• China ready to extend repayments, not ready to take haircut
• India has several issues to be cleared, watching China’s stance
• Sagala made ‘under the radar’ visit to India in Oct. to take stock
• SJB seniors and alliance partners divided over last week’s protest
• Mano and Rauff left early due to poor organising, Rishad a no-show
• RW informed of Harsha’s alleged antics, Prez writes to Mahinda
• SB gives lead to a discussion on defeating several budget heads
• Ready to appoint new Cabinet, RW asks MR to send SLPP’s list
• No portfolios for Namal, Mahindananda, Rohitha and Johnston
• SLPP marks anniversary with pirith, no convention without Basil

By Capt. Vasabha President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Egypt yesterday (5) to attend the COP27 summit with hopes of turning to the topic of climate change as an alternative means of raising much-needed funds for Sri Lanka. The President’s commitment to expand on climate issues, including climate financing, is evident by recent statements made by him as well the move to set up a separate secretariat for the purpose under Senior Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene. However, it is clear that time is of the essence for Sri Lanka in terms of securing funding, with the impact of the economic crisis continuing to burden the people, with many being pushed below the poverty line, while on the other hand rating agencies continue to downgrade the country’s bonds due to missed payments.  It is in such a backdrop that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that at least 5.7 million people or 26% of the population in Sri Lanka currently require humanitarian assistance. OCHA has warned that “without immediate humanitarian assistance and ‘upstream’ interventions to address the fragility of systems, services and facilities, this number will multiply, and the consequences will deepen”. The Wickremesinghe Government’s only solution to the crisis at the moment is securing the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and to overburden citizens with high taxes in a bid to increase State revenue as proposed by the IMF. Nevertheless, given the lengthy process in signing the final deal on debt restructuring with the country’s creditors, securing the IMF deal by the initial deadline at the end of this year as stated by the Government may not become a reality. The Government held a virtual meeting with Sri Lanka’s creditors, including India and China, on Thursday (3) as yet another step in trying to reach an agreement with creditors on a debt restructuring plan. The meeting chaired by Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana and Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe had reportedly included representatives from the China Exim Bank. Sri Lanka owes $ 3.8 billion to the bank. When the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) approached the Chinese Government for initial debt restructuring talks, the Chinese had requested the GoSL to first initiate a discussion with the relevant financial institutions in China. A highly-placed Government source expressed positive sentiments on reaching a final agreement with India. “A large number of matters have been cleared with India, but there are still a few more areas to be cleared and things should fall into place,” the source noted. President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka also made an ‘under the radar’ visit to India a few weeks back to find out first-hand the developments in India. Both the Sri Lankan and Indian Governments did not make any statements about Ratnayaka’s meetings, thereby making it an ‘under the radar’ visit. As for the Chinese, the source explained that while China had expressed willingness to consider extending repayments, they had not changed their stance on taking a haircut. “It is a difficult situation. If the Chinese refuse to take a haircut, then the other creditors could object to taking a haircut as well,” the source further noted.  However, it is the talks with China that seem to be moving at a slow pace. President Wickremesinghe last month stated that he had personally spoken to Chinese Finance Minister Liu Kun and that debt restructuring would be expedited after the conclusion of the Chinese Communist Party’s convention, which was late last month. However, the conclusion of the convention saw many senior Chinese officials not being included in the party’s highest decision-making body, the Central Committee. Kun is in fact among the members who have been left off the list of members of the top anti-corruption team and reportedly didn’t make it to the Central Committee list as well. However, being dropped from the party lists doesn’t mean that the officials will leave their Government posts. Nevertheless, it will only become clearer by March 2023 when the National Legislature meets whether the officials will remain in their posts or whether they will be replaced. This uncertainty does not bode well for the GoSL, which has pinned much hope on the IMF assistance package, which in turn relies on the agreement reached with China and other main creditors on debt restructuring. While a recent survey conducted by Verité Research showed a marginal increase in the Wickremesinghe Government’s approval rating, it could quickly diminish if the masses continue to be burdened by the Government’s revenue generation measures, resulting in a fast decline in their disposable incomes. Although the Government’s approval rating recorded an increase, it was still at an unflattering 10%.  “Government approval rating of 10% to the question: ‘Do you approve or disapprove of the way the current Government is working?’ – only 10% said they approve. This reflects the same extreme low level it was in January 2022, but it was an improvement from the 3% approval ratings in June 2022,” a statement issued on the survey stated. It seems the Government is not oblivious to the suffering of the masses since it is now clear that Local Government Elections that should be held early next year will be further delayed with the appointment of a five-member Delimitation Committee chaired by former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to demarcate the wards for the local authorities.    SJB’s damp squib   While the Government grapples with the economic crisis, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) last week faced a decisive moment in the party’s political standing following its participation in the mass protest on Wednesday (2) organised by sections that participated in the Aragalaya protest campaign during the past few months. Wednesday’s protest, which was organised by several political parties including the SJB, along with several civil organisations and trade unions and given much hype in the days leading up to itt, finally fizzled out with SJB allies leaving the protest early, claiming it was not properly organised, while protesters argued with each other about the level of aggression and perseverance that should be employed. The protest also brought out the dissension growing within the rank and file of the SJB over the party’s role amidst an economic crisis. It is learnt that several party seniors including alliance partners had cautioned SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa against agreeing to engage in a joint protest campaign on 2 November, explaining that the policies and agendas of the SJB and the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), which was one of the key organisers of the protest, were contradictory. Premadasa was also warned that the FSP and their supporters were inherently violent and would use the Opposition Leader as a front to unleash violence before the law enforcement authorities, resulting in bloodshed. Premadasa, it is learnt, had responded saying that he would not allow for any violence to take place during the protest and that he would not be party to such an event.  However, he had noted that the FSP and the rest of the protesters had the people’s support and the main Opposition should be with them. Accordingly, the SJB leadership, supported by several of his loyalists in the party, decided to participate in the protest and announced it. However, apart from the SJB, the protest did not see the official participation of political parties in the Opposition – Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) dissident groups. It was only around two SLPP dissident MPs and a few members from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) including Party Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara who participated in the protest. Several senior MPs of the SJB who arrived at the starting point of the protest noted that they felt it was a narration of a pro-Western civil activist protest. “It [the protest] was not a success,” said a senior MP and SJB alliance partner.  “Our opinion is that Sajith was hasty in agreeing with the FSP for a joint protest. Dullas’s group did not participate. A small group of SLFP MPs participated and Champika (independent MP) came almost alone for the protest,” the Opposition legislator explained.  SJB alliance partners the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) were represented by Mano Ganesan and Rauff Hakeem. But both leaders had left the protest early due to the “bad” organisation of the protest. Another SJB alliance partner, the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader Rishad Bathiudeen, had not participated in the protest at all. It is in such a backdrop that a prominent civil activist noted that Premadasa had lost the respect of the core Aragalaya group since he had backed out at the location where the Police stopped the procession.  “I said the Aragalaya may be willing to face water cannons and tear gas, but the SJB is the alternative governing party. It is a wrong combination – the SJB and the Aragalaya. The Aragalaya group should have somehow formed an alliance with the JVP,” an SJB alliance partner further noted. “The JVP will not join hands with the SJB as they think it will diminish their vote bank,” the SJB MP added. The protest commenced at around 3 p.m. from Maradana and was to proceed to the Fort Railway Station. However, Army, Police, Police Riot Control Unit, and Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel had been deployed around the area where the Railways Department Headquarters is located. More than 500 Police and STF officers with shields and Army soldiers with firearms were deployed around the area and three water cannon trucks were also seen parked. A heated situation then arose between the Police and the protesters as the Police did not allow them to move towards the Colombo Fort Railway Station. Meanwhile, a group of Police officers carrying batons were also seen deployed around the area. In addition, some Police officers and Army personnel were seen recording what was taking place using cameras and mobile phones. Several MPs including Premadasa stayed close to the Police human barrier. Around 4.30 p.m., many protesters were seen saying that they should break the human barrier and resume the protest march towards their destination, the Colombo Fort Railway Station, but Premadasa and other MPs wanted to stop the protest at that point and told the protesters not to break the barrier. However, Premadasa could not control the crowd and, amidst jeering from the crowd, his security personnel moved Premadasa towards the back of the protest. Some protesters were claiming that Premadasa had taken the people to the protest and was trying to leave the premises, thus leaving those attending the protest helpless. Jayasekara, Chandima Weerakkody, and Ranawaka were also criticised by the protesters.  Between 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m., none of the participating MPs were seen at the protest site, with only the FSP, Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), and members of several unions remaining at the site. SJB Women’s Wing Leader Hirunika Premachandra, who continued to stand with the protesters till the end, has reportedly criticised Premadasa for his early departure from the protest as well as for calling on the protesters not to break the human blockade held by security forces personnel. Nevertheless, the failed protest last week has once again raised the question of whether or not Opposition Leader Premadasa is capable of retaining the leadership of his party as well as the Opposition.   RW’s letter to Mahinda   Amidst the growing dissension within the main Opposition, President Wickremesinghe last week wrote a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, noting that the Parliament was slow in implementing proposals that had been made with the aim of carrying out far-reaching systematic changes. Despite proposals presented by the President to form several new parliamentary committees to oversee public finances being accepted by the House, the plans have so far failed to be implemented. The President had on several occasions stated in his speeches that a majority of the posts of chairpersons of these committees were to be handed out to the Opposition. However, it has now transpired that parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva has been canvassing Opposition MPs to reject the committees. The President had heard of this development last week, resulting in the letter that was sent to Speaker Abeywardena. Opposition members had informed the President that de Silva had been requesting them not to introduce the new committees, claiming it was an attempt to dilute the powers vested with Parliament. However, it has now emerged that the committee in question which the SJB MP and Chairperson of COPF opposes is the Ways and Means Committee. Drafted along similar lines to that seen in the US, this committee will have jurisdiction over revenue-raising measures including taxation and tariffs. It is learnt that SJB dissident MP Champika Ranawaka is tipped to head this committee.  Several SJB MPs have stated that de Silva has opposed this move, fearing that Ranawaka’s elevation to the post will place him as frontrunner to take over the SJB at a decisive point.    Cabinet reshuffle   President Wickremesinghe is once again under pressure to reshuffle the Cabinet and appoint new members, which has been pending for the past few months. A discussion on new appointments to the Cabinet, it is learnt, had taken place on Wednesday (2) between Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR). Gunawardena had met the President at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday and, following the official meetings, had discussed the matter of new Cabinet appointments. The Premier had explained that MR was also questioning the delay. MR and Gunawardena had met on Wednesday at the SLPP Headquarters in Battaramulla where a pirith ceremony had been organised to mark the sixth anniversary of the party. Once the main religious observances had ended, MR and Gunawardena had further discussed the need to proceed with the appointment of new ministers to the Cabinet since the SLPP MPs who had been promised portfolios were becoming disgruntled over the long delay. The new appointments were to first be made prior to the vote on the interim Budget and then it was postponed till after the passage of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. However, it is learnt that the President had informed several of his confidants that the new appointments would be made after the 2023 Budget. The continuous excuses given by Wickremesinghe on the appointments to Cabinet have irked most of the SLPP MPs who had supported Wickremesinghe and the Government in the House. MR had made this point to Premier Gunawardena, who had agreed, and noted that it was best to discuss the matter directly with the President.  Wickremesinghe meanwhile had informed MR and Gunawardena last week that he was prepared to make the new appointments, but that the SLPP had to send its list without the names of four MPs – Namal Rajapaksa, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and Johnston Fernando. The President had also explained the reason for requesting the exclusion of these MPs from the final list. For Namal, the President had noted that it was not the time for him to take over a Cabinet portfolio as he had to now spend time re-building his image and party. Aluthgamage, the President had said, had lost credibility among the masses, especially farmers. For both Abeygunawardena and Fernando, the President had cited the many allegations levelled against them. The President had further noted that the Government would only be strong if members from Opposition parties also joined it and that several SJB MPs had expressed their inability to join if the likes of these four MPs were included in the new Cabinet. It is learnt that President Wickremesinghe is also under pressure by members of the current Cabinet to not include these four MPs among the new appointments to the Cabinet. Several Ministers have threatened to quit if these MPs were appointed. However, it is further learnt that MR had agreed to send a new list of names to the President. Wickremesinghe had said that he would make the new appointments once the list was received after the Budget was presented. SLPP MPs S.M. Chandrasena, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and S.B. Dissanayake among others and SLFP MP Duminda Dissanayake are tipped to be appointed to the new Cabinet.   Voting against Budget   A group of senior SLPP MPs have meanwhile initiated a discussion to explore the possibilities of defeating the budget heads of ministers who had ‘betrayed the country and party’. These MPs had discussed that some of the Government ministers had entered Parliament through the SLPP and joined the Government after acting in violation of the party’s decisions. However, the MPs had also discussed that a move to defeat the budget heads of several ministries could also have an adverse impact on the country’s economic crisis and the revival programme. It is learnt that the group of SLPP MPs had discussed the budget heads of around five ministers. It is also learnt that this discussion had taken place under the leadership of SLPP MP S.B. Dissanayake and the group had decided to hold more discussions on the matter before making a final decision on the 2023 Budget to be presented to Parliament on 14 November.  The group has decided that the discussion being carried out within the group should be informed to the President as well.   RW’s ‘salon door’   The famous statement by former Prime Minister MR that any individual was free to join his party or leave, saying it was a ‘salon door,’ has now been adopted by the President as well. President Wickremesinghe has recently instructed several senior United National Party (UNP) officials to welcome any willing activists from the SLPP, SJB, and other parties to join the party fold. The UNP Leader has also directed the party seniors to carry out an accelerated effort to boost the party membership to cover both the mainstream and the grassroots levels in view of the ever-changing political situation. The President had issued these instructions at a top-level UNP meeting attended by its Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Chairman Vajira Abeywardena, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, and Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. Although party senior Ravi Karunanayake had not attended this meeting as he was out of Colombo, he has been entrusted with most of the responsibilities to boost the party at electoral level. However, Wickremesinghe’s statement to welcome members from the SLPP to the UNP is in contravention to a recent request by SLPP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa. Basil, who is currently in the US with his family, had sent a message to the President prior to last month’s vote on the 22nd Amendment Bill in Parliament, asking Wickremesinghe not to accept any SLPP defectors to the UNP. Basil had noted that the SLPP and UNP could explore the possibility of forming an alliance to contest the next General Election, but that the two parties would have to reach one key agreement – that the SLPP would not accommodate UNP defectors and vice versa. Basil had further requested that the UNP not give nominations to any defector from the SLPP.   Alliance with SLPP   Meanwhile, several SLPP MPs have indicated their desire to form an alliance with President Wickremesinghe and the UNP as well as to contest the next national-level election as an alliance. SLPP MP Jagath Kumara has recently said that the SLPP is already working together with President Wickremesinghe and that the current alliance should be further developed in order to broaden it into an electoral front. When questioned by the media about an alliance being formed between the SLPP and UNP, the MP has further noted that both parties should work towards developing a plan to form an alliance and face elections together.  Meanwhile, State Minister Dilum Amunugama has stated that if Wickremesinghe has managed to get the support of 30-40 SLPP MPs and if governing party MPs were willing to form an alliance with the UNP, it is a clear indication of Wickremesinghe’s competence. He has added that if the President was willing to accept 30-40 MPs from the SLPP, he would do so.   No convention   The SLPP’s anniversary celebrations are usually held in the month of November. However, this time around, the party has not decided or made plans to hold its annual convention. The annual convention was one of the key events organised by Basil Rajapaksa, who is overseas at the moment. This year, Namal Rajapaksa, who is serving as the Acting National Organiser of the SLPP, is engaged in holding a series of meetings at electoral level islandwide while SLPP Leader, former Prime Minister MR is engaged in holding a series of rallies islandwide under the theme ‘Rise Again’. However, SLPP seniors had organised a pirith ceremony at the SLPP Headquarters in Battaramulla last Wednesday (2).  “As a party, we do not believe that violence of any sort can establish political power. Having said that, we hope to strengthen and modernise this party, moving forward with the blessings of party Leader MP Mahinda Rajapaksa, founder Basil Rajapaksa, and all those who supported us through victory and defeat,” said Namal on the party’s anniversary.    Prasanna says no   Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has objected to the campaign launched by the SLPP that includes a series of rallies held under MR’s patronage with the aim of ‘rising from the ashes’. Ranatunga last week publicly expressed his opposition to the rallies, saying that he did not support them. The Minister stated that it was this reason that had resulted in his decision not to address the recent rally in Arachchikattuwa organised by State Minister Sanath Nishantha. Ranatunga further noted that he had informed Nishantha of his sentiments in front of MP Namal Rajapaksa and that he believed there would be certain changes made to the future rallies of the SLPP held under the ongoing campaign. He made these comments during a political interview telecast on a private television channel and when the presenter questioned why he was opposed to the ‘rising from the ashes’ rallies, the Minister refrained from giving a direct response. However, his statements during the interview indicated that Ranatunga had reservations about taking MR around the country to lead SLPP rallies with the aim of mustering public support once again.   Namal supports RW   Meanwhile, Acting National Organiser Namal has said the SLPP will support President Wickremesinghe in his endeavour to bring about political and economic stability to the country. “On the other hand, we will think about the people, discuss his decisions taken on behalf of them, and announce our stand,” Namal said, after a party meeting in Thambuttegama in Anuradhapura last week. The discussion on the SLPP’s future plans was closed for the media and Namal had answered questions posed by journalists after the meeting. In response to an allegation by former President Maithripala Sirisena that the SLPP was pressurising the incumbent against bringing the country back to normalcy, Namal had said his party would lend its fullest support to the President. Referring to the 2023 Budget and rumours of attempts to defeat the Budget if it included more taxes that would be imposed on the people, Namal had urged all parties to work together to help the people out of the prevailing economic burdens. Namal had also rejected claims that there were divisions within the SLPP and noted that the party’s Executive Committee that meets in January next year would decide on party reforms. In this response, Namal has echoed statements made by SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and former Prime Minister MR.   Channa clashes with Namal   However, Namal was slammed by SLPP dissident MP Channa Jayasumana over comments made by him (Namal) during his recent series of meetings in Anuradhapura. Coincidentally, Jayasumana was also engaged in holding public meetings in Anuradhapura on the same day that Namal was engaged in his tour to promote the SLPP in the district. The clash started when Namal was questioned by the media in the Kala Wewa electorate about the statement made by Jayasumana that the Government could be defeated at the Budget vote. In response, Namal has stated that he could not comprehend why educated individuals would act in such a petty manner. Namal has added that Jayasumana was one of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s (GR) close confidantes who had advised him (GR) during his tenure as President. A few minutes after Namal’s response to media queries, Jayasumana, who was in Thambuttegama, was posed a question by the media on Namal’s statement. Jayasumana has stated that the fact Namal could not understand why educated and intelligent people were leaving the SLPP and him (Namal) was troublesome. He has further noted that Namal’s statement indicated his immaturity. Referring to the advice given by him (Jayasumana) to GR, the MP has noted that although GR had heeded the advice given by him and several others during the initial stages of the presidency, the former President had later ignored any counsel given by him (Jayasumana) and others, including former Premier MR.  According to Jayasumana, GR had acted according to the advice given by Namal and several other family members and it was heeding advice from the likes of Namal that had resulted in the fate that finally befell GR.    Dolawatte’s support   SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawatte met President Wickremesinghe on Monday (31 October) at the Presidential Secretariat to brief the President about a private member’s motion he plans to move in Parliament with the aim of strengthening a presidential policy on obtaining contributions of the youth to State governance. Dolawatte has informed the President that his policy stance of giving more opportunities to youth at elections for a better democratic representation would be added a constitutional value by the draft bill to amend the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance. It contains provisions to make a minimum of 25% mandatory youth representation in the first and second nomination lists at LG Polls. The SLPP MP has further noted that a special commission appointed in 1990 to look into youth unrest had stressed the importance of more opportunities for the youth in democratic representation and an amendment to the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance in that year introduced provisions for a 40% representation, but that lost ground when a 25% women’s representation requirement was established later on. According to Dolawatte, the latest motion being moved by him will help obtain active contributions once again from the youth, which is the lifeblood of the country’s future.   Maithri takes a swipe   Referring to the SLPP attempting to revive the party, SLFP Leader, former President Sirisena has jokingly questioned how they expect to revive under the current circumstances. Commenting on MR being instrumental in the SLPP’s revival, the former President has said:  “Anyone can climb on to political stages, even a beggar can do this.” Sirisena has commended President Wickremesinghe for the efforts made thus far in stabilising crisis-hit Sri Lanka. He told the media last week that Wickremesinghe has lifted the country out of the severe crisis it has been facing, to some extent. However, Sirisena has said the President will face some form of pressure from the SLPP, which could be an issue.  Meanwhile, Sirisena continues to face objections from SLFP dissidents who continue to question the legitimacy of the current party leader. SLFP Central Committee (CC) member Montague Sarathchandra in a recent online interview claimed that Sirisena would be ousted from the SLFP before the next national-level election.