Government Thwarts Potential ‘Easter Sunday’-Style Attack
AKD’s ‘Buddy’ Service Under Scrutiny
Retired Presidents Determined to Defend Privileges
Temple Coup Allegedly Targets AKD
Mossad Allegedly Outpaces RAW in Involvement
Tourism Expected to Flourish with Chinese Market Boost
A political bomb
One month has passed since Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office as the 9th President of Sri Lanka. During this period, the country remained calm; however, on Wednesday, the tranquillity was abruptly interrupted by a travel advisory issued by the United States. This advisory warned of a potential terrorist threat in the Arugam Bay area of Sri Lanka. Shortly after, other nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Russia, released similar advisories, urging their citizens to avoid the area.
These advisories coincided with a statement by former Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila, alleging that President Dissanayake and former President Ranil Wickramasinghe were withholding two volumes of the Easter Sunday attack commission report. The timing of the travel warnings, released within 24 hours of Gammanpila’s statement, has drawn attention due to the perceived connection between the two incidents. The rapid succession of these events has raised suspicions about a possible link between the handling of the Easter Sunday report and the new travel warnings concerning Arugam Bay.
Allegation on Ravi and Shani
Through the two confidential reports made public by Gammanpila, he emphasized that the Easter attack happened due to the negligence of the CID and other concerned security officers despite all the information about such an attack being reported by the international intelligence services. On the same day, the government and the Cardinal denied this accusation made by Gammanpila and emphasized that the two related reports were completely unacceptable and had been prepared by certain people with personal interests. They further pointed out that these reports have been politically prepared to deliberately embarrass officials like Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekera who work closely with the current government.
However, one thing is clear about this chain of events. It means that certain parties, including the cardinals, have been aware of the related reports even before its release. Also, it was clearly seen through this incident that after assuming the office of the President, the heads of the compass including Anura have also seen these reports.
What is the story behind the Arugambe bomb that exploded in the middle of the political bomb that exploded based on Easter reports?
The government’s target
Many people saw that the travel advisory issued by the US government targeting its citizens last Wednesday was the first instance of this. The announcement said to avoid visiting the Arugambe area, which has attracted the attention of foreign tourists, and that there is a great risk of an attack in that area. It is needless to say that the tourist warning notice issued by major countries including the United States is a strong attack on Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, especially since this is the tourist season. In particular, the government was preparing to bring a huge number of tourists to Sri Lanka in the coming tourism season and to set a record in the tourism industry in 2025. After becoming the President, Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized this in his first political rally in Tangalle. He said that if no other problems arise, all plans have been made to make 2025 the year with the highest number of tourists in the history of Sri Lanka.
Revealed last week
Regarding this tourism plan of the government, last week we made a special disclosure through the ‘Inside Politics’ column. There we pointed out that according to the President’s request, China has agreed to send a group of 60 lakh tourists to Sri Lanka during the upcoming tourist season, and as the first phase, China plans to send a group of 30 lakh Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka during the upcoming tourist season. The disclosure we made on October 6th is as follows.
Secret China Trip
In the last two years, Anura has been on many trips abroad, but in December last year, he had taken steps to make a very secret trip to China, which no one knew about. Although photographs of Anura’s other trips were published in the media, no information about his visit to China was published in the media. The necessary facilities for this journey were provided by a certain powerful woman of the Chinese central government. She is Sun Haiyan, the Deputy Minister of the International Affairs Department of the Communist Party of China and a member of the Central Committee of that Party.
In that discussion, Anura asked the Chinese authorities what kind of help they could provide from China if they took over the government and without a crisis if his party took power in Sri Lanka. Haiyan, who visited Sri Lanka after this discussion, came to the JVP office in Pelawatte and had a special discussion with Anura. She also took steps to meet the then President Ranil and the opposition leader Sajith during that visit.
However, during the discussion with Anura, Haiyan responded to Anura’s request in China and handed over a file with several special proposals to Anura. There was a proposal that included support for a JVP regime from China. At the forefront of it was that China could help Sri Lanka in a way that no other country in the world can do for the promotion of the tourism industry. There, she said that within 2 years, one million tourists from China could be sent to Sri Lanka. She mentioned that although this can be done at once, the existing infrastructure in Sri Lanka is not sufficient, but the number of Chinese tourists can be gradually increased to one million. Anura ran for the presidential election with this trump card in mind.
Accordingly, immediately after Anura was sworn in as the President, Anura had arranged to discuss this matter with the Chinese authorities. There, China has informed that as an immediate support to Sri Lanka, it will send a group of 30 lakh Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka during the tourist season starting this December. It is also known that China has agreed to increase it to 60 lakh when the next tourist season starts. Accordingly, many believe that this trump card given by China is a very strong one that cannot be underestimated at all.
‘Mossad’ gave the tip
All of a sudden, announcements were issued from around the world to be careful while visiting Sri Lanka and that there is a risk of an attack.
However, as soon as the information of an attack like this was reported, we also took steps to investigate the story behind it. When America revealed the information about such an attack for the first time, many people thought that the United States had found the related intelligence information. Others said that India’s ‘RAW intelligence service had provided information regarding the name, date, and timing of the last Easter attack and that the RAW intelligence service had also provided information regarding the Arugambe attack. Others thought that Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies had found relevant information. However, the information we found confirmed that none of them had disclosed the information about this attack. The information was first disclosed and informed to Sri Lanka by Israel’s intelligence service ‘Mossad’.
Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad, was entrusted with a great deal of responsibility when fierce conflicts emerged in the Middle East. The Mossad is the number one spy network in the world. The Mossad intelligence service provided intelligence to Israel precisely to kill the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah when the war and conflicts in the Middle East were heating up. Also, during Israel’s attacks on Lebanese targets, one of the special intelligence uncovered by the Mossad organization was that the Hezbollah organization had a plan to launch a series of attacks targeting Israelis living outside of Israel in response to these attacks. In addition, the Mossad intelligence service had also revealed that there is a plan to launch attacks targeting Europeans, including the US, who support Israel in the Middle East war.
There, they had identified Sri Lanka as a country where such attacks could be carried out very easily, and they had discovered that such attacks could be carried out in several areas including Arugambay, Ella, and Weligama where Israeli tourists hang out in large numbers. Accordingly, the Mossad took action to inform the FBI, the American intelligence service, about the danger of such an attack three weeks ago. This FBI informed Sri Lanka of the relevant intelligence information.
Security for 7 places
It was confirmed that the intelligence information was received in this way during the special press conferences held by the Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya and the Cabinet Media Spokesman Mr Vijitha Herath on Thursday. There they said that immediately after receiving this information, the Security Council met twice and discussed the matter, and the necessary further actions were taken. Accordingly, both of them revealed to the media that security was tightened in Arugambe, Ella and Weligama areas and searches of persons and properties were started using emergency roadblocks.
After strengthening the security in Arugambe in this way, information received by the intelligence agencies said that not only Arugambe, but 7 other places where Israelis gather have been targeted by the attackers and that the necessary responses should be given immediately. Accordingly, the government discussed with the security forces and took steps to apply special security to those seven places. All those 7 places are places where Israelis gather in large numbers to perform religious ceremonies and eat and drink.
Type of attacks
The intelligence information that came after that said the type of attacks that would be carried out. It was said that there is a possibility that the person launching this attack is not from Sri Lanka. The intelligence information further emphasized that especially Hamas and Hezbollah organizations have suicide bombers, and as a symbol, they can come to Sri Lanka and use Sri Lankan people to facilitate the attack. Accordingly, the security forces had taken steps to arrest three persons who were suspected to have supported such an attack during the special searches.
However, after receiving this intelligence information three weeks ago, although the government had taken prompt action, it can be seen through this incident that the international community was somewhat hesitant about it. This is confirmed by the American government issuing a warning notice to its tourists. If America was satisfied with the measures taken by the government, there is no need for them to issue such a travel warning announcement. When the US realized that they could no longer take risks with their citizens, they issued a travel warning. As a result, Sri Lanka once again became the main topic internationally.
Israel responds
The most serious incident was witnessed after this, with the warning announcement issued by the Israeli government. Generally, when international countries issue notices to their tourists, follow four steps 1, 2, 3 and 4. When travel advisories are issued under steps 1, 2, 3, it means that there is danger but not high risk. But if a 4th stage travel notice is issued, it is issued when a serious risk has arisen. Accordingly, Israel has taken steps to issue a 4th-level critical travel advisory for Sri Lanka. It said that all Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka should leave the country immediately, and if they are far away, they should leave immediately and come to Colombo. Also, the Israeli government emphasized that no Israeli national can stay in Sri Lanka except for the needs of the Israeli government. Many people thought that a country like Israel, which has the world’s number one secret intelligence organization like Mossad, is issuing such a 4th stage travel notice is a very serious situation.
Nearly 50 Israeli nationals were staying in Arugambay when this risk announcement was issued from the Israeli government. The industry is of the opinion that this number increases to 1500 during the tourist season. However, with the notification from their country, twenty Israeli tourists took steps to leave Sri Lanka on the same day. Another group immediately arranged to come to Colombo.
Needless to say, this is a very bad situation from the government’s point of view. Because when the President is trying to put more weight on the tourism sector next year, the release of this kind of tourism announcement and the occurrence of events is a big obstacle towards reaching that goal. On the other hand, looking at this chain of events, it is special to see the same sequence of events as the Easter attack. In the Easter attack as well as in the Arugambe incident, intelligence information was received from foreign countries.
Due to the immediate action of the government in the Arugambe incident, the incident was foiled and three suspects were arrested. But during the Easter attack, even though the Indian intelligence agencies provided information with names and dates, due to negligence on the part of some party, the road was paved for mass destruction. As in the Arugambe incident, it is clear from the Arugambe incident that the Easter attack could have been prevented if the government of that time had immediately strengthened security and taken necessary measures. Accordingly, the masterminds of the Easter attack should be searched and decisions should be made regarding those responsible for such serious lapses in history.
Vijitha’s reply
However, a great controversy has arisen regarding a statement made by Minister Vijitha Herath during the press conference held in this regard. When questioned by a journalist that the media had reported that India’s RAW Intelligence Service had first tipped off about an attack, Vijitha said that it was false and that such information had not been given by India’s RAW Intelligence Service. Many people are saying that it would have been better if Vijitha had not declared that he had not received intelligence information from India. This is because the Indian intelligence agencies had given specific information regarding the Easter attack.
Economic crisis
In this way, the next crisis that the government has to face is the economic crisis, in the background where some problematic situation has arisen in the country based on the security situation of the country. Even now, a group including Central Bank Governor Mr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena have gone to Washington, USA and are negotiating with the International Monetary Fund regarding getting the third instalment of the loan.
The instalment was supposed to be received at the end of this year, but due to the postponement of the related review until next year, the receipt of the instalment has also been delayed until next year. Although the government was initially ready to present the budget in December, under this background, the government has decided to pass an interim standard account in December and present the budget for the year 2025 in the first quarter of next year. It is said that the government hopes to present the budget after receiving the next instalment of the financial fund.
In addition to this, the government has decided to present the list of priorities related to the government’s upcoming program to the financial fund. For example, if the government increases the salaries of public servants, how to find the related money, if the fertilizer subsidy continues, how to get the necessary money, the government is going to submit a plan to the financial fund. Accordingly, the government is currently facing a difficult situation. In addition to fulfilling the promises made to the people and achieving them within the IMF framework.
Anura’s game plan
Our information says that the main goal of the government’s economic experts, including the President, is to put an end to the alleged corruption in the Customs, Inland Revenue Department and Excise Department and to raise the revenue through it. For that purpose, the government plans to fully digitize the system of these three main institutions. Through this, the government has aimed to get the highest amount of income from these three institutions next year.
In addition to this, the government plans to digitize the provision of fertilizer, ‘aswasuma’ etc. within the relief program of the government and reduce the waste and expenses in those programs. Last week, we revealed a matter related to this through the ‘Inside Politics’ column and the President and the U.S.Aid’s head Samantha Powar’s discussion. We said that it was informed to give them the priority list of the government. Accordingly, the government is now ready to request to provide the necessary support for the digitization of public service centres. In addition, it is said that the government is focusing on submitting this proposal to the World Bank.
Anura with buddies?
Social media contributed greatly to the victory of Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the President of Malima in the last presidential election. Six or seven months before the presidential election, these social media handlers not only raised Anura’s image in a very organized manner but also destroyed the image of Mr. Sajith Premadasa, who was Anura’s main opponent. Sajith was ridiculed. Through this, when the presidential election was approaching, they even published false news to bring down Sajith and to raise Anura. But there was no regulation of those social media campaigns. Whether true or false, the people accepted all the facts. They were distributed more and more on social media.
Now even the President has to face the consequences of the use of these social media. Accordingly, it is possible to see some attacks targeting the President from various parties at present.
This incident arose after the announcement of a certain decision taken in this cabinet meeting.
Commonwealth Heads of State Conference – Proceedings
The Commonwealth Heads of State Summit is scheduled to be held from 24 to 26 October 2024 in Apia, Samoa under the theme ‘A future that can meet challenges: a meaningful Commonwealth’. For that purpose, it was decided to approve the officials of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to represent Sri Lanka by a delegation consisting of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sri Lankan High Commission in London.’
Nadika’s wife has been sent
Accordingly, in a post that circulated widely on social media last week, it was said that the President has also arranged to send his friends to the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit. For example, it was mentioned that Nadika Guruge’s wife, who sang on the stage of the compass, was sent to the Commonwealth forum for 40 lakhs. It was also said that political affiliations were given place when there were senior officials who could be sent at a low cost.
During an investigation in this regard, we came to know that Nadika Guruge’s wife is working at the British High Commission. It was also reported that she worked there based on her qualifications. But Samoa is far away from Britain. If necessary, the government could have an officer from a nearby country participate and reduce costs. Therefore, many people who helped Malimawa in the past took steps to question this situation through social media. Thus, we are only reporting the interrogations that were done on social media.
However, the information we have says that the president has not yet been informed about this incident. Also, apart from minor accusations, no serious accusations have been made in the appointments made by the President. Therefore, even minor incidents like this can be seen being questioned on social media. But still there is no explanation from the government regarding this nomination.
Attempts to drag Anura to a political Temple
Apart from this, this time we are ready to make another special disclosure. It is about the latest operation being carried out these days in a major political temple in Colombo. We mentioned about this temple on several occasions in this column and said that since then it has been known as a temple that is involved in politics, especially a temple that has constantly stood up for the needs of Ranil and Mahinda. The main contribution here is a character that comes from a political family known to the whole country. Also, recently the Ranil-Mahinda matchmaking took place and the UNP-Sajaba collection matchmaking talks took place in this temple. Since then, it has been the custom of this temple to maintain a close relationship with the state leadership, regardless of who is the head of state for various benefits, blessings and privileges.
According to this, this ‘viharaya’, which works closely with Ranil and Mahinda, has taken steps to invite the current President Anurat to visit this temple through several parties for the past two or three weeks. After becoming president, Anura visited famous places like Dalada Maligawa, Srimaha Bodhi, Katuwapitiya Church, but still did not visit this temple in Colombo. Accordingly, the operation is now launched to somehow to bring the president to this temple, take photos and videos and publish them in the media to show the country to the world that the strength of the current president is also in this temple.
Mahinda willing
A public promise made by the current president during the last presidential election was that he would immediately remove the privileges given to former presidents and first ladies. Even if the President does not immediately remove them, the President has done a review of the privileges given to the former presidents. Accordingly, this committee had in the last few days secretly talked to all the former presidents and talked to certain officials to review these privileges. A notification was also given to hand over the official vehicles which have been obtained under privileges beyond the limit to the government. Accordingly, last week a special team met former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and issued a notice to return the extra vehicles given to him. Accordingly, Mahinda had arranged to re-deliver 3 official vehicles.
Hema willing
In this way, Chandrika, Maitri and Ranil also met and took steps to inform about this fact. Also, the former presidents and first ladies had been informed about it through letters. The first letter was received by former first lady Hema Premadasa. Responding immediately, Mrs Hema Premadasa said that she would agree to any decision taken by the committee and that she would be informed of the decision.
Although Mrs. Hema Premadasa responded in this way, the other former presidents did not. Chandrika, Mahinda, Maithri, Gota and Ranil are the current former presidents. Although there is no information about Gota, it can be seen that others have decided to fight against it for their privileges. Especially for that purpose, an alliance has been formed between several former presidents.
On rent
From the information we have here, it is said that one former presidential figure has submitted a proposal to rent his super official house to the government for a very low amount. Thus, the ex-president has quoted a very low amount like 3 lakh rupees as rent. This character is a character who inherits a huge property from generation to generation. Although we have not mentioned the name of the character due to ethical reasons, according to the market value, it is possible to give the super official house where the former president lives for a monthly rent of around 25 lakh rupees. It is also reported that this character has tried to negotiate with the President during the past few days. However, we still have no information about whether the discussion was successful or not.
In addition to this, another former president is also reported to have exchanged views with a powerful presidential lawyer regarding these privileges. Accordingly, within the next few days, it is known that the former president is ready to play a big game in legal terms to protect their privileges.
Mahinda’s free ride
Amidst all this, special news regarding former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was also reported in this column. It was an incident that happened while traveling on the Mahinda Expressway.
After the construction of the Southern Expressway during his presidency, Mahinda travelled there for free as a privilege. But after losing the 2015 presidential election, once Mahinda travelled on the expressway, a toll collector there gave him a notice to pay money. What Mahinda did at that moment was to call the then Minister of Highways Kabir Hashim and inform him about it. Accordingly, Kabir immediately spoke to the officials of the Ministry of Highways and the Road Development Authority and provided former President Mahinda with the opportunity to continue travelling on the highway for free.
But when Mahinda was coming out of the highway again last week, his car was stopped and they demanded money. According to the news we have, Mahinda said, ‘Aise, I made these. “How can you take money from me?” he said angrily. One of the information we have said is that Mahinda left the place in anger without paying the money. Another source said that the cashier had collected money from Mahinda. That’s why we reported this story in the column among the stories about the privileges of the presidents.
Sajith is ready
Last week, former opposition leader Mr Sajith Premadasa took steps to make a special announcement. After the presidential election, when a decisive battle between Malimawa and SJB was looming after the general election, Sajith said that he is ready to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund to provide relief to the people of the country at this moment when the country is immersed in an economic crisis. They made them agree to reduce taxes and provide relief to the people. Sajith emphasized that even if he and his party go to the opposition, he and the party are ready to work for the people from the opposition. Sajith pointed out that no matter who is in the presidency; it is not a problem for him.
Many people in the political field think that this statement of the opposition leader is a big hint regarding the next parliament. Many people are of the opinion that Sajith’s statement from the opposition has given hints that SJB is ready to support the country-building program if it can form an SJB government together with other parties. It is still not clear whether the government formed in this way is a consensus government, or if not, a consensus parliament.
Ranil pulled by the leg
When Sajith was ready to support a common program to recover the country after the general election, former President Ranil Wickramasinghe, who always conspires and always drags the country down, did the same thing with the new government. He is saying that he allocated money to increase the salaries of public servants, and if the current government does not take steps to increase the salaries of public servants, then they should tell the country what happened to the allocated money. Ranil made this statement to incite the trade unions and embarrass the government.
Ranil’s political history is as follows. Ranil always played a game behind the scenes to topple the ruling government. No matter what harm or crime happened to the country, Ranil did not care. Ranil knows very well that if the country falls economically, he can come to power without a vote. After the 2022 struggle, Ranil, who was at home without even being able to enter the parliament, came to the parliament through the back door and got the presidency in that way. Also, in 2001, Ranil gained government power due to an LTTE attack on the Katunayake airport creating a negative economy. Ranil got the post of Prime Minister in 2015 saying that the economy has collapsed and the Rajapaksa’s are stealing.
Anura replied
Ranil’s game of two tricks to bring down the government was once revealed to the world by the Wikileaks website. It was revealed that when Ranil met Mr. Yasushi Akashi, the Japanese special ambassador who was appointed to look into Sri Lanka at that time, Ranil had requested him not to aid Sri Lanka. But Mr. Akashi expressed his opinion against it and said that the people of the country would be in a lot of trouble if that happened. Akashi had said that if such a thing is done when the country is in a war, the country may be destroyed.
However, the President took steps to respond to Ranil’s statement the very next day. There, the President said not to engage in such low-level politics. The President said that Ranil has not allocated any money to increase the salaries of public servants and said that he will work to increase the salaries of public servants under a government of the National People’s Power through the coming budget. Anura said now you have lost, Ranil should go home and take care of some work there.
Ranjan writes to Anura
Former Member of Parliament Mr. Ranjan Ramanayake is contesting this year’s general election through the ‘Voice of the People’ party. Last week, we made a special revelation through this column that this party belongs to Aliraja Subhaskaran, a well-known businessman of the Tamil diaspora. We further pointed out that Ranjan would have to face some legal problems if he is elected to the Parliament as he was deprived of the opportunity to contest the elections when the President pardoned him.
However, Ranjan knew this problem. Therefore, Ranjan sent a letter to President Anura Dissanayake on the 3rd and requested to reduce the period of suspension of civic rights so that he could contest an election. Although there is no information as to whether the President responded to it, we are publishing the letter sent by Ranjan to the President for the information of the people.
His Excellency the President,
The request is made to request to reduce the period of suspension of civil rights as per Article 34(2)(b) of the Constitution.
According to the decision dated 12th January 2021 related to case No. 1 Rimake 1/2018 examined according to the petition No. 04/2017 presented to the Supreme Court, I was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment with hard labour. But in August 2022, according to a presidential pardon granted by the then president, I was granted freedom, but my civil rights are still invalid.
Therefore, I submit this kind request to your Excellency to reduce the period of suspension of civic rights in accordance with Article No. 34(2)(b) of the constitution.
It has been more than two years since I was freed, and if the period of deprivation of my civil rights which is seven years can be reduced to two years, I will also have the opportunity to contest for the general election to be held on November 14, 2024.
I strongly believe that Your Excellency will give special consideration to my request to allow me to return to public service as per the recent discussions.
I greatly appreciate the special attention and support received from Your Excellency.’
However, last Friday, it was seen that this problem before Ranjan went before the court. This is due to the fact that a candidate running for the election has filed a fundamental rights petition before the Supreme Court challenging his candidacy for the parliamentary elections. Accordingly, now Ranjan will have to wait for the court’s decision to know whether he can contest the election.
