Columns

• Treasury Secretary complains of threat to his life; cites allegations made to Parliamentary Select Committee by Vajira and Cabraal
• President’s visits demonstrate that his foreign policy is paying off
• Questions over Foreign Minister Sabry’s son’s participation in official events in New York
• Health Minister Rambukwella to resign next week; physician Romesh Pathirana will  succeed him
• Opposition SJB and breakaway SLPP groups hold talks on a common minimum programme

By Our Political Editor

There were two takeaways. One was a biryani and raita followed by fruits and ice cream for dessert. Perhaps the only people who found it mildly hot were the secret service agents tailing President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The other was story telling by the President himself. A brief about the history of how Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations, one that seemed most appropriate, followed.

Those listening in were parliamentarians Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Ruwan Wijewardene, Vadivel Suresh, S.M.M. Muszhaaraff, and Premnath C. Dolawatte. President Wickremesinghe has been told that Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) parliamentarian W.H.M. Dharmasena, who had accepted an invitation to join the delegation had been stopped by SJB leader Sajith Premadasa. This is after he bought an air ticket to travel. Premadasa had been of the view that it was a waste of public funds to take part at a time when the country was bankrupt. However, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry’s 19-year-old son Bilal, a college student in the US, social media widely reported, was made a part of the Sri Lanka delegation giving him access to the UN General Assembly and other UN buildings. Public access to the General Assembly was prohibited. This is because of the high security since some 105 heads of state or government were taking part. The Sri Lanka diplomatic mission to the UN in New York had obtained for him an official pass confirming that he was a member of the delegation. Sabry’s response on social media that his son was “a volunteer” helping him made matters worse. Foreign Ministry officials who were burning midnight oil drafting the minister’s speeches were embarrassed that the remarks implied that the son was part of his “bureau.”

That is not all. Sabry had a meeting in New York with his counterpart from Romania. He posted on X (the former Twitter) a photograph. It showed the Romanian minister Luminița Odobescu together with her note taker and another official. There was no note taker on Sabry’s side as the photograph on this page reveals . Casting all protocol aside, seated together with him were his son Bilal and another described as an official. Thus, a family member was not only in the Sri Lanka delegation to the UN but also taking part in bilateral talks with other countries.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry posted the above photograph on X, former Twitter. It shows him in conversation with the Romanian Foreign Minister, Luminita Odobescu. A Romanian Foreign Ministry official (seated on the left side in the middle) is taking notes whilst another is seated. On Minister Sabry’s side is his son Bilal (with curly hair) and another unidentified person. There are no note takers as is the usual practice.

Dutugemunu vs. Elara

Come question time. Most delegates were more concerned about news from home than what was before the UN. They asked President Wickremesinghe about the attempt on the life of actor-turned-Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) politician Uddika Premaratne. The President said he had spoken to him hours earlier on the telephone and assured him that a full investigation would be carried out. One of them noted that Premaratne had no known enemies. “What about Elara,” quipped President Wickremesinghe referring to the role he played in a film as King Dutugemunu. In that, his enemy was Elara. There were many questions on protection for the politicians underscoring the role the President played in enhancing the protection of parliamentarians.

This came after last year’s protests (aragalaya) when SLPP parliamentarians  chose to remain indoors, particularly after one of their colleagues was killed in Nittambuwa. It is not only MPs whose security has been strengthened. Incidents of shooting almost every day with the free availability of weapons have caused serious concerns for citizens who have no recourse to security precautions. In recent months, 76 shooting incidents have left 44 dead. This is due to a marked deterioration of the law-and-order situation. Police patrols have lessened and checks on vehicles are nil, leading to the free movement of illegal weapons. Little wonder, a onetime service arm chief, who retired 14 years ago, has been assigned additional personnel and four more vehicles for protection. This is more than the protection afforded to a cabinet minister. This is after he complained to the Ministry of Defence of a threat from groups that took part in the protests (aragalaya) last year. For good measure, he has forwarded to the MoD a letter from an intelligence arm to substantiate his claim for high security though he is not connected to politics.

Last Sunday (September 17), a group of armed men fired at Premaratne’s private vehicle outside his Anuradhapura residence. Police said a pistol had been used for the shooting that took place despite two police guards assigned to his residence. Moreover, security presence in and around has remained secure since Shehan Semasinghe, Minister of State for Finance, Duminda Dissanayake, MP and the Police Training Centre were located within 200 metres from Premaratne’s residence. Investigations have now been placed in the hands of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Assigning cases to the CID has become almost routine now as the area police stations have failed in their responsibilities.

President Wickremesinghe with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Treasury Secretary’s complaint

Even Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena complained to the MoD last week about a “direct threat” to him and his family. Of course, that is for another reason altogether. He told Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne that it was due to disclosures made before the “Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate the Cause for Financial Bankruptcy Declared by Government and to Report to Parliament and submit its Proposals and Recommendations in this regard” by  an MP backing the government and Ajith Nivard Cabral. The latter was a onetime Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Despite all other members declining to take part in the Parliamentary Select Committee allegedly on the grounds that it is intended to whitewash then Finance Minister, Basil Rajapaksa, its SLPP members have chosen to go ahead. The PSC is headed by Sagara Kariyawasam, MP who is the General Secretary of the SLPP. He is also a known close confidant of Basil Rajapaksa. The other members are Pavithra Wanniarachchi, D.V. Chanaka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Jayantha Ketagoda, Major Pradeep Udugoda, Sanjeeva Edirimanne, Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda and Prof. Ranjith Bandara. Those who have refused to serve are Eran Wickremeratne (SJB), Harshana Rajakaruna (SJB), Vijitha Herath (JVP) and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam (TNA).

The parameters set out to the PSC are somewhat narrow in scope and are highlighted by the preamble to the resolution that was moved to establish it. It says, “….. the country’s economic deterioration was caused due to factors such as providing tax relief, non-payment of loan instalments, imposition of import restrictions, allowing for a rapid depreciation of the rupee, the decline in official remittances from migrants, the increase in inflation to a high level and the increase in the cost of living….” Some parliamentarians opine that these words could even form the finding with greater elaboration. The committee has been tasked to submit its proposals and recommendations on the following matters:

“(a) the fact whether the country experienced an unprecedented economic crisis because of those in positions of responsibility during the times of concern failing to perform their duties properly.

“(b) the fact whether the relevant authorities took adequate measures to prevent and/or minimise the effect of the economic crisis.

(c)   the fact whether there were shortcomings in the state machinery that caused it to fail to prevent and/or minimise the effect of the economic crisis.

(d)   the fact whether there were other factors that contributed to such economic crisis.

(e)   the fact whether there are other factors which may cause the country to undergo such economic crisis in future; and

(f)    the course of action that should be taken to minimise such economic deterioration in future.”

The terms of reference, if it was a fully constituted PSC, would have been appropriate and served a limited purpose. It also raises an all-important question – why a probe has not been initiated at the highest national levels since this is the first time in the country’s history that Sri Lanka was driven to bankruptcy? Such a probe should have encompassed various aspects including the role played by then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on whom lay the final responsibility. Now, at different fora, many SLPPers lay the blame only on select advisors. The PSC began sittings by summoning a parliamentarian and Ajith Nivard Cabral.

Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena

In his letter dated September 18 to Defence Secretary Gunaratne, Treasury Secretary Siriwardena said, “I write this letter to inform you about the serious life threats that could occur to me and my family members due to the recent conduct of two individuals.” He  said he and the Central Bank Governor have been at the forefront of government’s economic recovery efforts since Sri Lanka was declared bankrupt. The letter also said:

“At a session of the ‘Select Committee of Parliament to investigate the Cause for Financial Bankruptcy Declared by Government and to Report to Parliament and submit its Proposals and Recommendations in this Regard,’ held on 15th September 2023 at Parliament, (by an) MP and Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabral had been summoned to make their statements on the subject matter.

(The MP concerned) “in his statement has made direct allegations against me for the official matters which I have done in good faith and on the Directions of the relevant Authorities regarding the Government’s decision to announce a Debt Standstill policy on 12th April 2022. He has deliberately distorted the real facts of the incident and has attempted to convince the public that the said policy decision was taken by Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and myself without consulting the relevant authorities which is factually wrong and misleading.

(The MP concerned) “further states the Governor and myself shall be blamed for such unwarranted decision and the government should deploy State Intelligence Units to investigate the background of these officers and their family members to trace whether they have unduly benefited.

“He further states that the hundreds of houses of the politicians were burnt and charged by the public because of the wrong decisions of the Public Officers in attempts to provoke the public to attack me and the family members as well as the Government’s getting further steps to make public aware about the residence (sic) placed Public Officers which implies my residence as well.

“In addition to the above statements by the MP and Mr Ajith Nivard Cabral also made a false statement citing the names of me and the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka which tends to create public displeasure on ourselves, leading to potential detrimental reactions by the public in this crisis situation.

“The statement made by the MP and Mr Ajith Nivard Cabral are very serious, and they cause imminent threat to me and my family and violate my right for peaceful life and affect the performance of my official work impartially.

“I noticed that these statements were given much publicity in newspapers, Tv channels and social media on 15th September 2023 and thereafter the same was discussed in several other media conferences as well. The copies/web links of the statements made by the said MP and Mr Cabral, as reported in the media, are attached hereto.

“Therefore, I wish to kindly request you to take this matter very seriously as a priority and focus your attention for this direct threat and kindly request you to take necessary steps to safeguard our right for peaceful life and ensure necessary protection to me to perform my official work without any threat. I also state that any detrimental incident happened to my life, my family members’ lives, and my house, these two persons should be held the (sic) responsibility given the severity of their statements made at the above Select Committee.”

The Sunday Times learnt that Treasury Secretary Siriwardena has been told at the highest levels of the government that no action in any form would be possible in respect of proceedings of the Parliamentary Select Committee. They were governed by privilege, and he was at liberty to make direct representations to the PSC on his views in respect of representations made by others.

Rambukwella to resign

Other than the SLPP none of the other parties represented in Parliament are serving in the PSC. That includes the United National Party (UNP) of which President Wickremesinghe is the leader. Before his departure to Cuba and the United States, he held a meeting with Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who survived a vote of no confidence in Parliament. He urged him to step down from his health portfolio. Minister Rambukwella appealed to the President to allow him to sit as Health Minister in Parliament for a few more occasions. He is now expected to send in his letter of resignation dated September 30. Taking over as the new Health Minister will be Ramesh Pathirana, a physician who is now Minister of Plantation Industries.

President’s address to the UN

This development came as President Wickremesinghe was in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly. One of the areas he focused on was last year’s economic crisis. Here are highlights: “At this time last year, amidst multiple global crises, Sri Lanka was experiencing its most challenging period in recent times socially, economically, and politically, which had a devastating impact on people’s lives. Even our Democratic traditions were threatened by attempts to occupy our Parliament and bring it to a halt. Nevertheless, we succeeded in bringing about a democratic political transition, due to our deeply entrenched and resilient democratic traditions. Resorting to the re-graduation of Sri Lanka’s economy, coupled with the gift of fertilizer from the United States’ Government which led to a bumper harvest, has assisted us in ensuring stability during that period.

“The reforms I have since initiated in the economic, financial, institutional and reconciliation fronts have been directed on the one hand towards rebuilding trust and confidence between the people and the government; and on the other, towards laying the foundation for economic stabilization and recovery. Sri Lankans are already witnessing the positive outcomes of these measures in their daily lives and the revival of confidence internally and externally in the progress of the country. It is my intention to lead the country towards sustainable and stable recovery and growth which will benefit all segments of Sri Lankan society in all parts of the country, ensuring a future of peace, prosperity and reconciliation for the present and future generations of women and men. In reaching this goal, we will be accompanied by the support, trust, and solidarity of our own people and of the international community.

“As we turn the corner towards the 80th anniversary of the UN and prepare for the Summit of the Future in 2024, we see the fragmented geopolitical landscape of a multipolar world where new centers of global power have emerged.

“Accompanying this systemic change, are, on the one hand, great expectations of development and human progress with millions of people rising out of poverty to prosperity. On the other hand, we see a world where former big power rivalries and geopolitical tensions have reignited in open war, overlapping with new theatres of conflict and tension on land and in the oceans. Security Alliances have expanded, and recent arrangements have been formed to deal with strategic threat perceptions in old and new theatres of conflict. North-South divisions are widening with the digital divide, the financial and debt crisis, and the energy transition. Contrary to the promise of 2030, today we are seeing levels of poverty and hunger not witnessed for decades.”

On the political front, the Nidhas Janatha Sabhawa , a breakaway group from the SLPP held another round of talks last Wednesday at a boutique hotel in Thalawathugoda with representatives of the Uttara Lanka Sabhagya, another breakaway group. Leaders of both sides – Dullas Allahapperuma and Wimal Weerawansa – were absent but the talks to form an opposition front with a common minimum programme were held for four hours. It was later followed by dinner. The sabhawa is also conducting talks with SJB for an alliance but are still not close to any formal arrangement. The former has offered support for the presidential candidature of SJB leader Premadasa. As a quid pro quo, they are seeking the SJB support for the prime ministerial position for Allahapperuma. On both sides there are those who are opposed to any form of alliance.

President Wickremesinghe, who flew from New York to London, is due in Colombo today. His latest visits to Cuba and the United States have clearly demonstrated that his foreign policy initiatives have paid off and he has won for Sri Lanka more friends. This is at a time when some major events are ahead. One is the second tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The other is the preparations for elections which he has hinted at during his tour.