Premireship crisis resolved within MR’s family… who is the mediator?..
Former Chief Justice enters the political arena in a big way…
From the day the current president assumed power, the government has been doing all the problems it has, solutions to them, decisions to be made, attacks on various parties, things it needs to do, things it should not do, etc. through news ‘planting’. The government has been successfully planting news by using several newspapers, TV channels and websites that are friendly to the government. The government thought that when they published what they wanted through their friendly media, the entire people of the country would believe the news. In fact, the people of the country thought that the news planted by the government was true until the ‘Mawrata’ newspaper and the Mawrata News website exposed the government’s news planting to the country. They were accepted with empty heads.
Fake news planting
However, since the inception of our ‘Mawrata’ newspaper and ‘Mawrata News’ website, the news planting culture of the government, the newspapers associated with them, the people and groups behind them, and the truth and falsity of the news have been continuously proved to the people of the country with evidence. As a result of these revelations we have made in the past, the people of the country have improved in terms of media literacy to the extent that they do not accept certain news published in newspapers and websites and say ‘this is definitely a government plant’. It was seen that all these were news published by the government.
Suddenly another news of this kind appeared in the newspapers and websites of this country that President Ranil Wickramasinghe is about to leave for England for the coronation of King Charles III. It is that the government has decided to remove four governors and instead it has decided to appoint several senior members of the United National Party to those positions. It was not very difficult for us to understand that this news is another plant of the government because of the publication of this news in several newspapers and websites in the same way. Accordingly, we also took steps to find out the story behind the news planting.
Accordingly, we came to know that a certain media unit of the government has distributed this news to all four quarters, and that this tactic is to create some political turmoil in the absence of the president by publishing this news after the president leaves the country and obtain the resignation letters of the governors.
Governors resignation
Accordingly, during our further investigations, we learned that a certain female additional secretary working in the Presidential Secretariat called several governors on the phone and informed them that the president had decided to appoint new governors, and that they should send their resignation letters to the president immediately and that Two days after the notification, it was noted that a certain group of the government had taken steps to give the above news to some selected media. Through that, the government had planned to obtain the resignation letters of the governors before the president’s return to Sri Lanka and after the president’s return, appoint a few people needed by the president to these positions.
Governor of Eastern Province
However, it was seen that Mrs. Anuradha Yahampath, who was the Eastern Governor, was caught in this plan of the government at the initial stage. Accordingly, she stated that at the end of a ceremony held in the Eastern Province, the government had given her a notice to resign from this position, and that this speech she is giving may be her last speech.
A former commander reacts
Although the Eastern Governor decided to resign according to this notice, it was a special incident that was seen here that a former head of the security forces, who is currently holding the position of Governor, was not ready to resign. There were two main reasons for that. One of them was that Mr. Basil Rajapaksa had taken steps to make three phone calls to this governor that something like this was going to happen. But don’t worry,’ said Basil to the governor there.
Phone call to the governor
The second point was a phone call to this governor that the president does not have the power to remove governors in this way and to seek legal advice in this regard. Accordingly, this governor informed several other governors who are close to him about this and also informed them that he would take legal advice on this.
Former CJ’s advice
Here, a leading businessman of the country, who is known throughout the country, came to the aid of this governor. This businessman, who worked very closely with former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, was the one who openly carried out a big operation to bring Gota to power. Also, this businessman intends to run as a candidate in the upcoming presidential election. This businessman has former Chief Justice Sarath N. He has a very close friendship with Mr. Silva. Accordingly, recently this businessman went to meet the former Chief Justice along with the aforementioned Governor and took steps to seek legal advice in this regard.
The former Chief Justice clearly informed them that although the President has the power to appoint governors, the President does not have the power to remove them. The former Chief Justice pointed out to this Governor that in order to remove it, a resolution of two-thirds of the Provincial Council must be passed. On the other hand, the former Chief Justice pointed out that the current governors were appointed by Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who was a president who came to power with a mandate, and that there is official recognition, and pointed out that a successor president has no ability to cancel the appointments made by official authority.
All should be removed
In addition, the former Chief Justice pointed out to this governor that if they were to be removed, all the governors should be removed, otherwise the fact that only four governors had been notified to remove would challenge the principle of equality before the law. The former Chief Justice also mentioned that if the President does so, it can be challenged before the law.
According to the clear legal instructions received in this way, this governor decided at that moment not to give his resignation letter to the President. This governor also took steps to inform the other governors about this legal advice.
However, it was reported to us that this Governor had gone to meet the former Chief Justice with a well-known businessman and sought legal advice. Accordingly, we took steps to publish that news on our website, which is considered as an extraordinary news at that moment. Moreover, to know the legal situation here, former Chief Justice Sarath N. We also took steps to give Mr. Silva a phone call. There, the former Chief Justice took steps to provide us with a clear description of the legal situation here. We also published that news as a special news on ‘Mawrata’ News website as follows.
Former Chief Justice Sarath N. said that the President does not have the ability to remove the Governors, and if he does so, a resolution of two-thirds of the Provincial Council should be passed. Mr. Silva said.
As reported by some media, he stated this in an inquiry made by ‘Mawrata’ regarding the notice given by the President to the governors to leave.
The former Chief Justice also said:
Provincial councils were established under the 13th constitutional amendment. Since then, the provincial council elections in Sri Lanka continued. According to the law, provincial council elections were scheduled to be held in October 2017. But the United National Party, which was in power at that time, brought a 2-page bill to Parliament saying that women’s representation should be increased. Although it was passed in the second reading, an amendment was brought to add 20 more pages to the bill and include the provincial council election. I also filed a case against it in October 2017. That day Mr. Sumanthiran went to court against me. Anyway, my request was rejected.
Province council elections
But until today there are no provincial councils. There are no chief ministers functioning , provincial council members too not there but only governors. According to Article 154/B, Governors are appointed by the President. That situation has been confirmed by the constitution. According to Article 154/B/5 the term of governors is 5 years. In that section, it is stated that ‘the post should be held for a period of 5 years from the date of assuming the post’.
If the governor is removed in any case, two-thirds of the provincial council can pass a resolution and advise the president to remove the governor. Even if it is given, the governor can be removed only if the president is in favour. In that way, the position of governor has been secured by the constitution.
How to remove governors?
Now there are no provincial councils so there are only governors. So they cannot be removed without a proposal from the Provincial Council. The position becomes vacant only if he resigns. The former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed these governors. He is a popularly elected president. The current president is a successor president. So the question arises as to whether a successor president can remove the governors appointed by the popularly elected president.
The next thing is that the media has reported that 4 governors will be removed. Then what about the governors of other provinces? Will they be removed? The former Chief Justice also said that a question about equality of law arises here.
With this revelation we made, many parties started talking about it and some media even took steps to ask the former Chief Justice about it. However, after this series of events, none of the governors had taken steps to forward their resignation letters to the President. Accordingly, when the President comes to Sri Lanka, the groups who planned to place the resignation letters of the Governors on the President’s desk were ‘haunted’ by this outcome.
However, when the President came to Sri Lanka to attend the coronation of Charles, this story was somewhat under wraps. But last Wednesday morning, the previously mentioned additional secretary who was in the presidential secretariat again called several governors and took steps to ask that their letters of resignation have not been received yet, and whether they can be sent immediately.
The other governors who answered her call gave slippery answers, but the governor who met the former Chief Justice directly informed her, ‘If we are removed like this, we will not be able to walk down the street. We were put by the former president. Therefore, if they want to remove us, they should send us in writing stating the reasons for removing us. Through that, the signal given by the governor was that he is not ready to leave that position. The reply also contained a signal that legal action would be taken against them if they were to be removed arbitrarily.
However, there is another issue that has arisen here. That is why the president suddenly prepared to remove these governors. At the time of the discussion on this issue, it was proposed that the resignation letters of the governors should be obtained due to the argument that the president did not have the ability to remove those governors.
Governors discuss
Meanwhile, the governors also took steps to hold a discussion regarding this situation that has arisen recently. There they had focused on who put the proposal on the president’s head regarding the removal of the governors. From the information they got to know there, it was said that this proposal was presented when they went to Basil and met the President on the 22nd.
They had come to know that Basil had presented the proposal and that the governors wanted by Ranil and Basil should be appointed to those positions and that the appointments should be completed within 08th and 09th. It was said there that Basil suddenly went to Dubai when the situation became chaotic. Although some media reported that Basil is leaving Dubai for Los Angeles, America, the information we have said that Basil is not going to America. We have learned from those sources that Basil is planning to stay in Dubai for about a week and a half.
Appointment of New Governors stalled
Accordingly, the President has decided to temporarily suspend the appointment of new governors under the background of not receiving resignation letters. When asked about the letters of resignation, it is reported that the governors had requested letters from the Additional Secretary of the President’s Secretariat asking for the reasons, and if they were removed regardless of such, it is reported that this is due to the readiness of all of them to enter the legal process. Accordingly, it has been learned that the President has decided to postpone this appointment until next September.
News of Presidential election
In the midst of all this, one of the news that the government has been planting from time to time in its friendly media is that the president has planned to hold a presidential election first. There were several reasons for the government to do so. The first of which is to break the consensus politics that is emerging among the opposition through such. The next point is to raise issues within the Samagi Jana Balavega. The other is to divide the opposition. The last thing is to intimidate the opposition by showing the presidential election. But even though the government publishes this news from time to time, the studies done by the opposition have clearly revealed that the constitution does not allow the president to call a presidential election at the end of this year.
Successor President cannot call election
According to the articles of the constitution, it is very clear that the president has the ability to call a presidential election in October next year if he wants to. The reason for that is that since the president is a successor president, he does not have the ability to call a presidential election until the former president completes his term. If former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was in power at this time, he would have been able to call a presidential election by March.
Amend the constitution
Under this situation, the latest news from the government side is that they are going to bring an amendment to the constitution and hold elections next March. But that too is not possible. Even so, some media units are publishing such news in accordance with the instructions received from above to keep the public, Pohottuwa and the opposition afraid.
Attempt to trap Sajith
Meanwhile, last week, Sajith was able to foil an attempt by the government to trap Mr. Sajith Premadasa in a huge political trap. This operation was launched by the President a few days before he left for London. That is based on a discussion of the Board of Directors of the President’s Fund.
Mr. Sajith Premadasa, the opposition leader, works as a member of the Board of Directors of the President’s Fund. The plan implemented by the President was to somehow bring Sajith to the President’s Secretariat at this time when information is spreading that the opposition will merge and show the country that there is some agreement between the government and Sajith. Through that, to seed the consensus that is emerging within the opposition.
Presidential fund meeting
Accordingly, before the President left for London, a letter received by Sajith stated that an emergency board meeting of the President’s Fund was to be held. It was mentioned in the letter that a large amount of funds will be provided from the President’s Fund, and a symbolic display ceremony will be held. Although it is normal for Sajith to receive such letters, the special incident that was seen there was that a high official of the President’s Secretariat suddenly called Sajith and informed him that the relevant meeting had to be postponed.
Also, the concerned officer took steps to inform Sajith about the date of the meeting again. Also, the official had given a date close to the departure of the President to London. Sajith felt a bit uneasy because he should have been informed about this in writing but only through a call, but Sajith did not take it too seriously at that time. But a call from the President’s Secretariat came closer to the relevant date and it was said that a special ceremony of the President’s Fund was going to be held and funds were to be given to over 200 people, and the President and all the members of the Board of Directors of the President’s Fund were to participate, so the leader of the opposition should also participate.
A Trap?
Accordingly, as soon as he received this call, Sajith realized that there was a trap. Sajith suddenly realized that this is to destroy the unity emerging in the opposition by calling him to the President’s Secretariat and releasing photos of him together with the President at the Board of Directors meeting to the media. Accordingly, Sajith decided not to attend the meeting. Through it, ‘A meeting between Ranil and Sajith’, ‘Sajith is going to form the government’, ‘They talked about giving the Prime Ministership to Sajith’, ‘Ranil left the country after talking about everything’, ‘All alliances of the opposition are over’, ‘The alliance of the opposition will collapse’, It is observed that all the news that the government had planned to publish in newspapers and websites were washed away. Also, there was no news that such a ceremony was held with the absence of Sajith.
Strong opposition alliance
While the government was planning to destroy the opposition alliance by playing such games, a huge opposition was being created secretly behind the scenes. Under the leadership of Sajith, this common opposition met twice in the Parliament, and many people who expressed the opinion that they would never come together, sat together and discussed in harmony. People like Udaya Gammanpila, Ratana Thero, Gevindu Kumaratunga who represent the Tamil National Alliance and the nationalist politics were also present in these discussions.
Opposition victories
In these discussions, the group was able to jointly give three special victories to the opposition. The first of these was withdrawal of the government’s Anti-Terrorism Act, which caused great controversy. The second was that the government had to postpone the Central Bank Act indefinitely. The third was that the opposition managed to win back the two-day debate on the Express Pearl ship, which was set to be postponed saying that it would affect the case in Singapore. There is an interesting story behind this.
Regarding the Express Pearl ship, the parliamentary debate was held last Tuesday and Wednesday, but due to a legal issue raised by Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa at the beginning, the assembly took a heated situation at the beginning.
There, Mr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa said that since a case related to this has started in Singapore, this debate cannot be held because this could harm the case, proceedings traitors would do so, and he cannot be involved in it.
With this statement of Mr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, the opposition strongly protested against it and Mr. Gayantha Karunathilaka raised a question of rules and said that this debate can be held according to the speaker’s discretion.
Accordingly, Speaker Mahinid Yapa Abeywardena adjourned the House and called an emergency party leader meeting.
By this time, Mr. Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the opposition, was on his way to another committee room of the Parliament to discuss another matter. There the MPs informed the leader of the opposition about the crisis and the leader of the opposition turned back and came to the speaker’s office to participate in the emergency party leader’s meeting.
Accordingly, as the discussion began, Wijayadasa once again said that holding this debate could harm the case, and therefore the debate could not be conducted.
At that moment, the Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam too was summoned to the party leaders meeting to clarify the matter and the Attorney General had also explained some facts about the transfer of the case.
However, the leader of the opposition, Mr. Sajith Premadasa, who spoke afterwards, countered all the arguments and delivered a long explanation to the party leaders.
Here, the leader of the opposition explained the legal situation and the standing orders and took steps to make his speech with examples.
Negligence of the government
The leader of the opposition pointed out to the group about the enormous damage caused to the environment by the Express Pearl incident, some shortcomings on the part of Sri Lanka, and at least the way the government has dealt with the Pearl ship without taking the damage caused by the New Diamond ship as a lesson.
After this explanation of the leader of the opposition, the speaker pointed out that this debate should be done by showing the damage done to the environment so that the case is not damaged.
Accordingly, the speaker had agreed to conduct the two-day debate on the Express Pearl ship despite the objection of the Minister of Justice.
SJB special working committee meeting
In the meantime, the SJB Working Committee, which met last Monday, also made some special decisions. During the past period, some members of SJB have been conducting secret deals with the President and the government and issued statements outside the party’s opinion, so a decision was taken that no one from the party can discuss with the President in this working committee. It was also decided that if there is any discussion, it should be done by the party leader.
Below are the decisions taken at the meeting.
The working committee of Samagi Jana Balawega unanimously decided that they should not join the oppressive government that violates democracy and should not get positions.
It was unanimously decided by the Working Committee that holding discussions about a union with such an oppressive government or bringing such proposals in the name of the people should not be done and that doing such a thing is absolutely prohibited.
However, decisions are taken as a party in providing support for progressive activities in favor of the country.
The Working Committee unanimously decided that Samagi Janabalawega must present a candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
To confirm his victory, the working committee unanimously decided to build a broad alliance led by the Samagi Janabalawega and to hand over full power to the opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa as the party leader to build that alliance.
The announcement issued by Sajabaya stated that the opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa was also authorized to take necessary disciplinary action in accordance with the party’s constitution against anyone who acts against the decisions of the party’s executive committee.
Conflict in Rajapakse Family
A few weeks ago, we revealed through the ‘ Inside Politics ‘ column that a serious political problem has arisen within the Rajapaksa family. There we said that on April 18th, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa had gone to meet the President and requested that the post of Prime Minister be given to him again, and on April 22nd, Mr. Basil Rajapaksa had gone to meet the President and made comments in a way that would disrupt Mahinda’s request. We also mentioned there that some conflict of opinion has arisen between Mahinda’s sons regarding giving the post of Prime Minister to Mahinda.
Ranil plays his cards
We mentioned there that Namal was of the opinion that Mahinda should sit in the opposition without taking the post of Prime Minister, and that both Yoshita and Rohitha were of the opinion that Mahinda should take the post of Prime Minister. Accordingly, we further mentioned that the President also understood the conflict in the Rajapaksa family and implemented political tactics accordingly.
Family reunion efforts
However, as of last week, several rounds of special negotiations had started behind the scenes to reunite the divided Rajapaksa family. It was also seen how several parties intervened and set the necessary background for negotiations. After carrying many messages between the parties, the parties were able to bring all these people to one opinion.
Reclaim Premiership
According to the information we have received, it is said that Namal has changed his earlier position that Mahinda should not get the post of Prime Minister during these discussions. It is known that Namal has agreed in these discussions to make Mahinda the Prime Minister again, to form a potty government again, and to hold a cabinet minister position under that potty government. Accordingly, the ‘ Inside politics’ column has heard that the political conflict between the family has been resolved very peacefully. Under this background, it has been learned that the Rajapaksa family has decided to send a strong message to the government asking Mahinda for the prime ministership once again within the next few days.
The president also used this political conflict within the Rajapaksa family to not give the prime minister ship to Mahinda. When some messages came from Mahinda’s side to give the prime minister ship, it was seen that the president was postponing it by showing Namal’s position. But under the current situation, the Rajapaksa family has decided to jointly launch the battle for the Prime Minister, so it may be seen that the President will also make a final decision in the future.
Basil’s departure
At the same time, a story that has not surfaced so far in the Pohottu May Rally held at Campbell Field was known to the ‘ Inside Politics ‘ column. It was a crisis that arose in relation to Basil. It is known that this was one of the reasons for Basil’s sudden departure from Sri Lanka. Many senior MPs from Pohottuwa came to Campbell park on May 1st to once again to appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as the national leader of Pohottuwa and start the Prime Ministerial battle.
But the faces of Pohottu seniors faces turned red when they saw that Basil’s face was displayed in the background of the stage, similar to Mahinda’s face. Also, when Basil arrived to the stage, he was welcomed as the next leader of the party, as well as the next presidential candidate of the party.
According to the information received by us, there was a big conflict of opinion between Basil supporters Sagara Kariyawasam and Mahinda supporters behind the stage during the rally. There, Mahinda supporters had protested against highlighting Basil in the May rally and said that the rally should have been organized only to highlight Mahinda Rajapakse, not Basil or Gota.
In a press conference held after the rally, Sagara Kariyawasam and Professor Ranjith Bandara publicly commented that Basil was the next leader of the party and the presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, there was a big disagreement between Basil and Yoshita throughout the last week. The reason for this was that after Mahinda asked the President for the post of Prime Minister, Basil met the President and made comments that would disrupt it.
Yoshita Basil argument!
Because of this, there was a heated exchange between Yoshita and Basil. We have heard that this was also the reason for Basil’s sudden departure from Sri Lanka. Basil had arranged to keep his departure to Dubai so much a secret that at least he had arranged not to inform Mahinda about the trip.
However, the ‘ Inside Politics ‘ Column has come to know that Pohottuwa councilors and third parties have now built a bridge of reconciliation between Basil and Yoshita. Accordingly, we have come to know that several phone messages have been exchanged between Basil and Yoshita who are in Dubai for the past few days.
Opposition Unity
Throughout the past, the government introduced the opposition as a weak opposition. As a lifeless opposition. As an opposition that cannot unite all the opposition and raise one voice. Although there was some truth in these accusations of the government during the initial period, within the last few months, Sajith had the ability to unite the entire opposition under his opposition leadership. Through that, Sajith was able to give several huge victories to the opposition. The main and biggest achievement was that Sajith and the opposition were able to work to the point where the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was supposed to be brought by the government, was withdrawn.
ATA
Through this Anti-Terrorism Act, the government had prepared to amend the law in such a way that not only the politicians and individuals who speak against the government, but even the journalists who write, can be arrested. But Sajith united the entire opposition and led a massive protest against this in the parliament and outside. Sajith, who empowered all the opposition groups inside the parliament against it, informed all the embassies outside the parliament and took steps to bring a huge international influence to the government.
The American Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ms. Julie Chang, the European Commission, the British High Commission and the diplomatic community even issued announcements against the Anti-Terrorism Act due to this struggle led by the opposition.
The end result of this was that the government had to postpone the Anti-Terrorism Act indefinitely at the last moment, which was to be brought to the parliament and adopted by the government.
Central bank bill
The second victory achieved by the unity of the opposition was that the opposition was able to postpone the bill for the independence of the central bank, which was ready to be submitted according to a condition of the International Monetary Fund. After the presentation of this bill by the government, several opposition parties challenged it and filed petitions before the Supreme Court, where the Supreme Court ruled that 39 of its articles were not in accordance with the Constitution. Accordingly, the Supreme Court had proposed 82 amendments to the Act.
But the Speaker did not inform the Parliament about this, and after declaring to the Parliament that there was no such serious situation, it was seen that a great controversy arose. In particular, Mr. Udaya Gammanpila strongly protested against it and stated that his parliamentary privileges were violated based on the actions of the Speaker.
In this way, with the opposition to the Central Bank Bill and the proposals of the Supreme Court, Sajith called economic experts and lawyers and conducted a one-day workshop for the Sahab MPs in this regard. This session, economic experts and lawyers gave a long explanation to the group of MPs about the favorable and unfavorable clauses of this Act.
Amendments to the bill!
At the end of the session, the group of MPs including Sajith decided to agree to the favorable proposals in this bill and submit amendments to the unfavorable clauses. The Sahaba group of MPs decided to vote for the amendments only if the government agrees to them during the committee meeting, and to vote against them if they do not agree with the amendments of the government. Accordingly, Sahabaya also decided not to refrain from voting in any case from now on.
In addition, several former economic experts of the Gotabhaya government also visited the IMF agreement a few weeks ago. A special report was prepared regarding the serious clauses related to the agreement and steps were taken to give it to former President Mahinda and the seniors of Pohottuwa. (Although we have the names of all these economic experts, we will not reveal them at this time.) They gave this report to Mahinda and said that this agreement contains many serious clauses that are harmful to the country, and if the banking system collapses after restructuring the domestic debt, it will be held responsible. That everyone including Mahinda who raises his hand will have to take it. Accordingly, Mahinda and several seniors in Pohottuwa had decided not to vote for the central bank bill.
Meanwhile, last week, the representatives of the opposition parties met in the parliament and took steps to discuss the current situation. When the Central Bank Act came up for discussion, Sajith took steps to inform the opposition members of the decision taken by his party. After that notification, other party leaders of the opposition also took the same stand and gave different opinions.
Time to study Central bank act
Accordingly, everyone finally decided that they should ask the government for more time to study this Central Bank Act brought by the government. It was suggested to make the request directly from the President. Since a resolution had already been passed in the SJB working committee meeting that no MP except the party leadership could hold official talks with the President, opposition leader Sajith was assigned to discuss the Central Bank Act with the President. Accordingly, the representatives of the opposition took steps to inform Sajith to officially inform the President about this.
Accordingly, Sajith made a phone call to the President on Tuesday morning. Sajith who made such a call pointed out to the President that the opposition has decided to submit many amendments to the Central Bank Act which the government is preparing to bring, and that the opposition has submitted a request that time is needed for further study. Therefore, it was a special event that when Sajith presented the opposition’s official request to the President for the necessary time, the President also agreed to it without any hesitation.
Ranil informed Sajith that he would immediately inform Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Accordingly, Sajith again asked the President that if so, he would take steps to inform the House when the Parliament convened. The president agreed to that too. Accordingly, as soon as the session of the Assembly started, after Sajith informed about this situation, Dinesh also said that the government decided to postpone the introduction of the Central Bank Act. This is the second victory of the general opposition.
The third victory was the debate regarding the Express Pearl ship, which the government was prepared to stop at the last moment.