• RW uses UNP reforms process to remain in party leadership 
• SJB Constitution unanimously approved; alliance work commences 
• SLFP explains woes to President; receives assurance on solutions 
• US and UK continue focus on Sri Lanka’s human rights situation

The alliance woes between the governing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and its main coalition partner, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), that recently became public with the actions of the SLFP local government members and the party General Secretary’s statement, are now being addressed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. SLFP General Secretary Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara recently made a public statement on the issues faced by the SLFP members due to being sidelined by the SLPP.  Jayasekara stated that several attempts to secure an appointment with the President to discuss these issues were unsuccessful while discussions with the SLPP’s National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa failed to yield any resolution.  However, Jayasekara along with several other SLFP ministers finally received the opportunity of explaining their woes during a recent meeting between the President and state ministers.  During the discussion, Jayasekara had said that despite being coalition partners, the SLFP has been sidelined from all decision-making processes.  Citing an example, he had said that appointing a trade union representative on behalf of the alliance had been unilaterally carried out by Minister Gamini Lokuge without consulting the SLFP.  The President had responded by saying he will discuss the matter with Minister Lokuge when Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, who was also at the meeting, had spoken in favour of the SLFP cause.  Chamal had said that the SLFP had not been consulted in many of the decision-making processes.  Jayasekara had further noted that even the SLFP members in the local government bodies are not being included in the Government’s development programme.  President Rajapaksa had explained that he was not aware of such a situation and noted that it needed to be remedied immediately.  Realising that the SLFP had genuine concerns over its position in the SLPP alliance, the President had observed that he would ensure that the SLFP would be stakeholders in all decision-making processes.  President Rajapaksa had also made it a point to sit with the SLFP ministers during the lunch that followed the meeting and further discussed the issues that needed to be addressed.  A senior SLFP Minister said that the President seemed genuinely interested in resolving the issues and that the party had faith that their grievances would now be addressed.  Meanwhile, several media outlets supportive of the SLPP published news items that indicated the SLFP was looking at parting ways with the SLPP.  According to the news reports published in the Sinhala media, talks are underway within the SLFP to break away from the Government and remain independent.  The report had also stated that the party had delayed its decision on splitting from the Government due to the delay in wrapping up the proceedings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the Easter Sunday attacks and that a final decision would be made once the Commission submits its final report.  However, several senior SLFPers rubbished the reports saying they seemed to have been planted by some governing party members who are trying to split the SLPP-SLFP alliance.  “We have faith that the President will resolve the issues raised by us,” a senior SLFPer said.  Meanwhile, the 2021 budget proposals of the Mirigama Pradeshiya Sabha headed by the SLPP were passed with a majority of 21 votes. While 31 votes were cast in support of the proposals, 20 votes had been cast against. Interestingly, the council member representing the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had voted in favour of the budget along with the SLPP. 

Back on HR agenda 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka once again seems to be making its way back to the human rights agenda of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with the US and UK increasing its interest in Sri Lanka’s human rights record and pledges made to the Council.  It is in this backdrop that a senior UK Minister was quoted as saying in the media that Sri Lanka remains a “human rights priority for the United Kingdom”.   The Minister had highlighted increased harassment of civil society, the militarisation of civilian functions, and the Government’s withdrawal of support for the UNHRC Resolution as issues of concern.  This has been revealed by Britain’s Minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) Lord Ahmad in a written response to a query by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, about what discussions the UK Government have had with the Government of Sri Lanka about human rights in that country.  Lord Ahmad’s written response follows:  “Sri Lanka is a human rights priority country for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, and we regularly raise our concerns about the human rights situation with the Government of Sri Lanka. These concerns include the increased harassment of civil society, the militarisation of civilian functions, and the Government’s withdrawal of support for the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on post-conflict truth, accountability, and reconciliation. I have raised concerns on several occasions with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, most recently during calls on 4 and 5 November. The UK’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka also regularly raises human rights issues in her discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka.”  The query and the response have come as the 46th Session of the UNHRC is set to be held in March 2021.  Meanwhile, Britain’s Shadow Minister for Asia Stephen Kinnock has reportedly called on the UK Government to “show international leadership” on Sri Lanka. In a letter, he notes “deep concern about alarming threats to democratic governance, the rule of law, and human rights” in Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka in February this year formally notified the UNHRC that it was withdrawing from the UN Resolution on post-war accountability and reconciliation that was entered into by the former Government.  “I wish to place on record Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka,” Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena said in Geneva at the time. All the same, Sri Lanka was “committed” to achieving “sustainable peace and reconciliation”, through a process designed and executed domestically, the Minister had assured. 

Wimal and Udaya absent

The Government meanwhile is continuing with the programme launched on the 14th of this month to ensure the implementation of the 2021 budget proposals at district level. The programme headed by former Nation Building Minister Basil Rajapaksa has already been held in several districts.  The discussion based on the Western Province was held last Monday (21) at Temple Trees under Basil’s patronage.  Addressing the gathering, Basil had said that focus would have to be placed on manufacturing and services exports, foreign direct investments, as well as the tourism industry to uplift the national economy.  He has further noted that the economic development achieved by the Western Province was key in determining the economic growth of the other districts.  During the discussion, Basil also issued directives to the relevant officials to achieve the targets outlined in the 2021 budget proposals.  The meeting was attended by the government ministers and parliamentarians representing the Western Province. However, there were two notable absentees – Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila. 

SJB Constitution 

Meanwhile, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is engaged in finalising the party’s Constitution while Party Leader and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is engaged in strengthening the party by expanding its support base.  The SJB’s newly formulated party Constitution was unanimously approved by the party’s Executive Committee last weekend.  The meeting took place in Bandarawela and when the draft constitution was submitted to the committee by General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, MPs Buddhika Pathirana and Harshana Rajakaruna had ratified it. Around 45 members of the party had attended the meeting and the draft constitution was unanimously approved.  According to the party Constitution, the SJB will be managed by a management committee consisting of 15 members including office bearers.  The SJB’s Working Committee is to consist of 75 members that would include parliamentarians, former parliamentarians, and members of affiliated organisations. The Party Leader has been given provision to appoint 19 members to the Working Committee.  It is learnt that the Working Committee could be convened by a motion signed by 16 members.  The SJB’s Constitution has been formulated with the intention of building democracy within the party framework.  Addressing the Executive Committee, Premadasa had said that the party would commence work according to the party’s Constitution in the new year. Accordingly, steps are being taken to make the necessary arrangements to recruit party members for 2021 and to appoint organisers.  As for forming a political alliance headed by the SJB, it is learnt that the SJB would organise a discussion with party leaders who have expressed willingness to join this alliance where the discussion would focus on the formulation of the alliance constitution.  

Rathana vs. Gnanasara 

The long-drawn dispute over the vacant National List slot of Our People’s Power Party (OPPP) or the Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya ended recently with Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera being named to the seat and the Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake issuing the Gazette Notification naming Ven. Rathana Thera as the OPPP MP.  Nevertheless, the cold war between Ven. Rathana Thera and the outspoken Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera seems to continue despite the resolution of the controversy over the National List.  Addressing the media last week, Ven. Rathana Thera said that the parliamentary seat occupied by him would be a common slot for the Buddhist clergy.  “Regardless of whether I sit on the Government side or the Opposition side, I will stand for what is right. I would like to say this parliamentary slot is one obtained by the Buddhist clergy. We have been given this power to act independently. We are a separate party with a separate force backing us. I’m going to Parliament to represent this force and strengthen it, not to give strength to someone else’s force,” he had said.  The Thera had further said that he was supportive of the President’s programme, but not the President as an individual. “I will work with conviction to further promote that programme. We still have hopes for the President. Unfortunately, it seems like he does not have people to give him the required strength.”   Meanwhile, a recent conversation between Ven. Gnanasara Thera and pro-SLPP Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera focused on the current political climate in the country.  Ven. Ananda Thera had questioned the issue over the National List slot of the OPPP. A disgruntled Ven. Gnanasara Thera had said: “I heard that the National List slot which was for me will be given to Ven. Rathana Thera and that even Basil Rajapaksa had supported it. The Election Commission now has people supportive of the Government, so whatever they wish could now be done. But we also played a key role in building the ideology that enabled this Government to come to power. All I wanted was to create a space for the Sinhala-Buddhist voice in Parliament. I have no issues over the National List slot being given to Rathana Thera. I will not clash with it. Well, let’s wait and see.”  It is therefore evident that the former General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) that created quite a stir several years back with its hardline Sinhala-Buddhist agenda, is now disappointed with the manner in which the political arena seems to be unfolding. 

Maithri on democracy 

Amidst the political activities that took place last week was the keynote speech delivered by former President Maithripala Sirisena at an international summit.  Sirisena last Monday (21) addressed the Shared Values and Democracy in Asia Symposium, organised by Nikkei and co-organised by New Delhi-based think tank Vivekananda International Foundation.  Sirisena noted that the hurdles created by Covid-19 cannot be dealt with in isolation. “The economic issues created, especially by forcible encroachment of borders by Covid-19, have confirmed the fear of economic destabilisation...We require the integrated co-operation of democratic countries,” Sirisena said in an online keynote speech.  Citing US President-Elect Joe Biden, Sirisena said the pandemic has aggravated inequalities brought by globalisation, as technological innovation is prompting labour retrenchment in developed countries and reducing their purchasing power. “As the new American President, we look to him and other developed nations in Asia to escape from globalisation impacts and the stresses of Covid-19,” he said.  Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who had addressed the symposium, had outlined the role Japan has been playing in Asia to promote democracy. He said this comes with a desire to “cherish and respect diversity and tolerance”, based on the region's traditional beliefs. 

Champika’s brigade 

SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, who recently resigned from the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), is set to launch a new political movement titled the “43 Brigade”.  Structured under the theme of “not a number but a generation”, the political movement is based on the generations of students who had benefited from the free education policy in 1943. Ranawaka has managed to mobilise a large number of political activists and organisations on both sides of the divide, including those who had kept a low profile with regard to engaging in active politics since the last general election, to take part in this new movement.  Political sources say that a number of activists, including Shiral Lakthilaka, a well-known political activist and senior lawyer, have also joined the new movement.  Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara, the first Minister of Education in British Ceylon, introduced the Free Education Bill in the State Council in 1943 (on 1 October 1945, the Free Education Policy came into effect), granting the right to a free education for all children from grade one to university. 

Mangala’s salvo 

Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who has been out of the political arena for a few months, returned last week with a bang.  Addressing a public gathering in Matara, his constituency, Samaraweera as usual made several outspoken remarks and key among them were what he said on the current political ideology.  Samaraweera said that despite certain people trying to portray President Rajapaksa as a “failure” a year into his presidency, what had truly failed is the political ideology that brought him to power.  “The majority of the people in the country wanted to form a solely Sinhala-Buddhist Government. They ensured that by giving a massive mandate. However, the failure of that ideological vision has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt within a year,” Samaraweera said in his speech at the “Matara Hamuwa”.  The meeting was organised by the United National Party (UNP) Organiser for Matara and former Mayor Upul Nishantha on behalf of the “Matara Samajaya”.  Attending the event as its chief guest representing the “True Patriot” organisation, the former Matara District MP had further stated: “Four months have passed since the general election. The entire country is in utter chaos. We are facing an unprecedented economic crisis that didn’t even exist in the 1970s. Corruption and fraud have soared, the rule of law has crumbled, investors have ventured out to other countries, and we are being isolated from the international community. Everywhere you go, people say ‘sir fail’. People who voted for the ‘Pohottuwa’ are also saying ‘sir fail’. The voice cut faction of monks are also saying ‘sir fail’, with some of them stating this covertly. Some in the Opposition are already getting ready to form a solely Sinhala government by trying to eclipse ‘sir’. But I say that ‘sir hasn't failed’. It is the ideology that represents ‘sir’ that has failed yet again.” 

RW stays on  

The leadership of the UNP is to remain unchanged despite claims being made of a change in leadership and complete party overhaul following the humiliating defeat of the party at the last general election.  As the first step in the party’s so-called reforms, former MP Ruwan Wijewardene was appointed as the UNP Deputy Leader following an election for the post at the party’s Working Committee.  It was then announced that the Deputy Leader would carry out the UNP reforms and eventually take over the party leadership.  However, it is learnt that the intended party reforms are now on hold with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe once again consolidating his leadership with the support of a few of his allies led by former Minister Sagala Ratnayake.  Ratnayake’s intervention in the functions of the party headquarters, Sirikotha, and the reforms process has resulted in UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam also submitting his letter of resignation.  Wijewardena meanwhile is engaged in a programme to visit the districts and meet with religious leaders in the areas along with the party activists to discuss the reforms programme.  Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe last week had noted that he will remain the Leader of the UNP until the party’s reforms are completed and new office bearers are appointed.  Earlier, Wickremesinghe said his leadership would come to an end on 31 December.   Interestingly, a senior UNPer said that while Wickremesinghe had said he would step down on 31 December, he had not mentioned the year.  “It could therefore mean 31 December of any year,” the UNPer said in jest.