Basil hits out at Speaker; calls for general elections
He is credited with the formation of the Sri Lanka Podujana (People’s) Party and for their remarkable victory at the local government elections in February this year.
Though he is shying away from official titles, from a two storied office barely a kilometre away from Parliament, he runs the show. Asked what he does, he replies that “I am a member of the party.” That seems an understatement. He is the party’s ideologue. He advises his brother MahindaRajapaksa.
When President MaithripalaSirisena wanted to make peace with his p re d e c e s s o r, MahindaRajapaksa and make him Prime Minister, he insisted that Basil Rajapaksa should be present. At first, the strategist shied away even dodging calls from Sirisena. Then he relented. That was how meetings began at the Battaramulla residence of S. B. Dissanayake, The latter, kapuwa or broker denied the meeting, the fact that the talks led to an alliance is history.
Here is a brief Q & A with Basil Rajapaksa:
The vote of no confidence on the Prime Minister: Both motions have been wrongly done. It is simply due to the conduct of the Speaker who is very partial. The first motion, though he is aware, challenged the executive actions of the President. The Speaker is full well aware there is no provision for this in the Constitution. He was able to obtain only a voice vote then.
The second time, they left out the references to proclamations issued by the President. The Speaker says he does not recognise a Prime Minister of a Cabinet of Ministers. Yet, he allows a no confidence motion against the Prime Minister. Then he gets a voice vote and claims it has been approved by Parliament. Must anything more be said on whose side Speaker KaruJayasuriya is?
On dissolution of Parliament and call for elections: That is the best thing that could happen. Let the people decide. Casting a ballot on whom to elect is the biggest human right. Why should anyone stand in the way? Those who do so are frightened.
On a majority vote in Parliament: Everyone knows that neither the UNP nor we have 113 in Parliament. Premier Rajapaksa commands the highest confidence in the House. We are certain of that. Numbers are not stipulated in the Constitution. This why President Sirisena appointed MahindaRajapaksa as Prime Minister.
On the appointment of a Prime Minister: From the time of the Soulbury Constitution, the Parliament has never elected a Prime Minister. Under the present Constitution, it is the responsibility of the President. That power has been vested in him. How can the Parliament, like what the Speaker says, should appoint RanilWickremesinghe.
On Parliamentary elections: We felt the shortest way is to join the government and go to the people for a fresh mandate. We were aware that local government elections have been put off for 13 months.
On the Supreme Court stay order: We bow to the SC order. The matter is now sub judice and it would have been better if the Parliament waited till the final order was given.
On joining to form a new government; We could not wait. The country’s assets are being sold- airports, harbours, highways etc. There were tax burdens on the people. An institution worth US $ 220 million was to be given out for $ 150 million. Prices of fuel products were being raised. In one year more nothing would have been left of the country. The UNP government ignored a plot to assassinate President Sirisena.
Relations with the diplomatic community in Colombo: At a dinner at Prof. G.L. Peiris’ residence, PresidentSirisena explained to them our position. Some asked why we did not wait for a few more months. We explained the reasons. We want to go the people. Let them decide. We also told them that the Speaker has created an unpleasant situation by acting partially.