Ould be Mahinda vs. Ranil

Ion and conflicting reports over visit of Pope Francis; n delegation arrives and final decision likely soon UNP's revival begins with Hyde Park rally; Premadasa pushes for Ranil; JHU likely to go it alone

scored by a meeting JHU's Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thera had with UNP national leader Wickremesinghe. During a meeting at the Opposition Leader's office in Parliament the two of them discussed the holding of a joint protest against the UPFA Government over a number of issues. Other opposition political parties are also to be asked to join in. A further meeing is expected to be held.

Ven. Rathana Thera told the Sunday Times, "We understand that our proposals are being discussed within the ruling party. We understand that a section of the MPs are in favour of the amendments before the Presidential election. Some other MPs believe that there was no necessity of introducing these amendments immediately and they should go for the Presidential election. We understand these issues also have been discussed with the Defence Secretary.

"We will not agree to a position that the amendments could be done after the Presidential election. We need to have a discussion with this Committee before the Presidential election is announced. We will not be carried away by false promises during our discussions. If we fail to gain support for our proposals, we will quit the Government and become an Opposition party. We will remain in the opposition and carry out our campaign against the Executive Presidential system."

UPFA leaders are also sounding other partners. Last Sunday, President Rajapaksa held a one-onone meeting with Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem at 'Temple Trees'. Hakeem told the Sunday Times his Congress was holding talks with different Opposition political parties as well as those in the UPFA. "With the Government many issues remain unresolved. We are inviting their attention to those issues," he said. Among those the SLMC wants to meet are the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU). Today, the SLMC holds a meeting in Addalachenai in the Ampara District, the heartland of the party's power base. The idea is to consult members on a variety of issues before they finally decide the position vis-à-vis the presidential poll.

Another UPFA partner, the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), decided to support President Rajapaksa's candidacy. This decision was taken at its Central Committee meeting last Sunday with 25 voting in favour and 13 against. Lal Wijenaike, a senior member, cried foul. He said in a statement that the resolution to support Rajapaksa was moved "without any notice." The statement adds: "Very senior members including Lal Wijenayake, Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratne, Prof. Vijayakumar, S. Ramanathan, Wimal Rodrigo, Keerthi Kariyawasam and Chamil Perera protested as the resolution was moved without giving any notice to the members in advance. However the chairman put it to the vote amidst protest. The protesting members informed the Central Committee that they reject this decision of the Central Committee taken to support the President at the presidential election and that they will defy the decision and act independently to support a candidate who will stand for the abolition of the executive presidential system. Many of the members who were opposed are very senior members of the party including those whose names were mentioned above."

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka has also assured its support to Rajapaksa. It was only this week the Cabinet of Ministers gave approval to a recommendation by Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem to lease a building belonging to the Sri Lanka Communist Party at 95 Dr. N.M. Perera Mawatha, Colombo 8. The building is to house Labour Tribunals. Rajapaksa has already been assured support by the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC).

The main opposition UNP, on the other hand, was buoyed by a public rally of its polling agents countrywide at Hyde Park in Colombo last Tuesday. The turnout, which Police estimates placed at between 4,000 and 4,500, was indeed an achievement for the party and cause for some jubilation. Yet, the underlying tensions were clearly reflected at the event. Wickremesinghe began his speech by referring to Garu Niyojya Nayaka Thumani or Hon. Deputy Leader but referred to a onetime Deputy Leader as simply Karu Jayasuriya Methi Thumanee or Mr. Karu Jayasuriya. There was no reference to his being the Chairman of the Leadership Council, a body which Premadasa wants abolished. Another Premadasa archrival, Matara District parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera, nominally the party's Director of Communications, did not find a seat in the front row. He was relegated to the second. On Friday, Samaraweera, a fierce critic of the Rajapaksas, was the talking point in the Parliament lobby. A sizeable number of Government MPs and Ministers had turned up to hear him speak. It was not unusual for them to heckle the one time Foreign Minister of President Rajapaksa but there was stoic silence. Samaraweera made no critical references to the Rajapaksas this time.

Premadasa did steal the show at the Hyde Park meeting. He received a thunderous ovation. He began his speech by praising the party's General Secretary Tissa Attanayake for arranging the event so successfully and also for "forging unity in the party." Here are some highlights of what Premadasa said: "I remember the faces of our war heroes. They sacrificed their lives to defeat terrorism, despite predictions that the war cannot be won. Today you are similar to those war heroes. Today various political pundits say that the UNP cannot win this election, they cannot proceed forward. I like to tell these pundits not to stop their predictions. Like the war was won, despite claims that the war cannot be won, the UNPers who have gathered here will lead the party to victory.

"The Government has declared it is now readying for a Presidential election. Therefore we should be prepared for it. We have now started the campaign to have a UNP President. Without your support we cannot achieve this. It is you who can draw these votes for the UNP. I had earlier pledged that I will fully extend my support to Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe if he contests as the Presidential candidate. Mr. Wickremesinghe has now decided to contest the Presidential election. He will contest under the Elephant symbol. Therefore as pledged earlier, I will fully extend my support for his victory. I will go from village to village, to each of the Grama Sevaka divisions to ensure his victory.

"I have said earlier that if Mr. Wickremesinghe was not contesting as the candidate of the UNP, to confer on me the leadership and the opportunity to contest as the UNP presidential candidate. That request can be forgotten now as Mr. Wickremesinghe who is a party stalwart is going to contest the election."

He remarked that the UPFA Government was now a sinking ship and the rats were deserting. Some of Premadasa's senior colleagues in the party did not take nicely to the remarks. They were irked that in saying that, Premadasa has effectively put a halt to any possible crossovers to the UNP from the Government side. In fact, a Gampaha District UPFA parliamentarian who wanted to take the first step has had a change of mind. Besides the simmering tensions within, it is no secret that the UNP has remained cash strapped in the recent years and months. How this handicap would affect the party's polls campaign and whether it could match the UPFA's high pitched one remains an important issue.

In an unusually hard hitting speech, at what seemed the informal launch of the UNP's presidential election campaign at Hyde Park, Wickremesinghe declared his party would launch campaigns of the people (Jana Bala Meheyuma) to take the message to the people if the Government uses state power to suppress the UNP. "We have travelled most part of the journey. It is the last hill we need to climb. It may be difficult, but we have the ability and the strength to do that." He likened it to a journey to the highlands or the upcountry. In one route they would have to go past Beragala and pass the Haputale hill to go beyond.

Wickremesinghe said, "We have to find out who has been the real traitor of this country. If this is not reported in the media it is your duty to take this message to the village. If the voting rights of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka who gave leadership to end the war are removed and the voting rights of Kumaran Pathmanathan are restored, who is the traitor? I would say the person who gives such voting rights to KP is a 'First Class traitor'. When the LTTE filed action in the EU to get a ban imposed on its funds lifted, the failure of the Sri Lankan government to intervene is another action of a traitor. Giving money for the LTTE to boycott the presidential election in 2005 was another similar action."

The UNP has been shifting its posture on a candidate for the presidential election much the same way a pendulum moves. Earlier, at a meeting of the so called "G-20," when Premadasa urged that Wickremesinghe's name be publicised as the party's candidate, the UNP leader said they should await the issue of a proclamation. Thereafter, the UNP shifted stance to say that the party would decide on its candidate only after the proclamation. Now, it has been publicly announced by Premadasa at the Hyde Park event that Wickremesinghe will be the candidate. This was whilst Wickremesinghe was on the stage and if it was not so, he had the opportunity to correct him. The reason for this "on-off" shift in position again highlights the differences within.

The section within the party that wanted the "no decision yet" line were the ones who were conducting behind-the-scene consultations with other Opposition political parties and civil society groups to form a 'common platform' and possibly decide on a 'common candidate.' The first meeting of these groups was to be launched from Matara last Friday. It was to be chaired by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera. Premadasa's remarks that it would be Wickremesinghe who would be the candidate and he was the alternative if he was not willing, has dampened the mood. Hence, the exercise did not materialise with some of the backers pulling out.

The event was to be similar to the one held at the New Town Hall in July this year presided over by Ven Sobhita Thera. These tensions notwithstanding, campaign strategies for Wickremesinghe's candidature are now being formulated. Suggestions have been made to hold the event on November 7 but whether the move will draw all the stakeholders remains a critical question.

There were some heated exchanges when the UNP's Western Province MPs and organisers of electorates met at Siri Kotha last Thursday. Two of the strongest critics were Ranjan Ramananayake MP and Daya Gamage, National Organiser of the party. The former, an actor turned politician said it was unwise to stick one's neck out for the party since no one would defend such persons. He said the UNP was a thankless party. More critical comments on the leadership and the role of General Secretary Attanayake came from the party's National Organiser Daya Gamage. He rose to speak but there were protests. He was miffed that he was not allowed to make a speech. He walked out of the meeting. Wickremesinghe was to reject a selection of a party organizer by Attanayake. He directed that the person should be given another electorate.

With the launch of different political campaigns, notwithstanding the issue of a proclamation for the presidential election, both the Government and the main opposition UNP are stepping up preparations. At least one factor has emerged clear this week. Rajapaksa will meet Ranil Wickremesinghe as his main rival. Surprise moves by other Opposition parties cannot be ruled out as the political fever continues to rise.