Ery Commission soon ent Sirisena
Clause on retrospective effect maybe challenged in Supreme Court Basil goes ahead with secret plans to form new party; SLFP convention today will be a turning point
Special Forces officer Major Nissanka Senadipathy, Chairman of Avant Garde and Karunaratne Banda Adhikari. They have been noticed to appear in Courts on September 30 before the Colombo Chief Magistrate. The Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt.) is also the subject of a separate investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Why is Mahinda calling Ranil?
It is no secret that Gotabaya Rajapaksa favoured groups within SLFP supporting his brother Mahinda to be conciliatory towards Maithripala Sirisena, the leader of the SLFP. However, both Mahinda and brother Basil, were in favour of the UNP faction of the Government. As reported earlier, Premier Wickremesinghe maintained a personal rapport with Mahinda Rajapaksa. Wickremesinghe has explained that he had to respond to calls from Rajapaksa since he was only extending a courtesy to a former President. Recently, Sirisena was to politely ask Wickremesinghe why Mahinda Rajapaksa was making some requests to him when they should have been directed to the President. The query was over a request made by Rajapaksa for security personnel during travel abroad and for four tyres for his official vehicle.
Resolutions at SLFP sessions
The SLFP is holding its sessions in Kurunegala today. UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera told the Sunday Times five different resolutions would be adopted. They would include one on international relations, another on current political developments, on the economy and on reconciliation.
State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena also said said several resolutions would be passed at today’s Convention. These include resolutions related to economic policy, international relations, reconciliation and restructuring of the party.
Regarding economic policy, the Minister stated it was the SLFP’s view that the country’s economy should take a middle path. It should be neither ultra liberal or ultra leftist, would include SLFP’s opposition to privatizing profit making state institutions. Regarding loss making institutions, the SLFP’s position was that they should be restructured but the Government should have a majority stake when it came to public-private partnerships managing these institutions.
A resolution to thank President Maithripala Sirisena on behalf of the party for cementing cordial relations with various countries and enhancing Sri Lanka’s status on the international stage would also be put forward.
Regarding the current political situation it will refer to the SLFP restructuring programme. A resolution will be presented regarding the party’s forward agenda. It will propose that the party undertake a restructuring process in the coming year.
A resolution related to the reconciliation process would also be presented, he said.
Countermoves by Basil
As a counter to today’s sessions in Kurunegala, the pro-Mahinda group is planning a public rally Organised by Basil Rajapaksa, it will be focused entirely to demand that the Government should conduct local government elections soon. An effort is being made to match the crowds that attend today’s rally in Kurunegala. Basil Rajapaksa has already embarked on the task of forming a political party. The exercise is being kept a closely guarded secret. A lawyer has been named to act as Administrative Secretary. The name of the party, obtained from an already registered one, is likely to be used. Basil had advised party higher ups to maintain secrecy over the new party until today’s SLFP annual sessions end.
The formation of the new party was decided upon by a Committee named by Mahinda Rajapaksa. It was headed by Basil Rajapaksa and comprised Dullas Allahapperuma, Pavithra Wanniaratchchi, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, G.L. Peiris and Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. The new party will form a broad common front with political parties opposed to the Government.
With the SLFP convention today, a new chapter dawns for the party. It would have to become stronger in the coming weeks and months if it hopes to win the local elections. On the other hand, the divide has come for the party. A faction will back Mahinda Rajapaksa. Which of the two sides would grow stronger remains the important question. Whoever wins the battle, the UNP appears to be reaping the benefits.