• President AKD returns to public stage to respond to criticism against Govt.; comments stir hornet’s nest
• ‘Progressive’ JVP/NPP supporters angered by constructive criticism, following same pattern from GR era
• Comments by several deputy ministers criticised, attract nicknames; one minister is ‘pol kudu amathi’
• Five resignations of State institution heads within three months; no real reasons given for resignations
• Govt. to appoint committees to monitor ministries; mechanism unclear, Pelawatte interference feared
• LKR to depreciate in 2025 with increased imports, servicing external debt; Nandalal dismisses concerns
• Mahinda’s retirement talks resurface; priority is 2025 Budget, responds Mahinda, shows singing skills
• AKD reveals AG’s Dept. official who had kept a file till now; AG’s Dept. identifies 11 case files to proceed
• Yoshitha recounts arrest details with MR who says ‘that’s normal in politics’; seven firearms returned
• Namal indicted in Krrish case; businessman, former confidant gives statement; Namal sure of justice
• RW holds meeting with Opposition leaders, former presidents; CBK absent, Maithripala comes late
• SJB’s Mano, Thigambaram attend RW’s meet; SJB leadership requests official invite in writing for next
• Meeting focuses on harassments faced by Opposition members under the guise of ongoing probes
• Joint Opposition move to seek more Opposition representation, parliamentary committee powers
• RW to leave for the UK tomorrow and will leave for Oman afterwards; another meeting due in Feb.
• Basil returns to the spotlight; makes several calls from the US to Opposition leaders, seeks joint force
• Several Sajith loyalists inform of ploy by RW to break the SJB; Sajith left weighing pros and cons
• SJB-UNP talks face symbol hurdle; symbol not an issue, say some, note NPP’s ‘compass’ victory
• Sajith-RW meet in the offing, date undecided; likely to be held between or after RW’s foreign trips
• SLPPers focus on MPs’ Madiwela housing complex, decide to seek valuation and rent from Govt. MPs
• Ravi to move private members’ motion in House this week to abolish pension granted to MPs
• MR ready to leave Wijerama house if officially informed; Namal asked to look for alternative houses
• Seven-day pirith ceremony at Wijerama house amidst controversy; dissident SLPPers return, meet MR
• SLFP split over ‘hand’ and ‘chair’ symbols; holds talks with a group of SLPP dissidents, Sarvajana Balaya

This week marks the country’s 77th Independence Day, when it is time to look at the lessons learnt by past experiences and the future that is ahead for the country and its people. 

This year, the country marks its Independence Day after passing several key political milestones with the ascension of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) to the office of the President and the Government. However, the JVP/NPP Government has been under constant pressure since assuming office to deliver on its pledges in the run-up to the elections since the country is still on the path to economic recovery following the unprecedented crisis in 2022. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) for his part has presented many progressive plans of the Government that include the commitment to improve the ease of doing business environment in the country and the move to list loss-making State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on the stock exchange while maintaining that the Government will have to move out of being in charge of some loss-making SOEs.

However, with the country at a decisive crossroads economically, politically, and socially, the JVP/NPP Government led by President AKD has lost the three-month honeymoon period that was usually enjoyed by previous governments. 

The growing discomfort among some members of the general public and the increasing criticism towards the Government and some of its actions seen to be in contravention of JVP/NPP election pledges have resulted in Government members and certain sections of the ‘progressive’ supporters of the JVP/NPP expressing displeasure at the criticisms. These ‘progressive’ JVP/NPP supporters have unfortunately turned to ‘shoot the messenger’ instead of turning to point out the wrongs of the Government with the aim of correcting them.

One must not forget the mistakes that were made in the past, especially during the period of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR). Once GR assumed office, the 6.9 million who voted him to office behaved in a manner similar to that of current JVP/NPP supporters where their leader and his Government could do no wrong. The supporters were critical at the time of any individual or group that pointed out the faulty decision-making processes and actions of the GR Government. The end result of all these was witnessed in 2022.

While there still remains a considerable amount of goodwill towards the JVP/NPP Government, it would be wise for the Government to be astute about public concerns and keep an ear to the ground to not lose touch with ground realities.

Be that as it may, the JVP/NPP Government has launched a strategic programme to address the criticism levelled against the Government by conducting a series of public meetings attended by President AKD.

President AKD meanwhile has stirred a hornet’s nest with his recent public speeches. This started with the President’s public meeting in Katukurunda.

Despite the President’s attempts to create awareness among the public about the work carried out by the Government and the irregularities and wasteful nature of previous governments, certain public comments made by some Government ministers and deputy ministers continue to be the subject of public ridicule.

One such incident was witnessed recently at the Indian Republic Day event held last week that was attended by members of the Government, Opposition, business community, civil society, and media. A member of the incumbent Government, whose comments about the waste when extracting coconut milk and making pol sambol created quite a controversy, was making his entry into the premises where the event was being held when several individuals had said, not in hushed tones, “Here comes the ‘pol kudu amathi.’” The member of the Government had ignored the comments and walked away with a smile.

Another comment made by a deputy minister last week about the lack of space for squirrels to eat, enjoy, and make love given the attention on animals and crop damage is now trending on social media.

All these developments indicate that President AKD and his Government have much to do and the fact that there is a requirement for more time or the need to gain more governance experience cannot be used as excuses if and when the masses eventually lose their patience.

The JVP/NPP Government meanwhile is also witnessing the resignation of several heads of State institutions appointed after assuming office. So far five such officials have stepped down – starting from Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Senesh Bandara, to Sri Lanka Transport Board Chairman Ramal Siriwardena, National Housing Development Authority Chairman N.B.M. Ranatunga, and National Youth Services Council Chairman Chinthaka D. Hewapathirana, with the latest being National Transport Medical Institute Chairman Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni. 

While these former heads have refrained from stating the reasons for their decisions to move out, the general belief is that the incumbent Government’s decision-making processes, especially the involvement of some individuals, had resulted in their exit.

Currency issues

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Rupee is expected to depreciate in 2025 with the surge in import demand and servicing external debt reversing the gains it had in 2024, Bloomberg Economics said.

Accordingly, the research arm of Bloomberg said that an expected surge in imports, resumption of external debt servicing, and the need to buy more dollars to build foreign exchange reserves would increase demand for dollars, depreciating the rupee.

In addition, Bloomberg Economics said other risk factors such as a significant blow to exports from US President Donald Trump’s trade policies and a continued surge in oil prices due to any escalation in geopolitical conflicts could hit the rupee hard.

Moreover, Bloomberg Markets data showed that the Sri Lankan Rupee was seen as the worst-performing emerging market currency by the end of the fourth week of January after recording a negative spot return of 1.72%. This was after the rupee ended 2024 as the top-performing emerging market currency with a 10.85% return.

However, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe last week took steps to dispel misconceptions about the relationship between currency movements and overall economic stability, stressing that the strength or weakness of a currency did not singularly define economic performance.

Weerasinghe has pointed to global examples to illustrate his argument, citing India and China – two of the world’s fastest growing economies whose currencies have depreciated to historic lows against the US Dollar despite holding massive foreign exchange reserves.

“India’s reserves stand at around $ 640 billion, while China holds $ 1.3 trillion – yet both currencies have weakened to the lowest against the US Dollar. Despite these depreciations, both countries remain among the best performing economies globally,” he has added, further noting the importance of a flexible exchange rate, explaining that currency movements should be bidirectional, rather than following a one-way trajectory. 

Mahinda’s retirement talks

Meanwhile, there is much talk about the possible retirement of Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana, who was asked by President AKD to continue in his post at the Finance Ministry after assuming office last September.

Siriwardana has served under three Presidents – former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe and incumbent President AKD. He was planning on retiring after serving under President Wickremesinghe, but President AKD had requested him to continue in the post and assist in the economic recovery process.

However, while attending a private dinner of a personal friend recently, Siriwardana had responded to several queries on whether he was planning on retiring this month, saying that his priority at the moment was to finalise the 2025 Budget for President AKD.

Interestingly, Siriwardana had surprised those attending the dinner with his singing prowess as well.

Gearing for LG Polls

The country meanwhile is likely to be in election mode once again in a few months with moves to hold the Local Government (LG) Elections.

Government Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has said that LG Elections would be held in April and that the Election Commission would announce the date soon.

The Minister also said that the draft bill would be taken up for debate after the Speaker announced the Supreme Court determination to Parliament this coming week.

Controlling ministries 

On the political front, while the Opposition political parties are engaged in discussions to form alliances targeting the upcoming LG Elections, especially due to the belief that the JVP/NPP Government is losing its appeal among the masses, the Government is looking at formulating a mechanism to monitor ministries.

The concept of monitoring ministries has been in place in the past in different forms. Under some governments, a cabinet minister without a portfolio has been appointed with the powers to look into the other cabinet ministries. Then under President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR), several Members of Parliament (MPs) were appointed as monitoring MPs of several key ministries. Afterwards, the appointment of sectoral oversight committees was used by former President Wickremesinghe to observe the functions of ministries.

This time around, the JVP/NPP Government is also looking at the setting up of committees consisting of around 10-15 individuals working on a voluntary basis to monitor the functions of ministries and to provide insight to ease its functions. The appointment of monitoring committees has also opened a discussion on whether it is yet another move to get the JVP more involved in Government work under the watchful eye of a senior party member.

AKD focuses on probes

Meanwhile, President AKD continues to focus on the probes on corruption, fraud, and emblematic cases during former governments, which saw him last week revealing that a legal officer from the Attorney General’s Department had admitted to withholding a case file to prevent interference during previous administrations.

During a public meeting in Homagama, the President had revealed what the relevant officer had said: “If the case had been filed at that time, it would have either led to her being removed or the case being sabotaged. Therefore, she decided to hold on to the file until a government committed to justice came into power.” AKD went on to commend the officer for prioritising justice despite personal risks.

The President had also stated that people should not worry about suspects being released on bail, as the law allowed it if investigations were not obstructed. “Some say those getting arrested are bailed out soon. That is the law. Our objective is not to keep suspects in remand but to build strong cases, produce them before the High Court, and ensure the guilty are imprisoned,” he had explained.

AKD had further emphasised that bail was permissible unless investigations were hindered or the case involved the Public Property Act. “Don’t panic just because they are getting out on bail,” he had assured. 

The Attorney General’s Department, it is learnt, has identified 11 key cases, with three slated for filing in January.

Acting on Yoshitha

The court meanwhile granted bail to former President MR’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa on Monday (27 January).

Yoshitha was arrested while on his way to attend a wedding in Beliatta on 25 January. He was stopped by a Traffic Police officer at the Beliatta exit of the Southern Expressway saying he could not be allowed to proceed since officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were on the way to record a statement from him.

Once in CID custody, it had taken around three-and-a-half hours to travel to Colombo and Yoshitha had slept most of the way. Once in Colombo, it had taken around two hours to start recording his statements. The CID had also taken measures to give lunch to Yoshitha that day.

Afterwards, he had been presented before an additional magistrate and remanded until Monday (27 January). However, Yoshitha had reportedly not been allowed to receive food or water from home and, as a result, he had not had a meal on the 27th night and had been served breakfast at the remand prison the following morning.

Yoshitha’s brother, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa and SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka had visited Yoshitha while in remand custody.

After being granted bail, Yoshitha had made his way to meet MR, where he had recounted his experience. MR had listened and said: “That’s how it is. When you are in politics, these are part of it.”

Meanwhile, there were many posts on social media showing Yoshitha smiling and giving a thumbs up while seated on a chair after being arrested with the tag ‘happy customer,’ indicating that he (Yoshitha) had been awarded special treatment by the Police.

The Police however insisted that Yoshitha had not been given special treatment during his arrest. Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) K.B. Manathunga said that the photograph of Yoshitha shared on social media had been taken by his friend at the Beliatta Southern Expressway interchange and not at the Police station.

He also said that legally it was not mandatory to handcuff a person who was arrested and that the process was followed only if the suspect was uncontrollable and attempted to flee. The Police Spokesman added that the process to follow when arresting a suspect was determined by the arresting officer in charge.

Yoshitha’s weapons

Meanwhile, Secretary of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha confirmed last week that Yoshitha was in possession of a significant number of firearms issued for personal security and indicated that he had been in possession of at least two firearms at the time of his arrest.

However, Yoshitha had returned the two firearms in his possession to the Defence Ministry last Friday (31 January).

The Defence Ministry Secretary stated, in response to a media query early last week on whether Yoshitha had been in possession of seven to eight firearms, that the weapons had been taken into custody by the authorities.

Thuyacontha further stated that at present Yoshitha was only in possession of two firearms and that he had been informed to return the weapons. 

Krrish returns for Namal

The Attorney General’s Department meanwhile filed an indictment in the High Court against Yoshitha’s brother Namal over his alleged involvement in the controversial Krrish project.

The case revolves around the alleged financial misconduct and irregularities linked to the Indian real estate company Krrish Group’s investments in Sri Lanka during the former MR administration. The Attorney General has alleged that there had been a misappropriation of Rs. 70 million provided by Krrish for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka. Namal is currently out on bail concerning this incident.

It is learnt that a millionaire businessman who was closely affiliated to Namal and involved in the Krrish deal, currently residing in Australia, has already provided a statement to the CID and expressed willingness to serve as a State witness.

Namal responded to the indictment by posting on X: “I have read in the media that the Hon. Attorney General has filed an indictment against me in connection with the case involving the Krrish Company. During the ‘Yahapalanaya’ Government, when this matter was initially investigated, the matter was referred to the Hon. Attorney General eight years ago. Today after eight years, under the present Government, an indictment is filed.”

“The NPP Government seems to believe that by fabricating allegations against us, they can divert attention from their failures in governing the country and alleviating the serious burdens faced by the people. However, their shortcomings will soon be exposed for all to see,” he added.

RW meets party leaders

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe meanwhile convened a meeting with leaders of Opposition parties last Thursday (30 January) at a private hotel in Colombo. Wickremesinghe had personally telephoned many leaders of Opposition political parties saying that he had decided to convene the meeting to discuss the difficulties faced by Opposition parliamentarians facing investigations related to fraud and corruption.

Wickremesinghe’s move, it is learnt, had been compelled by the recent arrest of former MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa over a case. Yapa was arrested around midnight and taken into custody, causing much difficulty.

Wickremesinghe at the meeting with the party leaders had proposed that they could request the Government to carry out the relevant investigations without resorting to harassment. The investigators could first ask the relevant politician to visit their offices to provide statements and act only if the respective individual fails to appear before the investigators as requested. 

Another matter that was discussed at the meeting was the need for Opposition parties, even those not represented in Parliament, to engage in a joint action to seek more Opposition representation on parliamentary committees. 

It was pointed out that the Government had taken the lead and deputy lead in many key parliamentary committees that had traditionally been led by Opposition members, with only the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) being led by a member of the Opposition. One participant at the meeting had laughed saying that the COPF chair would have been given to the Opposition and MP Harsha de Silva since there may not have been any other who understood sensitive economic issues.

However, it was decided that a joint Opposition push would be made to seek more Opposition representation, including as chair or deputy chair of some key parliamentary committees.

The meeting was attended by former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Udaya Gammanpila, Yapa, Duminda Dissanayake, Kanchana Wijesekera, Sagala Ratnayaka, Wajira Abeywardena, and several others. Several Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs had also attended the meeting, including Mano Ganesan and P. Thigambaram. It is learnt that the SJB leadership had requested a formal invitation in writing for the next meeting.

CBK missing, Maithri late

Former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) and Maithripala Sirisena were also invited to the meeting convened by Wickremesinghe last Thursday.

CBK however had not attended the meeting since she was overseas and had informed Wickremesinghe that she was unable to attend it, adding that she would attend the next meeting.

Former President Sirisena, meanwhile, had attended the meeting, but he had arrived late since he had got the time mixed up. It was when another individual at the meeting had telephoned him and asked if he was attending the meeting that Sirisena had realised he had got the time wrong. Sirisena had therefore walked in late for the meeting.

The next meeting is expected to take place once Wickremesinghe concludes his two overseas trips this month around the second half of February.

Focusing on Budget

Meanwhile, the main Opposition SJB has called for public opinions on the 2025 Budget.

In order to broaden the debate and ensure that the voices of the public are heard, the Office of the Leader of the Opposition has invited the public to share their views on Budget 2025.

“This is a crucial step in the budget debate process, especially since the Government has not conducted a public opinion poll. Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our nation,” the Opposition Leader’s Office has stated.

The 2025 Budget debate will be held from 18 February to 21 March.

Conspiracy theory

However, the move for the formation of an alliance between the SJB and the United National Party (UNP), after facing a stumbling block over the alliance symbol, is also facing yet another drawback. The latest issue, it is learnt, is over a conspiracy theory.

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has been informed of an alleged conspiracy being initiated by UNP Leader, former President Wickremesinghe to split the SJB. Premadasa has been informed of the conspiracy by a group of Premadasa loyalists. They have claimed that Wickremesinghe is engaged in a ploy to buy time through the ongoing discussions between the SJB and UNP while plotting to break away several SJB MPs during this period.

Symbol obstacle

Apart from the conspiracy theory, it is learnt that the talks to form an alliance between the SJB and UNP are continuing to face an obstacle over the issue of the symbol of the proposed new alliance.

One of the participants in the discussions had meanwhile noted that the two parties should not be hung up on the symbol since there had been many instances where political parties and alliances had won after changing symbols. Among the examples cited were the success of the JVP under the ‘compass’ symbol and the victory recorded by an independent group backed by the UNP at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) election after the UNP list was rejected.

Sajith-RW meet

Meanwhile, a meeting between the two Leaders of the SJB and UNP – Premadasa and Wickremesinghe – is also in the offing.

This meeting, although scheduled to be held within the next few days, is yet to be confirmed since Wickremesinghe is travelling to the UK and then to Oman this month. The former President is expected to leave for the UK tomorrow (3) and will travel to attend the Indian Ocean Conference in Oman afterwards.

However, it is learnt that both leaders have asked those engaged in alliance talks on their behalf to ensure that all issues related to forming the proposed alliance be finalised before their meeting.

Workshop for SJBers

The SJB meanwhile held a workshop recently for its members to discuss the ongoing global and local developments and the need for the party to make changes to its programme and policies accordingly.

Premadasa had also attended the workshop and addressed the participants, noting that although there were some positive aspects to be taken from past thinking, the world was changing at a very rapid pace and that citizens did not think like experts in politics or politicians, for that matter. Premadasa has underscored the importance of correcting the mistakes made in the past, especially in the past year, and formulating a programme that will go beyond what has been promised by the Government and receive the support of the people.

“When you present something before the people that cannot be carried out by those in power, that correct path should be able to practically address the ideologies sought by the people. This workshop should be used as an opportunity to develop a new strategy to address these needs,” Premadasa has said.

Party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara and party senior MP Kabir Hashim had also addressed the gathering. 

Push for the ‘hand’

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is facing a dilemma in deciding the symbol the party should use to contest the upcoming LG Elections. The party is already engaged in talks to form a political alliance and earlier decided to unite under the SLFP-led People’s Alliance (PA) and the ‘chair’ symbol.

However, a group of SLFP organisers have firmly advocated for the party to contest the upcoming LG Elections under the SLFP’s ‘hand’ symbol.

The party therefore remains divided into multiple factions due to an ongoing internal crisis. While one group insists on contesting under the ‘chair’ symbol, another faction has expressed support for using the ‘hand’ symbol.

Many SLFP organisers have argued that the party should be legitimised among the people and contesting under the ‘hand’ symbol would do just that. They have further noted that this was important in order to strengthen the party and for its future political path.

This is not the first time there have been calls for the SLFP to contest elections under the ‘hand’ symbol. Although such proposals were made several years ago, they could not move forward due to conflicting opinions among the party leadership and his supporters.

This time around, the organisers have noted that if the SLFP is to regain power and reestablish itself as a dominant political force, it must contest under the ‘hand’ symbol at the upcoming elections.

The SLFP stopped contesting under the ‘hand’ symbol after continuous electoral defeats since the party was defeated in 1977 by the UNP. It finally regained power in 1994 under an SLFP-led alliance, the PA, under former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s leadership. Afterwards, the SLFP formed the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) under the ‘betel leaf’ symbol that secured victory for the SLFP in 2004.

Meeting at Darley Road

Amidst the ongoing debate on the electoral symbol of the SLFP-led alliance, the party is also engaged in discussions with several political parties to explore the formation of an alliance to contest the upcoming LG Elections. 

The SLFP held a meeting last week with several political parties including the Sarvajana Balaya led by Dilith Jayaweera and a group of dissident SLPPers who had supported Wickremesinghe under the ‘gas cylinder’ alliance at the last Presidential Election.

The meeting was held last Monday (27 January) at the SLFP Headquarters at Darley Road in Colombo. The focus of the meeting was to explore the possibility of forming an alliance to contest the upcoming LG Elections. However, no final decision was made at the meeting and the group is expected to meet again to continue with the discussions.

The SLFP was represented by former Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Mahinda Amaraweera, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, and Duminda Dissanayake, while a group including former State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon had represented the SLPP faction. Prof. Channa Jayasumana had attended the discussion representing the Sarvajana Balaya.

Basil enters

Meanwhile, former National Organiser of the SLPP Basil Rajapaksa has once again entered the political fray while being in the US.

Basil has also made several telephone calls from the US to a few leaders of parties in the Opposition. It is learnt that Basil had pushed for the formation of a broad Opposition alliance during his telephone conversations with the Opposition political leaders.

He has pointed out that the incumbent Government would widen its net to include many Opposition politicians in its political hunt to disable the Opposition and that the parties should therefore look at uniting.

SLPP campaign

The SLPP is to commence the party’s campaign work targeting the LG Elections today (2) from Anuradhapura. The programme is being led by SLPP National Organiser Namal.

Under the programme, Namal is expected to hold meetings with party organisers and several meetings at electorate level.

Dissidents hold talks

Meanwhile, a group of SLPP dissidents who had defected from the SLPP during the last Presidential Election had recently held a discussion with Namal to explore the possibilities of returning to the party fold.

This development was witnessed by some with surprise due to the belief that a considerable group of the SLPP dissidents would join Wickremesinghe and the UNP. It is learnt that the SLPP dissidents who have held talks with SLPP seniors include members of Wickremesinghe’s Government like Kanchana Wijesekera, Shehan Semasinghe, and several others.

Meeting at MR’s

A meeting was also held at MR’s Wijerama Mawatha residence last Monday evening attended by former MPs of the SLPP. The SLPP’s MP group had also included dissident SLPPers who had joined Wickremesinghe and the SJB last year.

The meeting was held at the Wijerama Mawatha residence amidst statements by the incumbent Government that MR would be asked to vacate the residence.

After the meeting, SLPPers including SLPP dissidents claimed that everyone had agreed to stand by MR and his family in the face of what they claimed was action by the incumbent Government to harass MR and the Rajapaksa family.

Pirith at Wijerama

Meanwhile, a seven-day pirith chanting ceremony at MR’s Wijerama Road residence commenced last Monday as well. Religion and ethnicity have formed the base of Rajapaksa politics and it came as no surprise that a seven-day pirith chanting ceremony would be used against the increasing focus on the expensive perks and privileges enjoyed by the former President.

MP Namal Rajapaksa noted that the pirith chanting ceremony was aimed at invoking blessings on MR, the family, and the people of the country. He added that SLPPers including former MPs of the party had also been invited to participate in the religious observances and gain blessings.

The pirith ceremony was held following a discussion with Malwatte Chapter Anunayake Ven. Vendaruwe Dharmakeerthi Sri Rathanapala Upali Abhidana Thera and Sambodhi Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Boralande Vajiragnana Thera.

Ready to leave

However, former President MR has told the SLPPers that he was prepared to leave his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha once he received an official communication to vacate the premises.

MR had told the SLPPers who had gathered at his residence last week that he was prepared to leave the residence whether he was informed officially or not. The SLPPers however had noted that he (MR) should await an official letter from the Government directing when and to whom the premises had to be handed over.

The SLPPers had added that if MR left the official residence without an official communication, it would create a bad precedent where the Constitution was concerned. MR had further noted that he would never demean himself by forcibly staying in the official residence when the Government continued to make critical public statements.

It is learnt that MR had directed Namal to look for a residence in Colombo that could be used by him when he is in Colombo and not at the Medamulana residence.

Legal impediment

However, it was revealed last week that some of the benefits offered to former presidents like pensions cannot be curtailed or scrapped without a constitutional amendment and that such an amendment could not be applied to former presidents.

Article 36(2) of the Constitution reads: “Upon the assumption of the office of President the holder of such office shall become entitled to the receipt of such salary and allowances and thereafter, of such pension as may be determined by Parliament. Any subsequent amendment, repeal, or replacement of this article and any subsequent law or any provision thereof inconsistent with this article shall not have retrospective operation.” 

This constitutional provision has made it difficult for the Government to enact a piece of legislation with retrospective effect.

The Government, it is learnt, is now looking at offering an alternative lodging option to MR in place of the Wijerama Mawatha residence. President AKD also mentioned this fact during a recent public meeting.

Preserving MR

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse has said that after death, former President MR’s remains must be preserved for public display for future generations. Rajapakse has told the media that MR was a celebrated figure of the nation for ending a 30-year civil war.

He has further said that after his demise, MR’s body must be preserved for public display, like that of late Soviet Leader Vladimir Lenin and Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. “Leaders of these countries decided that, no matter the cost, such leaders must be respected by future generations even after their demise,” he has said. 

Focus on Madiwela

Meanwhile SLPPers, who are in attack mode over what they claim is a political hunt against MR and his family, last week made an interesting argument. The SLPPers have called on the Government to reveal the total rental cost of the MPs’ housing complex in Madiwela.

The SLPPers have discussed that it was now a majority of the JVP/NPP MPs who were occupying the Madiwela housing complex and that the actual monthly rental for these houses should also be publicised while bringing pressure on the JVP/NPP MPs to pay the actual rental cost for the houses occupied by them.

Ravi’s motion on pensions

Meanwhile, Opposition parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake is pushing for a debate on abolishing the pension payments made to former MPs. Accordingly, Karunanayake is to present a private members’ motion titled ‘Abolishing the Pension Scheme of the Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka’ on Friday (7).

Karunanayake maintains that if the intention of public representatives is to serve the public, public funds should not be allocated to make payments for them.