Gammanpila Stirs Controversy with ‘Easter Report’
President Fails to Disclose Ranil’s Vine Store Permit Recipients
Anura Accepts US Aid Despite Earlier Opposition
Government Dodges BRICS Summit Invitation
Vijitha’s Foreign Policy Stalemate
UNP Enters Election without Iconic Symbol and Key Leaders for the First Time
Crusial discussion with Power
After Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed the office of President, he met and discussed with many diplomatic representatives throughout the last few weeks. Among the diplomatic figures who met the President, one of the main characters was Mrs. Samantha Power, who is the head of the U.S. Aid. Samantha Power is not an unfamiliar name to the people of Sri Lanka. She worked as a high official of the American government for a while and was a close friend of former minister Mangala Samaraweera. That closeness is so great that Samantha Powar was once the chief guest at the launch of a book by Mangala. She has also worked to help Sri Lanka since then. Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe, who took over the presidency after Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, once said that without the support of Samantha Power, Sri Lanka would not have been able to import even some fertilizer. Ranil said that Samantha Power had solved the fertilizer problem.
Similarly, the discussion between Anura and Samantha Powar was very crucial. The news says that the discussion was held for almost an hour through Zoom technology and the President was also very prepared for the discussion.
Call for a priority list
In this discussion, the President directly requested Samantha Power to further provide the financial support of the United Nations Development Fund to the government. There, Samantha Pawar, who explained the human rights violation incidents in the country during the last government period, and some anti-democratic activities, asked the president what kind of help the government needed from her organization. Samantha Power also informed the President to list them according to priority and give them to her.
According to the statement informed by Power, the President’s Secretariat, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are preparing a priority list that includes the aid needed for the country.
Vijitha’s meeting with ambassadors
Meanwhile, we are ready to inform the through ‘inside politics’ column about another special discussion, which has not been reported by any media. It is about a special meeting between Foreign Minister Mr. Vijitha Herath and all the ambassadors of Sri Lanka. Vijitha had arranged to hold this discussion on the 14th Monday at 10.30 am without any publicity. On the part of the government, this special discussion was called because the government had realized that no work could be done without the support of the international community given the current situation. Although the President met with diplomatic officials separately and held talks, this was the first time that the government called all the ambassadors and held talks.
In this discussion, the government presented its foreign policy very carefully. Here, all the ambassadors were waiting to know the government’s policy in dealing with the International Monetary Fund. Vijitha told them that representatives of the International Monetary Fund came to Sri Lanka and discussed with the government and that the government will continue to maintain the agreement related to the IMF signed by the previous government. In addition to this, Vijitha explained to the people that they had received the third instalment of the financial fund and that they had agreed to further implement the reform program proposed by the financial fund. Also, Vijitha said that the foreign debt restructuring work has now reached its final stage, and said that there was a good response from the representatives of the financial fund regarding the provision of the third instalment, and it is a great help to the Sri Lankan economy.
The Geneva Question
After that, the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council against Sri Lanka was discussed. The international community thought that the current government would remain in the same position as the previous government regarding the United Nations Human Rights Council. However, Vijitha pointed out that as usual, a proposal has been submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Commission regarding Sri Lanka, and the government has objected to that proposal.
However, Vijitha informed the ambassadors that they had taken steps to inform the United Nations Human Rights Commission of the government’s position. Accordingly, Vijitha took steps to inform the ambassadors that the government has agreed to investigate the extreme human rights allegations against Sri Lanka through an independent, local mechanism that can be trusted by the international community and to implement processes for reconciliation. Vijitha pointed out to the group that necessary activities have been started for that. Also, Vijitha said that the government is ready to deal with the matters included in the relevant proposal and expressed his opposition to solving human rights issues through an external mechanism.
Accordingly, Vijitha had given a serious message to the ambassadors in this discussion. The message is that the government is ready to prepare a local mechanism to investigate the allegations made against Sri Lanka in the United Nations Human Rights Commission. Most likely, the government has not informed the country of this position until now, probably because the general election is scheduled to be held in three weeks.
The BRICS crisis
The next problem the government faced last week was the BRICS summit. Although the new government was also invited to participate in the BRICS summit held in Russia this year, the government refrained from participating. There, many parties expressed accusations and stated that the government refrained from participating in the BRICS conference held in Russia due to the influence of the America.
However, in this regard too, Vijitha made some clarification before the ambassadors. Vijitha, who praised the BRICS summit, said that neither the president nor he could attend it because the party’s attention was focused on the general election. Also, Vijitha pointed out to the group that they have already applied for BRICS membership.
Vijitha’s speech
However, in the last three weeks, we have seen how the current government has become much-discussed in the international political arena. That must be why Vijitha had suddenly called all the ambassadors and explained the government’s foreign policy to them. The full story of the settlement of the Minister is as follows.
High Commissioners, Ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic community, UN Resident Coordinator and Heads of International Organisations in Colombo,
Good morning!
I am pleased to meet all of you at this first interaction between myself and the Colombo-based Diplomatic Corps.
As you all have observed, on 23rd September 2024, following a transparent and peaceful electoral process, H.E. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka. On 24 September, according to the relevant constitutional procedures, H.E. the President dissolved the then Parliament, and the Parliamentary Election is scheduled to be held on 14 November 2024.
Therefore, I need to highlight, we are still going through a transition election period.
Until the conclusion of the Parliamentary Election, a Cabinet of three Ministers including H.E. the President is looking after 15 Ministries. While serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I am looking after five more Ministries! This is the reason why I have not been able to meet most of you individually – I apologize for this and hope to get to know you today, to be followed up with closer contact after the parliamentary election.
At the same time, HE the President has prioritized meeting with the diplomatic corps, and these meetings are still ongoing. I think many of you have met with HE President already.
Excellencies, I believe that this meeting will provide me with an opportunity to brief you on the initial plans of the new Government and have some informal interaction. It is only after the Parliamentary Election is concluded in November, that the new Government will be able to fully focus on operationalizing its way forward, and we look forward to having more comprehensive engagements with each one of you at that stage on matters related to bilateral matters.
Excellencies,
At the recently concluded Presidential Election, the people of Sri Lanka voted a mandate for ‘change’ – a change that will bring all our citizens together in a new ethical political culture.
As the President mentioned in his inaugural address to the nation, this change entails many steps, and one of the most important is to reinforce stability and confidence in the economy and stimulate growth, while prioritizing the welfare and alleviating the hardships of the people.
You are all aware, earlier this month; we had productive discussions with the visiting IMF team who reiterated their support to Sri Lanka. We will work closely with the team on the next phase relating to the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and the related reform program.
Earlier this month, the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) and the IMF have confirmed that the Agreements reached with Sovereign bond holders is in line with the ‘comparability of treatment’ requirements and debt sustainability targets respectively. This in simple words means that the debt restructuring process is very near completion, enabling the government to proceed towards the third review of the IMF program, further cementing economic stability, and reinforcing the foundation for sustainable, inclusive economic recovery and growth.
In another positive step, the World Bank signed the agreement on the RESET (Second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround) Development Policy Operation (DPO) amounting to $200 million. This is aimed at implementing a reform program including economic governance, enhancing growth, and protecting the poor and vulnerable. As the program is proceeding satisfactorily, this was the second operation to be disbursed of the two-part series.
The Government is keen to ensure that these stabilization measures go hand in hand with improving the standard of living of all Sri Lankans and will implement practical programs to alleviate the heavy economic burden faced by them. We are committed to ensuring that economic growth is truly inclusive, which will at the same time drive growth and investment, with the confidence of our private sector and business community.
H.E. the President has also placed high emphasis on ethical governance, elimination of corruption, efficiency in public service and fostering a new political culture that embodies the rule of law, accountability and integrity. We believe that economic success must be accompanied by these supportive pillars. In line with the commitments made by us on zero tolerance for bribery and corruption we have already commenced investigations into certain key matters. The Bribery Commission has already expedited action relating to cases of alleged corruption.
Another key objective of this Government is to end the era of division based on race, religion, class and other differences and build a nation that respects diversity. We are ready to bring in the necessary constitutional, economic, and political reforms towards this end.
The Government will protect democracy and human rights of all citizens including addressing past issues. As directed by H.E. the President, investigative authorities have already announced redoubling of investigation into a number of clearly identified accountability cases that were pending from the past.
On all these fronts, the Government is encouraged by the support that it has received from the countries and the organizations you represent. We look forward to working closely with all of you as partners, and seek your continued support for our efforts to advance sustained economic growth and social well-being of all our citizens.
Excellencies,
I have been active in the recent weeks on several matters on the foreign affairs front: –
– – – – Sri Lanka has decided to apply for the membership of the BRICS and the New Development Bank. HE President and myself – we are unable to attend the Outreach BRICS Summit to be held in Kazan, Russian Federation from 23-24 October 2024, due to the upcoming elections. Secretary/Foreign Affairs will represent Sri Lanka and place on record our request for membership. I have already addressed letters to my counterparts in the BRICS member states seeking support
we consider BRICS to be an effective partnership to realize aspiration for mutually beneficial cooperation, peace and development, through strengthened and inclusive multilateralism within the framework of the UN Charter
Earlier this month I was very pleased to welcome the External Affairs Minister of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as the first High-level official visitor to Sri Lanka on 4 October 2024. During his visit, His Excellency Jaishankar called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and had cordial and constructive discussions with myself. On behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister Jaishankar extended an invitation to President Dissanayake to undertake a visit to India at a mutually convenient date.
On 9 October 2024, the government made a statement at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. In our statement to the Council, we highlighted our commitment to have credible and independent domestic mechanisms and processes on reconciliation that enjoy the people’s trust. We have already initiated action to move forward on this front.
Despite our rejection of the resolution that was tabled at the Council, we will continue to engage constructively with the Council and its regular UN human rights mechanisms. As you are well aware, Sri Lanka opposes the resolution which establishes an external mechanism on human rights issues.
– We thank the countries that took helpful and principled positions in support of Sri Lanka in Geneva and a number of countries also spoke in support of the progress made by Sri Lanka at the interactive session. – – –
On Sri Lanka’s chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), we would like to inform you that, due to the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, we are compelled to postpone the meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers till next year. The timeframe is to be decided in consultation with IORA Members and the Secretariat.
On the international front, we continue to remain highly concerned about the current global situation, particularly in the Middle East region. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is turning more dire by the day, and recent developments that have an impact on wider regional dimensions, in particular in Lebanon are most concerning. We continue our call for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and a sustainable two-state solution that includes the establishment of an independent sovereign and viable State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders, in line with relevant UN resolutions as well as ensuring the security of Israel.
We deeply regret the attacks that injured two of our peacekeepers in United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). We are proud of our peacekeepers who serve in several challenging UN Missions and it is important that the obligation of all parties to respect UN personnel and UN premises is respected.
With these updates, I would like to conclude my remarks I thank you all very much for your presence, and wish you a pleasant morning.
Shaken by ‘Mawrata’ revelation
3 weeks ago, in the original news of ‘Mawrata’, we revealed that two committees were appointed to find out whether the relevant responsible departments acted correctly regarding certain information received during the Easter attack during the administration of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the final report of the two committees. The then President Ranil Wickramasinghe tried to avoid making them public even though they had been given to him. The news published by us in the first news of ‘Mawrata’ newspaper on Sunday 06.10.2024 is as follows.
Ranil appointed a committee to investigate the revelation made by Channel Four about the Easter attack.
Another committee was appointed to find out about the fact that the intelligence agencies did not act despite receiving the information
The reports of both the committees appointed by Ranil have now been submitted
Why were these two records hidden? Immediately disclose the two reports to the country
After former President Ranil Wickramasinghe came to power, two special committees were appointed to investigate the Easter attack and after some time has passed since the final reports were given, a serious situation has arisen regarding the non-disclosure of the reports.
The first committee was appointed on September 11, 2023, after Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe assumed the office of President.
That is to investigate the disclosure made by Channel Four regarding the Easter attack.
Retired Supreme Court Judge Mr S. Imam was appointed as the head of the committee. Retired Air Force Commander Jayalath Veerakkodi and President’s counsel Mr. Harsha A.J. Sosa was a committee member.
The final report of that committee was handed over to Mr. Wickramasinghe on the 25th of June last.
The second committee was appointed by Mr. Wickramasinghe to look into the allegations regarding the failure of the intelligence agencies to prevent an attack despite being given intelligence information that an attack would take place.
The committee appointed on 12 June 2024 was headed by retired judge Mr. A.N.J. Alvis. The report was delivered on September 14, 2024.
However, a big question mark has been raised regarding the non-disclosure of both these reports to the country.
According to the current information, both these reports have revealed a lot of controversial information.
Therefore, many people think that these two reports should be made public immediately.
Udaya get angered
After we made this controversial revelation, it saw how some discourse emerged in society. In particular, various parties had requested the government officials to take steps to make these two reports public. Although those demands did not get much publicity, a serious discussion was created within the society due to a controversial revelation made by a former minister, Mr Udaya Gammanpila, in a press conference. Here, Gammanpila said that he had received the two related reports that the government had hidden, and if the government did not make these two reports public within 7 days, he would work to make them public.
Gammanpila’s statement caused some confusion even within the government, and it was best seen in the reply given by the press secretary Vijitha to the questions raised by the journalists at the press conference held the next day. Here, Vijitha said that the relevant reports will be made public on time, and the manner in which the two reports were received by Gamanpila is questionable. Vijitha said that Gamanpila should disclose to the country how they received these confidential reports, otherwise they will have to act under the State Secrets Act.
Vijitha’s challenge
Also, Vijitha challenged the Gamanpila by saying that he would give him 3 days to make the related reports public. Accordingly, many people thought that after Vijitha’s warning, Gamanpila would shut down and move aside. But what happened was quite different. Instead of keeping quiet, Gammanpila held another press conference within 24 hours and took steps to respond to Vijitha’s speech. Responding to this, Gammanpila said that it is a serious problem that the government has not disclosed this report to the country, and if the government does not submit this report to the country within 3 days, then they are ready to disclose it to the country. Gammanpila said that he had received information that the high-level authorities of the government had discussed arresting him due to his statement and emphasized that he was not afraid of any of that.
It is clear that according to Gammanpila’s response, two reports related to the Easter attack, which the government of Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe and the current government have not made public, are going to be revealed to the country this weekend.
Another challenge to government
Last week, the people of Kankasanthure were engaged in a big protest by taking to the highway and displaying protest placards. It was against a newly opened liquor store in Kankasanture. Two weeks ago, the people of Kilinochchi area also protested against a newly opened liquor store in the same way.
In this way, it was former President Ranil Wickramasinghe who issued the necessary liquor licenses for the opening of liquor stores across the country. During the last presidential election, Ranil had given alcohol licenses to the opposition MPs as he thought, to make the government happy and to keep the Pohottuwa MPs with him. It was also alleged that some had sold the liquor licenses at high prices like 500-600 lakhs. In this regard, the newspaper ‘Mawrata’ disclosed to the country from the beginning, and we emphasized that the government should disclose to the country the list of the names of the party and opposition members who obtained these liquor licenses.
Apart from this, Ranil had also arranged to give crores of money from the decentralized fund to the opposition members to get the support of the opposition members. We disclosed that to the country and said that the list of their names should also be disclosed to the country for the knowledge of the people. This revelation that we made could also be seen in the way that Malima’s leaders were beaten on the public stage at that time. The leaders of Malimave said that as soon as Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake becomes the President, they will cancel these liquor licenses and they will reveal the list of the names of the Ministers who have obtained liquor licenses to the country. Accordingly, since Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake has now become the President, it is his responsibility to disclose the list of relevant names to the country.
Why is there no photo?
However, Mr. Sreedharan, the former MP from the North, who was accused of obtaining three liquor licenses while the people were protesting against the new pubs opening in the North, had recently taken steps to meet the President and discuss the issue. Although the President’s Media Unit informed the media about the news that such a discussion had taken place, the President and the Presidential Media Unit were careful not to release the photos related to the meeting to the media.
However, there was another person who insisted that the names of the MPs who obtained liquor licenses should be revealed to the country. It is Tamil Alliance media spokesperson Mr. M. A. Sumanthiran. Anura called a press conference immediately after he was elected as the President, as it was reported that several Tamil MPs from the North had met Ranil and obtained liquor licenses and said that the new President should immediately put out that list. Also, after the people took to the streets against the new bar opened in Kankasanthura, Sumanthiran, called a press conference and, said that the President should arrange to publish the list of the names of all the MPs who have obtained liquor licenses.
Ravi comes
The party facing the biggest crisis in this year’s general election is the United National Party. In this election, neither the UNP nor the UNP’s symbol, the elephant, has been presented in the election, but they are presented with the gas cylinder symbol, which Ranil contested and lost. However, it is a special incident that UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, UNP deputy leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, party secretary general Range Bandara and party president Vajira Abeywardena did not appear in the contest this time. This is the first time in the history of the UNP that four people holding key positions in the Party do not contest the general election.
According to the information received by ‘Inside politucs’, the persons who supported Ranil including the UNP representatives with the gas cylinder sign are from the New Democratic Front belonging to former UNP Minister Mr. Ravi Karunanayake. Although the symbol of this front was originally a swan, it has now been changed to a gas cylinder, and Ravi Karunanayake was the leader and Shamila Perera was working as the general secretary. Ravi Karunanayake, who was the finance minister at the time, faced serious charges due to the controversial bond issue during the previous good governance government, and later he had to resign from the position of finance minister. Later, the police even arrested Ravi on the basis of that accusation.
Blame on Sally
However, while preparing the list of the Colombo for cylinder, Ravi informed that he would contest from the Colombo list. There, many people had said that due to the bond charges, Ravi could not compete in Colombo and win at all. Ravi was not unaware of this. This is why Ravi planned to come to parliament from the national list without contesting. Ravi found a good thread for that, the allocation of space in the Colombo cylinder list for Azad Sali. Accordingly, protesting against Asad, Ravi said that he would not contest if Asad contests.
Ravi, who declared that he would not contest the elections in this way, next planned to include his name in the national list. Accordingly, on the last day of preparation of the national list, Ravi went near Shamila who was preparing the list and took the list and observed it. There he saw the names of nine people included in it. Accordingly, Ravi, who immediately entered his name as the 10th in the national list of the cylinder and signed it, was seen leaving the office saying ‘I’m going Shamila’. That’s how Ravi’s got into the cylinder national list.
According to this, if the cylinder gets four and a half lakh votes, Ravi Karunanayake will come to the parliament representing the national list of ‘cylinder’. Even now, the Malima government led by Anura has made a promise to the people that they will re-investigate the bond fraud and punish all those involved. In that case, certainly, Ravi will also have to give statements related to the bond incident during the investigation.
