{"id":40036,"date":"2015-03-28T19:14:04","date_gmt":"2015-03-28T23:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=40036"},"modified":"2015-03-28T19:14:04","modified_gmt":"2015-03-28T23:14:04","slug":"sb-dissanayake-who-apologized-to-chandrika-for-his-sexist-remarks-after-becoming-minister-is-now-expected-to-criticise-mahinda-bitterly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=40036","title":{"rendered":"SB Dissanayake who Apologized to Chandrika for his Sexist Remarks After Becoming Minister is now Expected to Criticise Mahinda Bitterly"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like the ongoing investigations into the procurement of MiG-27 fighter jets, both President Maithripala Sirisena and the UNP-dominated Government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are keen to bring to book those involved in bribery, corruption and other malpractices. Even if probes into some high profile cases where there has been heavy pressure have moved at a very slower pace, they are keen to ensure investigating agencies, particularly the Police deal with as many cases as possible ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. Towards this end, a programme to educate the public has also been launched.
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\nWhen such parliamentary elections should be held formed the subject of discussion early last week when the troika running the country \u2014 President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and former President Kumaratunga \u2014 held one of their regular meetings. It was on Tuesday, March 17. Premier Wickremesinghe held Sirisena to his assurance that Parliament be dissolved on April 23, the deadline for the implementation of the 100-Day Programme of Work. <\/em><\/p>\n

The latter was to explain that both constitutional changes and electoral reforms have to be introduced before dissolution. Sirisena opined that the two reforms could be completed and dissolution possible after May Day (May 1). However, Premier Wickremesinghe expressed the view that it would be better to wait until Vesak on May 3 and 4. Hence, a likely date for dissolution would be May 5. The date for polls also became the subject of discussion. The thinking was to hold parliamentary elections on the last Saturday in the month that follows \u2014 June 27. Of course these dates are subject to the vagaries of political developments.<\/p>\n

In thinking loud over possible dates, Premier Wickremesinghe has made clear he is flexible enough to stretch his party\u2019s deadline for dissolution from April 23 by a few weeks. Not surprisingly, since UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema has also expressed similar views to the Sunday Times earlier. This is notwithstanding the decision by the UNP\u2019s Working Committee to call for dissolution when the deadline arrives.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The troika meeting also saw a discussion on the final draft of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. A special session of the Cabinet of Ministers had been summoned for last Monday to discuss the contents amended and approved earlier. It was Kumaratunga, who keeps a tab on what is going on within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, particularly since she became the head of policy planning. She observed that measures were immediately necessary to deal with smouldering discontent among some parliamentarians. The mood within sections in the SLFP was to oppose in Parliament anything that the UNP-dominated Government had planned. That, she felt, could cause a problem since constitutional changes would require a two thirds majority. So would the electoral reforms. <\/p>\n

One way to overcome the situation, she felt, would be to induct some of them as ministers. One source familiar with the goings on in the troika said a list of possible ministers were to be prepared so they may meet and discuss the pros and cons. The source said Premier Wickremsinghe backed out of the move. That most deliberations were leaking to the media had become some cause for concern and the source said Wickremesinghe did not wish anyone to point a finger at him over the new ministerial appointments.<\/p>\n

When the meeting was over, Sirisena got down to the task of preparing the new list of Ministers, Deputies and State Ministers. This was while a message went out that a special parliamentary group meeting of the SLFP would be held last Sunday ostensibly to discuss the draft 19th Amendment due for scrutiny by ministers the next day. Most parliamentarians were unaware what was ahead. He had learnt of \u2018rumours\u2019 floating around, but the Leader of the Opposition Nimal Siripala de Silva found out only on Sunday afternoon. That was when he was handed down a list of those who were being sworn in. <\/p>\n

That Sunday morning, Kumaratunga who had received an advance copy was livid that her bitterest critic S.B. Dissanayake was going to be a minister. She telephoned Sirisena to register her protest. The latter was to explain that Dissanayake had qualified on the basis that he would become a strong critic of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Kumaratunga relented but did not turn up for the swearing in ceremony. Dissanayake later apologised to her for the harshest, sexually explicit remarks he had made of his onetime beta noire.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said his party welcomed the formation of a \u2018National Government.\u2019 \u201cWe should work together for the betterment of the people,\u201d he told the Sunday Times. He said once the parliamentary elections are concluded, the new Government would come forth with several more proposals to develop the economy. \u201cEarlier, we had to rely on the private sector. This is no longer an essential. All the parties have got together now,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n

The Premier said that the Right to Information Bill would be introduced in Parliament as an urgent piece of legislation immediately after the national New Year holidays next month. Wickremesinghe has been spending considerable time at the UNP headquarters Siri Kotha in the recent weeks, organising his party machinery and making preparations for parliamentary polls.<\/p>\n

Only hours after the swearing in of 26 SLFP Ministers, ministers of state and deputy ministers was over, did it dawn that Sirisena had inducted a few who were his bitterest critics together with others who came from different areas. Those critical, and geography appeared the main criteria for the appointments. Of course, the aim of the exercise was to isolate Rajapaksa. <\/p>\n

It was barely two months ago that Sirisena assumed the leadership of the SLFP after Rajapaksa drove to the Speaker\u2019s residence and handed it to him literally on a platter. Just a week ago, Sirisena pledged at a meeting of electoral organisers that he would unify and work for the party. That there are growing challenges to Sirisena\u2019s leadership of the party now remains an important issue. There was discontent in the rank and file of those not only in the SLFP but also in the United National Party (UNP) over the expansion of the number of ministers and deputies.<\/p>\n

One was reflected in the crowds at the Ratnapura rally, which Police estimated to be around 7,000. The call at the rally was for the SLFP to make Rajapaksa the Prime Ministerial candidate. It saw the presence of more than 25 SLFP parliamentarians. That some were disillusioned over not being considered for portfolios is no secret. There were yet others who did not take part in the rally who were supporting these dissidents. <\/p>\n

This raises the question whether they would vote in favour of the constitutional and electoral reforms. Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said matters would be discussed tomorrow with partners in the United People\u2019s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Thereafter, he said, they would meet to discuss it within the SLFP. \u201cBasically, we want both the constitutional and electoral reforms to be introduced in Parliament before dissolution,\u201d he told the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n

Fresh look at electoral reforms<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leaders of political parties are now discussing a new electoral reform package. This is after the move to implement recommendations in the Parliamentary Select Committee interim report was dropped. The party leaders will meet on April 6 to study a number of proposals. Though Government leaders are keen to wrap up a new formula, how much time it would take still remains a critical question. <\/p>\n

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna is strongly in favour of going to polls on the existing system. It cites the recent remarks of Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya that a year should be allowed to pass, like in most countries, for electoral reforms to take effect. The SLFP, however, is strongly opposed to polls under the existing system.<\/p>\n

The division within the SLFP, no doubt, was good news for the UNP in electoral terms. However, ministerial appointments became cause for concern. Their mood is reflected in the remarks of a north central province electoral organiser. With a UPFA Minister representing the area ceasing to be in office, he had found his party (UNP) branches becoming more active. Even the Minister\u2019s supporters had turned to the UNP. However, the Minister was re-appointed and the situation has changed, he lamented.<\/p>\n

Giving a boost to the ongoing campaign to make Rajapaksa the Prime Ministerial candidate are local councillors and a group of businessmen who struck it very rich under the previous regime. A vast section of the local councils held by the UPFA were strongly in support of this initiative. Although this was one of the reasons why it was decided to dissolve a large number of local authorities, President Sirisena has directed that a three month extension be allowed. As a result, councillors have won a fresh reprieve to step up their efforts. <\/p>\n

The next pro-Rajapaksa campaign meeting is to be held in Kurunegala. Added to this situation is another factor. Despite cosmetic changes, those remaining in the different systems running the day-to-day workings of the Government, including the Police Department, are those placed in key slots by the previous administration. This has enabled those leading politicians in the previous administration to keep themselves abreast of important developments and formulate countermeasures.<\/p>\n

Yahapalanaya issues<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aggravating this situation are a few issues that run counter to good governance or yahapalanaya. In what appeared to be an unusual declaration in any country, official Government spokesperson, the loquacious Minister Rajitha Senaratne, made public, the security details of Rajapaksa at a news conference. He declared last Tuesday that he had two \u2018high security vehicles,\u2019 one \u2018dummy vehicle,\u2019 one Defender Jeep, one Toyota Land Cruiser and one double cab. There were 108 soldiers and 105 police officers, he said and added that 21 vehicles have been provided. <\/p>\n

That this information is intelligence to anyone who plans to harm Rajapaksa is one thing. It is yet another to say that the previous Rajapaksa administration cast security considerations to the winds and withdrew security from persons willy-nilly, despite threats faced, is all too well known. However, Rajapaksa confirmed in a statement the allocation of personnel but complained that there were insufficient vehicles to transport the Police and Army personnel.<\/p>\n

Good governance demands that the security needs of a former President are not based on the fantasies of politically biased persons. Similarly, when former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa tried to use the VIP Lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport for a visit to Kuala Lumpur, she was disallowed. She was forced to join the queue to check in. However, in Malaysia the authorities there had laid down the red carpet and allowed the aircraft to taxi to a VIP receiving area. She was asked to disembark first. Such acts by the very people who preach good governance smack of revenge and do not win public confidence.<\/p>\n

In this backdrop, the special meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers last Monday adopted what seemed a final draft of the 19th Amendment. More amendments are to be moved in the committee stage of discussion in Parliament. The only change decided from a previous ministerial meeting was the retention of a provision which said \u201cThe Prime Minister shall be the head of the Cabinet of Ministers.\u201d This was despite strong opposition from JHU\u2019s Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. Even if that provision was not defined in the Constitution, the Prime Minister, as the title makes clear, remains the head of ministers. <\/p>\n

In practice the President would preside at ministerial meetings leaving the Prime Minister to play that role in his absence. That such a provision is not only for Wickremesinghe who now holds office but also for other Prime Ministers who could follow. That has remained a time honoured convention in Sri Lanka. Ranawaka was not happy with the inclusion of this provision. He declared his party would go to the Supreme Court over the matter.<\/p>\n

The rainbow coalition is 80 days old today. With many promises in the 100-Day Programme remaining unfulfilled, with no persons accused of bribery, corruption, malpractices and violations of the law not being brought to book, how the remaining 20 days are going to play out is the question before Sri Lankans. To assume they are not discerning enough and are receptive to any excuses trotted out would be a colossal mistake.<\/p>\n


\nCourtesy:Sunday Times<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Like the ongoing investigations into the procurement of MiG-27 fighter jets, both President Maithripala Sirisena and the UNP-dominated Government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are keen to bring to book those involved in bribery, corruption and other malpractices. Even if probes into some high profile cases where there has been heavy pressure have moved at …<\/p>\n

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