• IMF working paper and US State Department report note all is still not well with economy under Govt.
• Wajira organises dinner at elite club in Colombo for Opposition leaders who stood by RW during arrest
• RW, Namal, GL, Anura Yapa, Ravi, Udaya, Tiran, others attend; talks on next course of action as joint front
• Public rally mooted in Nugegoda in November; RW, Namal, other Opposition leaders/parties to attend
• Group discusses more rallies at grassroots level; SJBers not present at club dinner, no talks on Nov. rally
• Sajith appoints 3-member comm. with Kabir, Marikkar, Mujibur to start talks with UNP on coalition
• Committee directed to talk on how to form coalition and framework, insists coalition be led by SJB
• Marikkar says SJB must protect identity; SJB decides not to support any politician accused of corruption
• Sajith, Namal on grassroots campaigns in villages; Sajith encounters Ritta in Kumana during Yala visit
• RW speaks of his assets during meeting in his office; Sajith says Govt. is one of lies, deception, distraction
• Sunil slams Nandana over allegation against CIABOC DG; says hurt, angry Nandana making false claims
• CIABOC DG asks Nandana, Udaya to complain to JSC and CC, threatens action under anti-corruption law
• Wimal backs Nandana, says he remembers CIABOC DG’s name being mentioned by Nandana at a meet
• Udaya complains to CIABOC against 159 JVP/NPP MPs and Prez, says salary use amounts to corruption
• Ranga awaits CIABOC decision on Energy Minister to act; COPE Chair seeks to amend Standing Orders
• Former COPE Chair Charitha concerned, says COPE will be transformed into quasi-executive agency
• RW visits MR in Tangalle on the way back from Kataragama; visitors worship ‘baiya’ and ‘toiya’ leaders
• Sagara reveals value of fish ambul thiyal dish served to Indian HC and delegation during recent lunch
• SLPP dissidents led by Dullas visit MR; Dullas recalls how Maithripala and Lasantha exchanged shirts
• MR reveals reason for turning down houses offered in Colombo, says negative future impact on Namal
• Manoj says Wijerama residence handover delayed due to inventory delay; bulletproof vehicle returned
• Namal stands by Archchuna, pressure high on Thajudeen case; Thissa slams certain groups within SLPP

The weekly occurrences in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government seem to have resulted in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) assuming the role of troubleshooter in addition to his role as Head of State. This was evident last week when President AKD returned to the country after successfully completing his 10-day overseas tour. 

By the time AKD returned to the country, there were several messes facing the Government, with two of the main issues being a statement made by Minister Sunil Handunnetti referring to a Nobel Prize won by Sri Lankan tea instead of the Guinness World Record and the other being a proposed LGBTQIA+ tourism promotion initiative.

Despite Handunnetti clarifying his mistake and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath dismissing any plans to engage in the LGBTQIA+ tourism promotion campaign, it has been up to President AKD to address and respond to these issues, especially on the new tourism promotion campaign conundrum.

These developments have resulted in Opposition politicians claiming that the Government, while engaged in a political witchhunt where Opposition politicians are concerned, was on the other hand providing entertainment to the masses.

AKD reminded of JR

It is, however, interesting that during his official visit to Japan, President AKD was reminded of the gratitude the Japanese have towards Sri Lanka, especially due to the relationship that was developed by former President J.R. Jayewardene. It was Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba who praised Sri Lanka’s historic role in Japan’s postwar recovery while recalling the historic as well as powerful speech by former President Jayewardene at the 1951 San Francisco Peace Conference.

Ishiba had noted that Jayewardene’s words calling for reconciliation and compassion helped pave the way for Japan’s return to the international community.

Jayewardene quoted the Buddha at the 1951 conference by saying, “Hatred ceases not by hatred, but by love.” The Japanese Premier had noted that Jayewardene’s appeal had become a turning point in Japan’s postwar reintegration. “Such actions by Sri Lanka laid the foundation for the prosperity Japan enjoys today,” Ishiba had told reporters following the discussion with President AKD.

The JVP/NPP, which has continuously questioned the achievements of the country in the 77 years since its independence, would have received a response to its constant question in Ishiba’s words. The late Jayewardene’s role in building relations with Japan and the benefits reaped by Sri Lanka as a result stand testament to Sri Lanka’s gains in the past.

It is now up to President AKD and his JVP/NPP Government to turn a new leaf in building relations with the international community while being a friend of all and enemy of none, but with the best interests of the country at heart.

Everything is not rosy

While President AKD arrived in Sri Lanka following a successful 10-day official visit to New York and Japan, a new working paper of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted that all is not rosy yet economically, as the country faces a complex post-restructuring debt portfolio that requires stronger public debt management and continued fiscal discipline.

The IMF paper titled ‘Sri Lanka’s Sovereign Debt Restructuring: Lessons from Complex Processes,’ authored by Peter Breuer, Sandesh Dhungana, and Mike Li, had also noted that Sri Lanka’s sovereign debt restructuring had eased borrowing costs and restored investor access to financial markets. 

“Continued prudent fiscal and macro policies and stronger institutions are essential, and there is no room for slippage on the fiscal front,” the IMF had further stated in the working paper.

Another warning signal

Apart from the IMF, an economic warning signal was also issued by the US State Department in its 2025 country-specific Investment Climate Statement on Sri Lanka.

The report had noted that although Sri Lanka’s NPP-led Government had advanced inward investment through large-scale projects, its halt on the privatisation of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) had sent foreign investors mixed signals.

“The NPP Government publicly promotes a desire for inward investment. In January 2025, President Dissanayake committed to finalising a $ 3.7 billion Sinopec oil refinery project, the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) project in Sri Lankan history, to be located adjacent to Chinese-controlled Hambantota International Port,” the US State Department had stated.

“The NPP Government also ceased the planned privatisation of many SOEs, choosing to implement turnaround reforms instead. Many potential investors remain reluctant to invest given these ongoing mixed messages.”

According to the State Department, the yearly issued Investment Climate Statements offer a comprehensive overview of the investment conditions in over 170 countries and economies, providing a crucial starting point for US companies.

It had also stated: “Some senior Government officials regularly castigate private sector-led economic growth and publicly promote State-owned collectivism as the country’s preferred investment model.”

“Sri Lanka’s implementation of foreign investment policies is inconsistent. The Board of Investment (BOI) is the principal investment promotion agency but struggles to function as a ‘one-stop shop’ due to fragmented authority across multiple Government departments, creating lengthy approval processes that frustrate potential investors. Investors report challenges in having a consistent and open dialogue with the BOI,” the State Department had added.

Reports such as these tend to create concerns about Sri Lanka’s investment climate at a time when the incumbent Government is focused on attracting more foreign investments to the country. 

As continuously stated in the ‘The Black Box,’ President AKD and his JVP/NPP Government will have to give priority to presenting clear, cohesive policies on matters related to the country’s economy while also carrying out its populist election pledges.

RW-Namal plan rally

Meanwhile, several Opposition political parties are working on forming a broad coalition following the recent joint Opposition campaign that was launched in support of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe when he was remanded over the alleged misuse of public funds.

Wickremesinghe, addressing last month’s United National Party (UNP) Convention, also called on all Opposition parties to rally together and hold 1,000 public rallies islandwide against the undemocratic actions of the incumbent Government.

It is in such a backdrop that a group of Opposition party leaders and representatives had met last week for drinks and dinner at an elite club in Colombo 3 close to Temple Trees. It is learnt that the dinner was organised by UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena on Wednesday (1) and invitations had been sent out to all Opposition politicians who had joined to support Wickremesinghe. 

Former President Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa, and former and incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) including G.L. Peiris, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Harin Fernando, Thalatha Atukorale, Palani Digambaram, Kader Masthan, Udaya Gammanpila, Tiran Alles, and Ravi Karunanayake, amongst several others, had attended the event.

During the discussion between the politicians, it had been discussed to organise a joint Opposition rally to be held in Nugegoda in November. It is learnt that 11 November is being looked at as the tentative date for the proposed joint rally, which would be attended by Wickremesinghe and Namal Rajapaksa. It is further learnt that there was also a discussion to hold grassroots-level meetings by the joint Opposition coalition.

However, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) had not participated in the dinner, it is also learnt.

RW’s assets

Meanwhile, amidst the continuing discussions in the political and public domains about assets owned by politicians, former President Wickremesinghe had recently spoken of assets owned by him.

During a discussion with several Opposition politicians at his political office in Colombo 7, Wickremesinghe, it is learnt, had said that he could offer a clear explanation of the assets he owned without any hesitation. He had explained that he and his wife Maithree owned a house and that they owned several lands which they had inherited. 

He had further noted that he had even sold some of the lands while also purchasing a land in the Battaramulla area. It is further learnt that Wickremesinghe had also recalled how he had purchased a 20-perch land near the Education Ministry for around Rs. 15,000 decades ago.

Sajith slams Govt.

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa meanwhile has slammed the JVP/NPP Government, saying that its form of governance is through a cycle of “lies, deception, and distraction” on a 24/7 basis.

Premadasa had made this statement during a public meeting in Moratumulla, while further claiming that the current administration survived by misleading the public and thrived on falsehoods and manipulation.

“What we are witnessing today is a Government built entirely on lies. Hour after hour, day after day, week after week, it’s only deceit, only trickery, only confusion,” he has stated.

Premadasa has also made critical comments about the Government’s handling of a high-profile narcotics crackdown, questioning its selective approach to law enforcement. 

“While the authorities boast about seizing narcotics, they must also come clean about the 323 containers that were mysteriously released. The public has a right to know who authorised their release, what was inside them, and whether they contained drugs, illegal substances, or contraband,” he has added.

Meeting Ritta

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa, who is an avid wildlife photographer, had recently encountered the leopard Ritta during a tour of Yala National Park.

Premadasa had encountered Ritta at an old school building located in the eastern side of the Yala National Park, which is identified as the Kumana National Park. The school building is in the old Kumana village, which is now abandoned. The Opposition Leader had posted a video of his encounter with Ritta on his social media handles.

The late President Ranasinghe Premadasa had provided alternative housing to the residents of the Kumana village due to the threat of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacks during the war in the 1980-1990 period. The Kumana villagers were resettled in villages in the Mahaweli zones.

Sajith, Namal in villages

Meanwhile, Premadasa as well as Namal Rajapaksa are currently engaged in similar campaigns launched by their parties. Both leaders are engaged in grassroots-level campaigns in the villages. 

Premadasa is engaged in the ‘Gamin Gamata, Dorin Dorata’ programme while Namal is engaged in the ‘Namal Samaga Gamin Gamata’ programme.

Seeing Premadasa and Namal both in villages, several Opposition MPs commented that there now seemed to be a tight competition between the two.

Marikkar speaks out

Meanwhile, the recent SJB parliamentary group meeting had seen much interest among the participants in getting to know more about the party’s stance on forming a partnership with the UNP.

S.M. Marikkar, who had been silent for a while, had spoken out at the meeting saying that the SJB needed to make a serious decision about its future path without making ad hoc statements.

“When Ranil (Wickremesinghe) was arrested, we put aside all our differences and stood together to support him. Our Leader Sajith Premadasa also gave his fullest support for the campaign. However, that scenario is now no more. 

“We must decide with whom the SJB would align with as a party. We have built a name for ourselves as SJBers and people know that we are not rogues. Therefore, we need to make future decisions to safeguard our identity,” the SJB MP had told the gathering.

Marikkar had been critical of some elements within the Opposition parties, saying that apart from individuals being identified as rogues, there were also those who had been pole-vaulting between parties without any clear policies. “Should we form an alliance with these people?” he had questioned.

Marikkar had noted that the UNP could speak to the SJB if it wished to form a coalition. “There’s no need for the SJB to go to the UNP. They can talk with us. The SJB could then officially hold discussions openly,” he had added.

Several SJB MPS at the meeting had endorsed Marikkar’s views.

Slamming RW

Several SJBers had also criticised UNP Leader Wickremesinghe over his political double standards.

One SJB MP had reminded the gathering that while Wickremesinghe had struck a deal with the SLPP and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) to grab power, it was Wickremesinghe who had first encouraged the SJBers to call the Rajapaksas rogues. 

“When we were in the UNP, it was Ranil (Wickremesinghe) who told us that the Rajapaksas were rogues. He later changed [his opinion] and aligned with them due to his greed for power. We should not do that. The SJB must work as a principled party,” the MP had noted.

Meanwhile, SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna last week noted that the SJB was not willing to defend and support every Opposition politician if they were penalised for serious crimes. He noted that those who had done wrong had to face the consequences and that the SJB would not defend such individuals.

Committee for UNP-SJB talks

The SJB, it is learnt, has also appointed a three-member committee to hold discussions on behalf of the party with the UNP to explore possible areas of cooperation.

It is also learnt that Party Leader Premadasa has appointed senior members Kabir Hashim, Marikkar, and Mujibur Rahman to this committee, which has been tasked with discussing several key issues with the UNP that include how the SJB and UNP could form a coalition and the framework of such a coalition.

Nevertheless, Premadasa, it is also learnt, has directed the committee to place a condition that the SJB would take the lead in any coalition that is formed with the UNP. 

SJB’s anti-corruption stance

Meanwhile, the SJB’s Management Committee that met last Wednesday (1) had decided that the party would not stand by any individual accused of corruption in the future.

Although the SJB had stood in support of former President Wickremesinghe when he was remanded over the allegation of misuse of public funds, as it was claimed by Opposition parties to be a case of political witch-hunting, the SJB has since decided not to extend support to any persons accused of corruption.

Denying Ranga’s involvement

Meanwhile, the JVP/NPP Government’s ongoing anti-corruption drive has resulted in Opposition parties focusing their spotlight on Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Director General Ranga Dissanayake and his alleged links to the JVP in the past.

Dissanayake’s alleged link to the JVP was revealed by a former senior Politburo member of the JVP, Nandana Gunathilaka, who was also the party’s presidential candidate in 1999 before he defected from the party, during a recent political interview on a private television channel.

However, it was Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala who was the first to deny Gunathilaka’s claim that CIABOC Director General Dissanayake was a member of the JVP’s Legal Division.

Watagala told the media very casually that he too had heard a voice cut where Gunathilaka had made those claims but maintained that he (Watagala) could not understand the reason for Gunathilaka making such a statement. 

“He must have made such a false statement due to some hurt feelings. Not only him, but various party seniors have convened meetings of the Legal Division as and when necessary. I have been with the Legal Committee for a long time. But the CIABOC Director General had never participated in any meetings of the Legal Committee. 

“We can understand the reason for Nandana Gunathilaka to make such a false statement. He is angry because the political movement that he had been a part of has assumed power, especially since this people’s movement is now moving forward without him,” Watagala claimed.

Gunathilaka said during a recent television programme that Dissanayake and Watagala had both been members of the party’s Legal Division, which used to be convened by him during his time in the party.

Wimal’s memory

Meanwhile, one-time JVP stalwart and member of the JVP’s Politburo, former Minister Wimal Weerawansa also recalled an incident last week where former JVP Politburo member Gunathilaka had mentioned the name of the incumbent CIABOC Director General during a meeting of the JVP Politburo, which had also been attended by Weerawansa at the time.

When questioned at a news conference whether he could endorse Gunathilaka’s claim about the CIABOC Director General and the JVP, Weerawansa responded saying that he could recall Gunathilaka mentioning the name of the CIABOC Director General during a party seniors’ meeting when providing a briefing on the JVP’s Legal Committee. “I remember the name being mentioned by Nandana Gunathilaka,” he said.

CIABOC DG gets tough

However, CIABOC Director General Dissanayake last week refuted claims that he had served in the legal team of the JVP. He further claimed that these allegations were being levelled against him now to destroy the confidence that had developed among the public over the ongoing anti-corruption drive and warned that the CIABOC had also decided to initiate action against those spreading false information under Clause 118 of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Dissanayake urged both Gunathilaka and former Minister Udaya Gammanpila, who had spoken about his alleged links to a political party as well as questioned his appointment to the CIABOC, to lodge a complaint before the Constitutional Council if they had any concerns about him. 

“I’m not suitable to even hold the position of a judge if I was engaged in active politics as stated by Nandana Gunathilaka. On the other hand, Gunathilaka had refrained from revealing what he is now claiming for 20 years. He had not even presented his case to the Judicial Service Commission. I have never been in any committee or engaged in any work that he speaks of,” the Director General claimed at a news briefing last Thursday (2).

Dissanayake also slammed the emerging culture where someone makes a false statement about another and expects the aggrieved party to prove that it is a false statement. “I would like to tell him that instead of going before the media, he can first lodge a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission. Both Udaya Gammanpila and Nandana Gunathilaka can also complain to the Constitutional Council without making statements to the media,” he added.

Meanwhile, responding to Dissanayake’s claim, Gunathilaka had posted on social media that he intended to go before courts to find out about his (Dissanayake’s) appointment.

Udaya complains against AKD

Amidst the continuing spotlight on the CIABOC, former Minister Gammanpila filed a complaint with the commission alleging that Government MPs were diverting their monthly salaries to party funds for political activities and therefore called for legal action against the President and all JVP/NPP MPs over the alleged misuse of public funds.

Gammanpila handed a letter to the commission where he alleged that all salaries and allowances received by JVP/NPP MPs as well as the President were being directed to the JVP party fund, from which members then received allowances.

The former Minister pointed out that MPs could not spend their allowances at their discretion. “The fact that 159 Government MPs receive over Rs. 30 million collectively each month and credit it to the party fund for political purposes constitutes a misuse of public funds,” he alleged.

Gammanpila further claimed that the funds were being used to pay for party-related expenses, including telephone bills, fuel, and office maintenance, before being deployed for political activities. 

“Using State funds meant for constituency service and parliamentary duties for party activities amounts to corruption,” Gammanpila’s complaint had noted, adding: “This amounts to the misappropriation of more than Rs. 30 million per month by all 159 MPs as well as the President.”

Awaiting commission decision

However, following Gunathilaka’s controversial statement, members of the Opposition continue to raise questions over the impartiality of the CIABOC. This fact was raised during the last parliamentary session by SJB MPs Mujibur Rahman and Nalin Bandara.

They questioned the CIABOC’s delay in acting on complaints against members of the Government with special mention of the commission’s probe on the incumbent Energy Minister. Rahman questioned the delay in the CIABOC filing a court case against the Energy Minister over the ongoing probe concerning him.

CIABOC Director General Dissanayake meanwhile has said that legal action will be filed against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody if the commission decides to proceed with such a decision.

He has noted that the decision to prosecute or not under the Bribery Act rests with the three-member commission and not the Director General. However, Dissanayake further noted that once a decision was made by the commission, it was his responsibility as the Director General to act upon it. “If the commission decides to file a case, I will file it,” he added.

More powers to COPE

Meanwhile, the ruling party seems to be looking at using parliamentary committees in its ongoing anti-corruption drive, with Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman Nishantha Samaraweera moving a motion to amend the Standing Orders pertaining to taking legal action against serious financial fraud or corruption being disclosed at the committee.

Samaraweera had presented the motion under Standing Order 137 of Parliament to amend the existing Standing Order 120(4) pertaining to COPE.

The proposed amendment enables COPE to directly refer cases to the CIABOC or to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for legal action if the committee finds that serious financial fraud or corruption has taken place during the examination of reports submitted by the Auditor General to the committee.

The motion has been referred to the parliamentary Committee on Standing Orders for consideration.

Charitha concerned

However, former Chairman of COPE Charitha Herath has raised concerns over the proposal to expand the committee’s mandate to directly refer its findings to investigative bodies such as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the IGP, and the CIABOC.

Herath warned that the current COPE Chairman’s move to amend Standing Order 120 could disturb the constitutional balance between the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislature, effectively transforming COPE into a “quasi-executive agency” rather than a parliamentary watchdog.

He further cautioned that politically appointed committee members may lack the legal and financial expertise to make binding judgments, increasing the risk of politically motivated or unfounded referrals. Expanding COPE’s mandate, he added, could also intimidate public servants and paralyse State administration.

Herath further urged Parliament to establish an independent review panel comprising legal and administrative experts to vet COPE’s findings before they were referred to investigative bodies.

RW visits MR

Meanwhile, former President Wickremesinghe last week visited former President MR at Carlton House in Tangalle on his way back from Kataragama. Wickremesinghe was accompanied by his confidant Sagala Ratnayaka.

After being greeted by former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Wickremesinghe had walked into the hall area where MR had warmly welcomed him and taken a seat while explaining that he had visited Kataragama in the morning and was on his way back to Colombo.

While Wickremesinghe was with MR, people from Galle, Hiniduma, and many other parts of the country had arrived at Carlton House to visit MR. They had walked in and greeted MR and seeing Wickremesinghe also seated with MR, the people had also greeted him. 

Seeing video clips of people greeting both Wickremesinghe and MR together, some Opposition members had posted on social media that it was a rare occasion for people to receive the opportunity to worship both “leader of the ‘baiyas’ (MR) and leader of the ‘toiyas’ (Wickremesinghe)” together.

MR’s food worth billions

Meanwhile, a recent VIP meal served at former President’s MR’s residence in Tangalle and the value of a dish served during the meal had caused much amusement to the VIP invitees.

This incident, it is learnt, had taken place when Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, his wife, and several senior High Commission officials had called on MR in Tangalle. The Indian visitors were invited for lunch by MR and his wife Shiranthi and treated to a traditional southern Sri Lankan meal that had included red rice, jackfruit, dry fish fry, pol sambol, and fish ambul thiyal, among many other dishes.

The Indian envoy had noted that he enjoyed Sri Lankan food since it was similar to the food served in Bihar in India, where he hails from.

The VIP visitors had enjoyed the fish ambul thiyal that was being served. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, who was also at the lunch table, had said that the ambul thiyal dish could easily be valued at billions of rupees. The visitors had been surprised by the statement and asked what that meant. 

Kariyawasam had then explained that the incumbent Government, especially its Leader, had claimed in the past that billions had been spent to construct the Southern Expressway to enable MR to get fish ambul thiyal delivered to him in Colombo. “Hence, this dish could be valued at around several millions of dollars,” the SLPP General Secretary had said, making everyone at the table laugh out loud. 

Dullas recalls Maithri’s raincoat

Meanwhile, a group of dissident SLPPers including Dullas Alahapperuma, Gunapala Rathnasekara, Thilak Rajapaksha, Udayana Kirindigoda, Karunadasa Kodithuwakku, Upul Galappaththi, Lalith Ellawala, K.P.S. Kumarasiri, and several others had also visited MR in Tangalle last week.

MR had been happy to see the group and they had started to recall memories from the past. It was then that Alahapperuma had recounted an incident that had taken place at the event organised to welcome MR back to the country after the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009. 

Alahapperuma had said that he had played a key role in organising the event to welcome the former President when he returned to the country 24 hours prior to declaring the end of the war. 

“I invited the Cabinet and everyone in Parliament for the event at the airport. Cabinet ministers were asked to line up to welcome you. Then Minister Maithripala Sirisena was asked to walk up to the place to welcome you.

“About 15 minutes before the plane landed, Maithripala arrived at the airport wearing a short-sleeved shirt. I told him (Maithripala) that it would give bad visuals to have him in a short-sleeved shirt when he was the only one to walk up to the plane. Maithripala was also upset and said there was no time for him to go home to change. 

“We didn’t know what to do. While looking around wondering what can be done, I saw my Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna. I asked him to exchange shirts with Maithripala. They both went to a changing room and exchanged shirts,” Alahapperuma had recounted. 

However, what he had said afterwards had made everyone laugh. When Sirisena and Alagiyawanna had walked out of the changing room after exchanging shirts, the latter had said: “This is tight for me.”

“I said there’s nothing else to be done. When I looked at Maithripala, the shirt he was wearing was big for him and looked like a raincoat. I told Lasantha, ‘This looks like a hattaya (saree jacket) on you and Maithripala looks like he is wearing a raincoat,’” Alahapperuma had said, making everyone laugh out loud.

Alahapperuma had further said that everyone was in photographs with MR except for him, since he was dressed in a T-shirt and busy with organising work. 

“But before getting into the vehicle I called for you and asked you to join me in my travel back to Colombo,” MR had responded, further noting that he had voted for Alahapperuma at the Presidential Election held in Parliament in 2022.

MR says no

The search for a suitable residence for MR in Colombo is continuing, with the former President turning down several houses in the city offered by businessmen, it is learnt. 

It is learnt that around five businessmen had offered luxury houses in Colombo to MR, but that he had turned down the offers.

When asked why he had turned down the houses, MR had told a confidant that accepting a house in Colombo from a businessman at present could have an adverse impact on Namal’s political future. 

“One day when Namal becomes president, these businessmen will say that they were the ones who gave his father a house in Colombo and will also ask him for various favours in return. I don’t want to put Namal in such a position,” the former President had said.

However, MR had told the confidant that he was open to the idea of accepting a house on rent in Colombo since the rent could be paid and there would not be any further complications.

Wijerama electricity bill

Meanwhile, the electricity bill of MR’s former official residence on Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo 7 that was vacated last month has taken many by surprise.

The electricity bill is said to be Rs. 600,000. It is learnt that even members of the Government were wondering how such a massive electricity bill was received for a residence that was vacated last month.

MR had vacated the official residence soon after the legislation to slash former presidents’ entitlements was passed in Parliament, even before he was asked to leave the premises. 

However, Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa claimed last week that MR was yet to hand over the residence on Wijerama Mawatha. According to sources close to MR, the official communication seeking the handover of the official residence was received recently.

Awaiting State inventory

Meanwhile, the former President’s Spokesperson, Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage explained that the delay in the handover of MR’s former official residence on Wijerama Mawatha was due to the Government’s delay in finalising the inventory of State-owned items at the residence.

Gamage noted that the letter by the Presidential Secretariat requesting the house to be handed over had been received on 24 September. 

“The delay in the handover is due to the delay in finalising the inventory list of State-owned items in the house. We have already informed the officials to complete the inventory, but it has still not been completed. That’s the delay. If we hand it over without the inventory, the Government will claim that Mahinda Rajapaksa had packed up and taken away items that belong to the State.”

It is learnt that a group of individuals from the Government Information Department had also arrived at the Wijerama Mawatha residence to video the premises even before the residence was officially handed over.

Officials from the Public Administration Ministry and the Presidential Secretariat, meanwhile, visited the residence last Thursday (2) to commence the inventory work. It is also learnt that the officials had taken away two used State-owned vehicles that had been parked on the premises.

Bulletproof vehicle returned

MR has meanwhile taken steps to return the bulletproof luxury vehicle that had been assigned to him. The former President was assigned a bulletproof vehicle and a Land Rover vehicle in 2015.

MR’s Spokesperson Gamage noted that while the former President’s bulletproof vehicle had also been returned, the security personnel assigned to MR did not have any vehicles. The said bulletproof vehicle had been a broken-down one and needed repairs, which had not been done.

The Land Rover vehicle had been handed back to the Presidential Secretariat last Friday (3) after being driven to Colombo from Tangalle the previous day.

The appointments given to two drivers for MR’s service have also been cancelled with effect from Wednesday (1).

Namal stands by Archchuna

Meanwhile, SLPP MPs Namal Rajapaksa and D.V. Chanaka as well as former MP Premnath Dolawatte appeared in court last week in support of Jaffna District Opposition MP Ramanathan Archchuna. 

Archchuna was arrested on Monday (29 September) and was granted bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court later that day. He was arrested for allegedly disturbing Police duty and had been charged with obstruction of Police duty, intimidating a Police officer, threatening a Police officer, and causing an obstruction by parking a vehicle.

Thajudeen case resurfaces

Meanwhile, the probe into the murder of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, which has been continuing for over a decade, took a new twist recently with the revelation by the Police that an organised crime figure who was murdered in Middeniya earlier this year – named Middeniya Kajja – had been in a vehicle that pursued Thajudeen before his death in 2012.

Kajja’s alleged link to the Rajapaksas, which he had revealed during a YouTube interview prior to his killing, has resulted in a fresh probe being launched into the latest revelations. Thajudeen’s murder probe has resulted in accusations being levelled at some members of the Rajapaksa family over their alleged links to the incident.

Meanwhile, the SLPP’s Namal Rajapaksa has called for an unbiased investigation into Thajudeen’s death and urged the authorities to find information on all related details. 

Commenting on the identification of an individual by Kajja’s widow in connection with the case, Namal has said the authorities must ascertain where he was residing and with whom, as well as those he had associated with. 

“Without attempting to create a buzz on their political stages, the authorities must conduct a comprehensive probe if Thajudeen had faced an injustice. If not, this will be considered an injustice to his soul,” Namal claimed. 

‘Unofficial’ president hits back

Meanwhile, former SLPP MP Janaka Thissa Kuttiarachchi, who was recently warned by the SLPP General Secretary to be mindful of statements made in public after he (Kuttiarachchi) had claimed at a public meeting that he would be the ‘unofficial’ president when Namal Rajapaksa became president, last week created more controversy during another public meeting by slamming some sections of the party.

Kuttiarachchi has claimed that regardless of the political obstacles faced by him, sometimes from within the party, he will continue to follow and support the Rajapaksas.

“Not only from the outside, sometimes I have been attacked from the inside. I would like to remind those from the inside that once Namal becomes president, those who dream of becoming prime minister could continue to do so, those waiting for cabinet portfolios could do so, others who wish to receive state ministerial portfolios or chairmanships at State institutions could do so as well. 

“Thissa Kuttiarachchi does not have any issue about positions. I would like to tell my group that these people should not try to mislead me with their dreams. No one can stop my political journey with the Rajapaksas,” he has claimed.

Shasheendra’s meds list

Meanwhile, the court has sought the list of medicines prescribed to former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand, while ordering him to be further remanded until 14 October. The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Shasheendra was arrested over allegations that he used his official position to unlawfully secure compensation for unauthorised property damaged during the 2022 public uprising. 

Meanwhile, Shasheendra has also withdrawn the bail application filed by him. His counsel had requested permission from the High Court to withdraw the bail application. When the petition was taken up before High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne on Thursday (2), President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis had informed the court that his client had instructed him to withdraw the petition.

Rajitha’s lost hope

Meanwhile, former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who was recently granted bail after being remanded over an alleged corruption case, lost hope in the possibility of returning to Parliament when the case filed by him was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Senaratne had sought to invalidate the election of Rohitha Abeygunawardena as an MP for the Kalutara District at last year’s Parliamentary Elections.