Utility of Ranil to the UNP is His Ability to Bring Money to the Party
Posted on November 22nd, 2017
Dilrook Kannangara
Ranil is not just facing a threat to premiership but also to his party leadership. He was made the party leader and kept in this post for close to 25 years is only because of his ability to bring in money for the party (mostly by foul means). He has absolutely no leadership skills and under his leadership, the UNP mostly languished in the Opposition.
He was made the de facto party leader in 1993 only because of his ability to bring money to the party from various businessmen. His uncle JR Jayawardene introduced open economy in 1977 which benefitted local businessmen. Among them were strong UNP supporters. They were willing to finance the UNP. 1994 parliamentary election was a tough one for the UNP as certain defeat starred on their face. Ranil approached his business tycoon friends, terrorized them of another closed economy if PA won the election and skimmed money from them for the election. Although the PA won, no such thing happened and open economic policies remained.
Having lost most LG, all PC, presidential and parliamentary elections, UNP was in dire straits by 2001. UNP was struggling to pay electricity bills of its offices. But its luck changed suddenly and party coffers were awash with cash. Ranil came to a deal with mostly tax evading businesses to collect money from them (as they kept postponing tax repayment) and give them a selective tax amnesty after winning power. All went to plan. UNP collected a few billions from these fraudulent businessmen, financed an exuberant election campaign and won in 2001. However, the regime took some time to effectuate the tax amnesty as the economy was in a bad shape and the regime needed money to appease the LTTE. By late 2003 UNP came up with their tax amnesty law which was challenged in the Supreme Court and was found to be illegal. Foolish tax fraudsters who financed the UNP lost their money and tax amnesty.
After another cycle of losing any and all elections the UNP contested, it managed to claim power again using SLFP General Secretary Sirisena in 2015. UNP spent most money for the election campaign. UNP leaders were also aware of the impending parliamentary election which was a very expensive affair. They needed money. In February 2015 the central bank bond fraud was done. It was primarily done to finance the UNP by a number of Tamils. UNP won the 2015 parliamentary election but the bond fraud was caught. Once again UNP financing businessmen landed in loss. However, this time Tamil fraudsters hedged their risk by borrowing most of the money they invested in Central bank bonds from Bank of Ceylon. UNP leaders helped them secure the loan.
Now UNP rank and file is convinced that Ranil can no longer bring home the bacon. All his frauds get caught although by then the UNP had earned its money. The fear is for future elections. Any fraud now becomes apparent to all. With this in mind, UNPers want Ranil out. They want a bigger crook to lead the party who can rob the public without leaving a trace. A renowned treasure thief is a prime candidate for party leadership. An ousted crook is also eyeing the UNP top post. Other dubious characters are also lining up to take the reins of the party.
Ranil’s removal has caused panic in the Rajapaksa clan as well. If UNP can offer fresh blood to voters, that will be a huge advantage over the clan dominated SLPP. Voters are fed up of the same old clans they have been seeing for the past 15 years. They want a change of clans, policy and priorities. Youth voters are utterly disgruntled with politicians in their 70s. SLPP or any challenger to the UNP will have to field a brand-new clan to win the 2019 presidential election if Ranil is replaced.
UNP and the JO will try to impeach the president or try to change the constitution to abolish executive presidency as promised by Sirisena. However, they cannot find the 150 MPs required as Sirisena has won commendation from various quarters for his tough action against corruption by his own regime. This has never happened before. Sirisena may balance his action against the UNP by punishing a few from the past regime. Whatever the next steps are, the UNP social media mafia has already started attacking Sirisena. The president has to take the correct decision. Otherwise, he will be seen as part of the fraud and confirm the notion that he is just an effigy. To his credit, he has already caused the removal of two most powerful ministers (justice and finance) without collapsing the government. No past president managed to do so. Now he must remove his allegedly corrupt prime minister. People’s court has given the verdict. In people’s court Ranil has been found guilty. Ranil must go.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:52 pm
I have a different view. Both in 1977 and 2015 people voted for UNP to get rid economic mismanagement of rulers at that time. In 2015 January most Sinhalese voted for Sirisena not UNP. But UNP trojan hose brought a load of economic mercenaries who have got hold of our state apparatus like Police, AG’s department, the parliament and perhaps judiciary through RW. They are all caught up in some kind of a spell. They know average Sinhalas are law abiding and not go against the system. I think UNP ministers who came to the bond commission to support RW know they can go on like this and make a change to hood wink the voters again at the appropriate time. They speak all kind of rubbish at press briefings and in parliament without any fear. Therefore, I think no change will happen and the circus will go on.
November 22nd, 2017 at 4:07 pm
@Aloy
Circus will not go on. It cannot go on. It has never gone on in any other country forever. ALL GOONS will be punished when a proper people’s power catch up with them.
November 22nd, 2017 at 4:34 pm
In Mugabe’s downfall, a message to other autocratic leaders
The fate of Robert Mugabe, who ran Zimbabwe with iron discipline for more than 30 years, will send a chill down the spines of other autocratic African leaders who may have out-stayed their welcome.
General Constantino Chiwenga, the armed forces chief, kicked away the military prop supporting Mugabe’s presidency last week. Mass protests in Harare, Bulawayo and other cities showed the president had lost popular support. On Tuesday, Mugabe’s party comrades began the process of impeaching him, leading finally to his long overdue resignation.
Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s president, is one leader with reason to feel uneasy. Like Mugabe, he came to power on the back of a guerrilla struggle. Museveni has stubbornly clung to office since 1986, abolishing presidential term limits, emasculating the political opposition, and curbing media freedoms. He “won” a fifth, consecutive term last year amid widespread, credible claims of voter fraud and intimidation.
In a country of nearly 40 million people, where the average age is 15, most people were not born when Museveni first took office. At 73, he is 20 years younger than Mugabe. But his kindred liberation-era outlook, and, for example, his Mugabe-ish record of homophobia, appears anachronistic to younger generations of the Facebook age.
Speaking recently to mark 31 years in power Museveni showed disdain for modern notions of democratic accountability. According to the Zambian Observer, he told his audience: “I hear some people saying that I’m their servant. I’m not a servant of anybody. I am a freedom fighter. I am fighting for myself and for my beliefs.”
Andrew Mwenda, writing in Uganda’s Independent Magazine, said Museveni has avoided some of Mugabe’s mistakes. “Museveni has actually disbanded the old guard in the NRM [National Resistance Movement – Uganda’s Zanu-PF equivalent] and the Uganda People’s Defence Force … While the military leaders of Zimbabwe are all from the old guard who fought the bush war, Museveni has purged these people.”
Mwenda said Museveni had also sacked his most potentially troublesome challenger, Amama Mbabazi, a veteran former prime minister with similar standing to Emmerson Mnangagwa, the man who has replaced Mugabe as Zanu-PF leader.
Three other sub-Saharan African presidents with a questionable understanding of democratic pluralism – Paul Kagame in Rwanda, Pierre Nkurunziza in Burundi, and Joseph Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – may also be given pause by Mugabe’s sudden downfall.
Kagame, in charge since 1994, was elected president for another seven years in August with an amazing 98.79% of the vote – after ramming through a constitutional amendment allowing him to stand for a third term. Three of the better qualified opposition candidates were disqualified.
“Since the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front took power 23 years ago Rwandans have faced huge, and often deadly, obstacles to participating in public life and voicing criticism of government policy,” said Muthoni Wanyeki, of Amnesty International, before the poll. The climate surrounding the elections was one of “fear and repression”.
There is little sign yet that Kagame will share Mugabe’s fate. Not so Nkurunziza in neighbouring Burundi. He played the same trick in 2015, insisting on a third term despite constitutional prohibitions. Less proficient at repression, he faced violent popular resistance – which he violently suppressed. Despite the disapproval of the African Union, EU and US, Nkurunziza remains in post.
November 22nd, 2017 at 5:48 pm
I have been telling since 2013 that only a MILITARY TAKEOVER can save SL.
IF RUN-NIL is not sacked the MILITARY and the SANGHA must takeover SL. They should get CHINESE help to chase this ENDIAN LINGAM WORSHIPING idiot regime.
Now Sira will be scared of THIRUPATHY and NOT sack RUN-NIL.
We need a BIGGER LINGUM to punish both. ONLY the MILITARY has those big guns!
November 23rd, 2017 at 3:42 am
If there is a military take over,you know that the usa and west would intervene militarily and make sri lanka a lybia and that would be the end of sri lanka. this is what these promoters of a military take over want.. It would be offering whole of sri lanka to the tamils and india will end up annexing it as part of tamil nadu. Do you want it to happen ?
November 23rd, 2017 at 3:44 am
I have been telling since 2013 that only a MILITARY TAKEOVER can save SL.- What happiend to Sanga (Pigus).
a MILITARY TAKEOVER- that is our last step ( one at a time, step by step -no harry) than IPKF will come & Indian will give us Thani TE in gold plate !!!
Thamil Sakkiliya is still believing that Sinhalese are Modayas even after May2009.
November 23rd, 2017 at 4:38 am
Charles,
Libya was NOT under military rule when it was BOMBED. Qaddafi was the legitimate leader.
Iraq was NOT under military rule when it was BOMBED.
North Korea is NOT under the military rule but it will be BOMBED soon.
NO country was attacked for a military takeover!!
e.g. Pakistan, Burma, Thailand, Egypt (always under military rule), Zimbabwe
November 23rd, 2017 at 5:33 am
Dear Dilrook
An excellent write up. We need transparency, democracy and check and balances. What we dont need is a Miltitary Takeover as continuously advocated our illustrious but dubious contributor, Lorenzo.
Mahinda Rajapakse took power without a military take over. He and Gota with Basil’s technical acumen advanced the country forward.
It is now known the whole exercise pioneered by brutal Tamils, Westerners and their Local Puppets had been a failure.
We just dont need Military run Sri Lanka, though there are great sons like Wasantha Karannagoda, Sarath Weeresekera, but not FOOL MARSHALS.
Dilrook, we are not very far away. Lets not tarnish the name of this Great Buddhist Nation as becoming playing field for those who are waiting to attack our Great Buddhist Monks, internationally, if what Lorenzo’s stupid ideas are realized.
November 23rd, 2017 at 6:42 am
I cannot see parallels between us and African countries mentioned except the fact there are lots of Indian Colonial Parasites in those countries. They influence the politics with their money like here. But in our case the majority Sinhalese Buddhists are divided in the middle and Muslims and Christians are alienated and Indian block vote will decide the outcome.
November 23rd, 2017 at 6:10 pm
Dear Dr Dissanayake
Democracy has worked for Sri Lanka and there is no need to change that. 1956, 1977, 1994 and 2015 are perfect examples that democracy is the right way for the nation. If the military takes over, our largest export destinations (USA and the EU) will restrict our trade which is have catastrophic consequences. Sri Lanka cannot survive without trade with USA and the EU.
Military coup is only popular among Generation Y and younger crowd that wants things immediately. They are of the minority. However, going by social media expressions, this view is gaining popularity as more and more people are fed up with clan politics. New clans must come to power without the same old clans recycled. This will allow a democratic avenue for more change. That is the solution, not a military coup.
Maha Sangha must restrict its role to advising rulers and the people. They should not get involved in governance. Though I disagree with some of his political views, Venerable Sobitha’s approach is at most what members of the clergy must limit themselves to.
November 24th, 2017 at 1:57 am
Traitor chief die hard catholic token Buddhist Bay Gal Karaya Mega Thief Mega Thakkadiya pol pot r@nil wickrama
Sinhala killer got the job thanks to traitor alugosuwa (to Sinhalese only) thambi mudiyanselage jr@. Thanks to
thambi mudiyanse today Sri Lanka is a hell hole and facing break up with traitor foreigners tamils and mussies
waiting in the wings to dismember Mother Lanka after jr@’s 13, 13A which were the foundation for disintegration.
Thambi groomed Lajja Baya nathi Batalande Wadakaya for the leadership. Then alogusu (to Sinhalese only) lk
porisada got more brutal than the thambi and eventually had to give up the reins. Luckily for traitor Wadakaya lk
porisada was eliminated by the very catholic tigers of tamil drealam he pampered. Then there was two potential
better leaders with brains, Athulathmadali and Dissanayaka. But both were cut down in their prime. Maybe wadakaya had a hand in it to get the top job. Since becoming the leader of caholic-run UNPatriotic party traitor has been doing/done sterling work for the ardent supporters tamils, mussies and the catholic west by destroying Buddhism, Sri Lanka and the Sinhalese race at every opportunity.
Wadakaya has skills only to
kill (Sinhalese only)
lies (mega only)
robberies (mega only)
thakkadi kama (mega only)
treacheries (mega only)
destruction (Sinhalese race, Sri Lanka and Buddhism only).
Is there any wonder then people call the wadakaya
LAJJA BAYA NATHI AGA MATTA!
November 24th, 2017 at 4:27 am
Westminster type democracy put in place by the Brits in our country has degenerated beyond recognition. It has been hijacked by mega thieves and they carry out various deals to stay in power. Citizens have understood this fact very well but are unable to do anything about it. A universal law, the second law of thermodynamics, states that the entropy (disorder) of a given system without an external force acting on it, increase with time. Our political system is degenerating day by day, it cannot correct itself and ultimately they will hand over the country to our enemies. The deals they are making with other countries like China and India are just handing over parts of our country to them. That is why the military and Sangha should be that external force and intervene to clean up the political system. It happened in Zimbabwe much to the delight of international community. It should happen in SL too. Our prez who is in this system cannot cope with the disorder. He too has got enmeshed deeply in it.
November 24th, 2017 at 4:58 am
Just to confirm above, I saw the transition enforced by military to the letter of their constitution, taking place in Zimbabwe live, couple of hours ago today with chief justice there citing every relevant clause in the constitution in swearing in of the new prez. Why not that happen in SL.?.
November 24th, 2017 at 5:40 am
D & D,
So according to both of you SL is a DEMOCRACY?
I rest my case!!!
November 24th, 2017 at 5:48 am
Where is it written that SANGHA should restrict their work to this and that?
HOW MANY patriotic SANGHA came forward to save SL? Read history. Did they fear western countries blaming Buddhism? NO!
FYI Corporal Hasalaga Gamini was a BUDDHIST MONK before. TAMIL friendly media used this to CRIMINALIZE monks. So what? Are we SCARED?
Western fools and Tamil STATELESS people can find ANY NUMBER OF EXCUSES to demonize SL and criticize Buddhism. NO ONE CARES. What matters is DOING THE RIGHT THING.
November 24th, 2017 at 6:24 am
The words democracy and elections are making terrible dictators in Sri Lanka. They not only kill people they kill economy too.