired in Parliament in the past few days have been viewed by the public due to live transmissions and recording of events by the media.
Some have gone on to condemn the incident, but others are making fun from what transpired there. One such incident was the throwing of chili powder mixed with water in which policemen and some of the MPs were harmed. Social media had many comments on them. One such comment said : “I am sure the MPs are bringing chili powder and knives to make mango achcharu (pickle) in Parliament”.

Another claimed that the UPFA members had been told to bring Chili powder while the UNP members had been told bring Mangoes to make the achcharu but as the UNP members failed to keep to their promise the UPFA members threw the chili powder at their opponents in disgust.
Another cartoon showed vendors selling packets of chili powder near Parliament.

JVP Leader Anura Dissanayake asked how MPs who were body searched managed to bring chili powder into the well of the House replied saying “what is that for people who smuggle Ethanol into the country through Customs”. The jibe was aimed at two UPFA MPs who were in the forefront of the mayhem in Parliament.
JVP MP Vijitha Herath was hit on his forehead by a book containing the Constitution and another copy of the Constitution that was thrown at TNA MP M. Sumanthiran ricocheted and struck the nose of former rugby player, UNP Minister Malik Samarawickrama.

Constitutional crisis leaves northern students on the streets
Confusion is spreading over the constitutional crisis in the country with two governments in place. A case in point is what happened in the Northern province which is now under direct Presidential rule. The latest victims were Northern school students who were only informed that the authorities had decided to close the schools due to bad weather after they arrived in their classrooms braving the gusty winds and the rains.

Some of the government school students were stranded on the streets when Provincial Educational authorities decided to close all schools on that day in-view of adverse weather situations caused due to cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’.The closure announcement was sent to schools by 8.30 a.m. By that time, majority of the students who are currently sitting for year-end term exams had turned up in the schools and were later told no exams would be held due to poor attendance of students as some parts were severely damaged due to heavy winds and rains.

Parents and students questioned why Provincial Educational department directed by Governor Reginald Cooray failed to issue an early announcement as authorities were taking many precautionary steps with Disaster Management authorities and other agencies as severe weather warnings were issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

This is despite international weather stations and our Meteorology department warning that the northern province would face the impact of the cyclonic conditions.

Taxi Abey as Hilton Chief
Gamini Abeyratne better known as ‘Taxi Abey’ is strongly tipped to take over as Chairman of Hotel Developers Ltd., the owning company of Colombo Hilton. President Maithripala Sirisena has asked the Ministry of Finance to make this appointment.

Criss-crossing Wasantha ignores S.B.’s call

Polonnaruwa district MP Wasantha Senanayaka had seemingly realised that he jumped into a sinking ship. On Wednesday, he was back in action, this time to cross back to the UNP side having taken a ministerial portfolio in Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government only a few days earlier. On Tuesday he was seated inside a room on the ground floor of the Parliament complex writing a letter informing he was no longer with the Rajapaksa camp when his phone got buzzing. Our sharp eyed photographer who was watching from outside the glass door of the room captured the name of the caller as “Sb Sec.” Mr. Senenayake ignored the call and carried on with his letter writing.