Party amid suspense and turmoil

Siripala de Silva called on President Sirisena on Tuesday night to express what was described as his "serious concerns." Three SLFP deputy ministers - Sudharshini Fernandopulle, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Erik Weerawardena - tendered their resignations and declared they could serve no longer after Sirisena's statements.Former Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, who had been named Advisor to President Sirisena in the midst of the power struggle within the SLFP, was on the stage at the first election rally of the UPFA in Anuradhapura on Friday.

Even before his address to the nation on Tuesday, Sirisena was taking a tough line. He met UPFA General Secretary Premajayantha last Sunday afternoon to take a close look at the list of the names placed on the National List and those contesting. He directed that the names of former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, former Chief Justice SarathNanda Silva and one-time Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleke be struck off. He gave the names of replacements. Even by then, the name of Jayampathy Wickremeratne who styles himself as Chairman of the United Left Front (ULF) was on the UPFA National List and was referred to in these columns last week.

When the Sunday Times hit the streets, Wickremeratne was to say in an e-mail that "a lot of damage has been caused to me by the news in the political column today that I am on the UPFA national list in the company of several 'distinguished' persons."That Sunday morning he visited 'Temple Trees' where a memorandum of understanding setting up the United National Front for Good Governance was being signed. There, he found a place in the UNP National List. The next day, Monday he resigned as Advisor to the President. Either way, he was the winner; it was a win or place bet.

Wickremeratne who was responsible for a set of unapproved drafts when 19A was under discussion by the Cabinet of Ministers was once angrily dubbed by a senior Minister still in the Government as the "Lord Soulbury of Sri Lanka." The sobriquet, though dubious, referred to the man responsible for post independent Sri Lanka's first constitution. The Minister then claimed that some provisions in the reporteddraft were 'contradictory' or 'archaic' and did not suit present day needs. Wickremeratne who has pledged to uphold the principles of good governance gave vent to his feelings to a pro UNP website operating from abroad. Its reports which were first acrimonious were later updated. Its latest version:

"Advisor to President Maithripala Sirisena and Chairman of the United Left Front Dr.Jayampathy Wickramaratne has said that the claim made by Iqbal Athas of the Sunday Times that his name has been placed on the UPFA National List MPs is a blatant lie. "He told (the website) that he will be coming as a national list member of the "United National Front for Good Governance." He said that Raja Uswetakeiyawa of the United Left Front would also represent the same national list. Dr.Wickramaratne also said he would resign from his post of advisor to the President, and would hand over his letter of resignation to the Presidential Secretary, July 13.

"He said that the Sunday Times political columnist has made this untrue statement without consulting him, even despite the news already published in Sinhala and English newspapers that he will be representing the national list of a party opposing the Rajapaksas. He also said that he was greatly embarrassed by many inquiries following the news made by friends of his from all over the world."

A blatant lie? In fact Wickremeratne confirmed to the Sunday Times that his name was indeed in the UPFA National List. This was published in our web edition the same Sunday. He confirmed this fact to another web site operating from abroad the next day. It was President Sirisena, it can be revealed now,who asked SLFP General Secretary Yapa to ensure Wickremeratne's name was included. At 'Temple Trees' that Sunday morning, when Wickremeratne was asked by a one-time Sri Lankan diplomat who served in Europe about the reference to him in the Sunday Times political commentary, he replied that he was "in the earlier UPFA list." So much for the "blatant lie" he referred to. Wickremeratne's name was struck off the UPFA National List only late last Sunday night. Moreover, last week's reference to him also made the point unequivocally that the list was awaiting finality.

There was high drama surrounding the finalisation of the UPFA National List on Sunday. The venue was the Mahaweli Centre. Prospective candidates were then turning up to sign their nomination papers. UPFA General Secretary Premjayantha broke away for lunch but could not return. Large crowds had surrounded the premises and were demanding that former Colombo District parliamentarian Duminda Silva be given nominations. He drove to the office of the Leader of the Opposition adjoining the Sravasti MP's hostel at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha. News soon reached the protestors that Premajayantha was working from there. They converged outside that office. From there Premajayantha went to Paget Road to meet Sirisena. They were busy with the UPFA's lists. Around 10.30 p.m.Premjayantha and party moved to the official residence of Special Projects Minister Felix Perera at Keppetipola Mawatha in Colombo.

Towards night three different issues had cropped up. Former Gampaha District parliamentarian Sudharshini Fernandopulle did not want a candidate from the National Freedom Front (NFF) representing the Katana electorate. Instead, she sought to have one from the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP). Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who was contesting disliked the nomination of another to the District and wanted it changed. Opposing the move was Lasantha Alagiyawanna. If those two issues were from Gampaha, the third was from Colombo District. Two seats had been assigned to the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna(MEP). One was for Dinesh Gunawardena, its leader. The second was to be SamanLal, the Mayor of Moratuwa. However, former Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga was not in favour of his candidature. It had to be changed.

Prasanna Ranatunga was so angry he shouted at the others and was walking out. Felix Perera had engaged him in a heated argument and they nearly came to blows. A worried Dinesh Gunawardena hurriedly tried to reach Rajapaksa and was told that he was at a meeting in Piliyandala. Gunawardena reached former Minister GaminiLokuge and urged him to immediately hand over the mobile phone to Rajapaksa. The former President was addressing the rally. He spoke into the microphone asking crowds to forgive him since there was an urgent phone call. When he spoke, the former President was told of the tussle. He wound up his speech and left the meeting. He rushed to Felix Perera's residence. He spoke with Premjayanthaand the issue was still smouldering when he left. Just then Premajayantha, who had separated the duo from clashing, complained of chest pains. Former Minister Dilan Perera and Former Media Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath helped the UPFA General Secretary into a car and drove him to the Nawaloka Hospital. There he was given emergency care and was warded in a room.

It is only then did it occur to the duo that the signed nomination papers were all lying at Felix Perera's residence. If someone were to steal it, the UPFA would have lost both Colombo and Gampaha Districts. They rushed there in the night, collected them and returned to the hospital. From Room 6 on the second floor, lawyers and a few others sat around Premajayantha who was on a bed. That is how they finalised the nominations list at 3 a.m. barring one slot for Gampaha District. That last slot for Gampaha District went to Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Ranaweera. There was still a problem. Since he was in hospital, Premajayantha had entrusted the UPFA National List to be formally completed by Dilan Perera. The latter worked from the office of the Leader of the Opposition. Though he had received names from Premjayantha, some of the National Identity Card numbers were not available. When they were obtained and finalised, it was 11.40 a.m. on Monday, the final day for the handing in of nominations.With twenty minutes left and traffic along the Kotte road heavy, Perera rode on the pillion of a motorcycle of an aide to reach the Elections Office in Kotte on time and hand over the National List to Premajayantha. Details of the nominations and those in the fray appear elsewhere in the Sunday Times today.

At 'Temple Trees' there was similar chaos. Battles raged over who should top the list and be team leader for the Kalutara District. Minister Rajitha Senaratne's name was put in and then tippexed and re-tippexed. Similar battles ensued in some other Districts as well. Heated arguments ensued. There were people, like Wickremaratne clamouring for a slot on the National List.

Meanwhile, there was euphoria all-round in the UNP over President Sirisena's statements. Former Gampaha District parliamentarian and one time speaker Joseph Michael Perera told the Sunday Times "After nomination was given to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, supporters of President Maithripala Sirisena were disillusioned and in turmoil. It also had the same impact on UNP supporters who backed President Sirisena. However, his address to the nation on Tuesday has made the UNP supporters very pleased and their hands have been strengthened. President Sirisena has made it clear that the nomination of the former President was a very acrimonious matter and he opposed it. He also assured that there would be no role for Rajapaksa in the future under his Presidency. He has also said that the former President would not be appointed Prime Minister in the future and we are happy about this .These are all positive views where the UNP is concerned and it has helped to galvanise our election campaign. We are sure of victory in the August 17 polls."

Added Media Minister and former Galle District parliamentarian Gayantha Karunatilleke "The former President Mahinda Rajapaksa called an early election in January and was soundly defeated. This time he is seeking a parliamentary seat and will be defeated even in a worse manner. In his speech President Maithripala Sirisena said clearly that the "yahapalana" government that took office on January 8 would continue after the polls. Hence, Mahinda Rajapaksa would not get an opportunity to get a foot into the Government again. He is a defeated candidate and he will be defeated again as the President clearly pointed out. Even though he is dreaming of being the Prime Minister, he will not get such an opportunity. The Government we will form will be headed by the UNP."

Yet, one of Sirisena's remarks, that he advised Premier Wickremesinghe to call for the resignation of Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran is resonating in opposition political platforms. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake who served in the National Executive Council (NEC), an apex body to "strengthen democracy," told the Sunday Times "We defeated Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 8. President Sirisena said he would deal with bribery and corruption. Nothing tangible was done. His own UPFA forced him to give nominations to Rajapaksa. He was accused of being a traitor and betrayer. There was a controversy over the Central Bank bond issue. President Sirisena has confirmed to the whole nation that there is a doubt. At least now Premier Wickremesinghe has to decide." Wickremesinghe, however, has insisted that there has been no wrong doing and strongly defended Governor Mahendran. In a statement to Parliament he declared there was no impropriety.

Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Development told the Sunday Times "If the Opposition is going to use the Treasury Bond issue as its main political propaganda tool, let them do it. We will be able to show the people who is behind the urgent report and what is their motive. By screaming about the Bond issue they are trying to hide all the corrupt practices they were engaged in when they were in power. We won't let that happen. They are politicising the purported report.This is wrong. We will tell the masses the truth. It is without the approval of the Sub Committee that this so called report was released. It is not comprehensive. The procedure is that the Sub Committee should report to the COPE. They should submit any report to Parliament."

The publication and circulation of the COPE Sub Committee draft report, yet to be approved, was ordered to be stopped by the Colombo District Judge Sumith Perera on Thursday. It came on an application made by parliamentarian and Deputy Justice Minister Sujeeva Senasinghewho won an enjoining order. It prevents COPE Chairman D.E.W.Gunasekara and members Rajitha Senaratne, Rosy Senanayake, Eran Wickremaratna, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Arjuna Ranatunga, Susil Premajayantha, Weerakumara Dissanayaka, Sunil Handunnetti, M.T.Hassan Ali, Prof RajivaWijesinha and E.Saravanapavan from publishing or circulating "proceedings of the purported draft report by the Special Sub Committee to look into the Bond issue of the Central Bank 2015 appointed by the COPE." Senasinghe was also a member of the Sub Committee.

Opposition speakers charged during rallies that the Court action by Senasinghe was to cover up the bond scam and prevent public discussion. Even some VVIPs were unhappy at the moves. Needless to say it has become a campaign issue.

Both, the UNF and UPFA campaigns have got off to a start in great earnest; so too the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) that is campaigning on the slogan that there's no difference between the two main coalitions, they are all the same at the end of the day. They haven't gone ahead of themselves and unlike the other parties that have been predicting so many seats for themselves, the JVP is asking for stronger representation in Parliament to counter the waywardness of the main political parties when in power. The coming weeks will show how much support each side is garnering before the final result is bared on August 18. There is suspense not only in Sri Lanka but the world over.