President Urges Attorney General to Strengthen Public Trust and Meet Public Expectations
India’s concerns over Chinese research ship persist.
Fake news about UNP circulates amid merger rumours.
AG clears gossip allegations and remains in office.
Public concerned over government’s inaction in apprehending thieves.
Why did Sajith and Ranil meet?
President’s Circular
The Presidential Secretariat often issues circulars containing instructions for MPs, ministers, and government officials under the President’s orders. However, last week, it issued a circular specifically targeting MPs, which many viewed as unprecedented. This circular outlined procedures for MPs, ministers, governors, and heads of government to follow when meeting foreign delegations.
Notably, it prohibited MPs and governors from meeting foreign delegations, ambassadors, or similar representatives directly. Instead, such meetings now require prior approval through the Alliance Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 11-page document detailed the necessary protocols for these interactions. The issuance of this circular has left many people speculating about the reasons behind it.
Harini’s Incident
Two weeks ago, the Inside Politics column reported on a meeting between Prime Minister Harini Amarasooriya and Chinese Ambassador Qi Shen Hong. During the meeting, the Chinese Ambassador invited the Prime Minister to attend the opening of a shipment of uniforms donated by China to Sri Lankan students. Initially, the Prime Minister declined the invitation due to protocol concerns. However, after strong insistence from the Chinese Ambassador, she ultimately agreed to participate in the official handover ceremony.
The Prime Minister arrived at the event an hour late. While it remains unclear whether the delay was intentional or caused by a heavy workload, it was noted that the Chinese Ambassador, who had arrived on time, left the venue due to the delay and returned an hour later to attend the ceremony.
After the event, another matter drew attention. During her speech, the Prime Minister reportedly thanked the “Republic of China” instead of the “People’s Republic of China.” This terminology is typically associated with Taiwan, which conflicts with China. As a result, the Prime Minister appeared to have inadvertently or intentionally thanked Taiwan, a rival state of China.
Only three dealt with ‘diplomats’
Only President, the Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath were seen directly dealing with foreign ambassadors and delegations up to now. During the three months, only these three were seen meeting foreign ambassadors and delegations. Apart from that, no further information was reported on whether other government ministers met foreign ambassadors. At present, it has become a topic of great debate in the diplomatic circles as to who this emergency circular was targeted by the Presidential Secretariat.
Incident during Mahinda’s period
However, although this incident is unrelated, a similar ban was imposed on ministers and delegations during the reign of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Mahinda’s second term as president the General Secretary of the SLFP, Maithripala Sirisena, was holding the post of Health Minister in Mahinda’s government. It was a time of a cold war that was brewing between Mahinda and Maithri due to the allocation of necessary financial provisions to Maithri.
US Ambassador then to Sri Lanka was Michele J. Sison. She had come to meet Health Minister Maithripala twice and had long discussions with him. As a result, Maithripala was named the best Health Minister by America and was also given an award. It was something that gave great strength to Maithri’s political journey. According to the information we had during that time, it was after this incident that Mahinda had some doubts about Maithripala. That is, whether Western countries have started to manipulate Maithri.
However, after Maithri fell out with Mahinda and decided overnight to leave the government and contest as the common candidate of the opposition, several of his close friends went to Temple Trees to meet Mahinda. When asked about Maithri, Mahinda said, ‘This is a completely American game being played here.’ Even after that, Mahinda always gave the same answer when asked about Maithri. However, Mahinda did not impose a ban on MPs and ministers from meeting ambassadors at that time, as happened today. However, after that incident, various departments of the government had begun to secretly investigate the whereabouts of MPs and ministers and the foreign envoys they met.
Although it is not clear on what basis such a ban is currently imposed on ministers; it is quite clear from this incident that something has happened.
Pelawatte discussion
In addition, the ‘Inside politics’ column has also learned that very long political discussions were held at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte past few days ago It has also been learned that some of these meetings, which have been held to discuss political issues that have arisen within the government, have dragged on until midnight. It has also been learned that decisions have been taken regarding how to act in certain incidents and how to handle certain political incidents.
Although there is no specific information regarding whether there is a connection between the special circular issued by the President’s Office last week and these political discussions, it was noted that some kind of events is taking place within the government. It can also be seen that many people have a problem regarding whether such circulars are practical or not under the current situation.
Attorney General summoned
The meeting between the President and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe was a special happening last week. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the procedure of nabbing thieves, which a major promise was made to the people by the Malima government to come to power, however, this did not seem to be being carried out properly. The main slogan that the Malima government had in its favour to come to power was catching thieves. The biggest demand of the people was that the thieves who bankrupted and destroyed the country should be caught and punished.
They should bring back the wealth they had hidden in foreign countries. The leaders of Malima also used this demand of the people as a slogan, accusing all 225 are thieves and saying that if they came to power, they would catch the thieves and send them to prison. They said that they would bring back the wealth hidden in ‘Uganda’ and the ‘Seychelles’ to this country. They showed bundles of files and said that the files contained the alleged corruption and fraud of the powerful people in this country.
However, the opposition alleges that even though the President has been in power for over 100 days, no thief has been caught. The opposition alleges that nothing tangible has happened to the people except for the removal of unnecessary parts from three-wheelers and buses. It can also be seen that the people who voted for the government have now started talking about this issue openly.
Thieves at large?
The ‘Mawrata’ newspaper, and the ‘Inside Politics column, fought against fraud and corruption from the very beginning. It engaged its pen against it. Regardless of political ideology, our position was that thieves should be caught under any circumstances. They should be punished so that the wealth of the poor and innocent people of this country cannot be robbed again. True to the JVP’s saying that ‘the head is the same – the face is the same’, Mahinda’s government covered up Ranil’s thefts. Ranil government covered up Mahinda’s thefts. Therefore, from the very beginning, we were of the position that only Malaima and Anura could really catch thieves. The vast majority of the people in the country were of the same position. That is why the people had taken steps to give the Malaima government a huge parliamentary power of 159 members.
However, looking at some of the events that are currently taking place, serious doubts has arisen among the people as to whether the Anura-led Malima government will take action to catch the thieves. Especially due to the lukewarm response of the Malima government to the serious thefts that were allegedly caught red-handed during Ranil’s last two years of government, many people have also raised doubts about whether the investigations are being dragged here based on certain friendships. If the situation is like this regarding the fraud and corruption that allegedly occurred during Ranil’s government, then a serious question also has arisen among the people regarding the thefts that allegedly occurred during the previous governments of Gota, Mahinda, and Maithri.
asked to step down?
Before the meeting between the President and the Attorney General held last Monday, a massive attack was launched on the Attorney General and the Attorney General’s Department on YouTube channels. There was a strong allegation that the Attorney General’s Department was not acting properly in the area of arresting thieves, especially due to various reasons. Accordingly, as soon as the time was set for the meeting between the President and the Attorney General, a large-scale propaganda campaign was carried out that there was a plan within the government to remove the Attorney General.
At that time, there was a big allegation that the current Attorney General was appointed by Ranil’s government, and that Ranil did so without considering the name of Ms. Ayesha Jinasena, who was at the top of the seniority in the Attorney General’s Department at that time. Later, the President took steps to appoint Ms. Ayesha Jinasena as the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice. Therefore, the talks on social media as well as in the legal field said that the President was preparing to inform the Attorney General to resign during this meeting.
Attorney General in discussions
However, the ‘Inside Politics’ column has learned that the Attorney General had held several rounds of discussions with the Attorney General’s Department officials before attending this meeting. It is also learned that there were lengthy discussions on how to face the President’s meeting, what questions could be asked, how to answer them, and what problems had arisen regarding certain investigations. Since the details of this discussion were also reported in the weekend newspapers, it was observed that many were monitoring the meeting between the President and the Attorney General with great interest on Monday.
Accordingly, after the discussion ended, a statement issued by the Presidential Media Unit stated that the discussion between the President and the Attorney General focused on the ongoing investigations and the controversial cases. The statement said that the President emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Attorney General’s Department to strengthen the public’s trust in the judicial system, that the existing public perceptions of political authority should be changed and trust should be strengthened, and that public expectations should not be allowed to collapse.
What was discussed?
However, our sources say that more serious matters were discussed there. It is learned that the President has made special inquiries, especially regarding the Central Bank bond scam and the MiG aircraft deal. It is said that the Attorney General’s Department officials have taken steps to inform the President about the obstacles that have arisen in conducting these investigations, the places where these investigations have been stopped, and the steps that need to be taken to clear those.
Since the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr Ravi Seneviratne, and the Minister of Justice, Mr Harshana Nanayakkara, also participated in this discussion, a lengthy exchange of views was also taken place regarding certain incidents. The ‘inside politics’ column also reports that the Attorney General had informed the President of much information that even the President was not aware of.
However, after this discussion, the rumours that the Attorney General would be removed stopped. It is also reported that no hint was given by the President during the discussion in this regard. Accordingly, the ‘inside politics’ column also reports that several cases are set to come to the fore again soon with many huge revelations that will shake the country.
Chinese trip draws International interest
Amidst all this, the President has managed to attract a lot of international attention. This is on the President’s second official visit to China, which is scheduled to be made on the 14th of this month. Earlier, we reported many special details about the President’s visit to China through this column. We reported how a high-ranking envoy came to Sri Lanka with a special message from Chinese President Xi Jinping, paving the way for the visit to China, and that the Chinese President has agreed to fulfil any request made by the President during his visit to China, and that China has also informed about the resumption of Chinese highway construction projects that have been stalled. We also mentioned that Western countries, including India, are watching the President’s visit to China with a keen eye.
However, some believe that the President may receive a larger aid package from China during this visit to China than what we reported. But no information has been reported to the ‘state secrets’ column yet.
Story of the ship
However, there is also a highly sensitive issue surrounding the President’s visit to China. That is, the entry of Chinese research ships into the Indian Ocean, which can have some impact on countries in the Indian Ocean region. Some believe that the existence and collapse of previous governments were decided based on these Chinese research ships. Also, during Gota’s government, there was some agreement regarding the entry of Chinese research ships into Sri Lankan waters. Accordingly, several Chinese research ships entered Sri Lankan waters during Gota’s government and anchored near the country’s ports. Those agreements commonly referred to as S.O.P.
However, after Gota’s government, this Chinese research ship topic came to the fore during Ranil’s government. There, a strong protest was launched in India at that time due to the entry of one Chinese research ship into Sri Lankan waters. Accordingly, when the second Chinese research ship requested permission to enter Sri Lankan waters, Ranil’s government took a strong decision and said that the Sri Lankan government had decided to postpone the entry of Chinese research ships into Sri Lankan waters by a year.
Accordingly, the one-year ban imposed on Chinese research ships ended on December 31st. However, with this decision taken by Ranil, the goodwill that existed between China and Sri Lanka until then was seen as damaged. China, which is considered one of the most powerful countries in the world, saw the decision taken by Ranil’s government as an attack on its pride or as an act of incompetence.
Ban on the Ship
However, despite imposing a one-year ban on Chinese research ships, Ranil’s government later submitted some amendments to the agreement between the two countries regarding research ships. After winning the presidential election, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who became the new President, appointed a special committee to investigate Ranil’s amendments and report on what other amendments should be added to it. Accordingly, Anura is preparing to go to China this time with the new amendments prepared regarding Chinese research vessels in his hand.
It is believed that the proposals are related to the entry of these Chinese research vessels into the Indian Ocean in a way that does not harm not only Sri Lanka but also other countries in the world. If China agrees to it, the Chinese research vessels will enter Sri Lankan waters by those proposals. However, the conditions included in those proposals have not been revealed yet. However, it is noted that China is still in a position where their research vessels continue to be sent to Sri Lankan waters. Accordingly, it is needless to say that the President’s visit to China this time is extremely crucial.
India starts work
In this context, on Tuesday, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, initiated to call all editors of newspapers in Sri Lanka to the Indian High Commission in Colombo. The Indian High Commissioner’s full remarks were aimed at explaining the agreements reached during the President’s recent visit to India. The Indian High Commissioner gave a long explanation to the editors about the ETCA Agreement to be signed between the two countries, the Sampur Power Plant, the Mannar Wind Power Plant, the proposed power substation to be constructed, and the aid and grants.
He also said that during the discussion, Indian Prime Minister Modi paid close attention to the security of this ocean region and that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that he would not take any decision that would threaten India’s security and that Sri Lanka’s maritime and land borders would not be used in a way that would threaten India’s security.
Meera’s question
During the question period that followed, Meera Srinivasan, the Sri Lankan correspondent for the Indian newspaper ‘The Hindu’, informed that although the Sri Lankan President had promised not to act in a way that would pose a problem to India’s security, she had informed that a press release issued by the Presidential Media Unit had been published announcing that permission had been given to Chinese research vessels to enter Sri Lanka after meeting a Chinese delegation that had arrived in Sri Lanka.
The Indian High Commissioner and the Indian High Commission Office immediately corrected the story and said that there was no such reference in the press release issued by the Presidential Media Unit. Despite this, Meera Srinivasan continued to maintain her position and said that it was mentioned in the press release. However, the Indian High Commissioner continued to deny it and said that there was no possibility of such a thing happening and that an agreement had been reached in this regard.
After the talks were over, several editors were engaged in a friendly discussion with the Indian High Commissioner. While inquiring about the past information, one of the editors again asked the Indian High Commissioner about the Chinese research ships and asked what would be done if such a ship arrived. Then the Indian High Commissioner gave a surprising answer.
‘That cannot happen. If that happens, we cannot accept it…’ was the answer given by the Indian High Commissioner.
Accordingly, it is clear from this discussion with the Indian High Commissioner that India is very concerned about the Chinese research ships. Since the ban on Chinese research ships was lifted on December 31, it is also clear from this incident that India has focused its attention on them.
Sajith-Ranil Meeting
There has been no face-to-face discussion between Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in recent times. Although Ranil and Sajith met face-to-face when Ranil came to Parliament as President and delivered his views, those meetings ended in heated debates between the two. During and after the last presidential election, no one saw Sajith and Ranil together. Although some groups suggested that the two parties should merge, and although separate discussions were held in places, there was no mention of a leader-level discussion.
Against this backdrop, a face-to-face meeting took place between Ranil and Sajith last week. It was at a function held at a temple in Wellawatte. The temple’s chief monk had arranged the seats so that Ranil, Vajira and Sajith would sit in one row. Therefore, everyone around could see that for the first time in a while, a very friendly discussion took place between Ranil and Sajith during the ceremony. The discussion between the two was about the doctoral degree issues that had arisen within the Malima government in the past few weeks. That too was in English.
Degree Issue
At the beginning of the discussion, Ranil first told Sajith that a serious issue had arisen regarding the doctoral degree of former Speaker Ashoka Rangwala. When Ranil asked him how he could ask a question from a parliament employee as the Speaker if Rangwala did not have a doctoral degree and had made false statements in that regard, Sajith replied that a serious issue had arisen.
Thereafter, Ranil again pointed out that it was a wrong precedent for the Minister to complain to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) based on the name of Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara was mentioned as Dr. on the Parliament website, and through that, the CID came to Parliament and questioned its officials. Responding to this, Sajith also said that the fact that Harshana Nanayakkara’s name was mentioned as Dr. on the Parliament website was according to a letter issued by the office of the Leader of the House, Bimal Ratnayake. Then Ranil again said that in that case, the CID should have questioned the officials of Bimal Ratnayake , not the parliament officials.
Will the two sides unite?
After this discussion, it was seen that representatives from both sides expressed a strong opinion that the SJB and the UNP should unite for the upcoming elections. There were extensive opinions expressed in this regard within the SJB parliamentary group as well as in the SJB Management Committee. Many people there had stated that if some agreement could be reached between the two parties, under the present situation, they would be able to win many Pradeshiya Sabhas and Urban Councils in the upcoming local government elections. However, a loud voice was raised here that whoever the SJB joins with, should act in a way that does not harm its identity. Especially in the upcoming local government elections, many MPs have pointed out that to build a party, the SJB and the UNP should unite and contest together.
Conspiracy continues
However, we revealed last week through this column that Ranil’s faction has initiated a conspiracy to remove the SJB and the Telephone symbol from the upcoming local government elections. There, we pointed out that Ranil and some in the Malima government have launched this conspiracy to block the possibility of the SJB establishing itself as a party at the grassroots level. Although the SJB believes in the people and the public opinion, Ranil is not someone who trusts the people and the public opinion.
Ranil always tries to play a political game create crises within the party and publish false news about the parties through his family’s group of newspapers to seize political power. This was seen last week when a big fake news was published targeting the SJB in the ‘Desya’ newspaper owned by the family of Ranil’s brother-in-law Ruwan Wijewardene. The news said that the position of the chairman of the SJB, as well as the secretary position, was in danger and that due to the crisis within the party, a background has now emerged for the change of both positions.
Refute fake news
The SJB did not stand idly by with the publication of this news. Accordingly, the SJB immediately sent a correction to the newspaper ‘Desya’ under the party’s own letterhead, stating that the relevant news was completely false. The statement sent to the relevant newspaper stated that the false news should be corrected immediately; otherwise, legal action would be taken against the newspaper.
In addition, during a special discussion held by the SJB last week, steps were also taken to make another decision in this regard. That is, if any newspaper, electronic media channel or social media publishes false news against the SJB, a correction should be sent to that media institution immediately. The SJB also took steps last week to appoint a committee of lawyers to take further legal action in this regard.
