MR back at Abhayaram
The Abhayarama Temple in Narahenpita was one time a hive of activity as the headquarters of Prime Minister (PM) Mahinda Rajapaksa’s political work after relinquishing the post of President in 2015. The temple’s Chief Incumbent Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, at the time, played a key role in supporting Rajapaksa as well as getting the nationalist forces back on one platform. [caption id="attachment_116747" align="alignleft" width="479"]
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa extends offerings to Abhayarama Temple Chief Incumbent Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera on his 78th birthday, 26 January 2021.[/caption]
However, with the Government’s announcement of the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port being assigned for a joint venture with India, the nationalist forces led by a section of the Buddhist clergy have opposed the move and have sided with the port trade unions to block the venture.
Ven. Ananda Thera, along with several other members of the Buddhist clergy, have made public their objections to the move and have openly made statements against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government over the ECT project.
This resulted in the one-time governing party allies distancing themselves from the Government including its leaders. The Prime Minister and one-time confidante, Ven. Ananda Thera became distant.
However, the 78th birthday of Ven. Ananda Thera, that fell last week, created the opportunity for PM Rajapaksa and the Thera to try and mend their differences.
Rajapaksa had arrived at the temple to wish the Thera and the two had engaged in a lengthy discussion of about one-and-a-half hours.
After the discussion with the PM, the Thera, in his speech, had commended Rajapaksa for his services to the country during his tenure as President.
Perks to placate?
Following a practice that had been witnessed during the previous governments, the incumbent Government has also taken steps to make political appointments to Sri Lankan missions overseas.
The string of new appointments has created a stir in the country’s Foreign Service since it is the batch heads that are first appointed to key overseas missions. However, the appointment of individuals due to political affiliations to key overseas missions has been criticised by many career diplomats.
Following is a list of new appointments to Sri Lankan missions overseas:
- Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Tissa Attanayake’s daughter Dulmini Indrachapa Attanayake has been appointed as the Third Secretary to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra, Australia. Dulmini is reportedly residing in Melbourne, Australia at present.
- Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s daughter Pavitra Ranatunga, who resides in Adelaide Australia, has been appointed Third Secretary to the Sri Lankan Consulate in Sydney.
- Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana’s daughter Randula Gunawardana is scheduled to leave for New York as Third Secretary to the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations.
- State Minister Duminda Dissanayake’s brother Amila E. Dissanayake has been appointed Third Secretary to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Paris.
- President’s Media Director Mohan Samaranayake’s daughter Subashini Samaranayake has been appointed Third Secretary to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Vienna.
- Former Navy Chief and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Australia Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe’s daughter Thulasi Samarasinghe has been posted as Third Secretary to the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore.
Kick out or kick up?
Several officials of Sri Lanka Customs are tipped to take up positions in the Treasury following strict directives issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently. The President recently slammed the Customs Department and its officials over various irregularities and has now called for its complete overhaul. It is learnt that two Customs officials, who are facing some serious allegations, are to receive the patronage of a VIP of the Government. Therefore, instead of being kicked out for involvement in alleged irregularities, these officials are to be appointed to the Treasury under the guise of being granted a promotion, it is reliably learnt.Disgruntled
A senior cabinet minister of the Government has recently expressed his displeasure at the manner in which the State is carrying out its affairs. Addressing a meeting with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) electoral organisers in his constituency, the powerful minister had said that apart from the ordinary citizens, he too was disgruntled at present. “No one has the right to say not to criticise the Government. People are faced with problems. People therefore have the right to criticise the Government,” the Minister had said. According to the Minister, the cost of living has skyrocketed, causing immense difficulties to the public and the situation has resulted in government ministers being unable to even have a good night’s sleep.Not me, says Prasanna
The controversy surrounding the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port has caused quite a rift between members of the Government and a section of the Buddhist clergy that has continuously pushed the nationalist agenda in the country. [caption id="attachment_116748" align="alignleft" width="170"]
State Minister for Pottery Prasanna Ranaweera[/caption]
Several of these Buddhist monks last week attended the religious observances held to mark the birthday of their colleague Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera at the Abhayarama Temple in Colombo 5.
One of the leading monks in the nationalist force, Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera had also attended the function.
Several government ministers including Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had attended the event.
The issues over the ECT and its proposed joint venture were also taken up for discussion among several groups at the event.
During one such discussion, State Minister for Pottery Prasanna Ranaweera had seen Ven. Gunawansa Thera standing aside and watching the conversation among several government members.
Ranaweera had immediately made his way towards Ven. Gunawansa Thera and said: “I’m not supportive of the whole ECT issue. I have always been against the handing over of the terminal to a foreign party. I have also made public statements about my stance.”
Seeing Ranaweera’s predicament, the Thera had smiled and said, “I know,” before making his way towards the other clergy at the event.
Towards the port
After the conclusion of the religious observances and the alms giving at the Abhayarama Temple, it was time for the invitees and well-wishers to depart. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, after greeting everyone at the venue, had made his way to his vehicle to leave the temple. When the vehicle started to move towards the temple gate, the Prime Minister had seen his one-time ally, Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera, standing waiting for his vehicle. Rajapaksa had put down the shutter and inquired from the Thera why he was waiting and if he had transport back to the temple. Ven. Gunawansa Thera had said: “I’m waiting to go towards Galle Face, actually towards the Port.” The Thera’s words had brought a smile to the Prime Minister’s face. The two had then shared a good laugh and Rajapaksa had made his way out of Abhayarama after Ven. Gunawansa Thera had said his vehicle was on its way to pick him.
New match monitor
A monitor lizard in Galle made its way to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Twitter handle when it made an unexpected appearance at the Galle International Cricket Stadium when the second test match between Sri Lanka and England was on the way.
“The ICC is reviewing reports that Sri Lanka used an extra fielder against England and Galle today. The situation will be ‘monitored’,” the ICC had tweeted.
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Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley seek blessings of Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera at the Gangaramaya Temple[/caption]
Blessings
Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley made his way to the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo 2 before travelling to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Thursday (28) to accept and hand over the 500,000 Covishield vaccines made in India to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Since it was a Duruthu full moon Poya day, Bagley decided to visit the temple, engage in religious activities, and offer alms to the Buddhist clergy before the presentation of the vaccine. The High Commissioner, it is learnt, had prayed at the Gangaramaya Temple for the health and wellbeing of the people of Sri Lanka and also sought the blessings of Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera. As per the Buddhist traditions in India and Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner had offered meals to devotees at the Temple.[caption id="attachment_116742" align="alignleft" width="281"]
Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera visiting the Darampanawa Reserve in the Lahugala area[/caption]
To the jungles we go…
Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera of the Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) fame, last week, decided to take up the issue of illegal deforestation that is taking place in some parts of the country. The Thera had visited the Darampanawa Reserve in the Lahugala area, which is under the purview of the Forest Department. After touring the area, Ven. Gnanasara Thera had alleged that there have been roads cut in the reserve and lands being allocated through forged deeds with the knowledge of the relevant urban council and pradeshiya sabha. He has added that archaeological sites have also been affected as a result. The Thera had also questioned the Wildlife Department and Forest Department on the action being taken so far to prevent the illegal clearing of forest lands in the Lahugala Reserve area. The BBS and Gnanasara Thera at one time made headlines for inciting racial hatred.No place for women
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, held its first official Working Committee (WC) meeting last Tuesday (26). While there are around 30 members in the WC, only four slots have been occupied by women. A notable absentee in the list was former MP Hirunika Premachandra who actively engaged in SJB political work since its formation last year. However, Premachandra was defeated at the last general election. Nevertheless, former MP Ajith P. Perera, who was also defeated at the last general election, was appointed as the Chief Executive of the SJB.Only 3 hours to cure
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Dhammika Bandara[/caption]
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has taken much flak for consuming a concoction created by Dhammika Bandara to cure Covid-19, especially after she tested positive for it.
However, Bandara has once again come forward in defence of his tonic, claiming that if he is given the opportunity to meet the Minister, he would cure her within three hours.
He had claimed in a social media post that he would cure her within three hours with the divine intervention of Goddess Kali.
A few days prior to this post, Bandara had claimed that the Health Minister had contracted Covid-19 since she had failed to follow several compulsory guidelines given by him, which include abstinence, being vegetarian during the period the tonic is being taken, refraining from consuming alcohol, etc.