UNP-SLFP marriage of c licence to be solemnise

President Sirisena furious over Rajapaksa march and other moves by Joint Opposition; cases against former ruling family to be expedited PM announces ne two top-level comm strengthen ties and

It was a significant week for the 19 month old United National Front (UNF) Government. Its two main partners – the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) – declared that instead of the previously agreed two years, they would continue together for the full duration of their term of office. That is until the next presidential election in January 2020 and the parliamentary elections in August 2020.

In what was clearly a synchronised exercise, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday, “The present national unity Government will remain for five years. There is no doubt about it.” He made this announcement in a statement he made on his official visit to Singapore. On the same day Minister Duminda Dissanayake, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), declared at a news conference, that the SLFP and the UNP had signed the Memorandum of Understanding to form a Government of consensus for only two years, but the National Government would continue for five years.

“Measures needed for the extended term will be formulated once the two year term ends,” he said. Dissanayake likened the alliance to a “proposed marriage” which was “more successful” than love marriages. UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim and Dissanayake also appeared on television to make the same announcement. During the parliamentary elections last year, the UNP sought a mandate from voters for a national unity Government for two years. Their SLFP counterparts, perhaps sure of victory then, did not make any mention of this.

The move has unnerved some pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa parliamentarians who are now in the ‘Joint Opposition’ and are members of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Moves are afoot to write to UPFA General Secretary, Mahinda Amaraweera asking him to explain the future of the UPFA. Amaraweera could not be contacted yesterday. A personal security officer who answered his mobile phone said he was busy at an alms giving in his Colombo residence. There was some unease even among smaller partners of the Government who are known to be discontented over some issues.

In both arranged or love marriages, one need hardly say, there are ups and downs. So it is with the historic ‘marriage’ between the two main political parties in Sri Lanka. Not many Sri Lankans would have realised the nuances behind the assertions by the two sides, no matter whether the pledges they made would be fulfilled or not in the years to come. This is at a time when hate replaced love, procrastination replaced promises and personalities began vying for prime positions. These are the main areas where they have been at loggerheads. Yet, here are the two sides, widely believed to be heading their own ways, now pledging to go it together for their entire term? What is the new mantra for the sudden love to work together, for the UNP even beyond the mandate it received?

The answers lay in developments throughout Wednesday. Briefly put, the cause celebres was former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his backers. Since Tuesday was Esala Full Moon Poya, the weekly meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was held the next day (Wednesday). It was an unusually lengthy session. President Maithripala Sirisena was bitterly critical of Rajapaksa. One Minister said this was the first time he was so livid at a ministerial meeting. “He spoke his heart out,” he added. Sirisena charged that Rajapaksa and the joint opposition were trying to set the agenda for the Government. In focus was the Opposition’s protest march from Kandy to Colombo from July 28. Detailed reports of preparations have been reaching Sirisena.

With stop overs, the sponsors hope to reach Colombo on August 1. With one of the promoters Basil Rajapaksa now in remand custody, Hambantota District parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who just came out of remand prison has taken over the role. Arrangements are under way to hold five different public meetings during overnight stops in Mawanella, Kegalle, Warakapola, Nittambuwa and Kadawatha. One group is being tasked to distribute leaflets listing out the various burdens placed on the people by the increase in VAT and other measures. Overnight accommodation is being booked in smaller hotels en route. An appeal has gone out to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to launch the walk in Kandy and later receive the marchers in Colombo on August 1. Pro-Rajapaksa parliamentarians are being assigned to lead different groups, some of them to be identified by the coloured clothing they wear.

Asserting that Rajapaksa’s ‘bluff ’ should be called, Sirisena said different investigations into misdeeds by Rajapaksa and members of his family should be carried through and immediate legal action taken. He asked why people were running behind them. In the backdrop of the march from Kandy, Basil Rajapaksa, who is now heading an unnamed movement, some of whose members are organising the protests, was arrested. He was remanded till August 1. However, after one night in the remand prison, he has moved to the National Hospital in Colombo drawing strong criticism from civil society groups. Here was a politician who wanted to take part in a march from Kandy to Colombo but had become ill only after his arrest, was the crux of their complaint. One group accused the Government of turning a blind eye. One of those who went on television to charge that Basil Rajapaksa had influenced prison staff was the Ven. Battaramulle Seelaratne Thera.

Sirisena spoke on attempts by Rajapaksa and the Opposition to block the forward march of the Government. He said there should be unity among partners and asserted that this Government would not fall. He was categorical he would not allow such a thing. Ministers decided to appoint two Committees -- one to formulate a common stance when it comes to issues and another to deal with matters arising out of the Opposition activity including the July 28 protest march. The Government had come under heavy criticism over its inability to speak with one voice on issues of national or public importance.

Often, different ministers or their deputies were speaking out on issues contradicting each other and making their views appear as the official policy. Others were so ill informed that they embarrassed the Government with their utterances. One case in point is a Minister who declared that the Sri Lanka Government had asked their Panamanian authorities for the names of Sri Lankans who held accounts in offshore companies. This lacunae was referred to in these columns last week as “compartmentalised governance” where different persons were saying different things on the same issue. The second committee will examine whether normal life of the community will be interrupted by the Opposition march from Kandy and whether the event would trigger any violent incidents, a Minister said. Sirisena said the partners in the Government should be united. Both Sirisena and Premier Wickremesinghe will serve in both committees.

Sirisena also hit out at a newly recruited official in the Department of Information whom he described as a very dangerous person. He had made some public remarks about the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual Buddhist leader. Those remarks have been wrongly construed as the views of his Government, the President pointed out. It was more so since the official was dealing with Government information. The President said he had the Chinese authorities protesting and he found himself in an awkward and embarrassing position. This official had made blunders earlier, Sirisena said and added that he had occasion to once summon him and issue a stern warning. For the second time Sirisena also complained that the state-run media were not supportive of him. He made similar remarks when he addressed the Government Parliamentary Group earlier this month. He said the Government received a collective mandate and should go together. Premier Wickremesinghe who endorsed this sentiment said he had been unaware of the remarks made by the new Information Department official. No sooner he had heard of it, he had spoken to him and cautioned him against making such statements.

Several ministers contributed to the discourse last Wednesday morning. Minister Duminda Dissanayake said that those in the Government should “speak with one voice” – a view that was endorsed by Minister Kabir Hashim. Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said he was at a loss to understand why the Opposition groups were stepping up their protests over the VAT increase now. He said 16 out of 17 budget proposals could not be implemented since they were challenged in courts. He raised questions on the progress of investigations into charges against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the former President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath and the Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd. Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the Government’s leading members were being targeted. He complained that they were using scurrilous language. He named the personalities behind the exercise. Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekera and Mangala Samaraweera also made comments.

On the same Wednesday evening, the troika that oversees the workings of the National Unity Government met. They were President Sirisena, Premier Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. This meeting of the trio came after a long break and