Usually political victimization is a post-election phenomenon in Sri Lanka with the winner witch-hunting supporters of his or her rival. But pre-election political victimization is also becoming a common occurrence in our politics now and, to say the least, what a drama it has become.
Upeksha Swarnamali, the sympathy-winning heroine of a mega serial on ITN says her decision to support General Sarath Fonseka has made her a virtual outcast in the cast. The most popular teledrama, Paba, which is reaching its 500th episode, is now being shown without Paba, the main character played by Upeksha. It was a Sri Lankan case of Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark.
The popular actress, who has won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of fans, says that after she got on the platform of Gen. Fonseka, the producers called her for shooting and created a scene where she leaves her house after an argument with her gangster brother.
And that was it. After this shot, Upeksha was shut out of the shooting. ITN denies the charge. We shall wait and watch.
Mystery over Muzammil million
They took a leaf off the recent scandal in the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha).
National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa calls it a "cleverly planned sting operation" whilst the main Opposition parties dismiss it as a cooked up controversy.
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| Muzammil leaving the election office of General Fonseka on Friday |
The issue is over the reported cross over of NFF parliamentarian Mohamed Muzammil. He says he went to the Rajakeeya Mawatha office of Gen. (retd.) Fonseka together with "My Own" Mustafa, the presidential candidate who has now withdrawn from the race to support the "common candidate."
Mr. Muzzmmil claims he was offered stacks of money.
Both Mr. Weerawansa and Mr. Muzammil displayed the stacks at a news conference. "Can you imagine how they spend money to buy over MPs," asked Mr. Weerawansa.
Dismissing the allegations as rubbish was UNF's Kotte parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake.
Mr. Weerawansa's news conference showed a figure resembling Mr. Karunanayake at the place where the money transaction had reportedly taken place. Mr. Karunanayake said there was no such thing.
Now, Mr. Weerawansa wants to go a step further. He wants to complain to the Commission Investigating Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. He also wants to complain to the CID.
As for Mr. Muzammil, he has emerged as the one parliamentarian who publicly claims he did not fall for the lure of bundles of cash. What a great and honourable man!!
Polls millions for marriage
It was so blatant. A Government politician in the East wanted Rs 35 million so he may not cross over to the opposition.
He made the request bluntly from a top UPFA leader and explained that the money was needed to give his daughter in marriage.
The leader said such funds could be used more productively in the election campaign and summarily dismissed the request.
Business king batting for both sides
Donations by corporate bodies to the two main contenders have become the talking point in business circles.
One business empire that is known to have bankrolled the ruling UPFA on many a campaign from part of the returns from contracts it won was in the news this week.
It gave the rival candidate Rs 20 million just to make sure all is well whatever happens at the poll.
Diplomatic battle over explosive video
Last week, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama tried but failed to reach UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon on the telephone. Mr. Ban's staff directed the call to the UNSG's Chief of Staff, Vijay Nambiar.
Mr. Bogollagama pleaded that a news conference scheduled by UN Special Rapporteur on extra judicial killings, among others, be put off. He also wanted action against the UN official for releasing the reports of two experts on the controversial video of uniformed men shooting at half-naked persons.
Two Sri Lankan envoys were also involved in this major diplomatic offensive - Sri Lanka's UN Ambassador Palitha Kohona and Sri Lanka's Geneva-based UN Ambassador Kshenuka Seneviratne.
Their moves came a cropper. UN officials in New York have told them it was not the right place for Sri Lanka Government to raise issue. It should go to the UNHRC. They have explained that Special Rapporteur Philip Alston was not an employee of the UN in New York but was on assignment with the UNHRC in Geneva.
So now, the task is to be undertaken by Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe. The UN in Geneva is his turf. |
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