The Political Column

18th October 1998

Tycoons tell major parties to unite

By our Political Correspondent

In an unprecedented move Sri Lan ka's top business leaders and trade chambers have jointly appealed to the government and the opposition to rise above party politics in coming up with a viable solution to end the ethnic crisis.

They also appealed for a national economic policy formulated above party lines to boost the country's economy.

The signatories to the statement - Ken Balendra, Armyne Wirasingha, Nimal Samarakkody, Patrick Amarasinghe, Nigel Austin, Lyn Fernando and Lalith Kotelawala - have spelt out a ten point formula for a better Sri Lanka.

They are:

1. The effective resolution of the North-East conflict.

2. Ensuring that there is no discrimination. Ensuring equality for all Sri Lankan citizens irrespective of race, gender, political affiliations, religion etc.

3. Ensure personal security and peace for all Sri Lankans.

4. Introduce the use of English as a link language and legislate for English to be also an official language.

5. Ensure the power and independence of the Public Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service.

6. Ensure that white/green papers are published prior to legislation for open public debate on all important national issues.

7. Agree to a set of common policy criteria which would remain unchanged for a minimum term of 15 years unless otherwise agreed to by both the government and the Opposition, thus ensuring the continuity of policy with regard to the following:

(a) Agriculture (b) Industry (c) Trade and Commerce.

8. To introduce reforms in Labour Laws and practices to conform to current business needs.

Specific areas requiring urgent attention are:

(a) Labour market flexibility. (b) Reduction in the number of holidays (c) Equality of rights and obligations of both employers and employees, and (d) Linking remuneration to productivity.

9. To support and implement the adoption of required educational reforms.

10. Formulate and implement national economic plans in consultation with the Chambers of Commerce and industry, employers' organisations and trade associations.

It is likely that the business leaders would meet President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe separately for a dialogue on the current socio-economic and political situation.

They feel that Sri Lanka had not yet achieved the desired level of sustained economic progress though twenty years had gone by after the introduction of the open economy.

The next move of the business community will be to bring both President Kumaratunga and Mr. Wickremesinghe together in a bipartisan move to work out a just solution to the crisis.

But whether the two leaders would agree to come on a common platform is another matter.

In contrast, the two leaders appear to be getting ready for a protracted political battle to win the next Presidential election likely to be held early next year.

Matters relating to the current situation were discussed at length at the UNP's Working Committee meeting on Wednesday.

At the outset, UNP leader Wickremesinghe confirmed the appointment of Badulla district Parliamentarian W.J.M. Lokubandara as the Chief Opposition Whip

The post had fallen vacant following the suspension of veteran Wijeyapala Mendis.

Mr. Wickremesinghe also made another appointment intended to maintain party discipline.

Tyronne Fernando was appointed for this purpose as party whip but the Parliamentary group will have to confirm it.

Nanda Mathew and Dharmadasa Banda were made Parliamentary co-ordinators and Deputy Whips working under Mr. Lokubandara.

A.H.M. Azwer was appointed as the Floor Manager in Parliament.

Addressing the committee, Mr. Wickremesinghe called upon the government to keep party politics out of military strategy.

Dr. Stanley Kalpage proposed that the party should show appreciation of the contribution made by the security forces in this situation while condemning the terrorist acts of the LTTE. Endorsing this, Mr. Wickremesinghe said he was strongly against terrorism while he deeply appreciated the bravery of the people. Mr. Wickremesinghe giving statistics said the number of troops killed during the four years of the PA regime was as high as 11,000 while only 4000 had been killed during the 17 years of the UNP regime. He charged that incompetence and inefficiency were seen in many areas of government and it seemed to be unable to even safely transport military equipment.

He was referring to the Lanka Muditha incident where an armoured car plunged off the ship into choppy seas off the Northern coast.

Mr. Wickremesinghe charged that most of the military operations launched under the political leadership of the PA had been disastrous to the country since war plans had not been properly executed.

He called upon the government to refrain from waging the war in the North to suit its political agenda.

Instead, he said planning and its execution should be handled by professionals and not by politicians.

The UNP leader also proposed that a full statement be issued by the party setting out details of the war, showing political agenda of the government.

Ronnie de Mel proposed that this statement be circulated throughout the country. Mr. Wickremesinghe also proposed a campaign against the current military censorship. He described the censorship as a senseless move intended to suppress the free media and the people's freedom of expression. Not only the UNP, the Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka also is appealing against the military censorship.

The editors feel that the ban on war news has not served any purpose and is discriminatory. While the newspapers have been asked to strictly adhere to Emergency Regulations on censorship, the SLBC continues to transmit BBC's Sandesaya Programme which gives uncensored figures and details of the war.

The editors while welcoming the SLBC's move said they were disturbed about the government's attitude towards other media organisations.

At this meeting the editors also noted that the UNP would bring a motion in Parliament soon to lift the censorship and enhance media freedom which is an essential ingredient for a vibrant democracy.

Meanwhile, the UNP is moving at the grassroots level to prepare for a snap Presidential election.

In this regard, one of the biggest ever seminars will be held in Kurunegala with some 5000 members being invited.

Mr. Wickremesinghe told the Working Committee the Kurunegala Convention would be the possible launching pad for the Presidential election.

Referring to the Los Angeles fund-raising programme, Mr. Wickremesinghe said the band and the performers at the controversial dinner dance had performed at the last Democratic Convention too.

"See what happened. Bill Clinton won the election convincingly," Mr. Wickremesinghe quipped amidst laughter from the members.

He disclosed he would be going to Paris and other European capitals to continue the fund-raising campaign - with party officials saying they want to raise upto Rs. 400 million for the election campaign.

While the Working Committee heard a lot about the Los Angeles ball nobody asked how the government-controlled Daily News got exclusive cheese-cake pictures.

It is rumoured that Presidential media advisor Sanath Gunatilake who accompanied Ms. Kumaratunga to New York had gone to Los Angeles to organise the pictures.

Some of the guests at the ball when the cabaret took place had apparently warned Anura Bandaranaike of a plan to take embarrassing pictures.

Ignoring the warnings, Mr. Bandaranaike had joined the others on the floor.

When the negatives were first received by Lake House, Mr. Bandaranaike's picture too was among them, but once pictures came back from Temple Trees the one with Mr. Bandaranaike among the other dancers was missing perhaps censored.

Some Lake House authorities believe that Mr. Bandaranaike's picture was held back apparently on the orders of President Kumaratunga.

Lake House attack on the UNP is apparently in full scale, while a new offensive is yet to come and is being mapped out by Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

It will include a fifth column to create rifts and dissension among UNP members, including MPs. Insiders say Mr. Samaraweera wants to throw everything in the armoury to create trouble if not havoc within the UNP. One such story in the armoury is the upcoming marriage of Navin Dissanayake, son of Gamini Dissanayake, to the daughter of Colombo Mayor and UNP Chairman Karu Jayasuriya. Government media might use this to drive a wedge between Mr. Wickremesinghe and Mr. Jayasuriya since the former has apparently not forgotten how Gamini Dissanayake ousted him from the leadership after the 1994 General election.

PA leaders are also obviously using the Premadasas to create more troubles in the UNP. These come amidst growing moves for former General Secretary Sirisena Cooray - backed by the Premadasas - to come forward as a Presidential candidate.

Not to be outdone, the UNP is reported to be planning a counter-offensive against Mr. Samaraweera who has emerged as the chief lieutenant and campaign chief for President Kumaratunga.

Working Committee member Velayuthan accused PA politicians in Ratnapura of instigating anti-social elements to attack Tamils of Indian origin after a minor incident in the area recently.

He said he could name the PA politicos involved.

Mr. Velayuthan said more than 600 families had been displaced after the violence and the PA was now trying to compensate them after having done the damage. The party decided to appoint a committee to look into the matter and help the victims while an official appeal will be made to the police chief to act firmly and fairly in this matter.

As the Working Committee meeting was ending former Uva Chief Minister Percy Samaraweera raised the question about Lake House reports that a committee would be appointed to probe who was responsible for the supply of arms to the LTTE during the Premadasa era.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said that he knew nothing about such deeds.

Mr. Samaraweera said he knew something about it and asked whether he could discuss the matter privately with Mr. Wickremesinghe.

But Mr. Samaraweera was told to make a statement to the Working Committee, on the matter and he did so.

Mr. Samaraweera said this deal between the government and the LTTE was worked out by the then President Premadasa to save the country from division.

The Daily News on Friday October 9 reported that the back benchers in the government group had written to the President requesting her to appoint a commission to probe allegations that UNP leaders during the regime of President Premadasa funded and supplied weapons to the LTTE.

At a seminar in Kalutara later, Mr. Wickremesinghe outlined a UNP vision to make Colombo the financial hub of South Asia and the best trans-shipment location in the region. For this a modern road network would be built connecting Kandy-Colombo, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Puttalam. On political issues Mr. Wickremesinghe referred to an interview given by Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, where he had admitted the need to have talks with the LTTE.

He said there was nothing wrong in the approach when he advocated unconditional talks with the Tigers.

It is rumoured that Minister Kadirgamar had talks with people connected to the LTTE during his recent visit to the US. It is reported that a Dr. Anura Rajapakse was involved in the exercise along with another influential personality.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga too had met this Dr. Rajapakse during her stay in New York.

In another significant move Attorney General Sarath N. Silva met the Supreme Sangha Council at the Nalandaramaya in Nugegoda on behalf of the President.

The meeting was arranged by former State Counsel, Kalinga Indratissa, a close associate of DUNF leader Lalith Athulathmudali.

A number of Chief Priests including Ven. Maduluwave Sobitha Thera, Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera and Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera and Ven. Tunniyawala Upali Thera were present at the meeting.

Mr. Indratissa has been retained by Ven. Tunniyawala Upali Thera for a case and that was how the whole idea for the meeting came up. The monks expressed their displeasure over the dissolution of the Supreme Sangha Council.

When the Attorney General said that the security forces needed the blessings of the Maha Sangha, Ven. Wimalaratana said that they are not in a position to do so since they do not endorse war.

But the AG said what he meant was that the soldiers who have dedicated their lives to save the motherland need the blessings of the Maha Sangha to which the Maha Sangha remained silent.

However they specifically told AG that they would not support the political package which they felt envisages, and encourages secession. Ven. Sobitha said that they condemned any form of terrorism since it destroyed human life and resources.

He lamented the President was referring to many clergymen by their first names.

The AG, however, defended the President saying she was a Buddhist leader and respected the Sangha.

He said he would tell the President about the Maha Sangha's view on the package and other matters.

At the weekly Cabinet meeting President Kumaratunga rapped her most trusted lieutenant, Minister Mangala Samaraweera for reading newspapers during the meeting.

"This is not the place to read and analyse newspaper reports", she told him.

"No Madam, SB brought them here", he replied. An annoyed Minister M.H.M. Ashraff apparently wanting to discuss serious Cabinet business said:

"You are behaving like school children".

At the inception of the Cabinet meeting the President told the ministers that she spent sleepless nights these days because of the Budget in November. She told them she was tired since she went to bed past 2 a.m.

The President also told the ministers that she was getting involved in defence matters too and personally supervising what was going on.

On Monday the President made a surprise visit to the Army's 21st Division in Anuradhapura.

The officers there did not know of the President's visit but they were told to get ready for a meeting with the Army Commander Rohan Daluwatte.

During the meeting the President invited the officers to speak about their problems and they did so quite frankly.

The meeting was attended by all senior Armed Forces officials operating in the North and later they all enjoyed a meal with the President.

One Military Officer told this column it was refreshing to have a heart-to-heart talk with their Commander-in-Chief and most of the officers were pleased with the meeting. The President told the officers she would like to visit the battlefront but her security division had advised against it.

She asked, "can you all take me there".

The President has cancelled another engagement at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium to visit the Army's 21st Division.

Last Saturday evening the President attended a ceremony to award medals to soldiers for their gallantry.

Though it was mentioned in the agenda that certain awards and medals would be given away by the Deputy Defence Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte and Defence Secretary Chandrananda de Silva, at this ceremony, the President gave all the awards.

This was partly because Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike telephoned her and advised the daughter that it was the job of the Commander-in-Chief to award these medals to the soldiers personally.

Ms. Bandaranaike however did not attend the ceremony possibly due to differences with Gen. Ratwatte.

Situation Report

Editorial/Opinion Contents