Biden picks Mangala’s friend 

US President-elect Joe Biden last week announced his nominee for the post of Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Biden had nominated Ambassador Samantha Power to head USAID.  Biden also announced that he is elevating the position to the National Security Council within the White House – a signal that he will prioritise outreach to other nations.  [caption id="attachment_114142" align="alignright" width="300"] Former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power with former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera[/caption] “A leading voice for humane and principled American engagement in the world, she will rally the international community and work with our partners to confront the biggest challenges of our time,” the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition stated in a Tweet, adding: “As USAID Administrator, she will work with our partners to confront the Covid-19 pandemic, lift up vulnerable communities, fight for the value of every human being, and advance American ideals and interests around the globe.”  Power, a former war correspondent who served on President Barack Obama’s National Security Council, was the US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2013-2017.  USAID has an annual budget of about $ 20 billion.  Interestingly, Power is a close friend of former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. In fact, Power’s last visit to Sri Lanka was to deliver the keynote address at an event held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Mangala Samaraweera’s political career in 2019. 

Dayasiri dismisses Covid tonic 

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara last week dismissed rumours as well as social media reports that he had surreptitiously consumed one of the vastly discussed locally-produced Covid-19 curative tonics.  Several social media reports claimed that Jayasekara had consumed the “Ravana tonic” that was prepared by an ayurvedic practitioner according to the recipe of the legendary King Ravana.  However, Jayasekara last week responded via video statement from the hotel he was under quarantine in, saying that neither he nor his family members have consumed the so-called Ravana tonic.  He stated that he was undergoing his mandatory quarantine period, following the medical advice of doctors and nurses engaged in treating him. According to Jayasekara, the individual engaged in manufacturing the tonic had on several occasions tried to contact him, but such overtures were rejected by him.  

Meeting uncle Mahinda 

Former Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya had an interesting meeting to reminisce about Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Founding Leader Rohana Wijeweera.  [caption id="attachment_114143" align="alignleft" width="300"] Delimitation Commission of Sri Lanka Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya was visited by Uvindu Wijeweera, who is the son of JVP Founding Leader late Rohana Wijeweera[/caption] Wijeweera’s son, Uvindu Wijeweera, had met with Deshapriya as part of his fact-finding mission about his late father’s life as an activist of left politics in the country.  Uvindu had posted about Deshapriya’s meeting on his Facebook account.  “Don’t call me Commissioner or Sir, call me uncle,” Deshapriya had told the young Wijeweera.  “I feel that these words are sufficient to express his simple and friendly nature. Although he is important to many as the former Election Commissioner and a great public servant, he is far too important to me for a different reason. He is one of the very few people who are now among the living who have personally associated with my father.  “I personally believe that the city of Ambalangoda and Dharmashoka Vidyalaya are key points in the history of the JVP as well as the 1971 insurgency. It is similar to the first salvo of the Russian Revolution fired by the Aurora. It is the grounds that gave strength to the struggle. His elder brothers and sister play a key role in the struggle. There’s much to be discussed about the memories of the past…,” Uvindu had stated in his Facebook account about the meeting. 

No difference, says Maithri 

Former North-Western Province Governor Maithri Gunaratne PC said that there does not appear to be a big difference between the current initiatives of Leader of the Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Sajith Premadasa and the initiatives of United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.  [caption id="attachment_114145" align="alignright" width="300"] UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa[/caption] Gunaratne’s veiled criticism of Premadasa, his schoolmate for several years at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, was revealed in an interview on social media recently.  Gunaratne, who contested from the Badulla District under the SJB at the last General Election, received more preferential votes than SJB’s Badulla District Leader Ravi Samaraweera, Lakshman Seneviratne, and former Uva Provincial Council Opposition Leader R.M. Rathnayake.  “There is no big difference between Ranil and Sajith now,” Gunaratne had said, raising suspicions about the current functions of the SJB as the main Opposition.  Gunaratne, who played a key role in Premadasa’s campaign at the last Presidential Election, has been sidelined by the SJB when selecting its office bearers. In fact, Gunaratne had also not been invited for the meeting held last month by the SJB Working Committee to finalise the party’s constitution. 

Dullas teaches patience 

Senior Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member and Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma last week made an interesting statement on valuing one of the key tenets of democracy: freedom of expression.  [caption id="attachment_114147" align="alignleft" width="300"] Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma[/caption] He observed that one should have the discipline to be able to patiently listen to the criticisms of one’s opponent.  Alahapperuma had made this observation when addressing the public after electrifying a day-and-night volleyball court in Morawaka in the Matara District.  “What do we see when we look at Parliament? How much does one patiently listen to your opponent’s words? How do the Government, Opposition, and even friendly parliamentary groups address each other? They address each other with the names of every animal that could be found in the jungles. All names are being thrown at each other except for that of a lion. I suppose that is because you can’t scold someone calling them a lion. There is one great factor that has contributed to this. None of these people have been actively involved in sports during their school days and have not been part of a team. That is why they are unable to bear it. They cannot face it,” Alahapperuma had said at the gathering. 

Spilled milk for Harin? 

“Crying over spilled milk” is a much-used English adage in reference to regret. It seems regret is what Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harin Fernando is feeling these days.  However, it is not over the critical words uttered by him regarding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, but over the change in the country’s leadership.  While participating at a protest held at the Independence Square held last Wednesday (13) demanding the right to freedom of expression, Fernando had said: “I now understand what was said earlier, that you should not regret later after losing the freedoms granted by President Maithripala Sirisena.”  Fernando further noted that his request from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was not for additional security, but for security to speak freely and express opinion.  He added that the real threat to him was not from the President, but from the “cronies” trying to impress the President.   

Covid postpones party leaders' meet 

The office of the Chief Government Whip in Parliament was subjected to immediate closure last Wednesday (13) after the Secretary to the Whip, who also serves as an Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, tested positive for Covid-19.  The detection resulted in the parliamentary party leaders' meeting, which was scheduled to be held that afternoon, being postponed till Monday (18).  The party leaders' meeting was supposed to make a final decision on whether or not to proceed with the parliamentary proceedings scheduled for this week. However, the decision is to now be taken tomorrow.  All officials in the Whip's office were immediately quarantined and subjected to PCR tests last Wednesday.  Meanwhile, Parliament officials have decided not to permit anyone to enter the parliamentary complex other than for any urgent matters.

Arrested and released

The son of former State Minister and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dilip Wedaarachchi, was arrested along with four others by the Police in Maharagama on Thursday (14) night over the alleged assault of a couple on the road. The assault had taken place following an argument over a vehicle accident. The MP's son and another were arrested soon after the incident, and the other two were arrested later, following a complaint lodged by the victims. However, the suspects were released on bail after both parties agreed to an amicable settlement. It is learnt that Wedaarachchi had agreed to compensate the damage caused to the couple.