Karu’s “Sugar-Coated Poison” Strategy Exposed
Milco’s Opportunistic Shift to ‘Amul’ Mirrors JVP’s Tactics
Vehicle Permits Used as Bait: Deceptive Tactics Unveiled!
Mysterious Alliance Talks of Maitri with US Raise Questions
Cat’s Paw Unveiled in the Plot
Two weeks ago, a significant revelation surfaced in the ‘Inside Politics’ column indicating a clandestine effort to thwart this year’s presidential election by advocating for the abolishment of the executive presidency. This scheme, orchestrated at the behest of government factions, was anonymously disclosed through the ‘Inside Politics’ column, leveraging information from reliable sources privy to backstage deliberations. Given the track record of accuracy maintained by this column, it was apparent that this covert plan would soon see the light of day.
As predicted, within two weeks, former President Maithripala Sirisena confirmed the existence of this political conspiracy during a public address. He divulged that while the government intends to proceed with the presidential election, efforts to eliminate the executive presidential system have been delegated to Mr Karu Jayasuriya. Maithripala further declared that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party would support such a proposition if it materializes. This revelation echoes precisely what was hinted at two weeks prior, validating the foresight of the initial disclosure.
Politics stirs
Following Maithri’s disclosure, the abolition of the executive presidential system swiftly ignited heated debates within the political arena, prompting varied responses from different parties. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya’s leader, Mr Udaya Gammanpila, convened a special news conference, denouncing the proposal as a deceptive ploy. He characterized it as a sugar-coated poison and labelled it a political conspiracy. Gammanpila further alleged the orchestration of a substantial campaign utilizing non-governmental organizations and individuals to push forward this agenda.
Subsequently, Mr. Dallas Alahapperuma of the Freedom People’s Assembly also held a news conference, condemning the timing of the proposal, particularly as the presidential election loomed. Alahapperuma branded it as a political fraud, evoking memories of the country’s tumultuous past, notably referencing the bloodshed that ensued from the 1983 referendum. He asserted vehemently that the nation would not tolerate a recurrence of such chaos.
Karu calls Maddumabandara
Following our recent disclosure about the resurgence of discussions on abolishing the executive presidential system, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, President of the People’s Movement for Justice, made an unexpected phone call to Mr. Ranjith Maddumabandara, Secretary General of the Samagi Jana Balawegaye. Jayasuriya informed Maddumabandara of an upcoming conference organized by his organization to address the abolition of the executive presidential system and extended an official invitation to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to participate. However, even before this call, Sajith had received intelligence from various sources indicating preparations to introduce a resolution on the abolition of the executive presidential system through the People’s Campaign for a Just Society.
In anticipation of such a proposal, Sajith had already formulated potential responses. Similarly, during his conversation with Maddumabandara, Jayasuriya emphasized that the timing was opportune for abolishing the executive presidential system, advocating for collective action across party lines. However, Maddumabandara expressed reservations, stating that despite potential alignment with his party’s stance, pursuing such a course at the present juncture was impractical.
The United People’s Force maintains a stance in favour of abolishing the executive presidential system and has even submitted a proposal to Parliament to that effect. Nonetheless, they concur that the current timing, with only six months remaining until the presidential election, renders discussions on this matter unfeasible. Despite Maddumabandara’s objections, Jayasuriya reiterated his intention to proceed with the conference and extended the invitation once more, prompting Maddumabandara to promise further discussion within the party before providing a definitive response.
Go and protest
Following Maddumabandara’s prompt, Sajith was promptly informed of the invitation from Karu. While reiterating the Sajaba policy in favour of abolishing the executive presidential system, Sajith acknowledged that the current timing wasn’t conducive for such a move. Despite this, he accepted the invitation and advised Maddumabandara to attend the conference, emphasizing the need to publicly denounce any attempt to postpone the presidential election.
Simultaneously, a special meeting of the United Lawyers Force was convened last week, chaired by Sajith and attended by a significant number of lawyers, including President’s Counsel Mr. Upul Jayasuriya. During the gathering, Sajith engaged in discussions with Upul and the lawyers regarding the proposal to abolish the executive presidential system. While affirming his party’s stance on the matter, Sajith expressed reservations about supporting it at the present moment, branding it as a conspiratorial tactic aimed at delaying the presidential election.
Furthermore, Sajith addressed the group, highlighting the government’s alleged strategy of postponing the presidential election through various deceptive maneuvers and proxies. He vehemently asserted that such tactics would not be tolerated.
Rajitha in favour
The conference convened by Karu to discuss the abolition of the executive presidential system took place last week amidst widespread opposition to the proposal. In his opening address, Karu outlined the conference’s objectives and called for the collective support of all parties in favour of abolishing the executive presidency. However, in a surprising turn of events following Sajith’s guidance, Maddumabandara announced that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya did not endorse the proposal at this juncture. While acknowledging his party’s policy in favour of abolishing the executive presidency, Maddumabandara vehemently opposed bringing forth such proposals merely six months before the presidential election. He insisted that if abolition were to occur, it should be post-election, ensuring the electorate’s right to vote is secured.
Subsequently, Rajitha Senaratne, known for his political agility and affiliations, took the floor. Senaratne, who has maintained a flexible stance, notably expressing willingness to join the government under certain conditions, asserted that the timing was inappropriate for a presidential election. He pledged full support for abolishing the executive presidency, prompting smiles from many attendees, particularly notable was the reaction of G.L. Peiris.
Karu’s reply
After the meeting concluded, G.L. had a conversation with Karu regarding the proposal to abolish the executive presidential system with only six months remaining until the presidential election. G.L. characterized this timing as a conspiracy and emphasized the importance of avoiding international scrutiny by not succumbing to such tactics. To this, Karu responded with admiration, stating, “No, no… I also agree that this cannot be accomplished before the presidential election. I advocate for addressing this issue after the election concludes. My intention is solely to stimulate discussion and shape public opinion within the country.” This response was met with approval from the interlocutor.
An announcement from the media unit
A special press release was issued by the Presidential Media Unit last week when conferences were held under the chairmanship of Karu to abolish the executive presidential system. A statement issued by the Presidential Media Unit said that the presidential election would be held this year as scheduled, against the backdrop of protests from all parties against the abolition of the executive presidential system. It was also stated in the announcement that money has been allocated for that, and it was also stated that money will be allocated through the 2025 budget document for the general election to be held next year. This is what was mentioned in the short notice.
Press release
The President’s Office announces that the presidential election will be held within the stipulated time frame and that the general election will be held next year according to the current time frame.
The financial allocation required for that is to be provided by the 2025 budget.
The President’s Office further informs that the responsibility of conducting elections rests with the Election Commission, and the government will contact the Election Commission in necessary cases.
PMD
2024.02.13
In this way, although the Presidential Media Unit issued such an announcement on February 13, two weeks ago, the Presidential Media Unit had issued a slightly different press release. It stated that both the presidential election and the general election are to be held this year, and the government has allocated an amount of 10 billion rupees for that. It was stated in both these announcements that the Cabinet had approved it.
An amazing event
In the midst of all this, we are ready to reveal information about another surprising incident that happened last week through the ‘inside politics’ column. Although this time we disclosed this incident without names, it should be mentioned here that we are ready to disclose the names and villages of all the people involved in this incident in the future. This incident was caused by a leader of a political party representing the Tamil National Alliance. Also a Member of Parliament. Last week, when this MP went to meet a strongman in Parliament to fulfil some duties, this strongman told this party leader a surprising story. This strongman has mentioned that the government is ready to bring an urgent proposal to abolish the executive presidential system the day after tomorrow and to inform the party to consider it as a help and support it.
Even though this political party is also a party that opposes the executive presidential system, the leader of this political party was very surprised by this proposal that came from such a person who should be independent. Accordingly, this political leader immediately informed his party leader as well as fellow party leaders and other representatives of the opposition about the proposal presented by this parliamentary strongman. When this information was reported, they were also got a big surprised that a figure who should be independent had expressed his opinion by asking for the opposition’s support for a proposal that was going to be presented by the government.
Accordingly, the leaders of the opposition also spoke to various places to find out whether this story was true or not. There they also came to know that the story was true. Accordingly, it has been learned that the leaders of the opposition have taken steps to take this situation very seriously and have decided to discuss it with the other party leaders of the opposition in the future. Accordingly, we are unable to reveal who the people involved are, but we believe that their names will come out within the next few days.
Our prediction comes right
While the various conspiracies to abolish the office of the Executive President were being implemented in various places like this, the new alliance formed based on the opposition, which many were waiting for, had also reached its final stage by last week. Accordingly, on Tuesday (08), we posted a piece of special news on our website and said that a special political event was going to happen that night. Since we received this information through very reliable sources, we took steps to report the news on our website ‘Mawrata’ by giving some hints about it.
These days, the politics of the country is very hot.
Accordingly, over the past few days, some political upheavals have been seen taking place inside and outside the parliament.
At the same time, political sources say that a very crucial political event is going to happen tonight (08).
The sources we have say that this will mark the beginning of a special political upheaval that will determine the political course of the country in the future.’
Everyone curious
When we reported this news, many people who knew the accuracy of our news called us and asked us what the decisive political turn was. But because of the special nature of that event, we told them to wait patiently until the sun rises. But even if something happened in the night, it was not reported by the media. Accordingly, many people who spoke to us the next day asked about the news again. Accordingly, we told them that there was some political discussion, but because several problematic areas have emerged, we have taken steps to postpone the exposure of the event until next Wednesday. So what happened that Tuesday night?
On that day, the opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa and all the Tamil Muslim parties representing the plantations in the north and east were to sign a new alliance. Accordingly, Sajith, Maddumabandara, Rishad, Hakeem, Mano Ganesan, Dimbaram, Radhakrishnan and others were present on the occasion. Hakeem and Rishad pointed out that the alliance document was also on the table but some minor amendments needed to be added to it. It is about contesting for several seats. Due to the difficulty of adding those amendments to the relevant document at that time, everyone agreed to include the relevant amendments and sign the agreement on the following Wednesday. Although we were fully aware of the incident, we did not report it at that time because there was a possibility of some injustice arising through it to the concerned parties. Accordingly, the alliance with the Tamil party leaders representing SJB and Estates first took place last Wednesday.
10 lakh votes in plantation
The plantation is generally considered to be the maker of kings since time immemorial. Soumyamurthy Thondaman became the king of the plantation during Jayawardena’s reign. It was Thondaman who decided who was the president and who formed the government. But with the death of Thondaman, the role of the kingmaker gradually disappeared and today it has been seen that the party has fallen to the state where only one MP is left. Accordingly, Palani Digambaram has become the king of plantations today. Digambaram has an overwhelming majority of 10 lakh votes in the plantation. Accordingly, Radhakrishnan, the other strongman of the plantation, and Mano Ganesan, the Tamil strongman of Colombo, signed an alliance with Sajith last Wednesday, and through this, the Tamil votes spread in the districts of Colombo, Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla etc. were united in the upcoming national elections.
Gives another hint
On the other hand, the next decisive factor in the upcoming elections is the Muslim vote in the North and East. The Muslim power in the North and East is in the hands of Hakeem and Rishad. It is said that there are nearly one million votes. Hakeem has great power among the Muslim community in the districts of Kandy, Jaffna, Colombo and Puttalam in addition to the North East. Accordingly, today we are revealing with great responsibility through the ‘inside politics that there was a decisive incident that night regarding these elections as well. We do not disclose it at this time because it may cause injustice to some party.
The government is also in alliance talks
In this way, while Sajith is in alliance with certain parties, it has been seen in the last week that the government has also launched several operations. One of them was to hold a special discussion last Wednesday night at the home of a UNP strongman to build an alliance to support the president. This UNP stalwart had arranged to invite several people who are close to SJB to this discussion, which was prepared with a dinner party. One of them was Digambaram. Because of the friendship between Digambaram and him, the UNP stalwart thought that he would attend this dinner as soon as he was invited. But what happened was quite different. When invited by this UNP stalwart for dinner and discussion, Digambaram bluntly said, ‘Don’t be angry. We have decided to go with Sajitu and SJB in the next election. We cannot support the President. Our party has completely decided to go with SJB. Accordingly, the discussion was held without Digambaram and other pro-SJB political party representatives.
Trying to get 4
In addition to this, we can see that there is an attempt by the government to bring some strong members of SJB to the government next April and give them ministerial posts. Accordingly, it has been learned that plans have been made by the President to bring four people who are about to quit SJB to the government. These four people were accused of being people who had made a deal with the government all the time, and they were also accused of meeting and chatting with representatives of the government in the morning and evening.
However, with the information being reported in this regard, many members of the UNP have informed the leaders of the party that the MPs who are to be appointed to the government do not have any support from the people and that it would be beneficial if the United People’s Force can be joined as a party rather than taking such people to the UNP.
Chandrika says no
In the meantime, a group of people are working to form an alliance based on the SLFP to support the president in the upcoming presidential election, and they are planning to create that alliance under the symbol of the chair of the ‘podu peramuna’, and they are planning to bring the former president of the SLFP Chandrika Kumaratunga back to the political arena and appoint her as its leader. We revealed that last week through the ‘inside politics’ column. We also discovered that although a group including Amarweera had taken the lead for this, another group including Thilanga of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was protesting against it.
However, even though Chandrika’s name came to the fore, she remained silent for the past two weeks without saying anything about it. But last week, issuing a special announcement in this regard, Chandrika said that the information published in some media about her is false and that she has not yet made a decision regarding a candidate to support in the upcoming presidential election. Also, it is stated in the announcement that although it is said that she will be given the leadership of the new alliance, she has not yet decided in that regard. The announcement issued by the media unit of the former president appears below.
For the past few days, she has stated that the reports that she is supporting various presidential candidates in the upcoming presidential election through mass media and social media are completely false. So far she has not decided to support any candidate.
We also emphasize that although there are reports that she will take over the leadership of the leadership of the United Front, she has not yet taken any decision in that regard.
Two more comments
Apart from this last week Chandrika made two other special announcements. One of them she did about the online bill passed by the government recently. Chandrika, who expressed her objection, said that through this, the right of the people to express their opinions will be limited. In addition to this, she made another special statement to the media after a meeting held at Kadiragamar Institute recently. It is about holding the presidential election. She said that according to the constitution, the presidential election must be held on time.
Anura speaks to ‘Mawrata’
The recent surprise visit by JVP leader Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India has stirred significant debate within the country, drawing criticism from both members of his party and the opposition. Many speculate that India’s reception of Dissanayake signifies an attempt to influence or co-opt the JVP, thereby neutralizing its opposition stance towards India. In response to these allegations, Anura, along with Vijitha and Harini, asserted to the media that the JVP is a dynamic party willing to adapt to changing circumstances.
However, Dissanayake’s visit sparked controversy following a recent disclosure in the ‘Inside Politics’ column. According to our sources, it was reported that upon Dissanayake’s arrival in India, Mrs. Ksenuka Seneviratne, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, was present at the New Delhi airport to welcome him. In light of this, we published a photo depicting Dissanayake alongside Seneviratne on the ‘inside politics channel, raising questions about the unusual protocol. Traditionally, the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister, or Cabinet Minister receives such a reception from the High Commissioner, while it is not customary for opposition party leaders or members of parliament to be welcomed in this manner. We suggested that if such a reception is extended, it should be communicated to the High Commissioner through proper channels.
Anura clarifies
Upon encountering our disclosure, Anura promptly returned to Sri Lanka following his visit to India and reached out to the ‘inside politics’ columnist to clarify the circumstances surrounding the photograph. Anura explained that the image was not captured at the Delhi airport upon his arrival, but rather during a dinner organized by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This photo was not taken at the Delhi airport to welcome me. It was taken during a dinner to which the Indian Ministry of External Affairs graciously invited us. The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India was also in attendance at the invitation of the Indian Foreign Ministry. During the event, she approached me and requested a photo, to which I consented. However, the media misinterpreted this as her welcoming me at the airport in Delhi. That narrative is entirely false,” Anura conveyed to the ‘inside politics’ column.
Government / Foreign ministry dumb?
However, this does not prevent some problems. When the photo of Kshenuka and Anura meeting during Anura’s visit to India was published in the Sri Lankan media and various information about it was circulated, at least the government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this country or Mrs Kshenuka Seneviratne did not see any correction or denial of the news. A general tradition is that if wrong news is published in the media based on an ambassador or high commissioner representing Sri Lanka, the government or the foreign ministry corrects the news. But in this case, such a thing was not seen, and it cannot be avoided that some doubt arises as to whether it was intentionally avoided.
On the other hand, if this photo was taken by Kshenuka on a personal level, there is a serious problem with how it was released to the state media. For such a personal photo to be published in the state media, it can be assumed that the photo was sent to Colombo and published with the approval of someone. Otherwise, if the photo was published in the state media, she would have to face some problems. Therefore, it can be inferred that some people have carried out a media operation using the photograph of Kshenuka and Anura.
Anura Dumuka Amul Amul
Among all these events, Anura’s visit to India during an observation tour of the Amul company has also raised a lot of controversy in the country. At present, the acquisition program of the government-owned Milko Company and its land by the Amul Company in India is nearing its final stage. The news is that a final decision has already been reached regarding Milko land to be given to Amul. Accordingly, JVP’s former provincial council member Mr. Namal Karunaratne had signed a petition together with the farmers last week. Under such a background, JVP has faced strong opposition from many quarters regarding Anura’s visit to India’s Amul company to conduct negotiations. It was none other than Wimal Weerawansa, who was once the JVP’s campaign secretary, who turned this into a slogan last week. For that, Wimal used the song ‘Amuka Dumuka Amal Dumal’, which is extremely popular on social media these days. Linking accordingly, Vimal said that it has now changed to ‘Anura Dumuka Amul Amul’.
Namal wins
However, after Anura visited India, we reported that many politicians of this country have been invited to India. We also said that opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, former president Methripala Sirisena and the Tamil National Alliance are among them. But the first of all these who went to India last week was none other than Namal Rajapaksa, the young leader of Pohottuwa. Namal along with his wife Limini Rajapaksa went to India to worship the huge Rama temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh which was opened by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Namal is also the first politician in Sri Lanka to worship this temple after its opening.
Meanwhile, Namal is currently engaged in a series of campaign programs to bring Pohottuwa back to the village through ‘Dasabala Sena’. Here, journalists once asked Namal whether Pohottuwa has decided to support the current President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election. Namal replied that no such decision had been taken and that Pohottuwa would not support the President.
A conflict in the bud
However, through Namal’s statement, it seems that a crisis has arisen within Pohottuwa along with Prasanna Ranatunga’s statement in Pohottuwa itself. Prasanna said that if the president runs for the presidential election, he will support it and should work to give the president another chance.
While saying that Prasanna is supporting the President in this way, Pohottu General Secretary Mr. Sagara Kariyawasam also made a public statement during the Dasabala Sena program and said that they are working to present a candidate from Pohottu for the upcoming presidential election. Accordingly, it is clear through these statements that a certain crisis is brewing in Pothottu based on the presidential election.
Vehicle permits out again?
Meanwhile, from some information received by the Members of Parliament last week, it was learned that there are preparations to give the MPs the duty-free vehicle permits that had been stopped so far. When this information was reported, it was said that the proposal regarding the abolition of the executive presidency is being prepared to be submitted to the parliament, and there are suspicions that they are preparing to pay for it by giving duty-free vehicle permits to the MPs.
Why did Maithri go to America?
Meanwhile, as revealed in our ‘inside politics column last week, former President Maithripala Sirisena had also arranged to visit India and America. We revealed that Maithri would spend three days in America on 13th, 14th and 15th and then return to India on the 16th, but at the last minute, Maithri first went to India and then took steps to leave for America. However, this time we are ready to make another special revelation regarding Maithri’s visit to America through the ‘inside politics. That is about the background story of this visit.
To plan this trip to America, Maithrie had sent several messages to Mrs. Julie Chang, the American Ambassador to Sri Lanka, and informed her to allow him to discuss with the American State Department. After several notifications, Chang had taken steps to inform the US State Department about this request. There, the State Department had in turn asked about which issue Maithri wanted to discuss. After being asked about it, Maithri answers that he wants to discuss the ‘alliance’ with the US. The background for Maithrie’s trip to America is set through this exchange of messages between the American State Department and Maithrie through Julie Chung.
However, during Maitri’s visit to the US, the US State Department nominated a representative representing the country’s second tier for negotiations. They were a group of officials including Mrs. Afrin Akhtar, who was the Deputy Assistant Secretary in charge of South and Central Asian Regions. But the main problem that arises here is what is the ‘alliance’ that Maithri suddenly went to America and discussed with the authorities there.