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In Sri Lanka’s political firmament, one thing certain about is its uncertainty and fast changing scenarios. What is in focus this week would be different from what it was last week.

Like in a movie, the main star is President Maithripala Sirisena. In the recent months and weeks, for him, the drama has centred on his political future. The SLPP, now a major political party, refused to make him a presidential candidate together with his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). Just over a week ago, he promised his SLFP MPs that he would come as their candidate and would make an official announcement. That never came.

Thereafter, he declared to the SLFP Women’s organisation that he would find an “honourable” way out suggesting he would not contest. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa received a mandate at the same time from party leaders backing him to invite anyone who helps in the victory of their presidential candidate. That move evaporated after the SLFP Central Committee decided Sirisena should be their presidential candidate. This too could change.

All this was too much even for Dayasiri Jayasekera, the General Secretary of the SLFP. At Wednesday’s talks with the SLPP, he was apologetic. All that rhetoric against the SLPP and their leaders, he confessed, was not his own. He said he was doing so under heavy pressure. You know who. The SLPP side handed the SLFP team amendments to the proposed Constitution for the joint alliance. The draft had earlier been made available by Nimal Siripala de Silva, the senior deputy leader of the SLFP. That will be the subject of discussion at their next round of talks.

Now, the protracted delay of the talks has worried two partner parties of the joint opposition. They have asked Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa whether they could also hold talks with the SLPP to form an alliance. One is Wimal Weerawansa’s National Freedom Front (NFF) and the other, Vasudeva Nanayakkara’s Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP). Mahinda Rajapaksa met the duo yesterday to discuss the matter. They had written to him earlier. Further talks are on the cards.

Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa speaking on the importance of government policy consistency for driving innovation and entrepreneurship at the Innovfest unbound global conference held in Singapore this week.

Limini Weerasinghe: Soon to be Mrs Namal Rajapaksa

Wedding bells after bells for Rajapaksa family

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa may have many a political battle to fight but his responsibilities as a good father – giving his sons in marriage – will end this year.

His second son, a well-known rugger player, will have his marriage registered at a private ceremony at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo on July 12. The wedding ceremony will take place at Medamulana, the family’s ancestral home in Beliatte on October 3. It was the same venue where the younger Rohitha got married. The home coming will be at a venue in Colombo on October 7.

As exclusively revealed in these columns on June 16, the eldest, Namal Rajapaksa will have his wedding, also at Medamulana, on September 17 – the birthday of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and two former Presidents of Sri Lanka, J.R. Jayewardene and William Gopallawa. His registration will take place on September 12.

He is marrying Limini Weerasinghe. She is the daughter of Thilak and Aruni Weerasinghe.

Committee to study Srawasthi issue
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has appointed a four-member Committee to examine and report whether the MPs’ hostel Srawasthi was to be given to an outside party on rent or lease.

This came after Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader Dinesh Gunawardena objected to such a move. He said it was a historic site and should remain with Parliament.

Besides Mr Gunawardena, the committee’s other members are Lakshman Kiriella, Mahinda Amaraweera and a representative of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

Controversy over sexual harassment of local staff at US embassy here

A former senior staffer of the United States Embassy in Colombo alleged that there was sexual harassment by officials there on Sri Lankan female staff, but a spokesman said they would probe the matter if a complaint is made.

Omar Rajaratnam, Information Specialist who quit after many years of service, tweeted, “You can’t school anyone on how to treat women in the workplace @USAmbSLM, when you’ve not stopped harassment of Sri Lankan women by some white American diplomats….Apologise to the long list of women and those who spoke up.”

The tweet was in response to one by Ambassador Allaina Teplitz which said “1/2

Empowered women power economies. Happy to speak: AmChamLK on women in the workplace. Studies show that having more women in the labour force makes nations more prosperous. This is good for society, good for the economy, and good for the nation……..”

The US Embassy spokesman said, “The Department of State is committed to providing a workplace that is free from all types of harassment, or has reason to believe that harassment is occurring. It takes the necessary steps to ensure that the matter is promptly investigated and addressed. These principles are strictly adhered to and enforced at the US Embassy in Sri Lanka.”

However, Mr Rajaratnam, who now works for a foreign news agency at its Colombo office told the Sunday Times, “We made six to seven complaints of sexual harassment as well as racial discrimination of local staff. I did so as head of the local employees’ association. The complaints were ignored or drew no response.”

WP co-op polls put off: Corruption or fear of defeat?

Elections to boards of Co-operative Societies in the Western Province, due in two months, will not take place.

Instead, Western Province Governor A J M Muzammil is to dissolve the boards and appoint state sector officials to manage them.

This is until such time a response is received from reputed audit firms who have been asked to send in their bids to conduct an audit. This is to identify losses caused by alleged corruption.

However, the Opposition charged that the postponement of the elections was because government leaders feared a bad defeat. “The fact that corrupt activity has been going on in co-operative society is as old as those bodies are. Why then is it coming just before an election?” Asked a senior opposition party leader.

See how I will hit: Sirisena

President Maithripala Sirisena appeared to be in a buoyant mood when he chaired a meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Thursday night.

At the meeting, which, once again, decided that he should be the party’s presidential candidate, he spent considerable time to speak about his political opponents.

At one point, he raised his hands and exhorted “Mang venila gahanney” (I will bend and hit them.) “Balanna mang gahana heti” (See how I will hit).