SLPP backbenchers invite Basil to enter Parliament
As fertiliser crisis deepens, President meets farmers’ representatives and promises relief
President says no family feud, Rajapaksa brothers remain united and Basil is coming back with their blessing
Sri Lanka’s fertiliser crisis is reaching a critical stage, as farmers continue to intensify their protests. Amid heated political debates on the issue, the government remains firm in its stance that it will not reverse the ban on the import of chemical fertiliser.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa spent the last weekend in Kandy. After visiting the Dalada Maligawa to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, he called on the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters to brief them on the government’s ban on chemical fertiliser and its programme to promote organic fertiliser. No media personnel were allowed into these meetings.
On Thursday, President Rajapaksa met representatives of farmers’ organisations at the Presidential Secretariat to brief them on the programme to promote organic fertiliser and to obtain their views. The meeting was attended by representatives of farmers’ organisations from all districts of the country. Those in attendance on the government side included Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, State Ministers Shasheendra Rajapaksa, Seetha Arambepola, Mohan P. De Silva and President’s Secretary Dr P.B. Jayasundara.
At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Alutgamage praised the “courageous decision” by the President to ban the import of chemical fertiliser and to promote organic fertiliser. After hearing from the farmers’ representatives, President Rajapaksa said some were trying to paint the move as an abrupt decision, but it was not so. “We spend Rs 80,000 million (80 billion) each year to import chemical fertiliser. We can now save that money distribute it among the farmers,” he said.
The chemical fertiliser ban, however, has created a fertiliser shortage, and the matter figured prominently at this week’s Cabinet meeting. Several ministers pointed out that there was a severe shortage of fertiliser in many areas of the country. Agriculture Minister Aluthgamage, though, continued to insist that there was no such shortage. He claimed that for the 'Yala' season, adequate fertiliser had already been distributed. The shortage had been artificially created in some parts owing to traders hoarding stocks, he said, adding that his ministry could supply fertiliser to any areas that were experiencing a shortage if it was notified. The minister also told the Cabinet that several countries, including Germany, had come forward with offers of assistance to produce organic fertiliser here.
Backbencher operation to make Basil an MP
Government backbenchers, meanwhile, are intensifying their efforts to ensure that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) architect, Basil Rajapaksa, enters Parliament. Spearheading the campaign are mainly first-time MPs. They met last Sunday evening at MP Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon’s residence at Anderson Road in Dehiwala for what was termed as a decisive discussion on the matter. When a group of these MPs had met the previous day to draw up plans for the meeting, some had pushed for the meeting to be held at the SLPP head office while others wanted it to be held at the residence of one of their own. It was then that Mr Tennakoon had offered his residence for the meeting. He then informed government backbenchers by phone to arrive at his residence at 3.00pm the following day. However, since it was the weekend and Parliament was not in session, some who were unaware of the meeting had already gone back to their respective districts.
Nevertheless, a large group of MPs turned up on Sunday at Mr Tennakoon’s residence. Those who could not make it had sent messages that they would abide by whatever decision was taken by the majority. In the end, 33 MPs took part in the discussion. While the meeting was supposed to remain secret, word had got out several hours before they met and a large number of media personnel had already gathered outside Mr. Tennakoon’s residence.
Welcoming the assembled MPs, Mr. Tennakoon described the situation as a critical point for the government. He pointed out that it was their belief that Basil Rajapaksa needed to be in Parliament. “We must take this decision collectively and invite Basil Rajapaksa to enter Parliament,” he told the MPs.
SLPP MP Sanjeewa Edirimanna endorsed Mr. Tennakoon’s comments. He said he had spoken to Basil Rajapaksa that morning and added the matters should be handled delicately so that the Rajapaksas’ image does not suffer as he enters Parliament. MPs Nipuna Ranawaka and Jagath Kumara also voiced agreement, stating that Basil Rajapaksa was entering Parliament to strengthen the hands of the President and the Prime Minister.
Talk then turned to speculation that the Opposition might react when Basil Rajapaksa enters Parliament. MPs agreed that they should come up with a programme to counter the allegations that were already being levelled by the opposition against Basil Rajapaksa.
Those at the meeting also discussed how best to invite Basil Rajapaksa to accept a parliamentary seat. Some suggested drafting a letter, to be signed by all MPs and handed over officially. Others said such a letter would only take up more time and insisted that they should, as a group, simply convey the message to him. In the end, it was decided to urgently convey the invitation from the SLPP backbenchers to Basil Rajapaksa inviting him to enter Parliament. Mr Tennakoon and his wife Gayani treated the assembled MPs to tea after the meeting. Many MPs were swamped by media personnel as they left the Tennakoon residence. They were asked why a group of SLPP MPs were holding 'secret talks'. MPs who spoke to the media responded it was not a secret meeting, but acknowledged it
was held to discuss how to bring Basil Rajapaksa to Parliament.
President speaks on the unity of the Rajapaksa family
During a meeting with some of his close associates this week, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa claimed there was an organised attempt via social media and some mainstream media organisations to foster a view that there was a split within the ranks of the Rajapaksa family. The main thrust of this operation was being conducted through social media, the President said. “They are saying that the PM and I both oppose Basil entering Parliament. They are trying to spread this story to gain political advantage for the Opposition. The people of this country know the truth. They know that whatever some may say, the Rajapaksa brothers take decisions together and work together.”
“How can I oppose Basil entering Parliament? I’m the one who asked him to enter Parliament. This is all happening with the knowledge and consent of the Prime Minister and myself,” the President added.
Meanwhile, Basil Rajapaksa himself is still undergoing quarantine at home. His quarantine is due to end on Tuesday. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga is also one of those at the forefront of the mission to bring him to Parliament. While on a visit to Batticaloa this week, Mr. Ranatunga phoned Basil Rajapaksa at his home to inquire how he was. Mr. Ranatunga informed the SLPP founder that he had drawn up a plan to obtain the views of the SLPP’s “bala mandala” (party branch) in the Gampaha District. “Obtain views on what?” Basil Rajapaksa asked, to which Prasanna Ranatunga said it was on him entering Parliament. “Are you going to do that from Batticaloa?” an amused Basil Rajapaksa asked. “Wherever we might be, we have made arrangements to get it done,” the minister replied.
Opposition distributes medical equipment worth Rs 50 million
The “Vipakshayen Husmak” programme launched by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on April 8 has now completed 19 stages.
Participating in the 19th stage of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) programme, Mr. Premadasa told those present that they had so far distributed medical equipment worth about