The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a unique festival for Sri Lankans. But last year, the people had to celebrate the New Year rituals in the gas queue or the fuel queue. Eight months after President Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office, the people can celebrate the New Year with their children and relatives from home.
First, fuel prices were reduced. Later, gas prices were lowered and fuel quota was raised. The people who were in the queue those days have been given the freedom to go to see their relatives without fear or doubt. Although the Opposition hoped that the IMF loan facility would not be granted before the New Year, the Opposition’s dreams were shattered by the commitment of President Wickremesinghe.
The country’s economy was discussed at the Ministry of Finance last Thursday under the patronage of President Wickremesinghe. Apart from Wajira Abeywardena and Sagala Ratnayaka, Finance Ministry officials were also present along with State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe and Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
“With the decrease in the price of oil and gas, people have a new hope for the Government,” Presidential Adviser Dr. Samaratunga said.
“This time last year, people were queuing. The President went to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and changed this situation in a few months,” said Sagala, chipping in.
“With the IMF program, the economy changed completely. If we can continue like this for a few more months, we can take the economy to a very good position,” said Sate Minister Shehan.
“In any case, after June and July, the economy will turn in a new direction and so many of the people’s problems will be solved,” said State Minister Siyambalapitiya joining the conversation.
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| Ali Sabry, PC |
“Whenever he was the Prime Minister, the people could celebrate the Sinhala New Year successfully. Now he is the President. Therefore, it is certain that the people will win and not lose.” Everyone nodded their heads when MP Wajira said this.
Matters were raised here regarding the accusations made by the Opposition that the International Monetary Fund is paying attention to matters such as human rights and democracy in the country, the President’s Economic Advisor Dr. Samaratunga explained that they wanted to bring the Anti-corruption Act and not other matters.
In Anuradhapura
The President was in Anuradhapura last Saturday. He also attended several official meetings at his official residence before arriving in Anuradhapura. Indian Democratic Alliance member Dr. Bharti Lal was also among them.
That evening, the President came to the Anuradhapura Air Force base to spell out the country’s security, economy, and the IMF’s credit facility to the Security Chiefs. Addressing a group of around 2,000 members of the Tri Forces and Police at the Anuradhapura Air Force base, the President outlined the country’s economy and the maintenance of law and order.
At the conclusion of his speech, the President met the Air Force and Navy soldiers and discussed their problems. Since it was the first time that a President came and asked about their duties, many people spoke less. The next morning, the President went to the Sri Maha Bodhi to join the National New Paddy Harvest Festival.
As a tradition, the President makes a speech. But this time it did not happen. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera spoke on behalf of the Government. Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera launched the new paddy festival by putting rice in the golden bowl and those who were present including the President and the Minister of Agriculture also performed the royal ritual by adding rice to it.
Adivasi leader Wannilaeththo was also present to perform the honey offering at the festival. He presented it to the Head of State to offer it to the Atamasthanadhipathi Thera according to the rituals. President Ranil changed the custom this time and handed it over to a group of small children to offer it to the Atamasthanadhipathi Thera.
“These are the future leaders who will take over the country,” saying so the President asked the children to offer the honey pooja to the Atamasthanadhipathi Thera.
He also instructed the Presidential Media Division to send the photographs taken at that time to the children. When the President went up to the Udamaluwa to worship the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a child came to him and directly expressed his desire to work with the President in a way that no one expected. “Ah, isn’t this the child who took a selfie when I came to Anuradhapura on an earlier occasion?” saying that, the President told his Chief of Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka to summon this child to the President’s office.
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| Kavinda Jayawardena |
While coming from the Udamaluwa to the residence of Atamasthanadhipathi Thera, a group of children standing on both sides of the road came forward to speak to the President. The President inquired about their village and said, “They are from our village” and took selfies with them.
Later, the President had a cordial meeting with Atamasthanadhipathi Thera. There was also a discussion about the congestion of the road leading to Sri Maha Bodhi and attention was also paid to an alternative route. The President entrusted the request of the Atamasthanadhipathi Ven.Hemarathana Thera to his Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka to identify archaeological sites using modern technology and construct a new toilet and pit system so as not to harm it. He also confirmed that he will discuss this with the Urban Development Authority and the Department of Archaeology.
Funeral
While returning to Colombo, the President did not forget to attend the funeral of former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera.
Later, he came to the Ministry of Finance to explain the loan facility of the IMF to university professors. He pointed out that there will be no need to go back to the IMF for the 18th time if the agreement is properly implemented. He also told the professors about three new bills that will be presented to the country by June.
President Wickremesinghe, who attended a number of duties on Monday, also attended the Cabinet meeting in the evening. The next day, a group of Security Chiefs came to meet the President and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka and President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake were also present.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, who arrived, informed that members of the Indian Parliament have expressed their objections regarding the placement of a Buddha statue in Kachchativu by the Navy.
The President, who listened to the Foreign Affairs Minister attentively, gave an answer that no one expected. “As soon as you enter the Rashtrapati Bhavan, there is a Buddha statue. The Buddha is known as the great son of India. So why are we against this?” Even the Army officers were surprised to hear what the President said.
The people there then talked about the fact that there was no one to speak about this in the Indian Parliament. That evening, the President met the United National Party Management Board and discussed May Day activities.
TU action
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| Wajira Abeyawardena |
Party General Secretary Range Bandara said that arrangements have been made to hold the UNP May Day Rally at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The President will also make a statement on May Day and the manner in which it will be shown live was also discussed. As the next day was a Poya Day, the President performed his duties from home. With the decision taken by several trade unions to engage in a protest on Monday, the President assigned Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Economic Adviser Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga to discuss with the group.
Dr. Samaratunga met the doctors, professors and professional representatives separately to explain the current economic situation in the country. He asked all the trade union leaders to give the Government some time till the end of this year as the direction of the country’s economy will change after June with the support of the IMF.
He told the trade union leaders that after that the Government can make efforts to fulfil the demands of the union leaders. With the New Year holidays, President Ranil left Colombo on Friday evening.
Many blame politicians for living a life of luxury while preaching austerity to others, but Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena set an example recently on his official visit to Russia by flying economy class both ways. The Minister did not get any official allowances and his accommodation and other expenses were borne by him.
Russia promised assistance for many projects implemented by the Ministries and Departments under him. He met the Transport Ministers of Russia and Belarus for their assistance to set up a “Transport and Logistics University” in Sri Lanka.
The two Ministers also pledged help to improve road infrastructure in Sri Lanka. On his return, the Minister attended a special screening of the movie “Saho” which he co-produced, at the PVR Cinemas at One Galle Face. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena were special guests.
From One Galle Face, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa proceeded to a famous restaurant of colonial vintage in Torrington Square for dinner where he was among the invitees.
As the former President was enjoying the dinner, his Chief Security Officer (CSO) Neville Wanniarachchi relayed him a message from the guests in the adjoining private dining room. “Sir, they are celebrating the birthday of a young man there. They have invited you to cut the birthday cake,” the CSO told the former President.
He readily accepted the invitation and the youth, who were all from Colombo, gave him a rousing reception. After the cake was cut, they were keen to take selfies with the former President. They said his presence at the birthday party was an immense honour. He wished all of them a bright future and went back to his dinner.
Rumours
A rumour that a group of MPs of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will join the Government had been circulating as usual for the past week. The most serious problem in some people’s minds was how to continue spreading false propaganda in this manner.
In fact, instead of SJB MPs joining the Government, more than 30 MPs who represented the Government came and sat in the Opposition, but there was no lack of spreading false propaganda. On April 4, several media outlets had spread news that almost 40 MPs would definitely leave the SJB and sit on the Government side. But, no one joined the Government.
With this project in disarray, another tactic was tried. “We invite the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to join us. We invite the Opposition Leader to join the United National Party. We are ready to provide him the Deputy leadership if desired.”
Amid all this, Samagi Jana Balawegaya recently hosted a dinner for its MPs on the invitation of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, targeting the New Year. The event was organised by Lakshman Fonseka, a friend of Sajith.
The following day, another serious lie was spread by one newspaper by reporting that Harsha, Eran and others were leaving the Samagi Jana Balawega. Sajith immediately took to Twitter and emphasised that that particular media outlet should try to do real journalism even next time. Both Harsha and Eran immediately exposed this lie to the country through Twitter messages. Eran pointed out that the news is completely false and follows a low media art.
“Some puffed-up political characters planted lies after lies and finally invited us to come and join. We did not come here to leave. We did not create the SJB as an ‘ambalama’, General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.
Political neophytes
“I call those who create these lies political neophytes. We laugh when losers who have no depth of vision or thinking about politics come and plant these kinds of lies”, MP Marikkar said.
“At a time like this, if someone goes to the Government, he goes to find money. Only an event manager of ours has joined the Government. When he was here, he only did events. We don’t have those who do events now. We have people who do politics,” MP Kavinda Jayawardena said.
“At this time, the Pohottuwa is extremely helpless and bankrupt. Ranil is a big tree for Pohottuwa, but he is a small tree to us,” Thushara Indunil said.
Meanwhile, Rohana Bandara brought some fresh news. That is the news that the Samagi Jana Balavega secured a resounding victory in the Anuradhapura and Medawachchiya Co-operative Election. “Medawachchiya is a stronghold of the Pohottuwa. We destroyed that,” Rohana said.
While 70 members of the SJB were elected, the National People’s Power has secured only 34 members. It is also a significant event that the SJB has won all 16 divisions of Medawachchiya city.
“Rohana is brilliant,” Sajith said congratulating Rohana. “We should win all forthcoming co-operative elections to be held,” General Secretary Ranjith said.
Economy
Then the talk shifted to the economy of the country.
“Some people think that everything is fine now. Remember that next year will be even more difficult. This is not the time to make political deals. The Government needs to know that our country may be pushed to another serious situation next year. In fact, our country’s economy is still very uncertain,” said Sajith, diverting the topic.
“The reforms in the IMF agreement must be implemented in the next four years. This is not an easy task. Even at a critical time like this, if the Government takes political agendas, it is wrong,” Harsha and Eran said.
As Sajith had said, the very next day, the World Bank stated that Sri Lanka’s economy has reached an uncertain state and that the situation is growing day by day.
The SJB parliamentary group seriously discussed the Anti-terrorism Bill to be brought by the Government. Attention was paid to certain sentences in it and the SJB decided to oppose it.
“It is an Act to promote dictatorship and suppress the people,” Sajith said.
When the Opposition parties strongly expressed their opposition to this, the Government had to withdraw the Bill on a temporary basis. In a statement the very next day, Sajith said that if the Government withdraws this Anti-Terrorism Bill, a clear written announcement should be made.