The cat-and-mouse games played in the Police Department continue to baffle top leaders of the UPFA.
Weeks ago, the entire team of CID (Criminal Investigation Department) officers assigned to the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption were summarily moved out. Orders went from Police Headquarters asking them to take up duties in different police divisions.
A UPFA leader who heard this was furious. He ordered that all the transfers be cancelled immediately.
These officers are those who are recruited to the Commission after a rigorous process. That includes background checks, whether they had any bad records and were honest. In addition, they were put through an arduous course on anti-corruption and bribery work.
The new batch, Police insiders said, would take a long time to train. More over, they pointed out that no background checks had been carried out on the new appointees.
What shocked the UPFA leadership was the reported reason for the mass transfer. One big wig in the Police is under investigation by the Bribery and Corruption sleuths for his improper conduct over tenders and other business transactions. So he thought, transferring the whole lot including those probing him, would end his headaches.
The new comers, all hand picked by him and his cronies, they felt would not dare open the files again. Insiders say pressure moves are still afoot to place the case under the carpet. If that happens, one senior officer told his colleagues during a drink at the Senior Officer's Mess, "I will write a book to expose everything."
Envoy wears national flag as scarf
While the country is abuzz with the controversy over the National Anthem and in what language it must be sung, in comes an official photograph sent to the Ministry of External Affairs by our Ambassador, no less, in Havana, Cuba showing herself sporting the National Flag tied as a scarf round her neck.
Tamara Kunanayakam took part in a day of voluntary work to commemorate the international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people titled "Towards a coalition of the principled". With the National Flag round her neck she helped in the renovation of primary and secondary schools in Havana.
A one-time functionary in Geneva, Ms. Kunanayakam would surely have been taught at Diplomatic School how to respect the National Flag.
Her colleagues in the Ministry were good enough by not releasing her own statement to the media and protected her neck in the process.
DM in Waqf confusion
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne who is also the Minister of Religious Affairs was asked recently by a Muslim religious leader as to what was the delay in naming members to the Waqf Board which handles matters of registration of mosques and administration of property among other matters. The Board has not been appointed for more than a year.
The Prime Minister promptly responded, "I have already called for applications".
But, according to the Waqfs Board Act, the Minister should appoint the members to the Board and a Director and therefore no applications were necessary.
Amunugama likely
new Foreign Secretary
Insiders at the External Affairs Ministry say Ranjit Uyangoda, now Additional Secretary, was to be appointed as Sri Lanka's new ambassador to China.
But an intense battle followed between Uyangoda and outgoing Foreign Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe -- for the post. Jayasinghe won. Uyangoda has got a consolation prize: ambassador to Germany.
He will succeed Kunatilleke Amunugama, who is tipped to become Foreign Secretary.
Palitha Kohona, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative at the United Nations in New York is to be the new High Commissioner in Britain.
A replacement in New York is still to be decided upon.
DNA in disarray
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) dealt a deadly but diplomatic blow to its smaller allies in the Democratic National Alliance when it chose to contest the upcoming local polls under the Bell symbol.
In other words, the JVP decided to go its own way leaving the smaller DNA parties politically marooned. The leader of the DNA is former General Sarath Fonseka who is now in jail.
Although some DNA stalwarts wanted to contest the local polls, they find there is a serious obstacle. The General Secretary of the DNA is Vijitha Herath of the JVP. He will not sign any nomination papers on behalf of the DNA.
The JVP's ire came after one of the key DNA players and financier, Tiran Alles, began back channel negotiations with the UNP's Sajith Premadasa. He was trying to forge an alliance. However, Premadasa has told his close advisors that he was now not in favour of Fonseka joining.
Now, the DNA groups are scouting to "buy out" a political party so they may contest the local polls. If one is not available for "sale," insiders say they want to come forward as a group of independents.
Anti -Ranil petition returned to sender
If one expected political thunder and lightning at Thursday's joint meeting of the United National Party's Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group, there was neither.
Sajith Premadasa, as expected, did not throw his hat into the ring to become leader ousting Ranil Wickremesinghe. In the name of unity both sides agree to fight the upcoming local polls together.
However, a day ahead of the meeting Wickremesinghe received a petition calling upon him to quit his post as leader. It was one from a student group and had been arranged by one of Premadasa's close buddies.
Wickremesinghe gave it to Premadasa on Thursday and told him to speak to his buddy. He wanted it withdrawn immediately.
Pardon me, pardon you
The unity forged at the UNP meeting on Thursday has come as a windfall for two of its southern provincial councillors.
They succeeded in urging the leadership to call off the disciplinary inquiries the party had initiated against them.
This was for insulting party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
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