Sajith-centric manoeuvres seen in Hashim, Haleem reappointments

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, at the centre of many a controversy after the Easter Sunday incidents, rushed for a hurried meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday.

This was soon after a meeting of former Muslim ministers, state ministers and deputies had ended inconclusively. He told the Premier he had information that two former ministers – Kabir Hashim and Mohamed Haleem – were to go before President Maithripala Sirisena to take their oaths. This was to become ministers again – Mr Hashim as Minister of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development and Mr Haleem as Minister of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs.

Mr Wickremesinghe reached out to his telephone and spoke to Mr. Hashim. He was his normal self and said President Sirisena had asked him to come but not sure what it was

for. If it was to take oaths as a Minister, the Premier said, they would all have to take a decision and do so jointly. The conversation ended and both Mr Wickremesinghe and Mr Bathiudeen let things be.

The next morning ( Thursday), the United National Party’s ( UNP) Working Committee was in session p r e s i d e d ove r by Pre m i e r Wickremesinghe. During his speech, he touched on the resignation of Muslim parliamentarians from their portfolios and declared they would all take their oaths again together at some point of time.

A few moments went by. One of those present hurriedly pointed out to an SMS put out by a media network and said that two had already taken their oaths. At least officially, Premier Wickremesinghe was unaware.

It was only Mr Hashim who was to be sworn in. An advisor close to the President sought the inclusion of Mr Haleem’s name and that was how both were sworn in.

Paving the way for their re- entry was UNP deputy leader and Minister Sajith Premadasa. He said in a statement early this week that the country needed experienced, educated professionals like Mr. Hashim to develop it.

If that was a sign that major cracks were developing in the UNP, since Mr Hashim is its Chairman, there was more. Justice Minister Thalatha Atukorale declared on Friday that Mr Premadasa should be the party’s presidential candidate.

It was mea culpa or through my fault, Mr Hashim declared at a public meeting in Kegalle. “A large group of Sinhala people voted for me to come to power and I have had great pain of mind since I resigned my ministerial portfolio without consulting my voters.” Little wonder his other colleagues were aghast.

Earlier President Sirisena swore in three UNP Deputy Ministers as acting ministers. They are:

Buddhika Pathirana Minister of Industry and Commerce, Acting Minister of Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons and Co- operat ive Development and Vo c at i o n a l T r a i n i n g ; S k i l l s Development; Lucky Jayawardena - Acting Minister of City Planning, Water Supply, Acting Minister of Higher Education and Anoma Gamage - Acting Minister of Highways, Road Development, Acting Minister of Petroleum Resources Development.

The last portfolio now ceases with the appointment of Mr Hashim.

This drew a protest from Premier Wickremesinghe. In a letter to President Sirisena, he pointed out that the appointments were not legally carried out.

Former Minister Bathiudeen also had a meeting with President Sirisena on Thursday.

He was told to take his oaths together with the other Muslim parliamentarians. He, however, replied, “I will wait till my name is cleared.”