Basil’s Political Chess: His Next Strategic Move in Suspense
Prasanna’s Political Hypocrisy Exposed: A Tale of Double Standards
Power Struggle Among Gampaha ‘Pohottuwa’ Heavyweights: Battle for Supremacy
President’s Final Economic Address Falls on Deaf Ears
Lanza’s Political Theatrics Take Center Stage in Southern Drama
Drama Unfolds: Parliamentary vs. Presidential Election Showdown
Basil arrives.
Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, the mastermind of Pohottuwa, arrived in Sri Lanka last Tuesday (05). Basil left Sri Lanka intending to return at the end of April. However, due to emerging political crises within the government and Pohottuwa, Basil decided to cut short his trip to America and return to Sri Lanka. Last week, we reported in our inside politics column that Basil is ready to come to Sri Lanka with a plan to bring about a revolution in the parliament.
.
Split in the bud
Currently, a political drama is unfolding within the Pohottuwa camp, characterized by the emergence of two distinct factions vying for power and influence. One faction, led by figures such as Prasanna Ranatunga and Nimal Lanza, has openly thrown its support behind President Ranil Wickremesinghe, igniting a fervent campaign to reinstate him to the presidential throne. On the opposing front, stalwarts like Namal Rajapaksa and Sagara, aligned with the interests of Basil Rajapaksa, have vehemently declared their intention to field their candidate for the upcoming presidential election, vehemently opposing any notion of Ranil’s candidacy.
This clash of political titans has sparked a heated confrontation, particularly evident in the Gampaha district, where Prasanna and Namal find themselves at loggerheads. The tension reached a boiling point last week during a council meeting convened by Namal in Gampaha, where Prasanna chose to abstain. Nevertheless, notable district figures, including State Minister Indika Anuruddha, made their presence felt, exacerbating the already strained relations between the two factions.
Prasanna goes separately
However, following Namal’s meeting, Prasanna took steps to convene a meeting of Gampaha MPs at the Presidential Secretariat to demonstrate his strength. The President attended, as did several Pohottu councillors representing Gampaha. The President joined the meeting and announced that money had been allocated to all MPs, so they could go to the village and work without fear. Following this meeting, many pohottuwa members believed Prasanna had unofficially indicated to Pohottuwa leaders that he possessed the President’s strength.
Leaves from the bud
Meanwhile, Prasanna appeared on Hiru TV’s ‘Salakuna’ programme last week and delivered a special statement. That is, he is openly working to re-elect the President, and if Pohottuwa does not support him and takes steps to present another candidate, he will abandon Pohottuwa in favour of the President. Prasanna stated that he would support Basil and Pohottouwa if he ran for president, but he was confident that Basil would not. As a result, it was noteworthy that Prasanna publicly stated that he was even prepared to leave Pothuttuwa a few hours before Basil arrived in Sri Lanka.
Those who came to Katunayake
Although this kind of background had emerged, on Tuesday when Basil arrived in Sri Lanka, Prasanna was also seen arriving at the Katunayake airport. Along with Prasanna, more than 25 MPs were present at the airport, and it was seen how Prasanna said goodbye to Basil and left shortly after saying that he had to attend Parliament. Thus, the members of Pohottuwa and high-ranking government officials who came to Katunayake to welcome Basil were Piyal Nishantha, Jagath Pushpakumara, Siripala Gamlath, Indika Anuruddha, D.B. Herath, Arundika Fernando, D.V. Chanaka, S.M. Chandrasena, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Jayantha Katagoda, Tissa Kuttiarachi, Sanjeeva Edirimanna, U.K. Sumit, Sagara Kariyawasam, Kokila Gunawardena, Ranjith Bandara, Milan Jayathilaka, Pradeep Undugoda, Namal Rajapaksa, Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Nipuna Ranawaka, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, Sarath Weerasekera, Nashir Ahmed, Laxman Yapa Abeywardena, M. Muzammil, S.M. Ranjith and Upali Kodikara and few others.
Mahinda has also come
Answering a question raised by the journalists, Basil said that the presidential election must be held and there is a chance of holding a general election. Basil said that the party will prepare for whatever election is held. The MPs escorted by Basil came directly to Basil’s private residence near Battaramulla Waters Edge. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited Basil’s home to inquire about Basil’s well-being. There was also a special discussion between Basil and Mahinda. Also, the news this column has is that there will be a crucial discussion between Ranil, Mahinda and Basil regarding the upcoming political affairs.
The group collects
However, from the moment he set foot in his house, Basil has been working on his political mission. There, Basil first put his hand in politics together with Mahinda in 2005 to start a reunification operation of all parties including political parties, civil organizations, mass organizations and powerful political figures that are currently separated. It is known that Basil has arranged to call certain parties and assign them the work to be done in the future. Accordingly, it has been learned that these parties have planned to meet the groups and figures who worked with Mahinda in the future and once again gather the people who were around Mahinda.
The letter sent to Ranil
Last Tuesday, all the opposition parties, led by the Samagi Janabalawegaya, came together and handed over a motion of no confidence against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, accusing him of violating the constitution in passing the Online Act and appointing the Inspector General of Police. The motion of no confidence was signed by 44 members of the opposition, and it was noteworthy that apart from SJB, JVP, Tamil National Alliance, Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Dallas also signed it. At one point in the motion of no confidence presented against the Speaker, it was seen that a part of a letter that was sent by the Speaker to the President was also included. It said something like this.
When considering the name recommended by the President for the post of Inspector General of Police in the Legislative Council meeting held on February 26, 2024, four members of the Legislative Council voted in favour, two against and two members abstained from voting for the appointment of the person so recommended. And accordingly, in paragraph 4 of the letter dated February 26, 2024, notified the President in this regard when the said recommended name for the post of Inspector General of Police has not been approved by the Constituent Assembly following the provisions of the Constitution,
However, as no provision has been made for abstaining from voting in a meeting of the Constituent Assembly according in Article 41 (e) of the Constitution, if abstention is considered as opposition in the eyes of the law and according to Article 41 (e) (5) of the Constitution I would like to inform you that if it is considered that there is a tie vote regarding the issue, as the chairman, I will also give my referee vote in favour.’
Stating that, by illegally and unconstitutionally advocating, supporting and sponsoring the President to appoint the person so recommended by the President to the position of Inspector General of Police, the Speaker has acted in a manner that blatantly violates the Constitution in the parliamentary affairs. The opposition had arranged to mention in the motion of no confidence against the speaker.
Ranil’s certificate
Accordingly, last Monday, the meeting of the ruling party MPs group was held under the chairmanship of the President at 5 pm even though there was a big controversy in the country regarding the speaker. It was seen that the conflict between Pohottuwa and the government had come out in this MP group meeting as well. It is through the presence of nearly 120 MPs with the government, but only 54 people participated in this meeting chaired by the President. However, in this meeting, the President made a special statement about the crisis that has arisen in the Legislative Assembly and the crisis that has arisen regarding the appointment of the Inspector General of Police.
We are in great difficulty due to some of the work done by the Legislative Council. The Legislative Council works in such a way that issues arise between the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. Some of the names I have sent have not been approved by the Constituent Assembly; so many problems have arisen in the judicial field. Even though the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal was appointed to the Supreme Court, it was not approved by the Legislative Council, that is why a problem has arisen there. Now several more judges have retired. There is no way to appoint vacancies there either. That is why it has been informed that the cases have been piled up. The same problem has arisen in the appointment of the Inspector General of Police. But there the speaker has worked according to the constitution. So it will not be a problem. But the Constituent Assembly is trying to create a crisis there as well.
Posted the news
However, at the same time, we publish the news about the non-participation of a large number of MPs in the meetings of MPs on our website. Because we do not publish a daily newspaper, such special political news is constantly published on our website, so it should be mentioned here that our readers also have the opportunity to watch those special political news by accessing it daily.
Ajith’s vulnerability
However, it was none other than Deputy Speaker Mr. Ajith Rajapaksa who drew the attention of the president to the problem of the reduced participation of members in the ruling party group meeting. The deputy speaker pointed out that the government will have to face a serious problem in the future due to the reduction of the number of MPs attending group meetings.
‘Now more and more, the number of MPs participating in MP group meetings has decreased. It is a serious problem. Even today only a small number of MPs have come. In my opinion, this sends a big signal to the government. We need to find out why MPs are not coming in this way. Because if this goes on, the government will have to face a big problem in the future.’
Tip to the opposition
It was a special case that the government had to deal with this risk pointed out by the Deputy Speaker before 48 hours had passed. That was during the third reading of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Bill held in Parliament last Wednesday. Only 59 MPs came to Parliament from the ruling party that day.
The opposition came to know on Monday itself that a large number of MPs would not come during the voting on this bill. Accordingly, there was a special discussion about this at the meeting of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya councillors held on Tuesday. There, many pointed out that the opposition should work to defeat the bill because they have received information from reliable sources that the government members will not come to vote. Accordingly, the secret operation was entrusted to none other than Gayantha Karunathilaka. He was to coordinate all the opposition parties and MPs and bring them to the Parliament at the time of voting on Wednesday.
Did the operation fail?
However, a serious problem arose not only for SJB but also for the members of the opposition whether they completed this operation. That is because the message has not been properly communicated to many parties in the opposition. In short, Wimal Weerawansa’s party did not know anything about it. The same message had not been properly communicated to the JVP. Anura was outside the parliament when the bill was voted on. Harini Amarasuriya, who was in the council, called Anura and informed about it after the chief organizer of the opposition Mr. Lakshman Kiriella informed him that the bill needed a vote. Anura said that he had not been informed of such a thing. Accordingly, in the end, 59 people voted for the government on the bill. 35 people had voted for the opposition. Accordingly, if the opposition MPs had added 24 more members, the opposition would have been able to defeat the bill.
Keep calling
Many people who saw the result of this election called the leaders of the opposition on Wednesday afternoon and asked, ‘Oh, it’s a crime. They missed a chance. If we had been told earlier, we would have come to vote…’ he said.
After this incident, many of the people who spoke to the leaders of the SJB requested to give positions to the MPs who are actively and sincerely dedicated to the party instead of the organizers who are acting irresponsibly even though they are holding positions in the opposition. It remains to be seen how the public will react to it.
Same as in the ‘Throne’s speech’ story
Similarly, there was an occasion where the MPs were not properly organized was also seen at the beginning of the new session of the Parliament. There, SJB had decided that all the opposition should boycott the President’s throne speech. But that message was not properly communicated to the other parties of the opposition even then. Accordingly, although SJB left the House in protest of the President’s speech, the message was not properly communicated to the Dallas team representing the opposition, SLFP, JVP and the Tamil Alliance.
Indian opinion about Anura
In the recent past, an incident that caused great controversy in the country was the visit of JVP leader Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India. There, many parties in the government accused the JVP and said that JVP had taken classes on Indian expansionism had turned back and now started engaging in Indian worship. But JVP said that Anura went to India under a special invitation from India as his party has made some political progress in the country.
In this way, when various accusations were made against JVP, they made comments justifying their trip to India, but in no case did they give a proper explanation of why India invited JVP. However, last week, for the first time, an explanation of Anura’s trip to India was seen from the Indian side. This is through an explanation given by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mr Santosh Jha to the ‘Economy Next’ website. There, Santhosh said, ‘It was a normal invitation to a Sri Lankan leader. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations has a scheme to bring business leaders, political leaders and cultural leaders from other countries to India called as the Distinguished Visitor Programme. He was invited under that scheme.
JVP Finance Minister
In this way, we have revealed India’s opinion about Anura’s trip to India for the first time, and we are ready to reveal another big secret about JVP. It is about the finance minister to be appointed in the next JVP government. The general opinion of many people is that Mr. Sunil Handunnetty will be the finance minister in the next JVP government as Mr. Sunil Handunnetti keeps talking about the JVP economy. But in the face of the new economic crisis that has arisen, many people think that in order to get out of the situation, someone with liberal economic ideas should be appointed without being trapped in certain frameworks. At the forefront of this is none other than Dr. Harsha de Silva. It has been accepted by many that Harsha will become the finance minister under an SJB government.
That is why JVP also needs a young liberal finance minister who can compete with Harsha. Accordingly, JVP has chosen not Sunil Handunnetthi, but Dr. Harshana Suriyapperum, who is considered a young liberal thinker. Harshana is a former director of the Colombo Stock Exchange. He is also a member of the National People’s Power Economic Council. Dr. Harshana was among the JVP representatives who had participated in the discussion when the members of the International Monetary Fund met with the JVP. Harshana is also considered to be a key member of the team preparing the upcoming JVP economic plan. Accordingly, it has been learned that in the next JVP government, Harshana will probably get the position of Finance Minister, and Dr. Harshana is going to compete with SJB Finance Minister Dr. Harsha.
A queue of ambassadors
Meanwhile, ambassadors from six major countries came to the party office in Pelawatte to meet the JVP at the same time last week. Among those ambassadors is the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Dr Maysara Fagyagareza, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Mrs Rigrape Yanarajasadataka, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Bangladesh, Mr Oru Phagrusameka Shikpa, the Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Mrs Tamizab Odaisabata, the head of that embassy. Consul General Jarhasabeda, Malaysian There were diplomats such as High Commissioner Ekasiah Elizabeth and Acting Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives.
National Executive Member Bimal Ratnayake, National Executive Member Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, National Executive Dr Rizvi Sali and National Executive Member Muditha Nanayakkara also participated on behalf of the National People’s Force.
Things that were talked about
The foreign diplomats were briefed by the representatives of the National People’s Force on the policies and activities of the National People’s Force, and the political and economic situation in the country was discussed at length. Also, in this meeting, the representatives of that party pointed out to the diplomats the readiness of the National People’s Force to deal with the countries based on mutual respect and cooperation.
No prior notice
Last week, the President appeared in Parliament unexpectedly and delivered a special economic statement. Previously, when the President came to Parliament and addressed the nation, it was widely publicised, but no one knew he was coming that day. In this regard, many people mention that Sajith performed well in the face of a strong reaction from opposition leader Sajith Premadasa to a speech the President gave earlier in Parliament, and as a result, the President will not make any public announcements until later.
However, it was also seen how Sajith responded to the President’s speech in the Parliament on Wednesday. Many people who heard the President’s speech said that it was a speech aimed at the upcoming elections rather than a speech about the economy.
Who’s going home?
However, while speaking, the president had a wonderful conversation with Harsha. Harsha stated that he did not know how long the president would be in office, that an SJB government would be formed soon, and that in light of this, the president should have informed parliament about the current state of foreign debt restructuring. The President smiled and replied that Harsha would have to go home before he went home. I’m not sure if the president was hinting at holding a general election instead of a presidential election first.
It is not known the president made that statement hinting at Harsha’s loss of the chairmanship of the State Finance Committee because if a general election is held in this way, Parliament must be dissolved first.
No auspicious time
However, after the discussion about the houses in the Parliament, new news about the President’s house has also been received by this column. It is related to the President’s house located at Kollupitiya Fifth Avenue, which was burnt and destroyed by some people after the last struggle. So far, the house has been renovated and built without any change in the plan, and it has been learned that the President moved there recently. The information we have says that the President has moved into that house without sticking to any auspicious time.
No honourable sir…
In addition to the opposition submitting a motion of no confidence to the Parliament against the activities of the speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa had taken several other special decisions regarding the speaker last week. This was in protest of the actions taken by the Speaker in the appointment of the Inspector General of Police and the adoption of the Online Act. There, Sajith had decided not to address him as ‘honourable Speaker’, but to address him as ‘Speaker’ in the normal way. Apart from this, Sajith has also decided not to allow the Speaker to participate in public events.
Sajith put it into practice for the first time at the funeral ceremony of Ronnie de Mal, a former finance minister, held last week. Although the President and the Prime Minister, who attended the funeral, took permission from the speaker Sajith did not take permission from the speaker.
The chair shifts
Sajith had to face some trouble while attending this funeral. This is due to Sajith taking the seat reserved for the President instead of the seat reserved for him. Immediately after the organizers came and explained about it, Sajith immediately expressed his regret and took steps to go to his allotted seat. Accordingly, the seats were arranged in such a way that Sajith, Mahinda and the President were in one row. It was also seen how the three exchanged views from time to time.
During his speech, the President also took steps to recall a historical story related to JVP and Roni that no one knew about. That was when JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera was in jail and UNP leader J.R. how Ronnie acted as an intermediary in the exchange of messages between Jayawardena and Rohana Wijeweera.
Wijeweera and Ronnie
Wijeweera spent 1977 in jail. JR sought to gain JVP support for the UNP in the general election through Wijeweera. So Ronnie stepped in as a mediator. It was Ronnie who first went to the jail, met Wijeweera, and discussed this. After discussing the political situation, Ronnie informed JR about this. Wijeweera agreed to support JR under certain conditions. Wijeweera mentioned JR. After winning the election, a large promise is required to release him and allow him to practise politics. When Ronnie came and told JR about it, he agreed. JR was supported in the election by Wijeweera. That was a major reason why J.R. received five out of six powers in 1977.
However, one of the saddest events that happened after Ronnie’s funeral was when thieves broke into his house before his seven-day alms were given. The media had reported that even the commode in the toilet was stolen and taken away.
Lanza in Rajapakse Fort
The new alliance formed by Nimal Lanza, a key figure in Pohottuwa’s support for the President, plans to hold its next meeting in Hambantota, Rajapaksa’s stronghold. Lanza conducted the first meeting here. The second meeting was held at Hyde Park in Colombo. They plan to hold the third meeting in Hambantota, Rajapaksa’s stronghold. The inside politics belt has learned that in addition to Lanza, Hambantota SLFP leader Mahinda Amaraweera will attend the meeting.
What makes this unique is that the political figures built by the Rajapaksas have grown strong enough to visit the Rajapaksa stronghold and hold anti-Rajapaksa meetings. Mahinda Amaraweera is regarded as a Rajapaksa-appointed politician. In the early stages, Amaraweera conducted politics in Hambantota in collaboration with the Rajapaksa family. The same goes for Nimal Lanza. How did the Rajapaksas treat Nimal Lanza on the day the Special Task Force was inspecting his house? Mahinda went to Lanza’s house via helicopter from Colombo and protected him. The fact that the so-called Lanza and Mahinda Amaraweera are visiting Hambantota today and organising anti-Rajapaksa rallies seems like a cosmic joke.
The leader is Anura Yapa
Meanwhile, on the day Basil arrived in Sri Lanka, a special meeting was held at Amaraweera’s home to discuss future political issues. It was attended by several MPs from Lanza’s group, as well as Mr Nimal Siripala de Silva from the SLFP. Following a lengthy discussion, the group determined how the new alliance’s positions should be divided. Mr Anura Priyadarshana Yapa will thus be appointed as its leader. Mahinda Amaraweera, representing the SLFP, is set to be appointed as the new alliance’s secretary general. This column also hears that Amaraweera and Nimal Siripala met with Sri Lankan Freedom Party leader Mr Maithripala Sirisena and informed him about the situation.