Wimal strips Nimal on 20A
or “There, Wimal removed Nimal’s trousers,” a Government MP confided to a close friend.
That is common language to suggest that one has outsmarted the other in an issue.
It happened at a special meeting of the Government parliamentary group on Friday at ' Temple Trees.' Both, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa were present. The event afforded MPs an opportunity to discuss 20A.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was on his feet. He praised the Government for introducing 20A – though his own Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) had expressed differences on four points. In the light of his, as well as party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara’s state
ment of support, surprisingly, the SLFP held back a statement it was to issue.
It was to say that the party was opposed to ( 1) more powers the President has received. ( 2) Placing independent commissions under the President. ( 3) Infringing on judicial independence by bringing the appointment of judges under the President. ( 4) Removing the ban placed on dual citizens contesting elections.
As soon as Minister de Silva had finished speaking, Minister Wimal Weerawansa grabbed the microphone from an aide and used some harsh words first. What he said cannot be printed though the branding was much more than calling him (Minister de Silva) a rascal who should not be trusted.
The re a s o n ? M r Weerawansa said it was only last Wednesday that Minister de Silva had walked up to him after the Cabinet meeting. He had congratulated him for being upright and standing up against some provisions of the draft 20A he did not agree on. Minister de Silva took the barrage from Mr Weerawansa on his broad frame, but did not comment.