• War of votes on reforms Bill 
• Mahanayakes say no to CBK 
• Parliament like fortress: armed forces on alert
• Jittery MPs take five-star cover 

War of votes on reforms Bill

Backstage talks and deals to get two-thirds majority 

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti 

A three-day debate on the controversial legislation begins in Parliament tomorrow and voting is due on Wednesday.

In an effort to overcome what is emerging as the worst political crisis for the PA Government, The Sunday Times learns that rich rewards are being allegedly offered to Opposition members who will vote in favour of the Constitutional reforms. The rewards allegedly include millions in cash, luxury vehicles, houses and even foreign trips.

Behind the scene deals are intended to secure the backing of at least 12 Opposition MPs. While this goes on though it is not clear whether any rewards have been accepted, PA sources say they are confident of some UNP Parliamentarians supporting the bill. Among the names mentioned were Mervyn Silva, Upali Amarasiri, Dinesh Dodangoda, V. Putrasigamani and Upatissa de Silva.

Despite the stepped up campaign by the PA leaders opposition to the Bill continued to mount yesterday. The strongest protest came from the prelates of the Asgiriya and Malwatte chapters.

The Ven Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Thera of the Malwatte chapter and the Ven. Udugama Sri Rathanapala Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya chapter said they would carry out a strong campaign against the proposed reforms.

They warn that they would boycott functions sponsored or attended by Parliamentarians supporting the Bill.

The response of the prelates came after UNP Chairman Karu Jayasooriya and party Chief Whip W.J.M. Lokubandara called on the Mahanayaka of the Malwatte chapter. Mr. Lokubandara told The Sunday Times "the prelates told us that they had received information that several UNP MPs had been offered large sums of money." He said they were so angry that they warned they would not take part in Pansakula ceremonies (religious observances for funerals).

The Senior UNP'rs were also informed that no MP should raise their hand for money and betray the Sinhala Nation, he added 

Mr. Lokubandara while not ruling out possibilities of cross overs 'due to the carrots on offer' said it was difficult to imagine that any legislator could barter one's conscience for a pot of gold, especially to support a 'confusing bundle of proposals put forward by a sinking ship'.

Meanwhile a senior cabinet minister and a deputy minister — leading figures in the now defunct Patriotic Parliamentarians Platform — are reported to have met several UNP members and allegedly offered what were described as 'carrots'. 

Among those who are likely to support the government are the seven members of the UNP alternative group, seven SLMC members,10 CWC members, six from the EPDP and two from the PLOTE. But A TELO MP said he had decided to vote against the bill.

In the government ranks the resignation of Kurunegala District parliamentarian, Jayasena Rajakaruna on Friday is seen as a setback. But the PA has moved fast to nominate new members to replace him, the late Y. P. de Silva and the late Dharmasiri Senanayake.

Besides the UNP, Progressive Front member Nihal Galappathy and LSSP rebel Vasudeva Nanayakkara have said they will vote against the Bill while Lalith Front leader Srimani Athulathmudali has left the country on a foreign trip and is not due until the voting is over. She earlier indicated that she would not be able to participate in a debate 'without knowing the contents of the subject matter.' But the Lalith Front has not taken an official decision to oppose the Bill. 

Alternate UNP Group leader and Minister Sarath Amunugama, known to be in the frontlines of the battle to get a two-thirds majority for the government, said he was confident more UNPers would vote for the greater good of the country. 

Mahanayakes say no to CBK

By Shane Seneviratne

Temple sources said this was the first time a head of state and head of government had been refused an appointment with the country's highest religious dignitaries.

The Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter also rejected a request from Presidential Secretariat official who wanted to call on the prelate to present the draft bill to him. The official who failed to get an appointment from the Mahanayake Thera on Tuesday had called over at the temple to meet the chapter's Lekakadhikari , Ven Niyangoda Vijitha Thera, around 10 p.m. He had asked the Lekakadhikari to accompany him to the President's House in Kandy where President Kumaratunga and Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte were reportedly waiting.

On the following day General Ratwatte had sought an appointment from the Malwatte Mahanayake Thera who again said no.

The same night, General Ratwatte called the Malwatte temple again to say that he would be calling over to meet the Mahanayake and allegedly said that if the gates were closed he would force himself in to see the prelate.

On Wednesday eventually Gen. Ratwatte called on the Mahanayake Thera without prior appointment and handed over a copy of the draft constitution.

In a similar manner attempts were also made to contact the Ven Udugama Sri Rathanpala Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya chapter but they were told he had gone to Gunnapana. A message was sent through the police, but the prelate again said no. 

However General Ratwatte had called over at the temple and handed over the draft constitution to the chapter's Lekakadhikari Ven Vara-kawe Dhammananda Thera. The Minister had again inquired whether the President could meet the Mahanayake Thera, but the reply was negative. 

Parliament like fortress: armed forces on alert

By Leon Berenger

Dozens of plainclothes officers have also been deployed in the area since Friday as an added security measure in keeping a close vigil on the parliament area in an attempt to nab any would-be trouble makers including terrorist and subversive elements, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jayantha Wickremaratne told The Sunday Times.

The police officers have fanned out in several areas and some have even taken up positions in abandoned houses and other buildings to maintain a round-the-clock alert as the MPs debate the Bill.

DIG Wickremaratne who is in charge of the emergency security operation, said at least another 1,000 policemen, including explosive experts, along with sniffer dogs had also been drawn in from other units to beef up security.

A command post has been set up at the DIG's office in Mirihana with a specially trained unit on standby to reach any trouble-spot within minutes.

The DIG called on the public, especially those living close to parliament and the roads leading to it, to remain extra cautious and report any suspicious behaviour or movements to the nearest police station or the police emergency. Such information will be kept confidential, he assured. A police riot squad has also been placed on a state of preparedness to deal with unruly protesters.

According to defence sources the security forces have also been placed on a state of preparedness to assist the police should the occasion arise.

Jittery MPs take five-star cover

The MPs along with their families started moving three days ago into Taj Samudra Hotel where two floors have been completely booked by the government.

The MPs being accommodated in the hotel on state expenditure said they were told to move into the hotel for security reasons.

"We like to believe that politics is all about glorious uncertainties, but PA members are running a grave security risk. While we believe that duty calls, we are worried about possible attacks by the LTTE and other extremist groups on our families and homes," said a Colombo district PA parliamentarian who is staying at the hotel.

Another PA MP from Nuwara Eliya told The Sunday Times that the government has taken the biggest political gamble with the presentation of the constitutional reforms.

"If we die, at least we will die together," he said, adding that all legislators were informed to take maximum precautions until the vote was taken on Wednesday.

In lighter vein he said the party leadership believed that hardworking MPs deserved a good holiday before they returned to their electorates for the general elections.

Return to Front Page Contents