President Ranil Wickremesinghe told his old school friends how he and his colleagues forcibly entered a leading girls’ school in Colombo, Visakha Vidyalaya, by jumping over the wall, during his school days at Royal College and how they were chased away by the then college principal.
The President who was the chief guest at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Royal College Lawyers’ Association at the Hilton Hotel, on February 25 reflected on his past unforgettable memories at Royal College. The event was full of joy and laughter as the President also turned into an ordinary citizen and recalled the pranks he committed during his school days. Even though the President wanted to take part in the event for a brief period, he finally waited until the end of it as he remembered his old mischievous acts he committed.
The President attended the Cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss the economy. Then the President made a series of statements on the current economic program and the tax amendment. The President as the Minister in charge of Finance also submitted facts on the IMF and World Bank aid.
Following the Cabinet meeting, a group of Ministers had a cordial discussion with the President and they focussed on the JVP’s protest in Colombo on the previous day. The Ministers told the President that JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake entered a shop by breaking its sliding door.that following the tear gas attack. The President who listened to all those stories told an interesting story to the Ministers.
The President, recalling an old story said, “In the early 80s, Dr. N.M. Perera and other Sama Samaja leaders staged a demonstration near Hyde Park blocking the road. The Police used tear gas and attacked the protestors. Dr. N.M. Perera was also attacked and one of his legs was injured due to it.”
At this point, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said, “I also remember that demonstration which was held in front of the Sama Samaja party headquarters building. Those days’ leaders were ready even to die along with their party members. Leaders such Colvin, Philip and J.R. were like that. Old leftist leaders never deserted their party members. Even if they were assaulted, they were with their members.”
Then Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said, “Now the leftist leaders who hide in shops, later come out and shout like heroes. Only their party supporters got injured and were hospitalised.”
All Government lawmakers were laughing when Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said, “It is completely wrong to bring people who are ill. If Colvin was alive, he would have told Anura Dissanayake to at least learn from him.”
It was President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake who conveyed the message of the death of a JVP supporter who was admitted to hospital after the end of the NPP protest.
President Wickremesinghe was shocked when he heard the news and said it was a very tragic incident. It was revealed that the person who died was a heart patient. The President in a sad mood said, “People who have critical illnesses such as heart diseases should not be brought to demonstrations. Leaders should look into that aspect as well. Actually, I really regret this death.”
MP Wajira Abeywardena who recollected the past said, “This is not a death that occurred due an attack or shooting by the Police. Those days, tear gas was used by the Police at our demonstrations as well. The Police also opened fire to our demonstrations. At the ‘2001 Janabala Meheuma’, two of our supporters were shot dead by the Police. Now the Police act with a lot of patience due to the President’s instructions.”
President meets Pakistan Navy chief
In the evening, the President met Chief of the Pakistan Navy Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, and engaged in a discussion with him. During the discussion, the emphasis was placed on enhancing the maritime regional cooperation between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, alongside exploring opportunities for the further expansion of maritime activities between the two nations.
Symbolising this meeting, the Pakistan Navy Chief presented a commemorative gift to President Wickremesinghe. A group of senior naval officials from both countries also attended the event.
On that day, the President also signed a special gazette notification declaring ports, airports and public transport services and its related services as essential services. President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka’s birthday was also on that day so that the President didn’t forget to wish him. Ratnayaka served cakes to his staff and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a large number of Government and Opposition members had also wished him. Ratnayaka also participated in a community kitchen initiative organised at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo on February 27. During the event, Ratnayaka served food to those who had gathered at the community kitchen.
President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake gave instructions to the Health Ministry Secretary to set up several centres to treat cancer patients. He gave instructions to set up special hospitals at Jaffna, Hambantota, Badulla and Anuradhapura districts and also a special children’s hospital in a suitable place.
President’s Secretary Ekanayake and President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka met the heads of state banks on February 28 and had an extensive discussion on how to keep the banking operations running without inconveniencing the customers due to the trade union action launched on the following day, March 1.
Ratnayake pointed out that it is not a good situation for the country to send the message to the international community that the banking system is inactive at a time when the Government has taken extensive measures to create financial stability in the country.
The Chairmen of the People’s Bank and the Bank of Ceylon both emphasised that their banks are ready to serve customers on March 1. They expressed confidence that it is the responsibility of all public servants to support the Government’s program to build the country’s economy, and that bank employees will do the same.
WB officials meet President
A delegation including the Vice President of the South Asian Region of World Bank (WB), Martin Raiser, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on February 28.
The representatives said that the World Bank will continue to support Sri Lanka’s development reforms program. They said that the World Bank will provide technical assistance in the drafting of laws for development policy operations, as well as work to provide additional guidance and support regarding the use of international media and welfare benefits.
In the evening a confidential report received by the President said that trade union action launched against the Government’s tax policy at provincial level has become unsuccessful. The President called a special Cabinet meeting to take a decision regarding the Government’s financial matters. The Cabinet paper submitted by the President as the Finance Minister said that if the issuing of letter of credits (LCs) to import drugs and essential commodities is disrupted due to trade union action by bank staff, permission should be granted to state institutions to open accounts at private banks.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena said, “If the state bank employees act in this manner, finally state institutions will be compelled to deal with private banks. If the state bank collapses as a result, the employees who organised this protest should be held responsible for it.”
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said, “A large number of employees had not joined the protest. Therefore, the trade union monopoly will collapse. The tax issue affects only nine percent of the employees in the state sector. Therefore, the majority of the employees don’t extend their support to these trade unions for an issue which doesn’t affect them at all.”
Minister Douglas Devananda said, “I am wondering as to why teachers who don’t draw even Rs. 100,000 salary are joining the protest. A tax has been imposed for only those who draw a monthly salary of over Rs. 150,000.”
Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said, “All the teachers didn’t come and only a few of them were clad in black. The best story is that trade union leaders say the port has incurred a huge loss due to the protest. When the country faces severe economic hardships, trade union leaders are boasting that the port incurred a loss due to their protest. The people will give them a very good answer soon.
The President who submitted the Cabinet paper for approval said, “If the trade unions resort to strikes, the Government cannot stop its work. We should continue the work.”
The depreciation of the Dollar and appreciation of the Rupee was also discussed. Following the Cabinet meeting, a few MPs came to meet the President. They discussed the release of former Minister Ravi Karunanayake from the Treasury Bond scam case. They also discussed the views expressed by the panel judges highlighting that the procedure followed by the Attorney General to file the case was not correct.
Ran Vee Karala award
President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his way to Trincomalee on Thursday to the commissioning ceremony of the Air Force Officer Cadets stopped at Polonnaruwa to open Volta Auto Tec Engineering (Pvt) Limited, Minneriya.
The President inspected tractors, electric motor bicycles and three wheelers assembled there. Later, the President met the representatives of Polonnaruwa farmer organisations.
The farmers expressed their gratitude to the President for providing them fertiliser for cultivation at the right time, despite the economic crisis faced by the country.
President Wickremesinghe was also presented the Ran Vee Karala award in recognition of the service he rendered to farmers.
The farmers said. “Sir, actually, we had planned to stop our cultivation due to lack of fertiliser. We restarted our cultivation as you provided us fertiliser on time.” The President said, “I will help you all so that you all can contribute to increase the harvest.”
The farmers told the President that they would definitely do that. They said when the Opposition political leaders were lagging behind those days, the President accepted the challenge of rebuilding the collapsed country.
Later the President went to Trincomalee. At the commissioning ceremony of the Air Force Officer Cadets the President said that the only way to bring about a change of Government is through a parliamentary election and not through street protests, stating that the latter is not a viable option for Parliament. He said that a nation can become anarchic due to an economic collapse and urged everyone to prioritise safeguarding the constitution and the economy of the country.
Countrywide protests
Last week, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) decided to launch countrywide demonstrations demanding the holding of LG elections. A decision was taken by the SJB to continuously conduct struggles until the election is held. The SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa condemned the police attack on the National People’s Power (NPP) protest. The Opposition Leader was informed that several people were injured due to the attack. The Opposition Leader immediately issued a Twitter message.
The Opposition Leader stated, “Today tear gas and water cannons were used against the NPP protestors. As a result, many of them were injured. It is very obvious the Government’s threat against the people. The Government asks the people to set aside and remain silent.” Later, the Opposition Leader instructed his media unit to issue a statement by condemning the attack. Sajith told his parliamentary group “This is a massive suppression. If we don’t face this jointly, that would be the end of democracy.”
When the Opposition Leader came to know about the death of Nimal Amarasiri who was injured at the NPP protest, he was addressing a political rally organised by MP Nalin Bandara.
Commencing his speech, the Opposition Leader said, “We express our deepest sympathies to Nimal Amarasiri’s family. We may have different political ideologies and we work in different political camps. However, this vicious Government doesn’t provide room to engage in politics jointly or separately. This cowardice act once again shows its suppression. If this cowardly Government attempts to be in power through blood and tears, we would unconditionally come forward to protest against it.”
Opposition parties meet Speaker
Opposition Leader Premadasa and other Opposition political party leaders met the Speaker on Tuesday based on three important facts. It was proposed at the meeting to pass a resolution in Parliament to release funds allocated by the Budget 2023 to conduct the Local Government election. The Speaker gave his consent to the proposal.
The Opposition Leader told the Speaker, “You can summon and question the Finance Ministry Secretary for not releasing funds to conduct the election. Then it would be able to know who is behind this conspiracy. The prevailing serious situation in the country has now come to the streets. A person who joined the NPP protest demanding to hold the LG election has died. We don’t know whether the Government wants more people to die in such a manner. You should keep in mind; the public protest might turn into more and more aggressive. Therefore, you should convene the Parliament immediately.”
The Opposition Leader asked, “What is the use of having Parliament, if the Executive undermines the financial powers which are entitled by the Parliament?” He said five members of the Election Commission unanimously agreed and declared the election and the date was announced through a gazette. However, the President attempts to move towards dictatorship.
SLPP MP Prof. G.L. Peiris said, “Nobody has the right to undermine the powers of Parliament. The Speaker is the sole authority who has powers to change this situation.”
MP Dullas Alahapperuma said, “Provincial Councils are defunct now. Its powers are now in the hands of a President’s representative. In the near future, Local Government institutions will also face the same situation. Through that the people’s representatives will be under the arrest of the President.”
The Speaker said having considered the situation; a Party Leaders’ meeting will be summoned tomorrow. The Opposition Leader requested the Speaker to summon the Finance Ministry Secretary also to the meeting. The Speaker said that the consensus of the Government MPs is also needed for that.
Then the Opposition Leader said if the money approved by Parliament is violated, the Speaker has the right to summon the Finance Ministry Secretary for a discussion.