The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on Friday called on the Government to appoint a special Trial-at-Bar to probe the death of SLPP Parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala, who was killed in Nittambuwa during the May 9 unrest.
Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella said such a Bench will be able to expedite legal action. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa speaking during the Vote of Condolence said that the killing of Athukorala was an act of terrorism, adding that as the Opposition, they vehemently condemn this heinous crime. He said “We see this as a day that created a black mark on this country. It was a day where fights, assaults, arson and violence erupted in this country.”
Joining the Condolence Motion on the death of Polonnaruwa MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the religious dignitaries who were at the protest ground made no attempt to prevent the mobs from brutally attacking the protesters, including SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala. These religious dignitaries did not even condemn the action of these mobs. He said that such murders have silenced the people who uphold democratic values.
The former Prime Minister said, “The nature of his brutal murder reflects the hatred of the murderers and it was similar to the hatred exerted by the so-called patriots in 88-89. They murdered people and branded the victims as traitors and ordered not to carry their coffins above knee level.”
He said Parliamentarians lived with fear and those who represented Parliament in the 70s, 80s and 90s are well aware of this fact. He added they were afraid of some organisations such as ‘Pra’ and ‘Kalu Balallu’. However, a country free from fear was created by us after 2009 but the situation has changed by now.
When the Condolence Motion on the late SLPP Parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala was taken up in Parliament on Friday, his wife Malani Athukorala, their son Ranindu Athukorala and other relatives were present to witness the debate from the Speaker’s Gallery. However, a clearly emotional Malini Athukorala was seen on several occasions breaking down in tears during the condolence debate of her husband Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala who was killed in Nittambuwa on May 9.
Meanwhile, all SLPP MPs were seen wearing black armbands in protest against the killing of their colleague in Nittambuwa by violent protesters. Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was also seen wearing a black armband which was tied by MP Premitha Bandara Tennakoon.
“I did my best”
Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Thursday said that he would totally withdraw from matters of governance but continue in politics.
At a press conference at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) headquarters on Thursday, he announced his resignation from the SLPP National List Parliamentary seat which he held for 11 months.
He said, “I resign paving the way for the party to appoint a suitable person. I am no longer required in Parliament. I entered Parliament as I was asked to take up the Finance Ministry post. I feel that I do not belong to that place.”
Responding to a barrage of questions from journalists, Rajapaksa said that he fulfilled his duties to the best of his ability, but could not deliver everything the people expected.
He said, “When I returned to Sri Lanka, I had no plans to enter Parliament or be the Finance Minister. I had two purposes. First, the former Yahapalana Government had filed a number of cases on fraud and corruption charges against me and I wanted to face them. Last week, I was acquitted from the last case against me.
Second, there was criticism that I was responsible for the defeat of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. I wanted to bring him back to a high position recognised by the people. I achieved both targets.
He also refuted claims that he was responsible for the prevailing economic crisis in the country. Former Minister Rajapaksa said, “The crisis was already there. That is why I was asked to take it up. I wanted to see the people of this country stand on their own feet. I did my best. Plans could go right or wrong. If this country is benefited by anything today, that was a result of what I did as the Finance Minister.”
Focussed on fixing financial mess
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa vowed to finish the remaining two years in his term despite months-long street protests calling for his ouster, but won’t stand for re-election as he focuses on fixing the financial mess that tipped Sri Lanka into its worst-ever economic crisis. “I can’t go as a failed president,” Rajapaksa said Monday, June 6 in a wide-ranging interview at his official residence in Colombo, his first with a foreign media organisation since the crisis unfolded.
The President said, “I have been given a mandate for five years. I will not contest again.” The President said he wanted to replicate his previous successful stints serving the nation. The President reiterated his controversial goal to push through “natural agriculture,” a short-lived move to ban chemical fertiliser that caused crop output to slump.
President Rajapaksa said, “It is political as a President. You know, I am not a politician. Fortunately, or unfortunately people when they are in politics for so long you can have so much baggage, you have a lot of friends. A lot of people who want help are your supporters. When you go against this -- I tried to go against this -- you don’t get their help.”
“Grave wrong”
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella accused the Speaker of engaging in politics and acting partially in favour of the Government and handing over the public finance committee Chairmanship to a Government lawmaker. Kiriella told the Speaker “You are occupying the seat of the Speaker and engaging in politics. You are the one who created all the problems in this country.”
He said that Standing Order 121/1 clearly states that the Chairman of the Public Finance Committee should be a Member of the Opposition, but the Speaker suspended the Standing Orders and transferred the post to the Government. “Therefore, now rectify this as you have committed a grave wrong,” Kiriella said.
However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena categorically refuted the allegations and said, “This is not something that I did. It is a decision taken by you in the House. Do not blame me for that.” The Speaker said that he was not in a position to know when Members were more or less in Parliament and urged Kiriella not to make such allegations against him. However, Kiriella continued to accuse the Speaker of engaging in politics and being partial towards the Government.
Limit unessential travel
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Parliament on Tuesday, June 7, the next three weeks will be tough for Sri Lanka, urging the public to use fuel and LP gas sparingly. Making a statement in Parliament, the Premier stressed the need to limit unessential travel for the time being and to refrain from hoarding the products.
He said the Government is in the process of rectifying the shortages in the country adding that negotiations are underway with various parties to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel, LP gas and fuel. He said, “Let’s face these difficult three weeks unitedly and patiently.”
Premier Wickremesinghe said the Government’s primary focus is on restoring the economic stability in Sri Lanka. However, economic stabilisation alone cannot help the country ride out the crisis situation. “We need to revive the economy of our country,” he said.
Fuel from Russia?
Leaders of nine political parties, including the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna and the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, have written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urging him to immediately begin bilateral talks to buy fuel from Russia.
The leaders said in the letter that their Parties would not hesitate to force the government with the support of the people if the government fails to do so.
National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa, LSSP General Secretary Prof. Tissa Vitarana, Communist Party of Sri Lanka General Secretary Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Democratic Left Front General Secretary Vasudeva Nanayakkara, PJU Leader Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera have jointly sent the letter.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara on Thursday invited independent Opposition side MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara to assist the Government to obtain fuel from Russia at a lower rate of 35 per cent if he had any possibility to do so.
He said that although the Committee that decides the institutions and the countries from which the fuel is imported comprises Government officials, he would appoint MP Nanayakkara as the head of the Committee as well if he is willing to do so. The Minister made these comments in Parliament when MP Nanayakkara queried if the Government would take measures to import fuel from Russia at a lower rate as Russia is ready to do so.
‘Criminal’
Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) MP Vijitha Herath said it is not appropriate for a ‘criminal’ to hold a Cabinet ministerial post. He was commenting on Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who was sentenced to two years of Rigorous Imprisonment; suspended for five years; for extorting Rs 64 million from a businessman.
He said the President has a bounden duty to decide whether to keep such people in the Cabinet. MP Herath said, “Ranatunga should resign if he has any respect for morals and principles. This verdict was handed down by a High Court, so this is not just an accusation. It’s extortion. Not a small amount; a big ransom of Rs 64 million.
Therefore, if a Court finds him guilty of such a heinous crime, an MP, a Chief Minister, or even a Cabinet Minister should resign from their posts. The President needs to decide whether such criminals should be retained in the Cabinet.” Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment suspended for five years on Monday, after he was found guilty in connection with the alleged conspiracy to extort Rs. 64 million from a businessman to fill a swamp in the Meethotamulla area in Kolonnawa.
Telecom levies
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged that one of the intentions of the Government to increase telecommunication levies was to silence social media activists critical of the Government. Premadasa was speaking at the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Head Office to social media activists in the Kalutara district. The Opposition Leader said the Government has recently increased taxes exponentially which apply directly and indirectly to social media.
Premadasa said that the Government which had not yet compensated farmers for their crop damage was asking the people to cultivate. He said there the shortage of food or other essentials are faced only by the poor people but not the President, Parliament, the Ministers and MPs. Premadasa said that the SJB plans to launch a cultivation campaign for food security shortly.
Collective effort necessary
SJB Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka told Parliament on Wednesday that he would function as an Independent MP in Parliament to contribute to the nation with a sense of responsibility.
He told Parliament that he had informed the Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa in writing of his decision. He said that he had stated in the same letter that his decision to be independent is not inconsistent with the core of the MoU he inked with the SJB on March 18, 2020. He recalled that he predicted the economic crisis of this country in 2013 and 2016. He said that as Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Parliament on Tuesday, the solution for this crisis would be an IMF based one or a home-grown solution with shrunken consumption policy.
He said whatever the solution may be, all political parties have to shed their political differences and make a collective effort to get the country and its economy out of crisis. He said that the people have rejected the existing political tradition in the country and all have had to change themselves including politicians, rulers and the subjects. He said that this is a time, the government and the Opposition side should work with a greater sense of responsibility to get the country on the proper economic track, than any time in the past.
Business tycoon
Business tycoon Dhammika Perera was appointed as a Member of Parliament to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National list MP Basil Rohana Rajapaksa. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has nominated Dhammika Perera to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Basil Rohana Rajapaksa.
The National Election Commission has issued an Extraordinary Gazette Notification announcing the appointment of Dhammika Perera as a Member of Parliament.
Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa who was elected to the Ninth Parliament on July 8, 2021, representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna as a Member of Parliament resigned from his post Thursday, June 9.
New Ministers
Speculation is rife that SLPP Parliamentarian Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Dhammika Perera are tipped to be appointed Ministers soon.
Wanniarachchi who held many portfolios in the People’s Alliance, UPFA and SLPP Government’s since 1994 is likely to receive the Child, Women’s Affairs and Social Empowerment portfolio. Dhammika Perera is likely to be appointed as Minister of Technology and Investment Promotion. Perera resigned from board membership of all his companies on Friday.
No salaries for Cabinet Ministers
The Cabinet Ministers have agreed to perform their duties without receiving ministerial salaries for one year as proposed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
A proposal submitted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding the work of Cabinet Ministers without receiving salaries for one year has received cabinet approval. Speaking during the weekly Cabinet press briefing, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the Ministers had also decided to forgo their ministerial salaries due considering the prevailing economic problems in the country.