• AKD speaks of Govt. achievements in two months in two public engagements; Govt. says ready to amend IMF agreement
• Billions of foreign currency assets outflows expected this year; foreign reserves to increase to $ 7 b from $ 6.09 b
• AKD gears to travel to UAE as his next foreign engagement; RW to visit London for an event and Oman for Indian Ocean confab next month
• Yoshitha arrested over involvement in Daisy Achchi’s Ratmalana land; Govt. looks at action against 8 high-profile individuals
• CID visits Wijerama and Dehiwala residences; makes way to Beliatta to arrest Yoshitha at Beliatta exit on Southern Expressway 
• Govt. decides to amend laws on providing perks, privileges to former presidents, VIPs; AKD reveals values of MR, CBK, Maithripala residences
• Pay or leave orders to be given to former presidents soon; ministries ordered to auction luxury vehicles in pool to raise funds
• AKD thanks RW for not occupying official residence, says Gota has handed back residence; only MR, CBK, Maithripala in official residences
• MR family discusses whether to leave Wijerama residence or stay till eviction orders; family looks at moving to Carlton House, Tangalle with a media campaign 
• Anura Yapa, Wijayamuni arrests politically manipulated, says Champika; action demanded on bond scam, econ. crisis, e-visa, e-passport cases
• UNP proposes to RW to launch an alternative parliament to discuss issues, provide alternatives; RW heads meet to discuss image-building media campaign
• UNP Working Committee approves talks with SJB, Ruwan, Thalatha to lead; SJB negotiating committee stands firm on ‘telephone’ symbol
• UNP side proposes common symbol for alliance; SJB says ‘telephone’ for LG Polls alliance, common symbol for Parliamentary Polls alliance
• SJB looks at a second tier leader, party leadership turns to Harshana; questions raised on SJB’s decision-making process at Working Committee meet
• Ranjith questioned by Upul about SJB’s last Working Committee meeting 10 months ago; questions posed on how SJB made decisions without Working Committee meeting
• SLFP continuing with uniting divided factions; Nimal side, Hector side discuss truce, propose discussions with Dayasiri to get him back in SLFP
• Namal speaks of JVP/NPP Govt. duplicity in engaging with Indian, Chinese businesses; SLPPers meet with MR to discuss future path

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government has now completed two months in office and pressure from the public continues to mount, while President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) made two key public appearances to speak of the Government’s achievements. One of AKD’s public appearances was a public meeting in Katukurunda while the other was a political interview on a private electronic media station.

However, President AKD’s statements during both these engagements have so far gathered mixed reactions from the general public. 

While the Government’s actions in curtailing public expenditure and the simplicity of the President and the Cabinet ministers have received vast commendations, some comments made by the President, especially on the curtailment of perks and privileges for former presidents and VIPs, have raised eyebrows, given that the JVP/NPP Government is yet to present the relevant amendments to the respective laws related to the matter, raising questions on the need for the Government to not lose sight of the main issues at hand. 

The incumbent Government with 21 Cabinet Ministers is one of the smallest cabinets to be appointed by a stable government in the country. The JVP/NPP Government has also taken steps to ensure that all of its Members of Parliament (MPs) do not draw a salary, which is instead deposited in a party fund aimed at welfare work. 

Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala made a public statement last week that the salary and allowances of all MPs and ministers of the JVP/NPP Government were credited to a single account, a tradition upheld by the JVP since 1994 when Nihal Galappaththi was elected to Parliament as the first JVP MP. “The funds are deposited into an account in Borella and are utilised for public service,” Watagala noted.

Although it is evident that curtailing high public expenditure on former presidents and VIPs is part of the Government’s overall plan to reduce wasteful expenditure, such moves should be carried out in a legal manner without making it seem like a political or personal vendetta.

Among the other pledges made by AKD and the JVP/NPP during elections were also the recovery of stolen assets held overseas, action against long-standing fraud and corruption, action against those responsible for the 2022 economic crisis, and justice in key emblematic cases. Action in these areas on the part of the Government seems to be happening at a slower pace. 

However, realising the mounting criticism over action against high-profile individuals, authorities moved to arrest Yoshitha Rajapaksa in Beliatta yesterday (25) over the allegation of money laundering – the latest high-profile arrest to be carried out under the incumbent Government. 

The arrest was made after the Attorney General had informed the Police that there was evidence to name Yoshitha as a respondent in a case over a land involving Daisy Forrest aka ‘Daisy Achchi’ in Sirimal Place in Ratmalana. Daisy Achchi became a well-known figure following the controversial statement about the ‘menik malla’ (pouch of gems) during an investigation carried out during the ‘Yahapalana’ Government.

Several vehicles had visited former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s (MR) Wijerama Road, Colombo 7 residence and Yoshitha’s residence in Dehiwala last morning inquiring about the latter’s whereabouts. Upon being informed that Yoshitha was on his way to Hambantota, authorities had made arrangements to arrest him at the Beliatta exit of the Southern Expressway. Sources close to Rajapaksa noted that Yoshitha was likely to be granted bail this week.

It is learnt that the Government is looking at initiating action against eight high-profile individuals as part of the action being taken on ongoing probes.

Economic situation

Apart from the curtailment of wasteful public expenditure, President AKD and his Government have many larger economic woes yet to be resolved with the 2025 Budget that will decide on the next tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with several key commitments to the IMF hanging in the balance.

It is in such a backdrop that Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data has shown that Sri Lanka has net foreign currency asset drains amounting to $ 1.36 billion for 2025, out of which $ 541 million are for interest payments. Accordingly, the CBSL has predetermined short-term net drains on foreign currency assets amounting to $ 1.363 billion in the next 12 months with a majority of net payments, amounting to $ 1.03 billion, expected between the next 3-12 months. Out of the outflows, $ 822 million is principal payments.

First Capital has noted that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves stood at $ 6.09 billion at the end of 2024 after settling consent fees for the debt restructuring; foreign reserves are expected to be at $ 7 billion by end of this year. First Capital has further noted that it expects debt repayment to resume from December and remain moderate in the near term, with Sri Lanka expecting $ 1.36 billion worth of net inflows as funding from multilateral agencies.

Meanwhile, the JVP/NPP Government last week claimed it planned to revisit the IMF agreement to provide additional relief measures to the public. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma in Parliament last Tuesday (21). The Deputy Minister had told the House that the IMF agreement had already undergone partial revisions under the new administration, resulting in the introduction of several tax concessions and relief measures.

AKD to UAE, RW to Oman

Meanwhile, President AKD is looking at making his next official overseas visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visit is aimed at exploring the possibilities of securing a deal to import cheaper fuel to Sri Lanka.

The President and the Government have initiated discussions with several Middle Eastern countries to look at favourable deals for fuel for Sri Lanka.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe meanwhile is expected to travel to Oman and then to London on a private visit next month. Wickremesinghe is due to travel to London to attend an event during the first week of February and is due to travel to Oman in mid-February to attend the Indian Ocean Conference.

NPP MPs and vehicles

Be that as it may, the fact that JVP/NPP MPs are finding it quite challenging to follow the hardline principles set by the JVP in line with the Marxist party’s policies is evident by the recent statement made by a JVP/NPP MP that they required vehicles to engage in their official work.

Kurunegala District JVP/NPP MP Dharmapriya Dissanayake recently stated that all MPs would soon be provided with new vehicles. “We expect all MPs to be given a new vehicle. So far, MPs have not been given any vehicles. A minister or MP needs a vehicle to perform their duties – we cannot deny that,” he said while speaking to reporters during an inspection tour of the North Western Province Machinery and Equipment Authority in Kurunegala.

According to Dissanayake, an agreement has been reached to provide vehicles to MPs. “While the specific model has not been decided, they will certainly be new and are expected to arrive within the next couple of months.”

However, President AKD says that JVP/NPP MPs will not be given permits for duty-free vehicles. Minister Vijitha Herath meanwhile noted last week during a television interview that the Government planned to provide vehicles for all 225 MPs in the near future and that MPs would no longer be granted permits to import vehicles.  

Directive to ministries

President AKD meanwhile confirmed last week during a public meeting in Katukurunda that the ban on vehicle imports would be lifted in February while also revealing that a directive had already been issued to the ministries on raising money.

He said that the Cabinet had already approved a proposal to auction all luxury vehicles in the possession of each ministry and to raise money for the State coffers. This move, AKD said, would result in the fluctuation of vehicle prices once the ban on vehicle imports was lifted.

AKD told the public at the meeting that when the JVP/NPP ministers had assumed duties at ministries and asked for a vehicle to be used by them, the ministers had been shown a fleet of luxury vehicles that had all been used by one minister. 

“There was not one simple vehicle to be found for the minister. All the vehicles assigned for the ministers were luxury vehicles and several such vehicles were allocated to the relevant minister. This system has to be changed,” AKD claimed, amidst applause.

Pay or leave order

Meanwhile, the perks and privileges enjoyed by former presidents were also taken up by AKD last week. The President claimed that he would not accept an official residence after concluding his term in office. “I will give a letter saying I will not require an official residence after my presidency. However, other former presidents will also not be given official residences in future,” he added.

The President claimed that a recent valuation carried out on the official residence of former President MR on Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo 7 had valued the house at an estimated rental value of Rs. 4.6 million. The President noted that the valuation did not include the value of the land, but only the house.

AKD claimed that former President MR would be ordered to pay Rs. 4.6 million in rent every month for the Government house he is occupying in Colombo or that he would have to vacate the premises.

Furthermore, AKD explained that by law a former President must either be given a house or one-third of the salary. “If Rajapaksa (MR) is unable to pay the Rs. 4.6 million rent, the Government will take back the property and pay him the salary of Rs. 30,000 a month,” he said. 

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa clarified that the house currently occupied by his father MR was not his personal property but was owned by the Government and had been allocated as a privilege afforded to a former President per the Constitution. 

Assuring that they had no objections to leaving the house if a decision was made to take it back to the Government to be sold, Namal said the incumbent President could inform MR in writing in this regard. “He (MR) is ready to leave the house anytime. He is Mahinda Rajapaksa. Many people seem to have forgotten that,” Namal added.

MR to Carlton

It is in this backdrop that Rajapaksa family members had held a discussion last week on President AKD’s statement and MR’s next course of action. 

It is learnt that MR and the family have discussed whether to vacate the official residence without waiting for the Government to ask them to vacate the premises and to move to the Carlton residence in Tangalle.

It is also learnt that several businessmen have already approached MR stating that they are prepared to provide a house in Colombo for MR.

However, the Rajapaksa family members have agreed that the final decision should be based in a manner that could win the people’s sympathy towards MR and the Rajapaksa family. Even after the 2015 Presidential Election, MR’s address to his supporters in Tangalle from the windowsill of Carlton resulted in the Rajapaksas once again receiving public sympathy, which eventually resulted in the emergence of the SLPP.

The Rajapaksas have shown their ability to conduct effective media campaigns that have only been defeated by the JVP/NPP.

CBK next

The next former President who is likely to face eviction orders is Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK), who occupies an official residence on Independence Avenue in Colombo 7.

President AKD noted that a valuation had been ordered to be conducted on the official residence occupied by CBK. He noted that when the valuers were preparing to carry out the valuation, the former President had informed that she was overseas in the UK for two weeks and requested for the valuation to be carried out once she returned to the country. “Now she is back and the valuation will be done,” the President claimed, adding that public monies had been wasted to provide luxuries to a certain section of the country.

However, the President last Tuesday (21) claimed that CBK’s official residence was valued at Rs. 2 million per month and that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s official residence had been valued at Rs. 0.9 million.

AKD has also expressed gratitude towards former President Wickremesinghe for not accepting a Government house, while noting that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) had recently handed over his official residence.

Nalinda’s details

Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip Minister Nalinda Jayatissa last week read out a list of houses given to former presidents.

He stated that one property on Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo 7 having a land extent of one acre and 13 perches as well as a residence of 30,534 square feet had been valued at Rs. 3,128 million at the current market rate. The residence has been valued at Rs. 229 million. Jayatissa noted that the Government Valuer had valued the house and property at Rs. 3,357 million. 

The cost to maintain former First Lady Hema Premadasa’s residence in Colombo in 2020 and 2021 had been Rs. 837,265. A cost of Rs. 1,933,980 had been spent to maintain the residence of former President Sirisena during the period of 2020-2023. The cost for former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had been Rs. 16,724. 

The maintenance of former President MR’s residence had cost over Rs. 3.3 million in 2020. In 2022, the cost had been Rs. 395,000 and Rs. 18.36 million had been spent to repair the residence in 2023. A cost of Rs. 150,000 had been borne by the State to fix an escalator in the residence while over Rs. 4.8 million had been spent to purchase a generator for the premises.

Jayatissa questioned whether the public had to bear the burden of wasting millions of public funds to maintain a residence for a former president. He further noted that those living in these residences and the people standing by this wastage of public funds were both shameless.

Curtailing privileges

However, the ongoing debate on curtailing privileges offered to former presidents and VIPs has resulted in several legal opinions also coming out on the matter. 

A former Senior Additional Solicitor General, Priyantha Nawana had earlier told BBC News Sinhala that the perks and privileges offered to former presidents had been done in line with a relevant act and that any curtailment of such privileges should be carried out by introducing relevant amendments to the piece of legislation. He has also noted that there was also the possibility of repealing the relevant piece of legislation as well.

Nawana has also referred to the recommendations submitted by retired Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chitrasiri on curtailing perks and privileges offered to former presidents and VIPs. He has further noted that he believed that amending the existing piece of legislation on the subject matter could be carried out with the approval of a simple majority in Parliament. 

However, he has added that such an amendment would have to be presented to Parliament as a draft bill and it could be challenged before the Supreme Court by citizens or any of the aggrieved parties as well. In such an event, the Supreme Court would determine whether the proposed amendments would require a simple majority or a two-thirds majority in the House. 

Meanwhile, the President’s Office has stated that several official residences appear to have been allocated to retired presidents outside of the established procedures.

Presidential Secretariat Director General Legal Attorney J.M. Wijebandara, speaking on the existing legal situation with regard to the matter, said that there were many aspects that should be looked into. 

“The Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986 states that a ‘suitable residence’ should be provided to retired presidents. If such a residence cannot be provided for some reason, it states that an allowance that amounts to one-third of their pension should be provided instead. 

“The act does not state that they should be provided with residences with acres of land. We should see what type of a residence suits a ‘retired’ person. A residence which can accommodate about two persons is enough. We don’t say that they should be provided with a small house. But there should be some fairness,” he had told the media last week. 

He had further noted that matters such as whether the former presidents owned any residence in the areas in the vicinity of the official residences should also be considered.

Wijebandara had added: “If former presidents are entitled to something under the Constitution, the Constitution will need to be amended. If it relates to a parliamentary act, that act will have to be revised. Similarly, if it concerns a public administration circular, it will also require amendment. The relevant parties will make a final decision after considering all these factors.”

The Government meanwhile announced last week that measures would be taken to introduce amendments to the existing laws to continue with the curtailment of perks and privileges offered to former presidents.

AKD’s hint

Meanwhile, AKD also gave a hint of the planned tenure of the JVP/NPP Government during his Katukurunda meeting.

Noting that former ministers and MPs who had made it a practice to misuse public properties were so disgruntled that they most often sat in the halls of their current residences with a host of mics from media outlets and lamented about the incumbent Government, he claimed: “They will have to be like that (lament) for another one-and-a-half decades (15 years).”

Revelation on probes

Meanwhile, the President, who made many statements in the public domain last week, has also revealed the challenges faced in probing complaints of fraud and corruption that have been gathering during the past several years. 

He has noted that some complaint files have been hoarded at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for the past 15 years since the leaders of former governments had prevented probes being carried out into them. “A new Director General has been appointed to the Bribery Commission. Now all these files will be probed,” AKD has claimed.

Referring to the investigations being carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the President has noted that there are several transfers that are required but are being held back by the National Police Commission. 

AKD has explained that former President GR had transferred around 650 investigators from the CID who had conducted probes into many key cases. “These people need to be brought back to the CID to continue with the probes. Nevertheless, we have managed to appoint some efficient people to the CID and they have recommenced the probes,” he has noted.

“Sometimes I’m asked if we can’t nab a thief or two. But remand prison isn’t enough,” President AKD has said, adding that wrongdoers must not just be imprisoned but convicted in court.

The President has further provided details on initiating legal action on several emblematic cases. He has noted that first would be the case on the abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr, followed by the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge.

However, he has also pointed out the challenges faced in the investigations given that many probes are being carried out at present on incidents that took place over a decade ago in many instances. AKD has said that the main witness in the Wasim Thajudeen murder, the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), is now dead, while the bed head ticket and medical files of journalist Poddala Jayantha are missing.

Anura arrests Anura

However, the arrest of former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and his wife by the CID last week over the alleged misuse of a sum of around Rs. 6 million in 2015 came as a surprise to many since Yapa’s name was never among the list of high-profile politicians facing investigations.

The allegation against the Yapas was that a sum of around Rs. 6 million that had been allocated to provide relief to flood victims in the Bingiriya and Narammala areas at the time had been misused, with the monies being utilised during the 2015 Presidential Election campaign.

Yapa and his wife were arrested after former Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa was arrested over owning an illegally assembled lorry.

Interestingly, both Yapa and his wife along with the others who were arrested and Zoysa were all released on bail by court the day after they were arrested.

Political arrests

However, the latest arrests over the alleged misuse of State funds and illegally assembling vehicles and the bail granted to the individuals taken into custody by courts have resulted in Opposition politicians questioning the Government’s actions with regard to the large-scale corruption and fraud that the JVP/NPP Government vowed to act on in the run-up to the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections last year.

Opposition politician Patali Champika Ranawaka last week questioned the delay in acting on the Central Bank bond scam, the individuals named by the Supreme Court as being responsible for the economic crisis, and the controversies and losses incurred by the Government due to the e-visa and e-passport programmes.

Ranawaka has further noted that Yapa’s arrest was seemingly political, given that he (Yapa) is currently engaged in forming an alliance under the People’s Alliance (PA) with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara meanwhile stated that the law applied to all equally and there would not be any political interference. 

Bandula resigns

Meanwhile, with President AKD and the Government pushing for the resignation of Court of Appeal President, Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunarathna, he has sent his resignation letter to the President. Karunarathna’s resignation is to come into effect on 1 February.

President AKD is expected to appoint another senior judge as acting president of the Court of Appeal. According to reports, Justice M.T. Mohammed Laffar is tipped to be appointed to the position.

Former President Wickremesinghe had recommended Karunarathna to be appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court, but the recommendation was rejected by the Constitutional Council at a meeting on 19 January 2024 due to various allegations raised against Karunarathna.

The Supreme Court also dismissed a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Attorney-at-Law S. Pathiratne challenging the Constitutional Council’s decision to reject the former President’s recommendation, noting that the court had found no merit in the claim and the verdict had also reportedly addressed allegations of professional misconduct levelled against Karunarathna.

RW’s alternative parliament

Meanwhile, former President Wickremesinghe is looking at embarking on a new project following a proposal made by a group of United National Party (UNP) members that an alternative parliament led by him (Wickremesinghe) should be set up.

It is learnt that this alternative parliament would consist of politicians who had previously represented Parliament from various parties and are not currently in the House. While around 450 former MPs and ministers are eligible to receive the invitation to this alternative parliament, only 225 are to be selected.

The alternative parliament is expected to convene on the eight days of the month that the Sri Lankan Parliament is scheduled to convene and a shadow cabinet of ministers is to also be appointed from among the senior members of this proposed alternative parliament.

According to the proposal, this alternative parliament will also appoint a few selected members from among the senior members as the speaker, leader of the house, and leader of the opposition.

Several alternative parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), are to also be established.

Former presidents and senior heads of state from various countries around the world are also tipped to be invited to address this proposed alternative parliament.

UNP media campaign

The UNP meanwhile is planning on launching a massive media campaign as part of its image-building campaign.

A meeting has already been held under Wickremesinghe’s leadership to discuss the media campaign that is aimed at creating awareness among the public on the services rendered by the UNP to the country through the years. This campaign is expected to capture the party’s contribution to the country, including Wickremesinghe’s role in reviving the country’s economy from the crisis it faced in 2022.

UNP okays SJB talks

The UNP Working Committee met last Monday (20) for the first time since the conclusion of the Parliamentary Elections last year. It was also the first Working Committee meeting to be chaired by Thalatha Atukorale as the UNP’s new General Secretary.

It was decided at the Working Committee meeting for the UNP to officially engage in talks with the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to explore the possibilities of forming an alliance with the party.

However, it was also decided to put a timeline to the discussions, with the first week of February being declared as the deadline to conclude the UNP-SJB alliance talks. The talks are to be led by Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene and Atukorale.

The UNP Working Committee has also decided that discussions should also be held with other political parties on the formation of a broad Opposition alliance.

The SJB Working Committee meanwhile has already appointed members to discuss with the UNP.

Firm on ‘telephone’

Meanwhile, a group of new SJB MPs met with SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa last week and requested that the party and its ‘telephone’ symbol not be compromised during discussions with the UNP and other political parties to form an alliance to contest future elections. 

These SJB MPs have noted that the SJB’s image could be dealt a negative blow if individuals with questionable pasts are included in the new alliance.

After listening to the MPs, Premadasa has pledged that he would not allow the SJB to be compromised at any point. He has noted that the parliamentary group and the Management Committee have been given the required directives to ensure that SJB policies and the party itself will not be compromised during talks to form an alliance with the UNP.

Common symbol

However, it is learnt that the UNP-SJB talks have resulted in both sides agreeing to form an alliance to contest future elections, but there is still an issue over the symbol of the alliance.

The SJB side has informed the UNP side that the SJBers are firm on the stance that the alliance should be formed under the ‘telephone’ symbol. The UNP side has responded saying that the UNPers are opposed to such a move.

The UNP side has then proposed that the alliance could be formed under a common symbol since it would also create space for other political parties and individuals to join it.

Symbol obstacle

However, the talks on the UNP-SJB alliance have faced its first stumbling block with opposing views being expressed on the symbol of the proposed new alliance. 

The discussion on a common symbol for the new alliance has been turned down by the SJB side, claiming that such a common symbol could be agreed upon during a Parliamentary Election, but that a common symbol would not be a wise decision at the upcoming Local Government Elections.

SJBers Harshana Rajakaruna, S.M. Marikkar, and several others have pointed out that with Local Government Elections expected soon, contesting under an alliance with a common symbol would prevent the SJB from achieving the desired outcome at the polls. They have however agreed that a common symbol could be considered when contesting a Parliamentary Election since there was time to create awareness among the people about the symbol.

SJB’s decision-making issues

The SJB meanwhile is making efforts to carry out internal reforms following pressure brought on by party seniors on the party leadership.

One of the key incidents that had taken place in the SJB was the official convening of the party’s Working Committee that had met after many months. The Working Committee members who had attended the meeting last week had decided to question the SJB’s decision-making mechanism and the need to streamline the party’s actions.

It is learnt that the last official sitting of the SJB Working Committee had taken place in March last year, which means the party’s key decision-making body has not met for around 10 months. This meant that key decisions of the party have been taken without the concurrence of its official decision-making body.

It is interesting that the months when the SJB Working Committee did not meet was the period when the party faced two key national elections and failed to perform, as well as accepted and gave positions in the party to defectors from other political parties, including the SLPP.

Questioning Ranjith

However, when the SJB Working Committee meeting got underway last week and SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara had stood to read the minutes of the previous meeting, President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya had questioned the date of the last meeting of the Working Committee.

Madduma Bandara had responded saying that the minutes were of the Working Committee meeting that had been held last March. 

Jayasuriya had once again spoken. “So, that means the party’s Working Committee had not met for nearly one year?” he had said, making a majority of the members in attendance smile in agreement.

After Madduma Bandara had read out the minutes of the last Working Committee meeting, Jayasuriya had once again stood and asked the party leadership how the party had made decisions if the Working Committee had not met for nearly one year. “With whose approval did the party make decisions?” he had asked. Premadasa, it is learnt, had not given a proper response to Jayasuriya’s questions.

More questions

The next person to raise questions was the head of the Intellectual Forum, Ananda Jayawickreme. He had noted that the Intellectual Forum had over 1,000 professors who had doctorates in economy and finance and that the forum had presented an economic proposal that was suitable for the country, but that it had been discarded.

Jayawickreme had further noted that instead of the proposal presented by the forum, the party had opted to prepare a blueprint based on neoliberal economics and presented it to the people. “If our contributions to the party are not taken, is there a point in us being in the party?” he had asked, while taking a swipe at the SJB’s Economic Council.

The next to speak was Mahim Mendis. “We are not extreme capitalists or Leftists, but believe in a social democratic principle,” he said.

Upul Dissanayake had then noted that with the Government facing public dissension, the alternative for the people was the SJB. He had added that the party should focus on a common programme aimed at the people and not focus on personal agendas.

New leaders

The SJB leadership is now looking at building a second-tier leadership in the party and MP Harshana Rajakaruna, it is learnt, has received Premadasa’s blessings to serve as an emerging leader of the SJB.

Rajakaruna is therefore playing a key role at present in the party’s decision-making processes, including the formation of a new alliance with the UNP.

Interestingly, upon hearing that the SJB was looking at a second leadership, several senior SJBers have questioned whether the party had a first leader given the party’s current plight.

SLFP’s truce talks

Meanwhile, the SLFP is continuing in its path to reunite the broken party, with a recent discussion held between the group of Party Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Mahinda Amaraweera, and Duminda Dissanayake, and another group led by party seniors Hector Bethmage, Keerthi Udawatte, and Hemal Gunasekera. 

The discussion between the two groups had been focused on rebuilding and strengthening the party. 

Bethmage had proposed that everyone should now focus on the party and not on petty political gains. De Silva had also agreed, saying that all issues that could obstruct party unity should be kept aside to move forward. 

Bethmage’s group had then proposed that the SLFP should try and get back other members of the party like Dayasiri Jayasekara and Thilanga Sumathipala. De Silva had said there was no issue, but that Jayasekara was fighting the party in court and was claiming to be the SLFP general secretary when the party had officially recognised Duminda Dissanayake as the General Secretary. De Silva has further proposed that Jayasekara could be appointed as a senior vice president of the SLFP.

Namal’s swipe

Meanwhile, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa continues to take swipes at President AKD and the JVP/NPP Government. This time he has criticised the Government’s decision to enter into agreements with Indian and Chinese business entities that the party had earlier claimed to be ‘corrupt’.

While commending the President for concluding his two official visits successfully, Namal has stated that the JVP/NPP Government seems to have gone back on its own words by entering into agreements with Indian and Chinese businesses that had entered into similar agreements with previous governments, which the JVP/NPP had at the time claimed to have been corrupt.

Namal has also called on the JVP/NPP Government to clearly state the Government’s foreign policy. 

SLPPers meet

A message meanwhile was recently sent out from SLPP Leader MR’s official residence to Party General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and Namal, calling them for a meeting that evening. Both Kariyawasam and Namal had made their way to MR’s residence at the given time.

A considerable number of people had been at the residence at the time. It was a group of SLPPers from the Gampaha District consisting of former MPs, provincial councillors, and Local Government members, including party activists in the district. The meeting had been organised by former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera. The discussion was held in the form of a get-together.

The meeting had been aimed at discussing the current situation in the country and the SLPP’s future path.