{"id":35011,"date":"2014-11-18T11:23:51","date_gmt":"2014-11-18T16:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=35011"},"modified":"2014-11-18T11:35:37","modified_gmt":"2014-11-18T16:35:37","slug":"mangala-samaraweera-will-remain-with-unp-despite-having-dinner-in-moratuwa-with-mahinda-and-namal-rajapaksa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=35011","title":{"rendered":"Mangala Samaraweera will Remain with UNP Despite Having Dinner in Moratuwa with Mahinda and Namal Rajapaksa."},"content":{"rendered":"

The dinner at the Moratuwa residence by the Bolgoda Lake of Mangala Samaraweera on November 3 was something both special and significant. The guests were President Mahinda Rajapaksa and son, HambantotaDistrict parliamentarian Namal.<\/p>\n

It was special because it was the first time since being sacked as a Minister seven years ago from the Rajapaksa Government; that Mangala Samaraweera was sitting down to a private dinner with the President. It was significant because that was the culmination of an understanding he had reached on some issues \u2014 a prelude to joining the UPFA Government \u2013during talks first with Namal and later with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As revealed in these columns last week, it was Namal who first visited Samaraweera\u2019s two stoeyed house overlooking the Bolgoda Lake at Galkanuwa Road in Gorakana, a part of Moratuwa. He was to convey President Rajapaksa\u2019s remorse over what happened to Samaraweera when he served under his Government. He told the former Foreign Minister that his father was sorry to learn of his plight in the United National Party (UNP) where he was being cornered and had invited him to return to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) fold.<\/p>\n

That conversation was to pave the way for the entry of Minister Basil Rajapaksa, now Campaign Manager for the presidential poll. Lengthy discussions ensued at the Samaraweera residence. Some of the issues resolved were for Samaraweera to get the portfolio of Minister of External Affairs and Constitutional Reforms. Another was the \u2018restoration\u2019 of his \u2018seniority\u2019 in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and re-appointment as a Vice President. Issues that were not resolved were requests from Samaraweera for constitutional amendments to, among other matters, re-instate the different independent commissions. <\/p>\n

He also sought the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Since there was accord on some of the core issues, it was agreed that further discussions could follow. Samaraweera did make it known that he was going to Singapore in the next few days on a private visit. Things were to move forward further only after his return. As for the UPFA, preparations had been made to accommodate Samaraweera in the Cabinet of ministers by asking External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris to make way. He was to be given another portfolio and Namal undertook the task of talking to Minister Peiris to give up his ministry.<\/p>\n

At the dinner that lasted almost three hours, both Rajapaksa and Samaraweera went down memory lane. They were recalling their early days in politics with each relating different encounters much to the amusement of Namal. It was on that occasion that Samaraweera discovered the elder Rajapaksa was now a vegetarian. Not a word was said about his negotiations with Minister Rajapaksa when reminiscing the past. With the dinner and conversations over, President Rajapaksa rose to leave. Just then he made a casual remark to Samaraweera that Minister Basil had briefed him over the dialogue and that was okay with him. Those were the parting words.<\/p>\n

So, when Samaraweera emplaned to Singapore on November 5, UPFA leaders were waiting eagerly for his return. One source said they had even set November 15 (yesterday), the day after the Committee stage vote on the External Affairs Ministry in Parliament, for Samaraweera to take his oaths. Also waiting anxiously for his return was the UNP leadership. Samaraweera who spoke to them earlier complained about a litany of woes. That included how a close aide of General Secretary TissaAttanayake had relegated him to the second row at the rally of party polling agents at Hyde Park on October 28. <\/p>\n

The move prompted an Attanayake emissary to telephone Samaraweera in Singapore to ascertain whether the UNP General Secretary could come over there and explain matters. He did not favour the idea. Samaraweera was also livid that his efforts to form a \u2018common front\u2019 with opposition groups and formulate a \u2018Common Programme\u2019 were also stymied. Those encounters prompted UNP leaders to assure they would redouble efforts to forge a \u2018Common Front\u2019 before Samaraweera returned. That was done and now a \u2018Common Programme\u2019 is to be signed at noon tomorrow. Their final goal is to back a \u2018common candidate.\u2019<\/p>\n

Samaraweera returned to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, a few days later than expected. The next day (Wednesday) he was in the front row of a meeting arranged by JHU parliamentarian Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thera\u2019s Pivithuru Hetak (Better Tomorrow). The theme of the event at Muttiah Park near the Gangaramaya Temple was \u201cthe mass movement to abolish executive powers of the presidency and prevent corruption.\u201d Many were unaware that by sitting there, Samaraweera was in effect sending a message to UPFA leaders that he was not accepting their invitation to join the Government. <\/p>\n

His mobile phone rang at least eleven times during the meeting. The calls were from \u2018Temple Trees\u2019. When he answered the last call, the operator said that the President wished to speak to him. Samaraweera replied that the telephone operator should convey that he is at the meeting at Muttiah Park, which can easily be seen across the Beira Lake from \u2018Temple Trees\u2019. He said he would speak to the President later. When Samaraweera returned home that night, there were messages on his home phone that the President wished to speak to him.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, however, Samaraweera answered a call only to realize it was Minister Basil Rajapaksa who sought an immediate meeting. Samaraweera was livid this time. He alleged that some forces within the UPFA Government were frightened of reforms. He charged that Minister Dullas Allahapperuma, was not in favour of his return to the SLFP and was spreading \u201cwild rumours.\u201d He also charged that that some UPFA leaders had got Tiran Alles, the Democratic Party MP who has figured in brokering many political deals, to attack him. <\/p>\n

At least one UPFA leader was behind the move by Alles to carry out misinformation against him when he was in Singapore, Samaraweera alleged. \u201cLet us keep our understanding and conduct a peaceful election,\u201d he declared. Minister Rajapaksa was to say that \u201cif you have time even after the polls are declared, we can meet up and talk.\u201d A UPFA response to Samaraweera\u2019s accusations was not available. Minister Rajapaksa could not be contacted forcomment.<\/p>\n

However, the Samaraweera saga figured at a meeting of UPFA party leaders after the weekly ministerial meeting on Wednesday evening. President Rajapaksa was to first take note of the ongoing polls preparations. He said the next phase would begin once the ongoing budget debate in Parliament was over. He then made reference to the Muttiah Park meeting and noted that those making arrangements for that event included the son of Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne. <\/p>\n

Rajapaksa was to observe that \u201cwe reclaimed a large extent of land and developed it in Rajagiriya for the use of Ven. Athuruleliye Rathana Thera\u2019s Sadaham Arana.\u201d It was pointed out that Minister Senaratne\u2019s son was a Dayakaya (or a lay custodian) there. Minister Wimal Weerawansa was to remark that Samaraweera was on the stage at Muttiah Park. Rajapaksa said \u201cYes, yes, he asked us for the External Affairs Ministry portfolio. I said I could not give that to him. I told him I would consider giving him a portfolio with some subjects I am dealing with.\u201d There was also a discussion on Weerawansa\u2019s Jathika Sangvidana Ekamuthuwa (Coalition of National Organisations) programme, a counter to Pivithuru Hetak.<\/p>\n

Samaraweera told the Sunday Times, \u201cTaking part in the 26th budget debate I said that the most potent weapon for the national problem is a political solution. Proposals for devolution of power failed because they did not have a strong foundation. I sought a commitment for democratic reforms. I did not get any signals that the Government is moving towards such reforms. Based on that, I did not want to sacrifice my political principles. I also did not want to let down my leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. He accepted me when I was forced out. Doing so would be an act of betrayal. The Rajapaksas are really straightforward in their dealings with me. However, it has still caused panic in a very small section of the media and because of a wheeler dealer\u2019s misinformation campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n

Besides his convictions and commitment to UNP national leader Wickremesinghe, which Samaraweera claims were reasons for him to remain in the UNP,there is another factor that remains unsaid. Samaraweera was also heavily influenced by his friend and former leader Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. She joined hands with former UNP Chairman and Wickremesinghe confidant Malik Samarawickrema in behind-the-scene initiatives to prevent Samaraweera leaving and forge a \u2018common front.\u2019<\/p>\n

Courtesy:Sunday Times<\/em><\/p>\n

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The dinner at the Moratuwa residence by the Bolgoda Lake of Mangala Samaraweera on November 3 was something both special and significant. The guests were President Mahinda Rajapaksa and son, HambantotaDistrict parliamentarian Namal. It was special because it was the first time since being sacked as a Minister seven years ago from the Rajapaksa Government; …<\/p>\n

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