News
Wimal and US envoy trade barbs over conspiracy allegations
View(s):- US Ambassador accuses NFF leader of publishing a book containing fiction and blatant lies
- Parliament approves agreement with IMF; SJB and Sirisena’s MPs stay away at voting time
- Proposed Anti-Terror Bill put off after sharp criticism by BASL and opposition parties
- Major row over transfer of Senior DIGs; two officers defy orders; one accuses minister of acting maliciously
Turning May Day into a political show of strength is one of the features of World Labour Day celebrations in Sri Lanka. Pictures show stage and venue preparation work being done by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and the National People's Power for their May Day rallies at Campbell Park and Vihara Mahadevi Park respectively. Pix by Eshan Fer-nando and Indika Handuwala
By Our Parliamentary Lobby Correspondent
Allegations that vast conspiracies spearheaded by international players were behind significant events are not new to Sri Lankan politics. It is rare, though, for such allegations to elicit a response. Most times, the alleged foreign actors tend to maintain diplomatic silence.
US Ambassador Julie Chung, however, chose to publicly respond to sensational claims made this week by National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and Uththara Lanka Sabhagaya Chairman Wimal Weerawansa relating to her alleged role in the “conspiracy” to topple former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government. The claims have been made in Mr. Weerawansa’s book “Navaya; Sengawunu Kathawa” (Nine: The Hidden Story). The NFF leader also referred to the allegations during his speech at the launch of the book on Tuesday (25).
The claims were made in a packed hall at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. Aside from MPs from the NFF, other MPs in attendance included Democratic Left Front General Secretary Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Freedom People’s Congress Leader Dullas Alahapperuma, Pivuthuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, MPs Gevindu Cumaratunga, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Ven. Atureliye Rathana Thera and Premanath Dolawatte. Former MPs D.E.W. Gunasekera and Thilanga Sumathipala were also in attendance. Also sitting prominently in the front row were three diplomats from the Chinese Embassy.
Among Mr Weerawansa’s allegations is that when former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to resign and flee the country, the US and Indian governments appealed to him to first sack then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He alleged that the then Presidential Secretary Gamini Senarath had drafted two letters – one being the President’s resignation letter and the other the letter sacking Premier Wickremesinghe. Both letters were sent to the Maldives, where Gotabaya Rajapaksa had fled. However, Mr. Rajapaksa had only signed his resignation letter, according to Mr. Weerawansa.
When this had failed, Mr. Weerawansa claimed US Ambassador Chung had personally called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena at the Speaker’s official residence and urged him to take over as Acting President. The Speaker, according to Mr. Weerawansa, had pointed out that it was the Prime Minister who would become Acting President in the event of the President’s resignation. Mr. Weerawansa alleged that the Ambassador had then told the Speaker that “the Constitution is irrelevant” and that they would take care of matters. The same proposal had been brought to the Speaker only the previous day by a religious leader and an opposition MP, he claimed.
“Plan A” among those involved in the conspiracy was to kill Gotabaya Rajapaksa and senior leaders of the armed forces who were inside the President’s House, allow the country to descend into anarchy for a couple of weeks and then establish an interim government headed by the Speaker. It was the same playbook that was adopted in Libya after the killing of Muammar Gaddafi, Mr. Weerawansa alleged. Having failed in that plan, they were now pursuing their “Plan B” with a Wickremesinghe presidency.
The firebrand MP also alleged that a group of senior US officials, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Chief William Burns arrived in Sri Lanka on Valentine’s Day this year and held secret meetings with the President, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and the head of the State Intelligence Agency (SIS).
Mr. Weerawansa offered no evidence to back up any of his claims. Perhaps due to the gravity of the allegations, however, Ambassador Chung chose to address them directly through her official Twitter account, though she did not refer to Mr. Weerawansa by name.
“I am disappointed that an MP has made baseless allegations and spread outright lies in a book that should be labeled “fiction.” For 75 years, the US & SL have shared commitments to democracy, sovereignty, and prosperity – a partnership and future we continue to build together,” she tweeted on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the book’s launch.
Those in Mr Weerawansa’s camp revelled in the attention they were getting. A member of the NFF leader’s media unit sent journalists a screenshot of the ambassador’s tweet, with the caption that the diplomat was “crying.” Mr. Weerawansa himself referred to the tweet in Parliament on Thursday, stating that he was glad that the ambassador seems to have had the entire book translated within 24 hours of its launch.
The Defence Ministry also put out a statement concerning allegations levelled by Mr Weerawansa regarding Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva. The MP had noted that General Silva was conveniently in India during the events of July 9 last year and that his absence aroused suspicion. In response, the ministry said that General Silva “was on an official visit to India in July 2022 to attend the meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave with the approval of the then President of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Defence.”
Unlike Ms Chung, neither Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley nor the High Commission itself has chosen to respond to the NFF leader’s claims.
Mr Weerawansa may not have written the book on shadowy conspiracies in relation to Sri Lanka, but no other politician has spoken of the subject with such regularity over the past two decades. The words “jaathyanthara kumanthrana” (international conspiracies) are practically synonymous with his name and are often used as a catchphrase by those who lampoon him. Nevertheless, the Weerawansa brand is one that thrives on controversy, and with his latest book, he has ensured that he will remain a hot topic for a while.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, meanwhile, expressed “grave concerns” to Ambassador Chung on Thursday over the decision by the US to blacklist North Western Province Governor and Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda “due to involvement in a gross violation of human rights” during his tenure as Navy Commander. As a result of the action, Admiral Karannagoda and his wife, Srimathi Ashoka Karannagoda, are ineligible for entry into the United States.
In a media statement announcing the decision, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken insisted that the allegation that Wasantha Karannagoda committed a gross human rights violation, documented by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and independent investigations, “is serious and credible.”
“By designating Wasantha Karannagoda, the United States reaffirms its commitment to upholding human rights, ending impunity for human rights violators, acknowledging the suffering of victims and survivors, and promoting accountability for perpetrators in Sri Lanka,” Secretary Blinken added.
The Foreign Ministry hit back, stating that “as a longstanding bilateral partner of Sri Lanka, such unilateral action by the U.S. without following due process is counter-productive to the holistic approach that Sri Lanka has taken on addressing national unity and reconciliation.” It is also unfortunate that the announcement emanates against the backdrop of tangible progress made by the Government in strengthening the country’s democratic governance and reconciliation structures, the Ministry added.
The US decision to sanction Admiral Karannagoda also drew a strong rebuke from Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan. “Their main aim is the destabilisation of the situations in the world. They interfere into the domestic affairs of many countries, not only in Russia,” Ambassador Dzhagaryan told journalists in Colombo, referring to the US.
“Nobody has the right to lecture you on what to do or what not to do. This is your domestic issue,” the ambassador said, adding that Western countries should focus on their own domestic problems.
The presence of Chinese diplomats at the launch of the book of a staunch critic of the US and the comments made by the Russian Ambassador on the US decision to sanction a former Sri Lankan naval commander are indicative of larger geopolitical issues at play. The US relations with both China and Russia are at their lowest points in recent history. Tensions between China and the US have further eroded after the US shot down an alleged spy balloon inside its territory in February and Secretary of State Blinken’s decision to cancel an official visit to Beijing over the balloon issue. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent moves by the US and its Western allies to provide military aid to Ukraine have dragged relations down to a level that might spiral into a larger conflict.
Vote on IMF motion
While Sri Lanka tries to balance its relations with countries that are openly hostile to each other, the government is facing a far tougher task of overseeing the country’s recovery from its economic crisis. Friday’s passage of the Resolution for the implementation of the arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is being hailed by those in the government as a major step towards that recovery.
“We have no option but the IMF agreement. There have not been alternative suggestions. If there is no other alternative, let’s approve this. I also urge the opposition to work together. Let’s get both parties together and pass this,” President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Wednesday.
“Don’t just think about grabbing power only. If this programme is not done, none of us will be able to survive for another two or three years. So I urge everyone to come together to approve this. After that we will come together and prepare the set of policies required until 2048,” the President said, while also urging lawmakers to provide support to implement the programme during the next five years.
The resolution was passed by a majority of 95 votes, with 120 MPs voting for it while only 25 voted against. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa led a walkout of MPs from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) before the vote was taken. The move was in line with a decision taken by the party at a meeting earlier in the day not to be present when the vote was taken. In the days leading up to the vote, SJB MPs had voiced fears, both publicly and in private, that the government was attempting to lure some of its MPs to vote in support of the motion. Some saw the vote as a ploy to divide the SJB.
The fear that a group of SJB MPs will support the motion proved unfounded. However, SJB MP A.H.M. Fowzie defied his party and chose to vote in favour of the resolution. “In the interests of the country and future generations, I’m saying yes,” said the MP as he voted for the motion.
The 85-year-old Mr Fowzie was only sworn in as an MP again in February to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Mujibur Rahuman, who stepped down to become the SJB’s mayoral candidate for Colombo. While Mr Rahuman was a vocal critic of the Wickremesinghe government, Mr Fowzie has been far more conciliatory in his approach. In fact, this is the second time since his return to Parliament in February that he has defied a party decision. Just a day after being sworn in as an MP, he chose to join the debate on the policy statement presented by President Wickremesinghe, though the rest of the SJB had decided to boycott it.
The question now arises as to what action, if any, the SJB will take against Mr Fowzie. It was only on Monday that Opposition Leader Premadasa told the SJB’s Working Committee that strict disciplinary action would be taken against any member who went against collective decisions taken by the party. He had stressed that the party would no longer tolerate indiscipline within its ranks.
Amid reports that some prominent members of the party were planning to cross over to the government, the SJB has now appointed a permanent “Disciplinary Committee” to keep its members in line. MPs have also been warned that those who make statements that are deemed to be detrimental to the party and seen as promoting other parties or the government will face disciplinary action through this new committee.
While one veteran politician chose to defy his party’s decision and vote for the motion, another who had earlier claimed he would support it failed to show up. Speaking at an event on Wednesday, former President Maithripala Sirisena said that he and his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would “definitely” vote in favour of the IMF facility. Yet just a day later, the former President issued a statement claiming he would not be present for Friday’s vote as he had to go out of Colombo on “an urgent matter.” The statement, though, said there was nothing wrong in the government obtaining a loan from the IMF given the prevailing circumstances and expressed confidence that conditions imposed by the IMF that were harmful to Sri Lanka could be renegotiated.
While Mr Sirisena excused himself by claiming he had to go out of Colombo, the statement still did not explain why other members of his party were also absent when the vote was taken. If the party had taken a decision to vote for the motion, then the question arises as to what happened to the MPs who are with him. Did they too go out of Colombo for “urgent matters?”
SLFP Anuradhapura District MP Duminda Dissanayake, who is technically still in the Sirisena camp and has not defected to the government, was however present at the time of voting and voted with the government to support the motion.
Anti-terrorism bill
While attention was on the three-day Parliamentary debate on the EFF agreed with the IMF, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told the House on Friday that the government would further delay tabling the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill in Parliament. He said the government would give time for anyone to forward his or her opinion in writing or to discuss relevant matters pertaining to the bill. “We will submit the bill to Parliament only after several rounds of extensive discussions and after incorporating the necessary amendments,” he said.
The government’s move to further delay presenting the bill comes after intense criticism, both locally and internationally, regarding certain clauses in the bill. Several INGOs and foreign governments had voiced their concerns over the bill in recent days and urged the government to reconsider its decision.
Meanwhile, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), which had appointed a team of legal experts to study the gazetted bill, noted this week that the Committee had observed that certain provisions, inter alia, clauses 3, 4, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 28, 30, 31, 36, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86 of the bill infringe upon the principles of the criminal justice system and are in contravention of the legal rights of the citizens.
“Further, it is the view of the Committee that the provisions stipulated in the said bill violate the fundamental rights enumerated under Chapter III of the constitution of Sri Lanka, especially in light of article 14 of the constitution (i.e. freedom of speech, assembly, association, occupation, movement, etc).”
In view of the recommendations of the Committee, the BASL said it would be making representations to the Ministry of Justice, and all other stakeholders, requesting that amendments be made to the bill, in compliance with the law.
The BASL also vowed to take legal steps to challenge the bill in the appropriate forum if it was placed in the order paper before Parliament in its current form.
SDIG transfers
The transfer of seven Senior Deputy Inspectors General (SDIGs) of police has also touched off a storm of controversy with at least two of the officers appealing to the National Police Commission (NPC) against the transfers.
SDIG – Southern Province Ajith Rohana and SDIG – Central Province Priyantha Weerasooriya have both written to NPC Chairman Chandra Fernando protesting their transfers. SDIG Rohana has taken direct aim at Public Security Minister Tiran Alles in his letter, accusing the minister of instructing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to transfer him as SDIG – Eastern Province, insisting that the decision made by the Minister is “malicious, arbitrary and unreasonable.” He has also claimed that these transfers are being done to harass them and protect one SDIG.
While SDIG Rohana has not mentioned the particular SDIG by name, highly placed police sources noted that the developments were part of an ugly battle that is now being waged within the police over who succeeds IGP Chandana Wickramaratne as the nation’s top cop. The IGP’s tenure was extended by a further three months in March and at least three SDIGs including SDIG Rohana and SDIG -Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon are among the front-runners for the job.
The issue has already created different factions within the police, with each faction pulling for their respective senior officer, sources noted.
Meanwhile, SDIG Rohana has also written to the Secretary to the Public Security Ministry stating that he is “not bound to implement the transfer order,” claiming that it had been made without the approval of the NPC.
The NPC has responded to SDIG Rohana’s letter by transferring him to Police Headquarters instead of the Eastern Province pending an investigation into his allegations.
A senior police source noted that when an SDIG is given a posting, they are usually allowed one or two years to plan out and conduct their operations and to show progress. “Some of these SDIGs have been given transfers within a matter of months. This is highly unusual and counterproductive because an SDIG can’t plan out and conduct operations properly. They have to leave halfway, giving an advantage to criminal elements.”
Such situations lead to senior officers being frustrated and demotivated, and this invariably filters down to those serving under them. “Around 6000 officers come under the direct supervision of an SDIG. When such an issue comes out into the open in this manner, it not only creates factionalism but also allows for indiscipline to creep into the entire force. In the end, it is the ordinary people who turn to the police who will suffer.”
On the other hand, the letters by the SDIGs have also divided opinion within the police. Another senior police officer said the transfers had come with the approval of the NPC and that an officer refusing to obey such an order amounts to wilful insubordination. “What an officer should do in such an event is to first take up the transfer and then lodge a complaint listing out his grievances. He can’t outright refuse to go. That sets a bad precedent and also a bad example for officers of junior ranks,” the source pointed out.
He lamented that the battle to become the next IGP has reached astonishingly low depths. “Some are trying to become the next IGP through the help of politicians and other forces. In the end, whoever becomes IGP won’t be doing much for the people or for the officers serving under him. He will only be serving his political masters.”
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