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UNP struggle nears end; SLPP-SLFP mull reunion

15 Sep 2019

“The best defence is a good offence” is an adage that has been applied to many fields of endeavour, including games, military combat, and even politics. As the saying goes, parties and groups along with the presidential hopefuls of their choice are already seen engaging in vicious disinformation and misinformation campaigns against each other in order to gain mileage, with the polls regulator expected to announce the 2019 presidential election any day now. The Election Commission (EC) earlier announced that the presidential election could be held anytime between 15 November and 7 December and that the Commission was empowered to announce the polls any time after today (15). Earlier, Commissioner General of Examinations B. Sanath Pujitha informed the EC in writing that the GCE (Ordinary Level) Examination 2019 would have to be held from 2 to 12 December as the proposed duration for the exam is extremely difficult to change, taking into account the sheer magnitude of exam candidates, examiners, invigilators, as well as the exam and marking centres involved. As per Article 31(3) of the Constitution, a presidential poll shall take place “not less than one month and not more than two months” before the president’s term ends – that is between 8 November and 8 December 2019. Nevertheless, Section 2(2) of the Presidential Elections Act No. 15 of 1981, read with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, stipulates that the date of poll shall not be a Poya Day, a Sunday, or any other public holiday. Polls commission sources say polls are most likely to be held on a Saturday and 23 November is said to be the most favourable date. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam last Thursday (12) called upon the Polls Chief to conduct elections at the earliest possible date, while the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara had urged for the last possible date. The UNP and JVP are yet to make any proposal to the Commission.   However, Commission sources say that it was not bound by any such requests and an independent decision would be taken to decide the poll date. Be that as it may, The Black Box reliably learnt that the EC is very likely to announce the presidential poll by next weekend. “The presidential election will be announced on the 21st,” the source said. Decisive talks United National Party (UNP) Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP Deputy Leader Minister Sajith Premadasa, who met at Temple Trees on Tuesday (10), had agreed to meet the constituent parties of the United National Front (UNF) and discuss the candidature of the UNP-led alliance at the next presidential election, informed sources said. Sources said a meeting will be held shortly between the UNP leadership, including the Premadasa faction, and the constituent parties of the UNF. At the outset of the meeting, Wickremesinghe, noticing the presence of several ministers accompanying Premadasa, had said that he (Wickremesinghe) could also bring in more members for discussions like Premadasa, but it was not a competition. Wickremesinghe had further noted that he only invited Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne for the previous meeting between him and Premadasa since Senaratne held a balanced view on the issue of the UNP’s presidential candidate. However, after discussing the survey reports, Wickremesinghe had pointed out several shortcomings in the survey reports handed by Premadasa loyalists at the previous meeting and added that he would also make available several other such survey reports. Wickremesinghe had then noted that what was important was not whether the UNP’s candidate would be Wickremesinghe, Premadasa, or any other individual, but someone who can muster the support of all coalition partners of the alliance as well as the minority parties. Meanwhile, Premadasa told journalists after Tuesday’s meeting that the meeting with the Party Leader ended on a positive note and results of it will be known in a few days. Ministers Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Malik Samarawickrama, and Kabir Hashim accompanied Premadasa and Minister Dr. Senaratne and business leader Dinesh Weerakkody accompanied Wickremesinghe for the discussion. Madduma Bandara said talks were positive but refrained from saying if an agreement was reached to name Premadasa as the party’s presidential candidate. He said there were steps to be discussed further. He added that the party would field the most formidable candidate with the blessings of the like-minded parties. However, The Black Box learnt that Premier Wickremesinghe had asked Premadasa during Tuesday’s meeting to hand over his strategy to win the election if named the UNP’s presidential candidate and to get the support of the UNF leaders as well as the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Meanwhile, a meeting was scheduled to take place last night (14) at Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s residence on Stanmore Crescent in Colombo between Premadasa and leaders of the UNF constituent parties. The meeting was organised on Premadasa’s request and he had personally called each of the UNF party leaders and invited them. UNF, TNA meeting It is in this backdrop that Ministers Samarawickrama and Samaraweera met with Minister Dr. Senaratne to discuss the way forward for the UNF at the latter’s residence on Wednesday (11) afternoon. During the discussion, both Samarawickrama and Samaraweera had noted the importance of forming the proposed political alliance – the Democratic National Front (DNF). It was then decided to hold meetings with UNF leaders and to meet with the leaders of the TNA. Accordingly, a meeting with the TNA, headed by the Prime Minister and including all UNF leaders, was planned for Tuesday (17). The discussion with the TNA would focus on the UNF’s stance at the presidential election, the formation of the TNA, as well as the TNA’s support for the alliance presidential candidate. Sajith’s solution Meanwhile, Premadasa said that maximum power devolution within a unitary and indivisible state would resolve the issues faced by the country and bring about political, economic, and social empowerment for all communities. Premadasa made this observation while addressing a media briefing in Jaffna after attending the Enterprise Sri Lanka national exhibition on Monday (9). Premadasa was the Chief Guest at the Enterprise Sri Lanka exhibition on Monday. He noted that maximum devolution was the only solution. Referring to the provincial council system set up under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Premadasa said that no action was taken in the past to strengthen the provincial councils. He further noted that the provincial councils were not allocated the required funds and the institutions under their purview were unable to function as a result and have become somewhat of a joke. “We will not do that. We will ensure that the provincial councils set up under the 13th Amendment will be allocated the required funds and give our blessings and patronage. We hope to build a productive service that would serve the public through the provincial council system as well,” Premadasa said. “I’m not a leader who becomes positive when overseas and changes it to negative after returning to the country. I don’t engage in such double talk,” Premadasa said. He also said that the UNP is a democratic party and not the fiefdom of any individual or family. Premadasa also received a warm welcome from the Tamil leaders of the North. He was greeted by Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera upon his arrival at the exhibition premises. After engaging in an observation tour of the exhibition, Premadasa met with several leaders of the TNA including Mavai Senathirajah, M.A. Sumanthiran, Dharmalingam Siddarthan, and Eswarapatham Saravanapavan as well as Jaffna Mayor Emmanuel Arnold for a friendly discussion and lunch which lasted for nearly three hours. While the matters discussed during the meeting have not been reported, according to State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne, who also attended the event, the meeting between Premadasa and the northern politicians was extremely productive. Old guard Meanwhile, at a meeting last week with senior UNP members of the Biyagama and Kelaniya electorates at Temple Trees, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that as the leader who stood up to protect the party at all times, he would contest the upcoming presidential election only if he could win and that he would retire from politics if that was not possible. He further stated that retiring from politics is not a difficult task for him, having held a dizzying number of positions in the Sri Lankan political field in his 70 years of age. Be that as it may, many speculate that the ageing Prime Minister would indeed quit politics if he does not get a UNP bid for the presidential election. At no point would the UNP Leader test his power within the rank and file of the party vis-à-vis Premadasa and has decided not to allow the UNP's Working Committee (WC), or party parliamentary group, to take a vote on the UNP's presidential candidate, as any major division would unavoidably lead to a split that would damage any chance of a smooth and dignified departure. According to party sources, Wickremesinghe had said that should the WC be unable to reach a consensus, a secret ballot should be held, and reiterated that there was no need for the UNP parliamentary group to be allowed to participate, as per the UNP Constitution. Although the UNP WC could consist of up to 90 or more members, only 63 have been thus far appointed. Many who believe that more than two-thirds of the 63 are likely to support Premadasa’s candidature have requested that Wickremesinghe strengthen his camp by appointing loyalists to the 27-plus vacancies in the WC using his authority as Party Leader. Meanwhile, another letter signed by more than two-thirds of the UNP’s MPs, proposing that Premadasa be the presidential candidate, is to be handed over to Wickremesinghe soon. Earlier, although several letters had been sent to Wickremesinghe calling on him to convene a joint meeting of the WC and the parliamentary group to decide on the presidential candidate, he had not responded. Premadasa had personally informed the Prime Minister last Tuesday (10) that he would contest as the presidential candidate. Should the Leader doubt his popularity or be swayed by any other candidate who wishes to contest, Premadasa called on him to convene a joint meeting of the UNP WC and parliamentary group to hold a vote to select the presidential candidate. Party leadership woes However, it is now believed that even if Premadasa is given the candidature, Wickremesinghe is unlikely to give up his party leadership post despite some requesting him to take up a more ceremonial “Senior Leader” role like founding Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. A rumour that any UNP member who becomes president automatically obtains the party leadership was quickly dispelled last week, through a reading of the UNP Constitution. The provision, which in fact had been there, had been repealed from the UNP Constitution in 1994 during the time when Gamini Athukorala was the General Secretary. Athukorala then had pointed out that in the event the then newly elected President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga obtained membership of the UNP from any part of the country, she would have to be given the leadership of the UNP as per the then provisions. Subsequently, the clause was repealed. Be that as it may, it is reported that the UNP Disciplinary Committee had decided to suspend the party membership of non-Cabinet Ministers Ajith P. Perera and Sujeewa Senasinghe. Accordingly, the decision of the disciplinary committee had been handed over to Party Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Once the decision of the disciplinary committee is handed over to the party leader, a final decision is at his sole discretion, according to the UNP Constitution. However, party sources said that since action of this nature had not been meted out to Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, two UNP MPs who had consistently worked against the party and the Government over several years, this was highly discriminatory. As such, Perera and Senasinghe would likely seek injunctions from the District Court over such an action on the grounds that it was arbitrary and capricious. SLFP-SLPP alliance On the other side of the divide, the SLFP and the SLPP while standing firm on their stances related to the electoral symbol, are keen to continue with the dialogue to form the proposed alliance. Talks between the two parties are expected to take place this week, although a date was not immediately known. The SLPP “flower bud” or “pohottuwa” symbol is the most desired symbol to contest the forthcoming presidential election but is the main point of contention between the parties. SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris had extended an open invitation to the SLFP to join the SLPP. Prof. Peiris told a news briefing that the SLFP had no practical obstacle to prevent it from joining the SLPP. “During the several rounds of discussions held, the two parties agreed upon more than 20 points based on principle. We have always been sensitive, accommodative, and flexible in these talks. If they decided to join, we welcome the SLFP with open arms,” he said. He said the SLFP had claimed to be a kingmaker party but was unable to live up to that description. “The bulk of votes the SLFP has is limited. Although it is not many, the SLFP is of the opinion that its voter base is crucial. The issue is whether they will use it to strengthen the country. At the SLFP convention, MP Nimal Siripala de Silva said the SLFP should think to which party it was closer. We don't think there will be a doubt about the final answer. Both parties have the same set of principles and share the same vision,” Prof. Peiris added. Prof. Peiris also noted that it was unlikely the SLFP would join the UNP, which had governed the country for over four years in an irresponsible and ineffective manner. “Can the SLFP join a party accused of being irresponsible during the Easter terror? Is this what the SLFPers want? Its other option is to field its own presidential candidate, but it is clear that it doesn’t expect to win the election by doing so. Does that mean it is trying to back the UNP candidate? It seems such a decision will strengthen the UNP. The SLFP should think in-depth about this," he said. Responding to questions on the SLFP's concern over the lotus bud symbol of the SLPP, Prof. Peiris said it was the most desired symbol among political parties. “This was evident at the previous local government elections,” he said. SLFP stands firm Meanwhile, the SLFP is firm in its stance that the party would form a political alliance with the SLPP to contest elections only if both parties could agree on a common symbol. The SLPP's “pohottuwa” symbol has turned out to be the biggest stumbling block to an SLFP-SLPP alliance, SLFP General Secretary Jayasekara said. He said the SLFP was ready to accept any symbol other than the “pohottuwa” or the “hand” as the symbol of the proposed alliance led by the two parties but the SLPP was determined to have the “pohottuwa” as the symbol for all forthcoming elections. The MP told a news conference that the seven rounds of talks between the SLFP and the SLPP had been positive and fruitful. “The SLFP is ready to give up the hand symbol. Sadly, the SLPP is not ready to budge an inch from the 'pohottuwa' symbol,” the MP said. Responding to a journalist, he said the SLFP would contest the presidential election after forming an alliance with several other political parties in the event that the ongoing talks failed. “The SLPP not only gave membership to a large number of SLFP members but they also snatched Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and gave him the party leadership. Thereafter, they nominated their presidential candidate and recruited several other SLFPers. They did not consult us when Gotabaya Rajapaksa was nominated as the SLPP’s presidential candidate and further damaged the confidence among SLFPers when they took in S.B. Dissanayake and Dilan Perera even while discussions between the two parties were ongoing,” the MP said. “Some SLFP supporters want the party to contest alone. Some others want it to contest the election in an alliance with the SLPP. Some others want to contest as an independent alliance with like-minded political parties. In these circumstances, the party is in a state of confusion.” The SLFP yesterday suspended the membership of five of its senior parliamentary members from the party. MPs Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, S.B. Dissanayake, Dilan Perera, A.H.M. Fowzie, and Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa were suspended from the SLFP. Prez.-Govt. clash intensifies Be that as it may, the heating political stage has once again pushed the clash between the President and the Government into unchartered territory. This time around, the clash culminated in the form of a takeover of a key state media institution. President Sirisena last Monday took the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under the purview of the Defence Ministry. Non-Cabinet Minister Ruwan Wijewardene on Tuesday (10) wrote to President Sirisena and said the latter’s decision to take the SLRC under his purview cannot be interpreted as anything other than a threat to media freedom. In his letter to the President, the Minister said his many attempts to appoint an eligible and an efficient chairman to the SLRC to replace the incumbent were obstructed by President Sirisena. “According to audit reports, the SLRC is incurring a monthly loss of over Rs. 50 million. The rank of the SLRC has also gone down to the sixth place among TV channels according to media surveys. This clearly shows the current chairperson has failed in promoting the SLRC. A majority of SLRC employees will also confirm this,” he said in the letter. “When the situation is as such, the decision to take the SLRC under the Ministry of Defence's purview by an Extraordinary Gazette seems to have created a troublesome situation. The SLRC was never taken under the Defence Ministry even during the time of the war. Therefore, the decision cannot be shielded from being interpreted as a threat to media freedom in Sri Lanka,” he said. Although the Gazette notification said the SLRC was taken over to implement programmes for the promotion of peace, harmony, and reconciliation among people “whilst ensuring national security through the use of audiovisual media”, enhancement of the entertainment quality of the people and creation of a higher media culture using state-of-the-art technology, Minister Wijewardene said the President never intervened in SLRC affairs for the last four years. “It is also regrettable to note that you, who are expected to create a media culture of a higher standard, have failed to inform me, the subject minister, before issuing the Gazette notification,” he said.

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