The Political Column

13th May 2001

Hakeem under presidential fire

By our Political Correspondent

Mawanella, a sleepy town in the Kegalle district, is known for absolute communal harmony. The Sinhalese and the Muslims lived there peacefully for years without communal hatred or bitterness.

Thus many believe the Mawanella incident was instigated by criminal gangs with political backing, apparently to achieve their goals.

In the circumstances, civic-minded people of this country demand an impartial inquiry to bring the perpetrators into justice.

Media reports identified the perpetrators as supporters of Minister Mahipala Herath but the minister denied any involvement saying he was in the Maldives when the incident took place.

However, his alibi could not entirely dismiss allegations that linked his supporters with the incident. Many people are of the view that the minister himself should face an inquiry. Mr. Herath told the PA parliamentary group on Wednesday that he was ready to face any inquiry to clear his name.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga had acted swiftly and wisely to bring the situation under control, thus leaving no room for communal flames to spread to other parts of the country.

At Wednesday's group meeting, President Kumaratunga agreed to pay compensation to those affected by the Mawanella incidents and to appoint a presidential Commission to probe the violence.

At the group meeting Minister and SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem said he had presented a report to the government, giving details about damage caused to properties. But he was challenged by Kegalle District MP Lalith Dissanayake who claimed that Mr. Hakeem's report contained 'half truths.' The President also agreed with him, signalling that she was not too happy with the manner in which Mr. Hakeem handled the Mawanella crisis.

She said statements made by Mr. Hakeem had caused embarrassment to the government and accused him of trying to gain political mileage over the incidents.

"I, as the President of this country, did my best to restore calm even without having proper rest," she said and added that Mr. Hakeem as a minister should have acted with self-restraint and greater responsibility.

Mr. Hakeem in response said he was speaking out for Muslims who were at the receiving end. He said he was not finding fault with the PA leadership but with certain politicians whose role in the Mawanella incidents was questionable.

The President said she was waiting for a full report and a compensation package would be worked out based on it.

What people should realize is that the compensation would be paid from public funds which have been allocated for various development projects and eventually it is the tax payer of this country who would bear the brunt of such senseless acts.

We must understand that incidents of this nature would only worsen our already ailing economy. This country has enough problems to be resolved, the ethnic strife being the foremost. Additional problems of this nature would only push this country backwards.

By appointing presidential commissions alone will not solve this recurring problem. Unless harsh deterrent punishment is imposed on the culprits, there is no guarantee that similar disturbances would not take place.

We recall how President J. R. Jayewardene took prompt action to quell disturbances in Ratnapura, though he did not take effective action when Tamils were being massacred in 1983.

However, in the Ratnapura incident, G. V. Punchinilame, onetime District Minister, lost his position.

President Kumaratunga has also reportedly vowed to deal sternly with those found guilty irrespective of their political affiliations, or positions. This is encouraging indeed. The President could afford to be tough in not only quelling riots but also eliminating corruption, crime and other social ills because she has no political obligations by her party beyond 2005 when she ends her second term.

The SLMC, besides demanding the appointment of a Special Presidential Commission and compensation for victims has also asked for a debate in Parliament to put the matter in the proper perspective.

SLFP Muslim minister Alavi Moulana is of the opinion that Mr. Hakeem's sentiments over the Mawanella issue amount to a gross violation of the principle of collective responsibility.

Some others in the PA scoffed at Mr. Hakeem's demands and the threat to quit the government, saying that they were like his infamous 100-day deadline which he set for the appointment of independent commissions for elections, police, public service and the judiciary.

On that occasion, a political manoeuvre by the President helped Mr. Hakeem to save face and remain in the government. The President said she would appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to study the appointment of these commissions.

To date, nothing has happened other than the government moving to place in the order book a motion to set up a Select Committee to consider reforms in the election process and police. Even this little was done not because the government wanted to honour its pledge to Mr. Hakeem but because of pressure exerted by the UNP and NGOs.

The UNP which is not too keen on the Parliamentary Select Committee — a process which has been adopted by a ruling party to delay matters of political significance — has placed a private members' motion to set up these committees though it would not have any legal binding on the government.

The UNP, too, has evaluated the situation in Mawanella to make its political moves. A team mainly comprising Muslim MPs, including A.H.M. Azwar, Imitiaz Bakeer Markar, toured the area and presented a case at the UNP Parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday.

Many UNPers pointed an accusing finger at Minister Herath and the party decided to bring in a no-confidence motion against him, following a proposal by Gamini Lokuge.

But Colombo District Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake said the no-confidence motion should be against the government. He said the government would happily sacrifice Mr. Herath and save its face. But the party finally decided that the motion should be against Mr. Herath.

Mawanella was not the only issue that was discussed at the UNP group meeting. Three documents containing proposals to further democratise the party were presented by three groups at the meeting.

Proposals were put forward by a group including Milinda Moragoda, Imitiaz Bakeer Markar, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene and other so-called moderates.

Mr. Wickremesinghe reportedly wanted to know from a member of this group, whether the group had a proper mandate to prepare a paper on party reforms.

Some salient features in the proposals are as follows:-

"It is recommended that the National Executive Committee continue as at present.

However it is recommended that a sub-group of the NEC (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") be formed. The Leadership of the Party, including the office bearers and the working committee would, in the first instance, be accountable to this smaller more empowered body.

All MPP, PCC and Heads of Local Authorities (Mayor/Chairman/Leader of the Opposition if UNP) would be members of the "Council"

In addition, provision would also be made for Special Interest Groups (Ethnic Interests, Women, Youth, Trade Unions, Professionals, Rural Sector etc.) to be represented in the 'Council.' These individuals should be selected in a transparent and democratic manner.

Working committee

Two views were expressed with regard to the method of constituting the Working Committee.

Option 1

* 1/3 to comprise MPs with each District having one representative. (This can either be the MP who obtains the highest preferences in his/her District or alternatively be elected by the District Organisation)

* 1/3 to be reserved for Special Interest Groups (ie Ethnic interests, Women, Trade Unions, Professionals, Rural Sector etc. - chosen through a credible and transparent democratic process by the relevant party affiliated bodies.

* 1/3 to be nominated by the Leader. It is hoped that the Leader would reflect the balance in our society in his nominations.

Option 2

* 50% nominated by the Leader - however the leader's appointments should be subject to a set of guidelines that take into consideration the need to represent Special Interest Groups.

* 50% elected through a credible and transparent democratic process.

In both options at least 50% should consist of Members of Parliament.

"The composition and number of the Working Committee should be defined and limited to say between sixty to seventy-five.

On balance it is recommended that Option 1 be adopted as the more democratic proposal which gives greater representation to the many groups with an interest in the success of our Party.

The scope and powers of the Working Committee should be clearly defined. These duties and functions should be clearly spelt out within the Party constitution and should be subject to change only by a full meeting of the 'Council.'

Electoral organisation

* It was noted that the Parshada system had failed and that there was a need to get back to the earlier branch structures. Therefore it is recommended that all such structures should be nullified and that the previous structure of branches should be re-instated forthwith.

* Opinion was unanimous that both the Chairman of the Constituency Association and the Electoral Organiser should be one and the same person.

Office bearers

Leader

It is strongly recommended that the Leader should be chosen by the 'Council' and should hold office for a determined period. The period defined might be determined by the normal election cycle.

In most instances there will be no need for a Leadership election. However where the Parliamentary Party and the 'Working Committee' feel that such an election would be in the interests of the Party then an election would be evoked. Such decisions would normally be taken only at the end/beginning of the election cycle.

It will then be the duty of the Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group to jointly place a maximum of three names before the 'Council' for election and never less than two names."

Beside the Moragoda group, the reformist group led by Karu Jayasuriya and Gamini Atukorale, and another group, also presented their proposals. The third group's proposals did not contain any significant proposals, party sources said.

The Karu-Gamini group, which also incorporated some of the proposals in the Moragoda document, was accepted and it would be discussed and debated at a meeting at the Mayor's Centre.

Also on Wednesday, Assistant Leader Gamini Atukorale had a fruitful meeting with Mr. Wickremesinghe. The party leader presented Mr. Atukorale with a ten-point plan. Since those proposals are in line with the reformists proposals, Mr. Atukorale had agreed to put them before the working committee for ratification after adding two more proposals.

The Wickremesinghe plan has a more consultative approach where the leader is unable to take unilateral decisions.

The idea of the reformists is that the leader's powers should not be curtailed when he or she directly has to confront the Executive President who wields enormous power under the 1978 Republican Constitution, but they felt that there should be checks and balances to prevent the leader from taking erratic decisions.

In this backdrop, they think that there should be a more consultative approach where the leader takes decisions in consultation with the political affairs committee.

The two proposals Mr. Atukorale added deals with media reforms and reorganisation of branch offices.

The twelve point plan is as follows:-

* Major policy decisions and appointments should have the concurrence of the Political Affairs Committee headed by the Leader and consisting of the Deputy Leader, Assistant Leader, Chairman, and General Secretary. (Consider appointing a representative each for the Tamil and Muslim Communities).

* Political Affairs Committee to be established as a recognised body in the Party Constitution and that meetings held on a regular basis.

* The Chairman and the General Secretary should be well known political personalities who could match the office bearers of the other political parties at any forum.

* The present Chairman and General Secretary to head the Central Office which would be responsible for the administration of Party Headquarters and implement the decisions of the Leader and the Political Affairs Committee.

* Appoint a National Organiser to activate the Electoral and District Organisations of the party. He should be a respected and experienced political personality.

* Appoint youth leaders from among the members of Parliament either on a provincial or regional basis.

* Political Affairs Committee to appoint leaders even on a district basis to direct the activities of the Lak Vanitha Movement. The leaders should be well-known lady politicians and political workers in and outside Parliament.

* Restructure the media unit to enable it to rapidly respond to issues that face the country and the party.

* Appoint organisers to all vacant electorates within three months and their performance reviewed after one year.

* Party branch should be once again recognised as the vital unit in the party structure.

* Parliamentary Affairs Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Group should be reconstituted so that it is more representative and conduct its affairs in amore objective and transparent manner. All decisions in the conduct of Parliamentary affairs and appointments to other sub-committees and Parliamentary delegations should be its responsibility.

* The functions and duties of all principal office bearers should be clearly defined and they be held accountable.

All this was well received at the group meting on Wednesday. There was no stiff resistance since the reforms are aimed at the democroatisation of the UNP.

UNP Leader Wickremesinghe speaking at the group meeting said that there were no groups existing in the UNP.

"We are all in one group, we were together yesterday and we are together today and tomorrow," he said.

"We have realized that certain things have to be done for the betterment of the party and its entire membership" he said and added that the proposals aimed at broad-basing the party would go before the Working Committee shortly.

Mr. Atukorale said the party had resolved their differences and are moving forward as one united party.

The Chief Opposition Whip W.J.M. Lokubandara said the problems had now been resolved and a committee headed by him and including Imitiaz Bakeeer Markar, Joseph Michael Perera and P. Dayaratne, would move forward to prepare a motion to impeach Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva.

Mr. Atukorale called upon all the UNPers to sign the petition against the Chief Justice since it is a matter of immense importance.

At this stage, Mr. Wickremesinghe said the other parties in the Opposition, too, should be consulted while John Amaratunga suggested that the motion should be enacted within a time-frame.

Thereafter, Mr. Wickremesinghe focused their attention on the proposed no-confidence motion against the government.

Gamini Jayawickrema Perera said the motion should include corruption charges. Mr. Amaratunga interjecting him and asked that a time frame be set for this motion as well.

Gampaha District Parliamentarian Joseph Michael Perera said that the vote of no-confidence should be brought before the house by the end of October.

When Mr. Amaratunga once again wanted a time-frame, Mr. Lokubandara said that according to astrological predictions, June would be the appropriate time to bring in the vote of no-confidence against the government.

Mr. Wickremesinghe sensing that the entire responsibility of toppling the government has apparently fallen on his shoulders and the reformists were planning another revolt inside the party in the event of a failure, said it was the responsibility of the entire party to topple the government through the vote of no-confidence.

"It is not an individual responsibility of anybody including Karu Jayasuriya, Gamini Atukorale or Tyronne Fernando. It is a matter for the entire party," he said.

Situation Report

Editorial/ Opinion Contents