This week The Sunday Times publishes tapes of midnight discussions between President Ranasinghe Premadasa and former state minister A.J. Ranasinghe on moves to end the strike.
RP: What is she saying? Tell her if the situation is bad to give us advice what to do. (ah, ah). There is no use of saying that the situation is not good. When they were in power the advice given by us was not implemented. I am ready to do anything.
AJR: I know the story going around is gossip. But I told this because I overheard it. I said I will not tell who told this. She said she checked with Lalith and J. R. I said the same story was told at the residence of Mr. Spain's (former US Ambassador in Colombo) I said the story is doing the rounds.
RP: The story is that J. R. and these people are behind this.
AJR: I told her to tell you.
RP: Now it was wrong to bring the Indian forces. The JVP says to send them (Indian Forces) back. Are they genuine?
AJR: I don't know.
RP: These fellows are telling lies. Don't believe them. By the way, did you trace those speeches made by J. R. when the accord was signed? Get them out.
AJR: Yes. I have got them prepared. I will be showing them tomorrow.
RP: I will be coming for the group meeting tomorrow.
RP: Hello?
AJR: We had the discussions yesterday with the greatest difficulty.
RP: Not necessary, just give up.
AJR: No need of giving up.
RP: No they are beasts. Can't they understand? My speech was carried in English and Sinhala.
AJR: That speech is being carried. But these people .......
RP: This won't happen. Don't waste your time. If you give them one, they will ask for a another.
AJR: Sir, this is what we spoke. They were not happy that you did not come. They had told Rukman (Senanayake)
RP: How can I come? See what they are doing. See the cold blooded murders they have carried out in Rakwana. This is madness.
AJR: (Reads out).." on the request of the Eksath Lanka Janatha Party (ELJP) the invitation extended to the Kamkaru Satan Madyasthanaya (the organization which was responsible for strikes ) the discussion to be held.....
RP: We don't want that. We won't come.
AJR: This is what they are saying.
RP: We have to go where they want.
AJR: On the Rs. 2500 issue, they are willing to agree for Rs. 500. The other main issues are 1982...
RP: Ranasinghe, they should have told this before the strike, so that we could have discussed it. Now this can't be done. It's over.
AJR: Listen to this part.
RP: No need of listening. How long have I tolerated? I am telling them from December.
AJR: Listen to this Sir, and think about it. The payment of Rs. 45 increment with arrears from 1982 the second is the increase given by the 1988/89 budget.
RP: These people say both these have been given. The Minister and ministry both say this. So there is a dispute on the matter. That's a dispute. This cannot be resolved without prior notice. If discussions fail and they struck work it could be understood. Therefore first this strike should be stopped to talk about anything.
AJR: Sir, I will tell that both have been given.
RP: If they say no, we could discuss. Then I can bring both parties and decide who is wrong. If their demand is fair, we could meet it. But here I can't say who is right or wrong. Vasudeva is waiting to get the other sectors out. We don't care about that.
AJR: They are carrying out a false campaign. They are the people who wanted the IPKF out. We will ignore it.
RP: Don't issue any statement. Don't say that we discussed the matter. We will keep silent.
AJR: Before the discussions.....?
RP: You tell them that. If they had told before the discussions, and the discussions failed and they went on strike, we could understand. Then when the strike is on we could discuss. The situation is different. The emergency was imposed but the killings increase. The whole country was telling to act in a stern manner. Ranasinghe, how many times have you told me to be stern ?
AJR: Yes. Yes.
RP: So, now do not tell me to be lenient. Go and tell Gamini Dissanyaka to be tough now. He is the next who will come and tell me we are too stern now, ant to be lenient.
AJR: We are going to tell both demands are given.
RP: They should come for talks after correcting themselves. They should first go to work. In two days I will call them for discussions.
AJR: They can go to work under a protest.
RP: Yes. I told you how it could be done.
AJR: Yes.
RP: But don't waste your time. They are fooling us. They want to take over the country without elections. Tell them to try.
AJR: Sir you know who came for the discussions? Two fellows from the Deshapremiya movement and two monks from the University, the worst fellows. Before the talks they had blamed Rukman saying that they had come because the Transport Minister was supposed to come.
AJR: I told Rukman had said that the transport minister, is coming because I said so. I said I had been the power, to discuss. They wanted in writing.
RP: They are trying to put you in trouble. They will take the letter and say that Ranasinghe promised.
AJR: No, I said that only if president gives the approval. I said the proposals will be put forward to President, and if he gives approval, I would discuss with them.
RP: I did not promise that. I told that they should go to work.
AJR: I told that.
RP: They have to first go to work. I can't do anything. Even if the country is destroyed, I can't do that.
AJR: I will tell them to go to work under a protest.
RP: I am agreeable only for a discussion.
AJR: I will tell that they should first go to work. Rukman nearly fell into trouble.
RP: The problem is they won't come for talks. Even if ministers come they won't come.
AJR: Wijeyapala Mendis also did not think that this group will come.
RP: These fellows are trying to fool us. Don't give them any letter. Whatever they do, they must first go to work.
AJR: The letter that I gave you was about that. If they agree we will talk.
RP: I won't agree to anything. I should ask both parties.
RP: Hello. Would you write this down?
AJR: Yes.
RP: There were two good news items on radio. The first one was that the Indian Express Newspaper has attacked Rajiv Gandhi about the IPKF. The paper is supporting Sri Lanka. The other item was that Nepal is accusing India of carrying out a campaign against it. Both these news items could be taken and released to the newspapers.
AJR: I will do that.
RP: Get them published, particularly in the "Sun" and other papers. That's a valuable news item. If we say, our pandits don't accept it. Say what they say. They say that the IPKF stay is similar to an invasion.
AJR: Project that and use it.
RP: Nepal says how it is being intimidated.
AJR: That's what they are doing.
RP: The next thing you should do is take the English speech made by me. Take this cassette and give it to the Indian High Commission, saying that it is complements from you. Don't say that I gave it. Tell them not to play around with me.
AJR: Meanwhile I told Rukman that this is a dispute. They have to get back to work. In three days we can speak to them. Rukman wants to know something. If they go back to work, and it is proved that they have not got the demands, will you give them?
RP: Of course, yes. I will see that justice is done.
AJR: That's right.
RP: Give that cassette and say that your foreign minister has been misinformed. Tell him that is all wrong and that after we won the elections earlier arrangements are not valid. You know my argument.
AJR: Yes.
AJR: I tried until 1.30 last night and failed. They are lying. The university fellows are tough. The JVP fellows also are strong. I also was tough. I said if they go back to work the President is ready to inquire into the matter in two days and do the needful. They asked me whether the demands will be given. I said, yes, if it is proved, it will be given. Then we went on till 11.30 and they said they will not go back to work, but to start talks. I said that can't be done.
RP: You see now Anura Daniel has also been killed.
AJR: I really felt sorry about that.
AJR: They know that their orders are more powerful than ours.
SA: The people will not want to get killed.
AJR: All are afraid of the gun.
SA: They are all afraid and they do not know where the gun is.
AJR: You are correct.
SA: It is impossible for us to find out either.
AJR: You do not find out anything today. I just went outside and peeped, you don't find anything. Almost deserted.
SA: I will find out.
RP: They don't know. They think I am like JR. They think I will get into a cave.
AJR: Anura, Dinesh are finished. Traditional trade unionists are also over.
RP: If they are united, everything is okay. As they did not come I understood this and went to the other side.
AJR: That has been done well.
RP: They will be in trouble now. If they dance too much, we should say that the UNP Government will become a JVP Government.
AJR: That's right. Guruge wanted to know about the summary.
RP: In the summary, use the JVP statement without any damage to us. Highlight the call for the withdrawal of the Indian troops.
AJR: He also wants to know whether we should repeat it after the news bulletin.
RP: Okay. (Than ithin udin giyath ekai, yatin giyath ekai) This is the time those fellows should have supported us. They will learn a lesson.
AJR: Dinesh is asking why we didn't call him. I said no use of speaking. If he wants, he could write a letter.
RP: He wants us to speak. But the Satan Peramuna is coming and speaking to us. Tell him that we are the government and it is their duty to cooperate, to protect democracy, but what has happened is that those fellows, (Satan Peramuna] have come and spoken to us. We never went behind them.
AJR: Sir, you won't believe that I have been having Bodhi poojas day and night to make this a success.. Now sir, everything is okay. Now at least the number of people dying will be reduced by 10-15 and you will get the merit. Now the busses are operating, sir, I will see you at Galoya. tomorrow.
RP: Okay, see you.
AJR: Ranasinghe calling. We had a few problems yesterday. But managed to solve them.
RP: Don't worry, you continue.
AJR: Ranjan has told the Rupavahini Chairman and DG not to carry any JVP statement .
RP: Ranjan can't understand.
AJR: I told Ranjan that it was President's orders. He said that he is going to close it down or bring people from abroad and run the station. I said I know everything about it and it was President's orders. I spoke to him nicely, because he is a good man, otherwise I would have spoken the other way. I got it published in the papers as well.
RP: That should be published.
AJR: This fellow is acting like a fool.
RP: Who?
AJR: Ranjan.
RP: He is a fool. We should carry that news. It's only then the Indians will understand.
AJR: Sir, Ranil and the crowd are spoiling this.
RP: Don't worry, I am running this. If we had not done this we would have been finished.
AJR: I know more. I will tell you later.
RP: OK.
RP: Hello.
AJR: There is a new development. Posters have come up in Vavuniya station that Sri Lankan army and police must quit that area before July 15. On July 29, they will declare a State of Eelam.
RP: Who is saying so?
AJR: Gamini Iriyagolla told me that this news had come. They say there will be fighting between Sri Lankan army and Tamils.
RP: Don't worry, let that happen. Tonight you should remember to carry the news about the death of Anura Daniel. From the Gam Udawa, show the crowds. Don't show entertainment, show the crowds.
AJR: Your speech is being telecast at 7.15.
RP: That speech to representatives of local government institutions. I have raised the question whether it is the government or the saboteurs who are responsible for the rising cost of living.
AJR: That's going at 7.15 for 45 minutes.
RP: Okay, okay.
SDB:: How was your discussion last night?
AJR: That went on till 11.30 p.m. I explained everything to them. Their main demands are the Rs. 180 and Rs. 45 . The Minister says the demands have been met. They say no. The President says it is a dispute. He told them to get back to work on protest, for three days, and that he would talk about their demands. He said he will come from Mahiyangana personally and ...
(More to follow)
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