• Next IMF tranche under EFF delayed till end of 2025 first quarter; awaiting new budget, staff review
• RW urges AKD to reveal details of talks with IMF in the US, says new proposals need to fit parameters
• Ruwan points out contradictions in Clifford Chance’s undertaking to US court vs. statements by JVP/NPP
• Need for foreign policy direction increases; correction on BRICS outcome by FM raises concerns
• US continues travel advisory while UK intensifies it; China comes forward promising Chinese tourists
• RW meets diplomats of key nations to discuss geopolitics; Sagala joins RW for lunch with US Envoy
• Elpitiya LG Polls a precursor to Parliamentary Polls; JVP/NPP gets 15 seats, with Opposition getting 15
• JVP/NPP, SJB vote banks in Elpitiya LG area show a decline from Sept. polls; SLPP shows slight increase
• FR before SC challenging Parliamentary Polls date to be taken up tomorrow; possibility of date change
• Udaya releases contents of Imam Committee report, calls for action against unnamed top Govt. official
• RW clashes with AKD, Harini over State sector salary hike; Harini says due process not followed by RW
• Seneviratne Committee report with the signature of Nat. Budget DG presented by RW to back claims
• Harini dismisses RW’s call to give a lesson on Cabinet operations, saying not from a 17-plus time loser
• Sajith asks SJBers to give Govt. time, refuses to release statement critical of Govt. on Arugam Bay issue
• RW directs ‘gas cylinder’ candidates to get into attack mode; notes Udaya is taking over Opposition role
• Several senior UNPers absent in ‘gas cylinder’ campaign; Akila absent in Pannala, RW joins with Anura
• RW commends Premitha for accepting challenge and convening a meeting within 14 hours in Dambulla
• Sajith starts attacking AKD Govt. on economic issues to prevent RW from stealing Opposition limelight
• SJB internal crisis intensifies with an individual close to the leadership acting over and above Sajith
• Talks in political circles over next Opposition leader; Champika says Sajith losing majority confidence
• Dilith calls for new political culture, says abnormality in local politics by Ranjan’s UDV must be defeated
• Ranjan’s Colombo candidate Prasanna quits party and candidacy after exposing Subaskaran’s dealings

It is now becoming evident that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP), despite waxing eloquent about governance and actions needed to be taken for economic recovery while in Opposition, is still trying to find its footing in real-time governance now that JVP/NPP Leader, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is holding the highest office in the country. 

The AKD Government and supporters have called for time until after the new government is formed following the upcoming Parliamentary Elections to accelerate the JVP/NPP plan for the country. Until then, the Government has presented the masses with several populist actions to indicate that the call for system change is being answered. 

The people are also willing to give the AKD Government the time requested to get the ball rolling. However, it is pertinent to keep in mind the early days of the former Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government, when the masses were mesmerised by the then President’s simplicity and work to ensure good governance by appointing committees comprising professionals and intellectuals – who seem to be now turning towards the AKD Government.

Be that as it may, the AKD Government cannot waste precious time in carrying out Sri Lanka’s recovery programme as several key areas, like the debt restructuring programme, are yet to be finalised and delivered.

Meanwhile, the delay in conducting the staff review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with Sri Lanka until after the Parliamentary Elections and the delay in the disbursement of the pending tranche under the programme as well as the Government’s delayed 2025 Budget, expected to be presented around March next year, could have an impact on the country’s economy that is on the mend.

President AKD has already stated that the Government will present a vote on account for the first three months of 2025 with a full budget being presented afterwards. The delay in the 2025 Budget is due to the new government that will be formed following the upcoming Parliamentary Elections requiring time to prepare the budget proposals.

It is learnt that the presentation of the 2025 Budget outlining the Government’s economic policy for the year is required for the IMF staff to proceed with the programme, since some of the policies under the programme’s 2025 targets need to be incorporated in it. This will also include the new proposals being pushed by the AKD Government to provide relief to the masses within the programme parameters. 

It is also learnt that the next tranche of the IMF to Sri Lanka under the EFF programme could therefore be delayed until the end of the first quarter of next year until the IMF staff concludes the third review and the Government presents the 2025 Budget.

Breaking it down

However, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has become the biggest thorn in the side of the AKD Government, last week explained in detail Sri Lanka’s economic targets for the next few years.

Wickremesinghe also called on the AKD Government to reveal to the country the details of the discussions carried out with the IMF recently. He claimed that despite initial claims by the Government that a decision would be reached with the IMF in the US about the Government’s new proposals to be included in the new budget, the President had now stated that the IMF team would arrive in Sri Lanka to further discuss and decide on the Government’s proposals. 

“What should have been done was to discuss the proposals in Sri Lanka and finalise them and sign off in the US. Now the process is once again being dragged,” the former President further claimed.

He went on to explain the income generated by the country and the revenue targets set under the IMF programme: “Our income was Rs. 3,700 billion, which stands at 13% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that is the income to be generated this year. We have been given a relief period now in order to build ourselves to be able to make the debt repayment by 2028. 

“Accordingly, the income generation has to be gradually increased from 13% this year to 14% next year and 15% the year after. We targeted to develop the economy to around Rs. 5,000 billion, which means we have to target an additional income of around Rs. 1,000 billion annually.”

He further stated: “The question is whether the Government’s new proposals (welfare-oriented and tax reductions) could be accommodated within this framework. If these proposals are carried out, the income generated would drop to around Rs. 3,000 million. The budget deficit would then increase from around Rs. 1,000 billion at present to around Rs. 2,500 billion. These funds have to be generated without printing money since there’s a cap on it. The country is also unable to borrow money.” 

“The country has the right to know the Government’s plan. Don’t hide this. If our statistics are wrong, you can correct them. But be open about it,” Wickremesinghe stated. 

He added that the Government needed to be clear since the people needed to know whether queues would return again, whether the rupee would depreciate, and whether interest rates and inflation would increase.

It is in such a backdrop that Opposition parties, especially the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), claimed that the AKD Government had printed money amounting to billions of rupees. The claim was refuted by the Government, which stated that there were no new currency notes in circulation with the signature of the new Finance Minister, President AKD.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) however issued a statement explaining the concept of Open Market Operations (OMOs) and ‘money printing’. Regardless of the professional statements, several leading economists have gone on record noting that money has been put into circulation in the market.

Hamilton undertaking

Meanwhile, concerns were also raised this past week over the progress in the Hamilton Reserve Bank case taking place in the US.

Addressing the media, United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene questioned whether the indecision over the debt restructuring agreements reached with the private creditors by former President Wickremesinghe’s team would be honoured. During a recent television interview, JVP/NPP candidate Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa had claimed that the renegotiations of the debt sustainability agreement were ongoing. 

Wijewardene presented to the media a letter dispatched to the New York District Court by Clifford Chance on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government on 4 October, where Clifford Chance had assured the court that President AKD and his Government would continue with the ongoing programme. Drawing attention to the conflicting statements emerging from the JVP/NPP camp and the Government, Wijewardene questioned whether the President had a clear strategy with regard to economic recovery if he was not going to adhere to the ongoing programme.

He further raised concerns as to whether or not the conflicting statements emerging from the JVP/NPP camp would have a detrimental impact on the Hamilton case, as its lawyers had raised concerns about whether or not AKD would continue with the IMF programme.

Foreign policy questions

Apart from the economic front, Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, or lack of it, has resulted in the country facing several issues in diplomacy and geopolitics.

Over a month into office, the AKD Government is awaiting the conclusion of the Parliamentary Elections and the formation of a full government where a full-time minister for foreign affairs will steer the country’s foreign policy, which is a crucial aspect in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery programme.

It is evident that the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict will have an impact on Sri Lanka due to Israel’s collaboration with several Sri Lankan governments in the past as well as the close ties maintained by Palestinians with Sri Lankan politicians.

MR-Mangala example

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) and former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera present an example of the sensitivities surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

On 17 November 2006, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in New York, on the instructions of the then Foreign Minister, abstained from voting on a motion favourable to Palestine at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York. MR, who was the Head of the Sri Lanka-Palestine Friendship Association, was displeased with Samaraweera’s decision. 

It is learnt that MR at the time had reprimanded Samaraweera, saying Sri Lanka’s abstention had humiliated him (MR) before the Palestinians. Samaraweera however had responded saying that Sri Lanka’s stance at the UN had resulted in the further strengthening of Sri Lanka’s ties with the US.

MR however did not agree with Samaraweera’s view and it is also learnt that this moment was the start of the MR-Samaraweera clash that resulted in the latter eventually quitting that Government.

Nevertheless, in the present context, the new Government is yet to express a clear foreign policy on the matter while also showing the need to be able to read and understand diplomatic vocabulary.

However, it also needs mentioning that Sri Lanka’s decision to sign a collective letter condemning Israel’s move to prevent the UN Secretary-General from visiting the country alone would not have compelled the US to issue a travel advisory on Sri Lanka, although it was a contributory factor. It would therefore be wise for the Government to address this issue before it escalates.

Chinese support

While the US continues with its travel advisory, the UK has intensified its advisory on Sri Lanka.

However, it is learnt that China is looking at supporting the AKD Government by increasing the number of Chinese tourists planning to arrive in Sri Lanka.

Within two years, China is looking at sending around 10 million tourists to Sri Lanka. However, the Chinese side had informed the Sri Lankan side that although China could increase the number of tourists to the country, Sri Lanka was yet to develop the infrastructure facilities required to accommodate the increasing number of Chinese tourists. 

BRICS corrections

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath was caught in an embarrassing situation when a news article had quoted him as claiming that Sri Lanka had been admitted to BRICS as a ‘Partner Nation’. 

This faux pas on the part of the Foreign Minister was raised by a member of the former Government, who had pointed out that of the 13 countries inducted as ‘Partner Countries,’ Sri Lanka had not been included. Officials at the ministry were quick to inform the Minister that he had misspoken and requested permission to have a correction issued. 

While the online article was quickly reworded, quoting the Minister as stating that only a request had been made for this status, the damage had been done. While the online copy reflected the now altered version, copies of the print edition were already circulated with the initial version.

Several foreign diplomats had reportedly quietly enquired about this matter from ministry officials. While a clarification had been provided, one senior diplomat had reportedly told an Opposition member that these amateur mistakes would certainly prove to be larger problems on the geopolitical stage.

Meeting diplomats

Wickremesinghe, who is keeping a close watch on the AKD Government to capitalise on its shortcomings, meanwhile decided to focus attention on further strengthening diplomatic ties.

The failure of the AKD Government to focus on diplomacy and geopolitical sensitivities seems to have been grasped by Wickremesinghe, given that he has decided to allocate more time for meetings with the diplomatic community.

Wickremesinghe recently met with the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka for lunch with his former Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka. The former President also met with the envoys of India and Japan in Sri Lanka last week.

There is no doubt what these discussions would have been focused on given the multiple complexities faced by the country at present.

The precursor 

Amidst all these goings-on, preparations for the Parliamentary Elections this month continue, albeit in a very subdued manner.

The Elpitiya Local Government (LG) Election that concluded last week is expected to serve as a precursor to the Parliamentary Elections. This was the second LG body the JVP had won after the Tissamaharama LG body in early 2000.

While the JVP/NPP won the LG body with 15 seats, it was also clear that the party had not managed to secure a majority of the votes polled at the election like at the September Presidential Election. The Opposition parties managed to secure the remaining 15 seats of the LG body.

Elpitiya boost for SLPP

However, the outcome of the Elpitiya LG Election last week had given the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) a much-needed boost, with the party recording an increase in its vote base in the area while the JVP/NPP and SJB have shown a decline in their bases.

The JVP/NPP polled 49.37% of the votes in the Elpitiya electorate at the September Presidential Election while the votes polled by the party at last week’s LG Election stood at 47.58%. The SJB polled 27.35% from the Elpitiya electorate at the recent Presidential Election while the LG Election saw the vote base reducing to 21.8%. The SJB won two wards under the LG body – the Pituwala and Aviththawa wards. 

The SLPP, which suffered a massive defeat at the September Presidential Election, has shown an increase in its vote bank in Elpitiya from 3.56% to 9.89%. Nevertheless, it is also interesting to note that the SLPP, after winning 17 seats at the last election, has now been reduced to three seats. 

Polls date dispute

Meanwhile, the dispute over the date of holding the Parliamentary Elections, which resulted in the filing of a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition before the Supreme Court, will be taken up for hearing tomorrow (4). The petition has noted that the holding of Parliamentary Elections on 14 November is in violation of the laws governing Parliamentary Polls.

It is learnt that the Election Commission has already made submissions to the Attorney General outlining the process adopted in the selection of the date for the holding of the poll.

However, some legal experts have opined that there is a possibility of the election date being postponed by a few days and that the Parliamentary Elections could be postponed until around 19, 20, or 21 November depending on the confirmation of the earliest possible date for the polls.

It is learnt that several Opposition parties have already prepared to launch a campaign on the lines of ‘reversing gazettes’. The focus will be the reversal of one of President AKD’s first gazettes due to the lack of experienced persons in his office.

Nevertheless, members of the JVP/NPP claim that a possible delay in the date of holding the election will not change the final outcome of the election.

Udaya’s second claim

Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament (MP) Udaya Gammanpila, who has been releasing contents of several reports of committees appointed by former President Wickremesinghe related to the Easter Sunday attacks probe, last week called on the Government to investigate an individual who had identified himself as a top Government official in the video by British Media Channel 4 on the 2019 attacks aired in September last year.

Gammanpila had made this call last Monday (28 October) when he disclosed details of the report on the investigation into the Channel 4 video by the committee, which was headed by Retired Supreme Court Justice S.I. Imam and appointed by former President Wickremesinghe.

Gammanpila claimed that two investigation reports by the committees headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Imam and retired High Court Judge A.N.J. De Alwis, appointed by the Wickremesinghe Government, had not been released to the public.

The former MP further disclosed information on the report by De Alwis, stating that it recommended action against former senior Police officials Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekara, who currently hold high-ranking positions in the Government.

Both the Government and the Catholic Church have dismissed Gammanpila’s claims, labelling them as an attempt to undermine the ongoing action being taken against the real culprits of the Easter Sunday attacks and other corrupt as well as fraudulent activities.

Clashing over salaries

Meanwhile, postal voting, which commenced on Wednesday (30 October), saw the lukewarm campaigns of parties for the Parliamentary Elections intensifying with the debate over the public sector salary hike.

It was former President Wickremesinghe who locked horns first with the AKD Government over the public sector salary hike. A war of words broke out between Wickremesinghe, President AKD, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya over the proposed State sector salary increment.

Prior to the elections Wickremesinghe had announced that the Udaya R. Seneviratne Committee had proposed a 24% salary increment for State sector employees due to the rising cost of living. This increment follows the Rs. 10,000 increase in living allowance allocated to Government servants at the beginning of this year.

However, since the change in government, AKD and Dr. Amarasuriya have moved to counter this promise, claiming that proper procedure had not been followed when taking this decision and that funds had not been allocated for the purpose. The result has been a war of words between the former President and his successor. 

However, with heightened media attention on this matter, AKD appears to have delegated the task of battling Wickremesinghe to Dr. Amarasuriya. Having claimed that Treasury officials had not been consulted prior to the Cabinet taking the decision, Dr. Amarasuriya continued to claim proper procedure had not been followed.

Wickremesinghe quickly responded by presenting copies of the Seneviratne Committee report, which contained the signature of the Director General of the National Budget from the Treasury. He stated that the Treasury had been involved in the entire process of drafting the proposal for the salary increment.

Intensifying the attack, Wickremesinghe accused Dr. Amarasuriya of not understanding how a Cabinet operated, claiming that Cabinet did not require approval from Government officials prior to taking a decision. He further offered his services once again to the Government, claiming he would assist the Prime Minister in studying how cabinets operated.

However, Dr. Amarasuirya hit back saying there was no reason for her to learn from an individual who had continuously suffered over 17 electoral defeats.

Opposition parties like the SJB and the new ‘gas cylinder’ alliance also focused on the public sector salary hike that was promised by the JVP/NPP in the run-up to the Presidential Election.

Former SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne went to the extent of reading out each of the clauses in AKD’s manifesto at the Presidential Election with regard to public sector employees. He went on to say that after betraying public sector employees, trade union leaders in the JVP/NPP were not contesting the Parliamentary Elections.

Former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera meanwhile noted that the JVP/NPP trade unions were no longer demanding salary hikes for the workers and were not taking to the streets any longer.

Sarvajana Balaya Leader Dilith Jayaweera said that public sector employees had now understood that the JVP/NPP had made promises during the Presidential Election without a proper strategy on raising the required funds.

RW-AKD clashes

Meanwhile, the clashes between President AKD and Wickremesinghe are seemingly intensifying.

At one point in time, several JVP dissidents like Wimal Weerawansa and later on other members in the parliamentary Opposition used to refer to the JVPers as ‘red elephant calves’ (‘rathu ali petawu’). This reference was aimed at inferring the close ties between the UNP and the JVP/NPP.

Later on, JVP/NPP Leader, President AKD was targeted as a ‘red elephant calf’ by his detractors, claiming he maintained a close relationship with UNP Leader Wickremesinghe.

Even SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged a secret deal between Wickremesinghe and AKD during the recently-concluded Presidential Election campaign. However, AKD seems to have now put an end to whatever ties he had had with Wickremesinghe by engaging in an open battle with the latter.

RW’s comparison

It is against such a backdrop that former President Wickremesinghe decided to draw parallels between himself and President AKD.

Addressing a rally of the ‘gas cylinder’ alliance in Negombo in support of UNP Deputy Leader Wijewardene, Wickremesinghe asked what the difference was between him and AKD since both of them had not secured a majority at the Presidential Election.

Responding to AKD’s recent call for Wickremesinghe to ‘stay at home if retired,’ the former President said: “I’m the former President without a majority and he (AKD) is the incumbent President without a majority.”

“Some say the current Government will last only about three months. But I will not say that. He (AKD) should also be given the chance to govern. However, I cannot say what will happen if his own party presents an impeachment against him. All I can say is by looking at the list his party has fielded at the election from the district (Gampaha), I doubt if he can govern for three weeks, leave alone three months,” Wickremesinghe further noted, adding that there were no experienced individuals who could steer the country out of the current economic crisis situation.

AKD responds

President AKD meanwhile responded to Wickremesinghe’s statement about sending experienced politicians under the ‘gas cylinder’ alliance.

AKD claimed that the experienced politicians Wickremesinghe was referring to had experience only in assaulting each other in the House, smuggling banned objects like knives and chilli powder, abusing power, robbing public funds, and placing themselves above the law. “Should these people be sent to Parliament?” AKD questioned.

The President also noted that while JVP/NPP candidates at the Parliamentary Elections may not have represented Parliament earlier, they were not novices in politics. “Although Parliament might be new to them (JVP/NPP candidates), politics is not new to them,” he added.

Sajith stops statement 

While Wickremesinghe is engaged in a campaign to hit out and challenge the AKD Government, SJB Leader Premadasa has adopted a stance of giving AKD and his Government a chance at governance without placing any hurdles that can disrupt economic recovery.

This was evident when Premadasa personally intervened to stop the SJB from issuing a statement slamming the AKD Government over the recent travel advisories issued by the US and several other countries. A group of former SJB MPs had proposed that the party take on the issue of a security threat in the country and the new Government’s failure to address the issue. 

When several senior SJBers had met Premadasa with a draft statement to be issued by the party, it is learnt that Premadasa had informed these MPs not to adopt such a stance at present since it would have a further adverse impact on Sri Lanka’s image and the tourism industry amidst economic recovery attempts. 

Premadasa had added that he had personally spoken to President AKD and discussed the issue in detail. Premadasa confidant Lakshman Fonseka, who had also been at the meeting, had noted that he too had discussed the matter with Foreign Minister Herath and that the security threat had been addressed by the Government. 

Space for return

Meanwhile, the ‘gas cylinder’ alliance led by Wickremesinghe last week spoke of getting the former President to return to serve the country if the need arises.

Former State Minister Anuradha Jayaratne told an election meeting that the alliance would intervene to bring Wickremesinghe back to serve the country and that it would not matter whether Wickremesinghe did not contest at the upcoming Parliamentary Elections or whether his name had not been included in the National List.

“If needed, there is enough space to bring him (Wickremesinghe) to Parliament again,” Jayaratne had said. He had further stated that Premadasa would not take over if the country collapsed under President AKD.

RW takes charge

Wickremesinghe meanwhile has taken charge of the election campaign of the ‘gas cylinder’ alliance and has even started to summon candidates for meetings to tell them areas to be covered during their public meetings.

It is learnt that Wickremesinghe has started to give lessons to some candidates on the questions to pose to the Government and to understand how to strategically take the Government to task. Candidates have been directed to focus on the welfare measures and salary hikes that have been promised by the JVP/NPP.

The former President had asked his group to play the role of the Opposition since the SJB seems to have dropped the ball in this regard. Wickremesinghe has also taken it upon himself to question the strategies of the AKD Government.

Leading the Opposition

It is clear that Wickremesinghe is focused on taking the lead in the Opposition by becoming the main detractor of the AKD Government. In fact, Wickremesinghe had even communicated this to a group of candidates at the upcoming elections by directing them to take over the role of the main Opposition given the SJB’s silence on key issues faced by the country and people.

He had further noted that the members in the ‘gas cylinder’ alliance should lead the Opposition since it was former MP Gammanpila who seemed to have taken over the role of the main Opposition with his attack against the Government over the Easter Sunday attacks committee reports. “You must start attacking the Government,” Wickremesinghe had said, adding that it was important to hold the position of the main Opposition.

Akila missing

Meanwhile, the absence of some senior UNPers in the Parliamentary Elections campaign has become very noticeable. One such senior UNPer is the party’s Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

Kariyawasam’s absence at the ‘gas cylinder’ alliance’s recent rally in Pannala in the Kurunegala District was conspicuous with even the organiser of the rally, former MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa asking UNPers why Kariyawasam had not attended the rally. Usually Kariyawasam plays a key role in rallies held by the party or alliances led by the party in the Kurunegala District. 

Kariyawasam, who decided not to contest the Parliamentary Elections after failed attempts to unite the UNP and SJB to form an electoral alliance for the polls, has so far stayed away from the ‘gas cylinder’ election campaign. Several of Kariyawasam’s supporters at the Pannala rally had said that he was unwell and recuperating at his residence in Colombo.

In fact, Wickremesinghe always visits Kariyawasam’s Kuliyapitiya residence for lunch whenever he visits the district to attend a rally. However, this time around Wickremesinghe had visited Yapa’s residence in Kurunegala for lunch.

RW’s challenge to Premitha

Wickremesinghe meanwhile had also decided to challenge some of the young politicians contesting under the ‘gas cylinder’ alliance. One such challenge was thrown recently at former State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon. 

It is learnt that Wickremesinghe was planning a visit to Kandalama recently and had telephoned Tennakoon and asked him to organise a meeting for him (Wickremesinghe) to address his (Tennakoon’s) supporters in Dambulla. Wickremesinghe had given very short notice to Tennakoon, around 14 hours, to organise the meeting. 

Tennakoon however had immediately booked a hall and managed to organise a packed meeting for Wickremesinghe. During his speech, Wickremesinghe had commended Tennakoon for taking up the challenge of organising a successful meeting within hours of notice. “I gave a challenge to Premitha and, as a young politician, he accepted it. The late J.R. Jayewardene also challenged us in this manner. We gained experience from them,” the former President had said.

Sajith starts attack

However, seeing the lead being taken by Wickremesinghe as the de facto leader of the Opposition, the SJB Leader, it is learnt, has also directed his group to be critical of the Government without hitting out at measures taken to ensure national security.

“Currently, there is a shortage of essential food and there is a queue for coconuts. The President has put the country in trouble. He has also promised to pay the debt from 2028 and has only four more years to do so,” Premadasa said during a recent public meeting. 

Pointing out that under the current economic state, Sri Lanka could not afford to make debt repayments, Premadasa had said that rapid economic growth was needed to settle loans. He had further noted that the new Government had not been able to secure relief for the masses from the IMF.

Despite these statements by Premadasa, Wickremesinghe still seems to be at the top of media’s list of new voice cuts, given the outspoken comments being made challenging President AKD.

The next Opposition leader

Meanwhile, the role of Opposition leader in Parliament has become the focus of many, given that all Opposition parties have focused their campaigns on building a strong Opposition in the House.

The Opposition leader’s effectiveness in the House as well as the overall political landscape in the country has been questioned by many following the electoral defeat suffered by former Opposition Leader Premadasa at the last Presidential Election. It is a commonly acknowledged concept that the growing public dissension against a government in power is drawn by the opposition leader, who in turn takes the lead at polls.

Nevertheless, Premadasa’s period as Opposition Leader saw then JVP/NPP Leader AKD emerging as the alternative leader in the House, resulting in his eventual victory at the Presidential Election. 

This was accurately explained by former MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, who said that governance power was won at the last Presidential Election not by the main Opposition party in the House but by the party that held only three seats. “Even with over 50 MPs in the House and Sajith engaging in a grassroot campaign taking buses to schools, Anura (AKD) managed to play the game on the ground,” Ranawaka noted.

In such a backdrop, there’s a growing debate on whether Premadasa commands the confidence of a majority of members of the Opposition to be reappointed as the Opposition leader of the new Parliament to be constituted this month. This has opened up a new debate on the possible Opposition leader in the next Parliament.

New lead for alliance

Meanwhile, a discussion has commenced among members of the SJB-led alliance to look at appointing a new leader for the alliance. These members have claimed that Premadasa could be the Leader of the SJB while the SJB-led alliance could be led by a member from among the coalition partners.

During a meeting held at a former SJB MP’s residence recently, it had been pointed out by several former MPs that a new leader for the SJB-led alliance would help further broaden the alliance with the joining of new members.

However, SJB Leader Premadasa, it is learnt, has remained silent about the matter.

SJB crisis increases

All the current developments in the SJB have placed much focus on the growing crisis within the party, especially over the role played by an individual calling the shots in the party over and above the party leadership.

This individual, following the Presidential Election, had even taken steps to summon several SJB seniors to reprimand them over the party’s failure at the polls. It is also learnt that the individual in question is also drawing plans to make changes in the top posts in the SJB.

However, these actions have irked senior SJBers as well as seniors in organisations affiliated to the party, who have already claimed that they will quit the party and the alliance if the current trend of interference continues. 

New Opposition culture 

Meanwhile, the Sarvajana Balaya led by Jayaweera is speaking of building a new Opposition political culture in the country. Jayaweera continues to reiterate the importance of a brave Opposition (‘edithara vipakshayak’) in the new Parliament that will be elected at the polls on 14 November.

He has noted that a new Opposition culture will mean there should not be an Opposition that will limit itself to making statements aimed at the media every morning during Parliament sessions.

Dilith slams Ranjan

Jayaweera, who is contesting the upcoming election from the Gampaha District, has locked horns with actor-turned-politician Ranjan Ramanayake, who is giving leadership to the United Democratic Voice (UDV).

Jayaweera has claimed that Ramanayake is engaged in a business transaction at present through his political activities. “Who is the leader of the party (UDV)? Who owns the party? What are the fundamentals of the party? What are the party’s aspirations? The party is currently spending a lot of money. Ranjan (Ramanayake) came to catch thieves,” Jayaweera claimed.

He has gone on to refer to some social media posts that have noted that Ramanayake who came to catch thieves had caught a thief.

According to Jayaweera, Ramanayake’s latest political move needs to be cast aside in the name of democratic politics. “Any Sri Lankan citizen has the right to engage in politics, but this abnormality is something that was not witnessed in Sri Lankan politics. This needs to be understood and everyone needs to respond to this,” the Sarvajana Balaya Leader has added.

There has been much talk in political circles about diaspora businessman Allirajah Subaskaran, who has for some time been trying to increase his influence in Sri Lanka’s media and business field, and is now looking at spreading his influence to the country’s political platform as well. It is speculated that Subaskaran has taken charge of several political parties in the country and that the UDV is among them.

Ranjan’s candidate leaves

However, the UDV faced an unexpected development when Prasanna Adikari, who was set to contest from the UDV from the Colombo District, quit the party and his candidacy after questioning the legitimacy of the party and its ownership.

“Questions have arisen regarding the ownership of the party. Especially, links between British-Sri Lankan entrepreneur Subaskaran from Lycamobile and the party,” he told a media conference last week amidst disruptions from other UDV candidates and supporters. 

He also claimed another issue was the fact that a leader without civic rights was contesting from the Gampaha District and another candidate with dual citizenship was contesting from the Kalutara District (former Sri Lanka cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan).

“The public thinks they must vote for these two candidates. We know what happened to Diana Gamage in Parliament. She was removed from Parliament. Similarly, when these two candidates enter Parliament, it will become a legal issue,” he pointed out.

Revelations

Adikari further revealed the background of the UDV, which he claimed he had unfolded after making inquiries from the Election Commission.

He claimed that the UDV had been formed under the United Congress Party where Govindasami Jayaseelan had been declared as the General Secretary and that Ramanayake’s name was not among the office bearers. “Looking at the Constitution of this party, we saw that it was in the Tamil language and some pages had been removed as well. We don’t know what is said in Tamil,” Adikari claimed.

He went on to say that he could not gain access to the UDV’s National List despite requesting it. “I tried talking to Ramanayake on several occasions to clear these doubts, but it never happened. It seemed like we were working to get votes for the party for it to secure a National List slot that will be filled by a hidden force,” the former UDV member alleged.

Adikari further claimed that the people behind the UDV were clear since the address of the United Congress Party and that of the UDV are the same – that of an office held by Subaskaran.