On the local political front, it was only a week ago that President Sirisena declared in his address to the nation that the people should elect those who are suitable to march forward with the January 8 mandate. That was the United National Party (UNP). He also ordered that a Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday (July 15) be called off.
He had two visitors at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday. They were UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha and SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. The duo were to complain that Sirisena was appointing party organisers to different electorates and they were learning of it only from the media.
Yapa urged Sirisena that in future when he had to deliver an address to the nation he should not speak impromptu but to do so from a prepared text.
That advice appears to be after a meeting Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva had with Sirisena at night, soon after his address to the nation. The latter is learnt to have briefed UPFA leaders. The Opposition Leader had cautioned Sirisena that if he continued to make statements like the one he did, the SLFP would be split in the middle.
Later, he had told UPFA leaders that Sirisena had explained his position and how he faced criticism from even members of his own household over the issue. A source said Sirisena had only smiled at the suggestions made by his party seniors but made no comment. Later, Yapa also requested Sirisena to summon a meeting of the Central Committee. He agreed and it will be held on Thursday (July 30). Sirisena flew yesterday to Male to take part as chief guest at the National Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives.
In deciding to appoint electoral organisers on his own, Sirisena continued his political assault on Rajapaksa. His aim appears to be to isolate Rajapaksa in the SLFP. Whether he would succeed in the endeavour remains doubtful. However, his actions have been felt strongly by the UPFA leaders. The latest appointment was that of Chandana Kathirearatchchi as co-organiser of the Kesbewa electorate.
The appointment of Kathirearatchchi, a former backer of Mahinda Rajapaksa, has now infuriated Gamini Lokuge, the organiser of that electorate and a close ally of the former President. Others considered anti-Rajapaksa who have been named as co-organisers or organisers are Prasanna Solangarachchi (Avissawella), Indunil Wegodapola (Matale), Sirisena Wijemanne (Laggala) and Ananda Prematilleke (Wariyapola).
In addition, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, a Sirisena loyalist contesting the Matara District has also been appointed as acting organiser in the Matara electorate. This is in addition to being organiser for Hakmana within the same district. The move has infuriated one time Minister Dullas Allahapperuma, a staunch Rajapaksa loyalist.
A similar appointment of a UPFA candidate for the Gampaha District has raised a controversy. The person is said to have a Police record of being an Island Reconvicted Criminal (IRC), a dubious title for those committing three or more criminal offences and being convicted. Sirisena’s move is to slowly but surely purge Rajapaksa loyalists from being party organisers. That it came in the backdrop of urging Sri Lankans indirectly, to vote for the UNP has further angered the UPFA supporters.
There were also rumblings between UPFA groups contesting the Gampaha District. Two factions were at loggerheads — and entering the fray to resolve issues is former Minister Basil Rajapaksa. All UPFA candidates have been invited to take part in the meeting. Basil Rajapaksa, who earlier represented the Gampaha District, did not contest. This is in the light of a provision in 19A which prohibits those holding dual nationalities from contesting. He is also a citizen of the United States.
Courtesy:Sunday Times