President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a hard-hitting speech during a meeting with top officials of the Central Bank (CB) on June 16 rapped them for not extending support for the proposals put forward by the Government to revive the economy hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and asked them to explain reasons for their failure.
The President told the officials led by the Governor of the Central Bank,Prof. W. D. Lakshman, “We cannot let the health crisis develop into an economic crisis. What we are facing is a global crisis. The Central Bank and the Treasury are entrusted with the responsibility of formulating right monetary and fiscal policies in economic revival.” The President said that many tools have been introduced by the Central Banks in other countries and asked the key officials of the Bank what measures need to be taken by the Government to address the crisis in the country.
President Rajapaksa said officials who worked at the Central Bank during the bond scam still hold their positions and expressed his displeasure for not receiving their cooperation to rebuild the country. He said, “The public must be made aware of the issue of how we move forward with this kind of officials. The people have bestowed great power on me to build the country. I request all of you to allow me to build the country.”
The President said the Central Bank bears the responsibility of rebuilding the country’s economy and added that instead of performing its duty, the Central Bank had obstructed the implementation of the proposals by him.
The President asked the officials to identify the issues and present their solutions or grant approval to his set of proposals. “In this context, a place like the Central Bank where top economic experts render their service, isn’t it your responsibility to present a proposal to conquer this situation. What have you submitted in this regard? What is the guidance you have given me? There is nothing and you have not come forward to support me.”
The President told the Central Bank officials that the Coronavirus has spread throughout the world and has become a global economic crisis. “Due to the firm commitment of our workers in the health sector, Army, Intelligence and the Police, we were able to return to normalcy before many other countries.
The restructuring of the country’s economy before it further collapses lies in your hands. Lend your support to me to achieve success in this endeavour. Either accept my suggestions in this regard or reveal your strategies,” he said.
However, former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in a tweet has said that the reason for the collapse of the financial institutions, including the economy is a crisis of the entire country.
Former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who gave evidence before the Presidential Commission on political victimisation on June 17, said that the Yahapalana Government had targeted Avant Garde in a bid to apprehend President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The former Minister said that a Cabinet Paper aiming at stripping the civil rights of the Rajapaksa family members had been submitted to the Yahapalanaya Cabinet and discussions had taken place at Temple Trees to arrest a member of the Rajapaksa family once a week.
It was revealed at the Commission that former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were forced by the then Cabinet Ministers Rajitha Senaratne, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Arjuna Ranatunga and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to arrest members of the Rajapaksa family.
Former Justice Minister Rajapakshe said that discussions took place at the President’s House and Temple Trees on how former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa could be arrested and added that he also participated in the meetings.
The Presidential Commission was investigating a complaint by Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd Chairman Maj.(Rtd) Nissanka Senadhipathi to the effect that his group of companies had incurred heavy losses due to the arbitrary and politically motivated decisions by the Yahapalana Government.
Sources confirmed that the internal clashes between the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidates with other constituent parties in their coalition have aggravated. There is speculation that former Minister Mano Ganesan will conduct his election campaign alone, ignoring Sajith Premadasa’s leadership.
It is reported that even former MP Samaraweera decided to withdraw his candidacy when Premadasa had instructed him on how he should express his views at the SJB political meetings. According to sources, as three candidates belonging to a certain caste have been given nominations in the SJB list in the Hambantota district, other candidates are getting ready to withdraw their candidacy.
There is media speculation that another crisis is emerging in the United National Party (UNP) hierarchy to share the party positions. A close associate of UNP leader Wickremesinghe had posted on his Facebook account that the UNP has to be rescued from Sagala Ratnayake and not from Sajith Premadasa.
A discussion was held in the party circle to appoint Ravi Karunanayake or Akila Viraj Kariyawasam for the UNP Deputy Leader post.
It is reported that attempts are being made to appoint Sagala Ratnayake for the UNP General Secretary post. This has paved the way for yet another crisis in the UNP as some party heavyweights have expressed their displeasure at appointing Ratnayake as the UNP General Secretary.
UNP National Organiser Navin Dissanayake told the media in Kandy recently that Sajith Premadasa will return to the UNP after the General Election, just like his father Gamini Dissanayake and Rukman Senanayake did.
Dissanayake said when Gamini Dissanayake and Rukman Senanayake returned to the UNP, they had to pay five rupees as party membership fee. He said,”This is not the first time that issues surfaced in the UNP.”
After paying homage at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Dissanayake told the media that no one can do away with the UNP or its Elephant symbol.
However, speaking at a meeting with SJB activists in Kotmale, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara has said that the Elephant symbol of the UNP is confined to a board today.
He said the UNP Working Committee granted permission to form a coalition. UNP leader Wickremesinghe signed the letters to appoint Premadasa as the SJB leader and other officials. Madduma Bandara said that it is not the SJB that made the mistake, but the UNP. They filed a lawsuit and tried to block the SJB nominations, but the court dismissed it, he said.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during a meeting with the Chairman and members of the Election Commission assured to create a suitable background to hold a free and fair election while giving priority to the health of the people.
He said the Ministry of Health has issued recommendations for the conduct of elections amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This will be recorded as the first election to be held under such circumstances. The Government will extend its fullest cooperation to the Elections Commission to make the election process a success while adhering to health guidelines,” the President said.
He said the Government took every measure to control the spread of Covid-19. “This operation was not aimed at elections but to secure the wellbeing of the people,” said the President, adding that the prevention mechanism will continue for several months. He said the election can be held without any obstacle if the public is aware of the situation.
Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said initial preparations have been completed and the contribution of all political parties and officials and members of the Security Forces will be essential for the election. The Chairman stressed the importance of establishing a legal basis to ensure the compulsory participation of public officials in election duties. He said that these regulations should be incorporated in to the Establishment Code.
He said if all partners act in a responsible manner during election rallies and house-to-house campaigns, an effective election can be held. The Chairman highlighted the importance of declaring Covid-19 prevention recommendations through a Gazette notification. The President agreed to provide assistance in the event of lack of space facilities while adhering to health instructions.
SLPP Colombo District candidate Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara said the Election Commission has now taken the people for a joke by postponing elections.
He said by not setting proper conditions to hold elections, the public has become confused, and added that this is a result of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
Addressing a conference in Colombo, Weerasekara said he is glad that he objected to the 19th Amendment.
He said the 19th Amendment has extended the power of the President to dissolve Parliament to four and a half years.
He said the President should have the power to dissolve a Government that misuses its power after a year or so. He said former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga used this power in 2003 when then Prime Minister Wickremesinghe signed a Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE.
The public rejected the Wickremesinghe Government at the next election to prove that her decision was correct, he added.
Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte recently said in Kandy that the SLPP was confident of obtaining a two-thirds majority at the August 5 parliamentary election.
The ex-MP, after paying homage at the Sri Dalada Maligawa at the commencement of his polls campaign, said the SLPP has engaged in a strong polls campaign and added that the main Opposition is in total disarray with the UNP and its offshoot, the SJB pulling in different directions. Referring to UNP heavyweight Mangala Samaraweera quitting the SJB, the former State Minister said that more members would leave the SJB and the UNP.
Ratwatte said the UNP factions are more interested in battling to gain control of Sirikotha rather than the election. He sought public support for the programs undertaken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to take the country forward.
When Government lawmakers have raised concern about issues created by the 19th Amendment, the TNA has said that the 19th Amendment should be abolished. TNA Spokesperson M.A. Sumanthiran has told the media in Vavuniya that the 19th Amendment was introduced as the initial step to create a new Constitution after a new Government came to power in 2015.
The 19th Amendment was the first step. However, Sumanthiran has said that the temporary amendment should not be a permanent law.
“That is why this needs to be abolished.
The 19th Amendment should be changed, for example when there is no agreement between the President and the Prime Minister, there could be problems in taking the country forward,” he said.
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake in a recent television interview said that his party is ready to work with the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) in the struggle for democracy. He said if the FSP would be part of the common movement, the National People’s Power (NPP) formed to secure the rights of the people, they would warmly welcome them.
Dissanayake said that they are ready to work with the JVP breakaway group, FSP, sinking political differences.