Speaker Wobbles with BBC Highlight Uncertainty
SJB and Cylinder, National lists filled
Adani’s Response to US Creates Uncertainty for AKD
Sajith Opposes Social Control, Media Bill
Anura Reiterates Firm Stance on Corruption and Wrongdoing
President Heads to China Following India Visit
The Speaker speaks
‘At that time, the university had not been established for us. The university had already become affiliated, we did it when it was converted from the…, and then there was only one faculty. Technical…. What do you call that? It is not published as I gave it. It is not there.’
So, when asked how to state his primary degree correctly, Ashoka Ranwala said, ‘Shall I write it down and send it to you?’
BBC Sinhala then asked him whether the constantly updated information about Speaker Ashoka Ranwala’s political activities on his Facebook account (which was not verified) is correct.
‘No. The official page has not been created yet. Each person has created them in my place.’
‘In those days, I did lot of work in the faculty. I did some party work in the faculty. That’s too included there ‘.Ashoka Ranwala said.
BBC Sinhala asked Ashoka Ranwala again whether he could be called a graduate of the University of Moratuwa.
‘It’s not a degree. Then, after a few years, we upgraded it to a degree. But that’s probably what’s being questioned.’
‘When I was in petroleum, I did both together. (Degree) That’s it. There were engineers in petroleum. I’m not an engineer that is what they are saying.’
BBC Sinhala service asked him what position he held while working at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
‘I was a technical officer.’
BBC Sinhala then asked him about his now-controversial doctorate.
There, he stated that he obtained his doctorate from ‘Waseda University in Japan.
Ashoka Ranwala also said that it was a PhD in biochemistry.
BBC Sinhala asked him in which year he obtained his PhD from Waseda University in Japan.
‘It was done in… eighty’s… ninety-six.’
Asoka Ranwala has not kept his word. He failed to send a written reply to BBC. This is on his education qualifications. It is over 14 days since the promise was made.
Despite his promise to call back us, he hasn’t done it yet.
More allegations
Above is what Speaker Asoka Ranwala spoke with BBC Sinhala service last week on the controversy that erupted about his doctorate. This stemmed when a professor at the University of Moratuwa raised his concern about Ranwala’s doctorate. This picked up subsequently and even those who were ardent supporters of Compass raised concerns about this and it boiled down to a major debate. The government opines that the speaker would make a special statement on this.
It is observed now some have begun to raise doubt about not only Ranwala’s degrees but even other ‘compass’ members in the parliament. Opposition parties are of the view a parliamentary select committee should handle to look into these allegations. They believe this would expose fake and real degree holders.
Sajith has a problem
Last week, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentary group meeting took place, and many were eager to hear Sajith Premadasa’s response regarding the controversy surrounding doctoral degrees. During the 2019 presidential election, when Sajith contested against Gotabaya Rajapaksa, one of the key accusations against him was a lack of educational qualifications. Allegations were made that Sajith did not possess valid educational certificates, and at the time, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led a social media smear campaign targeting him over this issue. This backdrop prompted several SJB MPs to question Sajith about the recent controversy over Ranwala’s doctoral degree during the meeting.
When the MPs remarked, “Back then, these same people attacked you for not having educational certificates. Now it has come back to haunt them,” Sajith responded with a smile, saying, “What didn’t they say to attack me back then? I don’t mind if a presidential commission is appointed to investigate these educational qualifications, not just a select committee. If they proceed with an investigation, I am ready to present my A-levels, my A-level certificates, and the certificates I earned from universities in England and America. I don’t flaunt my educational certificates to prove myself.
If someone asks, I will provide them. Until then, let these people argue. I’ve seen reports that some individuals have inquired about this doctorate from the University of Moratuwa, written letters to Japanese universities, and searched the websites of those institutions. Back in the day, they must have done the same regarding my qualifications—writing hundreds of letters about me to universities. But since my certificates are genuine, their mudslinging didn’t stick. So, let’s not worry about this. Let them keep debating. We will make our decision at the right time
Sajith’s Sudden visit
Sajith was seen busy last week engaged in some special activities. His sudden visit without much notice to the parliament was notable among them. His visit was to meet the staff of the opposition leader’s office in the parliament. Some have accused his office staff in the parliament more engaged in their work than what is expected from them. Sajith engaged in conversation with them and was careful enough to assign them goals and enlighten them on how to carry out sensible research and provide information to the parliamentarians.
Sajith-Bimal-Sunil together
Last week, Sajith received an invitation from the Qatar Embassy to attend the official ceremony held at the Shangri-La Hotel on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Qatar. Accordingly, when Sajith went to the Shangri-La Hotel to attend, ministers Bimal Ratnayake and Sunil Handunnetti, representing the government, were also present. The seating arrangements were such that Sajith was given a middle seat and Bimal and Sunil were given seats on either side of Sajith.
Accordingly, everyone present at the ceremony could see a long conversation between Sajith, Bimal, and Sunil throughout the ceremony. Although many speculated that it could be a hot topic these days, such as the Speaker’s issue or the price of rice, the three discussed none of those things, but topics related to international politics. For example, there was a long discussion between the three on the Syrian issue, the Israeli issue, etc.
Meanwhile, Sajith also attended the party leaders’ meeting held last week. The discussion there was about the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which will be debated in Parliament this time. At that time, Sajith as he had told it during the election to the country took steps to request a vote in Parliament on the matter, saying that the IMF agreement should be changed. However, there was no positive response from the government. The government said that a vote could not be held on it and that only an adjournment debate could be given if necessary.
However, Mr. Ravi Karunanayake, who spoke at the event, said that the government should take steps to take the IMF agreement forward without amendment.
Zoom discussion
In addition, a special Zoom discussion was held among the Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentary group last Thursday. At that meeting, the MPs also strongly pointed out that the Speaker’s issue has now become a very serious matter, and that a major accusation has been levelled against the compass in this regard. Accordingly, the SJB MPs thought that a no-confidence motion should be brought against the Speaker immediately. Sajith, who agreed to the proposal put forward by the MPs, took steps to assign the task of preparing the relevant draft to MP Ajith P. Perera and MP J.C. Alawathuwala. In addition, party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara was assigned to discuss with other parties to obtain the opposition’s support for the relevant matter.
Thereafter, a discussion was held regarding the Online Bill, which is being levelled against the government these days. Most of the MPs pointed out to Sajith that social media is currently a headache for the government and they are discussing taking some action against it. The MPs thought that since Sajith and the SJB have been severely affected by social media, they should not express any views in favour of the Online Act in the future and that steps should be taken to abolish it.
Sajith remains in the same decision
But here Sajith took a strong stand against it, surprising all the MPs.
‘I was the one who was beaten the most on social media. I was the one who was slandered the most. No one else. Not only me, but my mother, father, my family, my sister, and even my daughter were attacked on social media. But I will not change my policy just because that happened. We are against social media censorship then, today, and tomorrow. We should never change our policy for personal gain…’ was Sajith’s stand.
Then there was a discussion regarding the government’s attempt to reduce the number of committees in Parliament. Here, the MPs pointed out that they should strongly oppose it and that if the government takes steps to restrict the right of the opposition to express its views in this way, the opposition should decide to boycott all those committees.
However, Sajith pointed out that the SJB had already proposed the name of Harsha de Silva for the post of Chairman of the Finance Committee. Sajith also pointed out to the group that the Party Leaders’ Meeting was also an important committee in Parliament. Accordingly, the SJB finally decided to boycott all other committees except the Finance Committee and the Party Leaders’ Meeting. It was also decided to hold discussions with other opposition parties in this regard.
Anura makes a decision
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was preparing for his first visit to India while such a situation was emerging within the country. On Friday, the President also took steps to hold another special meeting before leaving for India. That was with the heads of the state media. The President made a special statement without mentioning names, perhaps regarding the urgent issue that has arisen regarding the Speaker.
‘For the first time in history, this time, we have a broad reading of the meaning and essence of the historic mandate given to us and the National People’s Power on two occasions by the people of this country. The people of this country formed the National People’s Power government with the belief that a standardized and stable country would be created. Our government will never allow that special belief to be harmed by even a small amount of fraud.
In short, our government is not prepared to protect anyone who commits a crime in the country, for any reason. “Not only in the country but also in our government, if someone at any level makes a mistake, we will not hesitate to take action against that mistake. We will not hesitate to take all possible measures in this regard at the right time…” was the speech the President made there.
India trip
However, as the President left for his India visit, many other questions arose before the President. The first was whether the agreements reached with India by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe would be carried forward. The second was what new agreements would be made with India. The third was whether the projects of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, who owns the western terminal of the Colombo Port, would be carried forward.
However, cases have been filed against Adani in an American court, and due to that, a serious situation has arisen regarding Adani’s American investments. Accordingly, when a problem arose regarding Adani’s projects in Sri Lanka, Adani immediately issued a statement saying that he would withdraw the request of funds he had submitted to a US bank to develop the western terminal and that he was able to complete the necessary provisions for it.
Through this, Adani had hinted that he had not fallen prey to the American decision and that he could take the relevant projects forward. Accordingly, although the President had initially planned not to raise the Adani issue at the Indian negotiating table, Adani has succeeded in pushing the President to the point of discussing the investments in India based on this statement made by Adani during the India visit.
However, before Adani’s statement was issued, the government led by the President had taken a policy decision to continue the agreements and contracts currently in place with India. However, the President has decided during this visit to India to request time to study the projects that are currently under negotiation and are to be agreed upon. Although it was initially decided to cancel Adani’s projects, the President was in a favourable position due to the decision from the US, but it can be seen that the ball has once again fallen into the President’s court through Adani’s statement.
Suspicion about Ranil
In this context, last week, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, left for New Delhi to prepare the agenda for the President’s visit to India. However, with the visit to India in the foreground, another suspicion has arisen for the President. That is, the President has suspected that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe did something to sabotage Anura’s trip to India during his last visit to India. The President was quite angry due to some information received in this regard. We made a note in this regard through the ‘Inside politics’ column because we too had received some information about it.
China in January
However, the President has already decided on his next visit before the Indian visit. Accordingly, the President hopes to visit China next January. Therefore, preparations for the China visit can be seen in full swing during the India visit. A large part of the work behind the scenes is being done by the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Qi Shen Hong.
Mr. Shen Hong, having been the Ambassador to Sri Lanka for many years, is well aware of the internal crises that Sri Lanka is facing as well as the four corners of international crises. The Chinese Ambassador is also well aware of how India and the United States have created conflicts with China based in Sri Lanka. Therefore, before the President visited China, China had been providing many special privileges to Sri Lanka over the past few weeks through the intervention of the Chinese Ambassador.
One of them was a letter sent from China to the Ministry of Health a few days ago. It stated that a 700-bed medical ship is currently anchored outside the Colombo port, allowing Sri Lankans to undergo free medical tests. However, there are different opinions internationally regarding such medical tests. Some say that gene theft can even be carried out through this. That is why countries such as the United States and Israel do not allow such tests at all.
This proposal from China was made following the visit to Sri Lanka by Ms. Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Haiyan is considered the bridge that built the relationship between the President and China. The President had discussions with Haiyan during his visit to China in 2023. Ms. Haiyan also visited Sri Lanka twice, the first time she went to the party office in Pelawatte to meet Anura, and the second time she went to the Presidential Secretariat to meet President Anura. However, the aforementioned proposal from China to the Ministry of Health was submitted after Haiyan’s visit.
Large investment in Hambantota
On the other hand, China has also been seen making plans to enter the Hambantota port in a big way. During the previous government, a large amount of land was released to China by the then government for the construction of an oil refinery adjacent to the Hambantota port, and China is currently preparing to build this oil refinery in Hambantota with a huge investment. It is said that China plans to build the largest refinery in the South Asian region and change the dominance of the region in terms of oil.
In addition, China has also planned to discuss the port during the President’s visit to China. China has also decided to intervene very quickly in its development activities.
Also, during the time of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a special agreement was signed for Chinese ships to visit Sri Lanka. It is called the S.O.P. Through that agreement, several Chinese ships entered Sri Lankan waters during Gota’s time. However, due to the crisis that arose during Ranil’s rule, Chinese ships were banned from entering Sri Lankan waters for a year. China did not tolerate Ranil’s decision very well, and for this reason, China was not on good terms with Sri Lanka during Ranil’s period. This ban is scheduled to end on January 15th. Accordingly, Chinese ships will be allowed to enter Sri Lanka after January 15th. Unofficial sources say that China has already requested permission from Sri Lanka for such a ship. However, whether the President will grant permission or not will be decided at the beginning of the President’s visit to China.
Pressure on the Prime Minister
However, the government was not without some pressure from China last week. One of them was an incident that occurred when China offered to provide free uniforms to all school children in Sri Lanka. China wanted to include Prime Minister Harini Amarasooriya in the event where the uniforms were officially provided to Sri Lanka. Accordingly, although the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka informed the Prime Minister about this, the Prime Minister’s side had informed that she could not attend due to her policy of not attending such events.
However, with this response from the Prime Minister, it is also reported that strong pressure has been exerted on the government from China to make her attend the event. China has informed that the Prime Minister must attend the event. However, although the Prime Minister finally attended the event, she attended it after an hour’s delay. Therefore, although the Chinese ambassador arrived at the ceremony on time, upon learning of the Prime Minister’s one-hour delay, the Chinese ambassador also left for another task and took steps to attend the ceremony again about an hour later.
Anura meets businessmen
Meanwhile, the President has been frequently bringing in several prominent businessmen of Sri Lanka in the past and holding personal discussions with them. The focus was on how to maintain the economy without collapsing. It is also reported that the businessmen have submitted several proposals to the President. Their main demand has been that the agreement reached by the previous government with the International Monetary Fund should be taken forward.
National List Fills Up
The issue of national list MP seats, which had been dragging on for several weeks after the general election, both within the cylinder and within the SJB, ended last week with the nomination of relevant MPs by both parties. The one nominated from the cylinder was Faizer Mustafa, a former minister and a SLFP representative. The names nominated by the SJB were Sujeewa Senasinghe, Mano Ganeshan, Nizam Kariyapper and Mohamed Smile.
In this way, although names were submitted for the national list last week, a large number of rounds of discussions were held by both parties behind it. Although steps were taken to nominate Pfizer for the cylinder, it was UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who was initially looking to enter parliament from the national list.
Although Ranil’s media team spread the names of Kanchana Wijesekera, Thalatha Athukorala, Sagala Ratnayake and Ruwan Wijewardene on various occasions, in reality, Ranil had planned to somehow obtain the national list MP post by showing those names to the public. We made a special disclosure in this regard last week and said that proposals were being made to the heads of the cylinder through various parties to give Ranil the national list MP post. We had also reported that top businessmen and internationally known individuals were behind this.
However, this influence from various parties ultimately came to Ravi Karunanayake, the owner of the cylinder. But since by then 4 major parties in the cylinder had unanimously sent Faizer Mustafa’s name to the party, it was finally decided to send Faizer’s name to the Election Commission. At the same time, a statement issued by the SLFP stated that the SLFP was no longer prepared to go on any political journey with Cylinder.
SJB is getting involved
In addition, a group of young MPs from the Pohottuwa party who worked with Ranil in the previous government also met at the house of former MP Madura Withanage last week for a discussion. There, it was also said that there was no room for further political journeys with Ranil and that there was no point considering it. Accordingly, they finally decided to discuss this matter with Opposition Leader Sajith. The reason for this was that Sajith had managed to win 40 MPs even under very unfavourable circumstances.
Meanwhile, with Faizer’s name being proposed for the cylinder MP post, Ranil suddenly decided to leave the country once again. It was reported to this column that Ranil had decided to go to India. It is reported that Ranil, who will be leaving for India on the 22nd with his wife Maithri Wickremesinghe and Sagala Ratnayake, is scheduled to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays in India.
How the SJB arrived at its decision
The SJB national list issue was resolved in a completely different way. Although the name of party General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara was first sent to the Election Commission from the five list MP positions that the party had, the selection of the remaining four posed a big problem for Sajith as he had received many requests. In particular, allowing representatives of minor parties and the fact that many former MPs who had been defeated had requested an opportunity again had been the root of that problem.
However, from the beginning, Sajith had wanted to allow Iran Wickramaratne, an economic expert, from the national list. In the last general election, Iran did not contest but was nominated from the national list. However, Sajith, who had personally discussed with Iran, had informed Iran to contest the election instead of coming from the national list, and Iran contested the election. There were proposals to bring Iran to Parliament from the national list if Iran was defeated. With the reports that Iran was to be given that opportunity, both former MPs Thushara Indunil and Hirunika Premachandra who were defeated had informed the party that they should also get the opportunity from the national list.
Also, due to the memorandum of understanding that had been signed before the election, Rishad’s party, Hakeem’s party and Digambaram’s alliance should have been given a national list MP seat. Sajith had initially proposed that since Hakeem had a seat in Parliament, 2 of the remaining 4 national list MP seats should be given to Rishad and Digambaram and Sujeewa Senasinghe and Iran should be appointed to the remaining list MP seats. But Sajith finally agreed to it because Hakeem had also informed him that he should be given a chance.
Accordingly, although the agreement had been reached last Thursday, due to the sudden action taken by Hakeem’s party requested a restraining order from the courts on the SJB national list, the SJB decided to immediately send the names of the four who finally agreed to it to the Election Commission and finalize the issue. Accordingly, all 225 members of parliament have now been completed.
