Presidential candidate Dullas Allahapperuma and his prime ministerial candidate Sajith Premadasa have agreed to fulfill demands put forward by the TNA in a meeting held today evening which included the release of all political prisoners and the release of all private lands, including those occupied by the army and archeological sites in the North and East.
A senior TNA source who attended the meeting said that some of the other demands put forward included the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) restarting inquiries into missing persons, the Sri Lankan government must cooperate with the UN Human Rights resolution and a process must start to resolve the Tamil national issue.
Both Dullas and Sajith had agreed to the demands laid down by the TNA and only after this was accepted that the TNA said they would support Dullas in the presidential race tomorrow.
SLPP MP G.L. Peiris also attended the meeting. (Jamila Husain)
The objective of this posting is not to cause alarm but to warn the Sri Lanka authorities to take preventive action before the Nation already imperiled by the Rajapaksa debacle takes another unexpected hit from an unlikely source which in all probabilities has been planning for exactly such a situation.It is not mere speculation that organizations like the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and their allies from Tamil Nadu et al would truly relish such a situation to manifest itself where the facts presented seem very much aligned to their ultimate mendacious objectives. They have in all probabilities been waiting in the wings for exactly such a situation to present itself and the Nation could be caught unguarded and unawares.
There is very credible information from a very reliable source that given the situation in Sri Lanka, some of the LTTE in Sri Lanka as well as Expats are re-grouping to launch action to separate out and re enact their failed bid which was thwarted by the Rajapaksa Regime and FM Sarath Fonseka and put down effectively. Presently it is no understatement that the Sri Lanka Government is very weak, and at the mercy of the International Monetary Fund. This has been interpreted by some analysts as one of IMF’s veritable conditions. Similar things happened in Sudan, and Surinam and elsewhere, when they broke> up the country before “helping”. Relative to the IMF, Some of the countries supporting the move are Norway, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, et al. Tamil social media is humming with the possibilities.And the Sinhala Nation could be caught napping.
As Sinhalese have got together and removed Gota, & Mahinda, as well as distanced themselves from Sarath Fonseka, Tamils are sure they can do it this time, as the SL Govt. they presume is very weak. Removal of all three (Fonseka, Gota & Mahinda) is not a situation Tamils even dreamed of. Ranil Wickremasinghe who is known for his once intended covert collusion with the LTTE could easily hand over the partitioned part of the country and even more, so that he can be the head of Sri Lanka which is one of his impassioned ambitions.
Now that the Sinhalese leadership in the GOSL is politically & financially bankrupt where it does not have fuel or ammunition for the armed forces or any resources for that matter which makes them a non contending force to thwart any threat (or so So LTTE thinks) so this could be the time to move. The understanding is that Wigneswaran
– ( being a former supreme court judge who gets a lot of traction with the west) – is the figurehead or political front of the proposed Tamil govt. and is getting a lot of support and aid from the west.
Trans national govt of the Tamils, based in US, & Norway is purported to be heading the drive.Tamil social media is abuzz with this story.
Money is being collected by personnel in Norway, Toronto, US, Canada and the UK, activists according to information received..
Hopefully this may not be the case if the New Government of Sri Lanka acts prudently, wisely and in time where Sri Lanka’s Sovereignty and Territorial integrity remains intact and the new leadership with the administrative team stand resolute towards defending them in addition to the task of rebuilding the Nation from the recent crisis brought on most ironically by the sources that once put down the present anticipated oppressors the LTTE.
A Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the legality of the appointment of UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe as a Member of Parliament was Today dismissed by Supreme Court.
Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Shiran Goonaratne and Janak de Silva refused to grant leave to proceed with this petition taking into consideration several reasons including petition had been filed out of time.
General Secretary of Vinivida Peramuna Nagananda Kodituwakku filed this petition seeking a declaration that UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe is disqualified and not entitled to be elected as Members of Parliament of the UNP.
Deputy Solicitor General Kanishka de Silva appearing for the Attorney General had raised preliminary objections against the petition citing it has been filed out of time.
She further alleged that the petitioner is guilty of wrongful suppression of material facts that a similar application filed by the petitioner has been dismissed by Supreme Court.
While agreeing with preliminary objections raised by Attorney General, President’s Counsel Ronald Perera appearing for Acting President also moved Court to dismiss the petition at the beginning of the court proceedings (in limine).
The Petitioner states the sovereignty in the people which includes the election of MPs is an inalienable right protected by the Constitution itself and the people’s right to elect Members of Parliament at their choice, is an essential ingredient of sovereignty in the people, which cannot be defeated by way of an ordinary piece of legislation like Parliamentary Election Act.
Kodituwakku states the supreme law of the land, the Constitution, clearly specified that National List nominations shall be presented to the Election Commission within one week from the Notice received by the Party Secretaries from the Election Commission.
The Petitioner states that the General Secretary of UNP had failed to comply with the Notices served on them by the former Election Commission Chairman within the mandatory period specified by the Article 99A of the Constitution to tender the name to the fill the National List MP slot allocated for UNP by the Election Commission.
The Petitioner states that he is entitled to a declaration that his right to equality and equal treatment before law under Article 12(1) has been violated by the Election Commission who had elected Ranil Wickremasinghe without jurisdiction.
Ronald Perera PC with Senior Counsel Eraj de Silva instructed by Vidanapathirana Associates appeared for Acting President Ranil Wickremasinghe. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)
Professionals and new comers in Parliament have come to an agreement that Dullas Alahapperuma should be made President, former minister Channa Jayasumana said.
He told media that country is urging that someone who is free of fraud and corruption should lead the country and Mr. Alahapperuma bears such qualities.
He said Mr. Alahapperuma manifested his plans to ensure political and economic stability during the next 18 months.
He said Mr. Alahapperuma can garner around 20 votes more than the required votes . (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)
MPs Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and the independent group from the ruling party have decided to vote for MP Dullas Alahapperuma in the vote to elect the President.
MP Weerawansa informed the decision during a press briefing held today
A section of TNA, SJB and SLFP MPs will vote in favour of Acting President Ranil’ Wickremesinghe tomorrow, MP Harin Fernando told Dailymirror a short while ago.
Fernando said he was confident that Wickremesinghe will win the Parliament vote for presidency tomorrow as he had the numbers.
“It is a secret vote and we have assurance from several SJB, TNA and SLFP MPs that they will vote for Ranil Wickremesinghe despite their parties deciding to vote for Dullas Allahapperuma,” Fernando said. (Yohan Perera)
In April 2021, Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapakse banned chemical fertilizer. The decision was sudden & no one really knew who advised the President. It now emerges that the President was advised by none other than Indian ecologist Vandana Shiva. As a result paddy crop failed resulting in retail price of rice increasing by 30% and tea production falling by 40%. However, anyone can give advice, but it has to be taken pragmatically. Nevertheless, we must wonder if this was part of the political & economic collapse of Sri Lanka. Therefore not just the President but all those that nodded their heads & gave a thumbs to the ban up must be held accountable. The decision was far more than stopping use of chemicals in one’s home garden. Who introduced Vandana Shiva & her organization Navdanya International to the President?
Vandana Shiva hailed the decision by President Gotabaya Rajapakse in her website.
On 11 April 2022 Dr. Monica Verma of the South Asian University writing to an online journal alludes to President Rajapakse’s election manifesto that outlined the transition to organic farming across 10 years. Therefore, it was a shock to many why in April 2021 he would announce a total ban on the import of chemical fertilizers & agrochemicals. While one of the reasons to ban imports was Sri Lanka’s forex situation, the blanket ban resulted in farmer protests primarily from lack of preparedness by parties concerned & price increases. Eventually by November 2021 the ban had to be revoked.
In June 2022 Soumya Bhowmick from the Observer Research Foundation too alleges Vandana Shiva to be the architect of the agri-fiasco in Sri Lanka causing the political and economic collapse of Sri Lanka.
Sanjeev Sabhlok’s blog gives a detailed account of why Vandana Shiva is to blame
Twitters by Channa Prakash also openly faults Vandana Shiva for Sri Lanka’s agriculture fiasco – https://twitter.com/AgBioWorld
In November 2021, the ban was lifted following the backlash from the industry due to reduced productivity, soaring inflation, and therefore continuous protests to abandon the policy. Despite this step, the country experienced a sharp increase in prices for all commodities, as farmers were unable to access imported fertiliser due to dwindling forex reserves.
In response, India, delivered 100 tons of Nano Nitrogen liquid fertiliser to Sri Lanka. However,
The fertilizer ban impacted 2million farmers in Sri Lanka
Domestic rice production fell by 20% in 6 months
Sri Lanka forced to import $450m worth rice
Price of rice increased by almost 50%
Sri Lanka tea crop was impacted – a primary source of foreign exchange losing $425m – Sri Lanka is the world’s 4th largest tea exporter & makes up 70% of export earnings.Sri Lanka’s tea production is larger than the world’s organic tea market.
November 2021 – fertilizer ban revoked
GoSL offered $200m to farmers as direct compensation & additional $149m in price subsidies to rice farmers
By 2020 total cost of fertilizer imports & subsidies was $500m annually (importing fertilizer is expensive but importing rice is more expensive)
China has been unfairly blamed for the ‘debt-trap’ in a much hyped global propaganda with even renowned economists joining in the fray when in reality China only holds only 10% of Sri Lanka’s debt. By the time this realization comes home, citizens of Sri Lanka have been made to believe China is to blame.
The primary reason for Sri Lankan citizens to fall prey to misinformation & disinformation is their own inability or lethargy to find out for themselves where things went wrong, why, how & who are responsible instead of simply accepting floating stories that are often with manipulative intentions in mind.
The whole country blamed the President believing it to be his sole decision, however, it emerges that it is the advice given by a renowned ecologist. Was it deliberate and part of the overall plan to destabilize Sri Lanka politically & economically is anyone’s guess but what is clear is that successive issues and debacles converged together to bring about the downfall – how far these were planned, by whom and why is for us to find out.
A lesson for all leaders is to take advice by correct advisors but never really only on their advice but to even take several advice and thereafter take an informed decision after balancing the pros and cons and charting out how to deal with these pros & cons too.
A lady who had failed A levels, and who does not deserve to be allowed to enter even your house (for reasons known to us, but not to be made public), let alone allowed to guide the country.
As people began to learn about the terrible consequences of the dollar crisis, there also emerged a political slogan that seemed to suit the occasion. Gota Go Home” became the slogan and in no time it became the rallying cry from almost everyone throughout the country. There appeared at the time there is a unity of purpose and a unity of perspective among all those who were participating in adopting that slogan.
The actual reason that pushed forward this massive movement varied. For majority of people, one of the most compelling reasons which dragged them to the streets was the threat of an imminent food crisis. From around the country, many people began to complain that they are unable to have their meals as they used to have in the past. Many complained of having one or two meals a day and there were others who even complained of going without food for several days. The gravity of this problem got manifested when it was found even by international organizations such as UNICEF that 1.7% of Sri Lankan children before the age of 5 are malnourished. The report also said that out of these malnourished children, 17% are suffering from acute forms of malnourishment which will leave permanent consequences on their bodies. A compelling reason therefore for the massive people’s anger that arose was primarily economic in the most basic sense in terms of threat to the availability of food.
Following that problem were also revelations of inadequate supply of medical facilities which have threatened the life of patients suffering from serious illnesses. Added to this were the problems of the inability to deal with the problems of children by getting them into schools and providing the facilities for their education.
Aggravating all this was the problem of the difficulties created for travel. The severe shortages of petrol, diesel and even kerosene oil was symbolic of the problems that people began to face in terms of carrying on with their lives and that aggravated the threat to food, medicine, education and the like because without being able to carry on with their livelihoods, there was no way for them to have the basic purchasing power of the essential needs. These economic problem were severely aggravated by massive levels of inflation. In short, everybody of the mid and lower income groups were affected by unprecedented levels of basic economic hardships.
When people suffering from such acute economic problems responded to call for the resignation of the president, what they would have expected is some quick solution to these economic hardships. The head of the state was seen as the major cause which created their problems and therefore his quick demise they would naturally have thought would bring about some relief for these acute problems.
However, among those who supported and promoted Gota Go Home” were others who had other ideas and other prospects. It is quite natural that people who are looking for political opportunities or political change also seize in the unrest of people an opportunity to achieve political changes that they desire. Naturally, such sections play more vocal roles during the times of peoples protests and during the times of serious unrest. At last they would have believed that the sleeping giant that is the people has awoken and that the long-standing dreams of people who wanted more changes either for the benefit of the society or for themselves could utilize this situation for their benefit.
So long as the president remained in his seat, these people who have been moved due to different impulses could work together and it would even be possible to make it appear that everyone is engaged in pursuit of fame, ambitions and working towards same/similar changes. However, the departure of the president which was a cause to celebrate has brought to surface more serious problems underlining the extent of mutual understanding and common purpose that exist or that does not exist among those who joined in protests. Now, these differences are surfacing in a severe manner.
Some speak of having some secret plans for achieving changes if the political tendency that they support would be given the political power. Naturally, none of them come forward to explain what these plans or perspectives are. Perhaps, there is no such plan. If one were to go by past experiences, the political changes come about for various reasons but once in power those who are in power do not have any workout ideas to resolve any of the major problems that are facing the country.
However, the present moment is very unlike such moments in the past. When people in the street were moved and that is not something that could be wished away with fine rhetoric’s or by various kinds of excuses as to why that cannot be done urgently. Food or no food is a life and death question. Naturally, those who engage in this struggle with the view to find solutions to such problems are not going to be satisfied by merely supporting this or that political tendency who wants to utilize this situation for them to come to power. Those who are irritated by the people’s insistence on immediate solutions to their problems may even think of pushing their way through other means such as by use of methods commotion. This kind of thing has happened in history over and over again and the result has always been to make the situation of the people who are already suffering from acute problems even worse.
On the other hand, any open discussions about perspectives that may bring about changes which will answer the greater problems faced by people can itself lead to much conflicts. Those who wish to raise these questions may even be treated as those who raise unnecessary questions at a time when people have come together for the first time for pursuing some common goals.
The issue really is that what the common goals is no longer clear. That is the very reason why more discussions among those who share the same ultimate aims are needed. Democracy among those who are seeking to establish democratic way of life in the country has become a dire need. Every attempt to prevent such discussions are in fact going against the very essence of the very forced that propelled the people to street in search of solutions which they require on an urgent basis.
It is suggested that the very clear position needed to develop among those who are struggling for a change above all to find a solution to the food crisis. International organizations have already pointed out that the food crisis may lead to situations of starvation. In conceived economic policies have often led to massive forms of starvation which has killed large numbers of people in different countries. One glaring example is that of Cambodia where due to an attempt to achieve a rapid agricultural revolution brought about one of the worst crises known in history. Within a short period of over 3 year, 1/7 of the population died mostly due to starvation.
Thus, development of conditions of acute food crisis including the possibility of starvation is a real threat. It is this real threat that should concern everyone who is engaged in trying to resolve the kind of problems have arisen with the departure of the president Gotabaya. Gotabaya’s departure is merely a step in the direction of removing an obstacle. However, there are many other obstacles to be overcome if the peoples’ demand for food and basic needs are to be met on an urgent basis.
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi together with the Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai intend to collect information pertaining to Sri Lankan students who are currently studying in India in order to update the relevant databases. This would enable the Sri Lankan Missions/Posts to reach out to Sri Lankan students and provide assistance whenever necessary
This would enable the Sri Lankan Missions/Posts to reach out to Sri Lankan students and provide assistance whenever necessary.
The Sri Lankan Missions/Posts in India request the Sri Lankan students to register themselves using the web links available at the High Commission of Sri Lanka and Consulate in Mumbai as per the State/Union Territory where they are currently studying/living.
The Sri Lankan Missions/Posts in India request the parents/guardians/family members of the Sri Lankan students also to advise their children to register themselves on the digital platforms which are available on the following websites:
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as the Acting President
Gotabaya resigned and fled the country for Singapore, Arjuna Mahendran’s safe haven, that, the then President Sirisena’s plea in 2017 [remember 20,000 signatures] for the swindler’s extradition was disregarded. The famous 225, meeting in groups at multiple venues haven’t made any compromise resulting in all party interims rule a non-starter. They will never be able to suppress their greed for power, position and privileges; cast off their personal agendas and unite for the sake of the country. Sri Lanka needs urgent international financial prop up to find its feet. IMF and some developed countries are cautious about rescuing us until the formation of a politically stable government. As at present it is not certain as to who is in control. Why not make the Royalist Classmate duo, Ranil and Dinesh the President and Prime Minister?
US Fingerprints…
According to international political analysts, facts are emerging that some sections of the protesters were funded by US interests. A digital strategist” given recognition by the pro-Western media for the toppling of the government was a ‘volunteer’ at a USNED [National Endowment for Democracy]-funded ‘election’ organization. His involvement in the ongoing protests is similar to events that stretched during the US-engineered Arab Spring in 2011.
They tried pacts like MCC and SOFA few years back but government gave up proceedings due to protests. It’s quite well known that Americans like many Sri Lankans, hated Rajapaksas. It’s true that Lankans are fed up with economical misconduct and corruption within Rajapaksa regimes, but they ought to be more conscious of the greater peril as well. In two and half centuries of existence the US has battled against 29 sovereign nations, from action against Morocco [Operation Torch] to overrunning the small Grenada [Operation Urgent Fury]. The US tried extremely hard to get India on to side, but clearly seeing that India was in fact getting closer to Russia, are they rushing to find a footing in the region? Sri Lanka would be easy for them to manipulate by causing instability.
the Aragalists invaded six-time PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence. He was appointed as PM in May by Gota, to restore international credibility
9th May was an instant that even a few weeks ago would have been unimaginable: Mahinda Rajapaksa, the most powerful member of the Rajapaksa family was forced to renounce. His resignation wasn’t a customary fall over of a leader/regime. The one time most popular politician’s descend was a severe blow to the family that enjoyed a solid base and an unshakeable grasp on the grassroots, especially during the past two decades. Gotabaya received a mandate with a huge majority for stabilizing national security, economic development, mainly due to the influence of his charismatic brother; a fact that President Gota whom the voters placed their trust upon, conveniently chose to forget. The arrogant character even requested his elder brother and mentor to relinquish Premiership in his desperate attempt to stay in power.
Rajapaksa dynasty commenced its political journey in 1930/40s with great men in the calibre of DM and DA brothers. They had wealth and nationalism, and the charisma to win elections. The second generation Rajapaksas, especially, the children of DM, [Lakshman and George possessed all of above qualities and were men with integrity. They represented and served the downtrodden masses of Giruwapatthu from the late 1930s, to 1970s. However, the other brother’s children [Don Alvin’s] after climbing to the zenith in ruling echelons, they commenced manipulating things.
Protests, Invasions, Merry-making and Mob violence
On Saturday 9th July, massive crowds from all parts of the island joined the Aragalaya in Colombo: the youths broke into President’s official residence and also occupied his secretariat in Galle Face. Political party leaders joined mass agitators in calling both the leaders to resign. Aragalists invaded six-time PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence. He was appointed as PM in May by Gota, to restore international credibility that would help negotiate a rescue package with the International Monetary Fund and other agencies.
A determined movement of protests by youth branded themselves ‘Aragalayists’ demanded a new political culture, a ‘system change’ as they called it. It’s an unprecedented amazing moment where thousands of people from all walks of life coming and serenely protesting for months due to the economy being disgustingly mishandled by our politicians led by Rajapaksas, their cronies and some bureaucrats. According to what we experienced last week the peaceful protesters turned mobs had its way, which is an alarming development and a disturbing signal. They invaded three, [two state and one private] TV stations and was seen dictating and threatening the staff on how they would perform duties in the future giving priority to Aragalaya ideology. Quite a large number of items with archeological value in the historic Governor’s residence have been left vandalized.
The mob behavior that was seen last week will cause anxiety and lack of confidence amongst the Aid Agencies and would only set hurdles for the authorities in negotiating for Dollars. The mob was unruly and inconsiderate: it can conceivably be explained as reckless men and women who unwisely thought that they could rule the nation from outside the parliament and wanted to decide the destiny of the nation by themselves. Millions of peace-loving Lankans were stunned and remain flabbergasted as they did not approve violence. The voice of wisdom by the politically matured was not heard in the electronic media, as they only focused on the acts of protesters. A stable political set up receiving maximum people’s support is a sine qua non with the taking over by a New Executive, provided the cabinet constitutes men with integrity and honesty. [Are there any within?] They should be able to function with courage of conviction that people would support them.
Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, initiated complicated negotiations with IMF and other financial institutions, and friendly countries to find money to fill the coffers. However, it is rather unfortunate that he lacked both popularity and public support for his efforts. Protesters believed his appointment as PM was simply to alleviate part of the pressure exerted on Gotabaya to resign. The family members who held all top positions in governance have been mostly responsible for the economic adversity faced. Political scientists and analysts are suspicious whether any leader who replaces the Rajapaksas could overcome the continuing disasters. They even fear that the prevailing political vagueness, mob rule and insecurity will last intensifying the crisis situation.
The large majority, though remained within indoors, unconditionally showered their blessing on the protesters right from the beginning. However, the invasion of ‘Palace’, and taking pleasure in swimming, playing games, cooking food and other merry-making and their joyful mood raised many an eye brow. Are they the real sufferers? Since vacating the place, they are having a picnic at Galle Face. Their behavior makes one to take a dispassionate view at the turn of events. When controversial US President Donald Trump lost, his supporters attempted to prevent the peaceful taking over by Joe Biden as the next president by invading the historic Capitol Hill in the USA; all similar events can be interpreted as sort of gang rule. Even if the economic concerns get optimistically sorted out within a few years, the political issues that the disaster has ‘invented’ could create added grave issues, unless the new administration under a new Executive introduces better principles and values for the sake of the country.
The former journalist, Dullas Alahapperuma, has the support of ex-foreign minister GL Peiris and received a fresh boost from opposition leader Sajitha Premadasa. Will this steer him to victory on Wednesday?
ullas Alahapperuma of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party is one of the candidates who is in the race to become the Sri Lankan president. The presidential election was triggered when Gotabaya Rajapaksa, of the same party, fled to Singapore in the face of public wrath.
The 63-year-old lawmaker is a former journalist who first served as a minister in 1994. Dullas served as minister of mass media and a cabinet spokesperson after winning from a provincial constituency in 1993 polls. He also served as provincial minister for cultural affairs.
Before joining active politics, Alahapperuma worked in radical Sinhala tabloids – Lakdiva and Lakmina.
He is married to singer Pradeepa Dharamadasa who once in an 2008 interview with Lankan news outlet Sunday Observer said that she prefers the journalist Alahapperuma rather than the politician Alahapperuma.
He has contested from southern Sri Lanka’s Matara since 2016. He was an ally of the Rajapaksas but resigned when Rajapaksa dissolved the cabinet in April when the protests against the government gained momentum.
Dullas Alahapperuma believes that Sri Lankans should not suffer anymore from the hardships that have surfaced due to the economic collapse the citizens find themselves in. He earlier said that the solutions for the problems Sri Lankans are facing should be addressed within ‘a democratic constitutional political framework.’
It was former foreign minister GL Peiris who pushed the SLPP to back Alahapperuma. The party initially decided to back Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) but there was resistance within the SLPP towards Wickremesinghe.
On Tuesday, Alahapperuma received another boost from opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajitha Premadasa who said he will withdraw his bid from the presidential elections and alongwith his party extend support to the politician from Matara.
Earlier, according to a report by CNN-News18, Premadasa acquired the support from 55 MPs of his own party and also was likely to gain more MPs to support his bid with the help of minority Tamil and Muslim MPs. This would take his tally of supporting MPs to 80, leaving him 33 short of the required mark.
The report also said that despite being in the cabinet Alahapperuma kept a healthy distance from the Rajapaksas which played a role in helping him earn the backing of party members.
It now remains to be seen if on Wednesday Dullas Alahapperuma can get those MPs by his side. With a section of the SLPP supporting him, steered by GL Peiris, there are chances he could finish the race and become the next president.
It, however, will depend if the parties can discipline their MPs to vote for one candidate.
The report by CNN-News18 also pointed out that Premadasa would likely be chosen as the next prime minister if Alahapperuma agrees to abolish ‘Executive Presidency’ if he wins on Wednesday.
With the exceptional success of the Aragalaya protests many politicians and academics have developed and aversion to the Presidential System of Government. (PSG). But Aragalaya hostility was not on the PSG but against Gotabhaya Rajapakse and of course the Rajapakse clan which is now extended against Ranil W. Many parties tried to read systems change element into Gota go home cry which was not correct. Until their final success the Aragalaya focused on the single objective to send Gota home which was an adroit strategy. Only with their success have they demanded pending the enactment of a new Constitution, the setting up of an interim administration where there is legal binding for representatives of the Peoples Struggle to intervene/create an impact, followed up with consequential demands.
It is only in their demand 4.1 where the Aragalaya refer to the system of governance where they demand merely to reduce the executive powers.
It was a pleasure to see Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka recently defending the post of President against the popular will of the party of which he is the Chairman. His argument was based on the significance of national security on which his expertise cannot be questioned. The demand for the abolition of the President has come mainly from parties, which miserably failed in the attempt to capture the post. The Gotago movement was more on the holder than on the post of the President.
The presidential system(PSG) is the dominant form of government in the mainland Americas, with 19 of its 22 sovereign states being presidential republics. In the world approximately 5 out of 8 billion people are ruled by presidential or semi presidential systems. The most recent, much researched, and unhurried and universally acclaimed Constitution of South Africa, under Nelson Mandela opted for a Presidential system. India the largest democracy in the world is moving towards a Presidential system which Shashi Tharoor says ‘ Never has the separation of powers between executive and legislative organs been more necessary than today. Only a truly presidential system could keep the excesses India has been subjected to in check.”
In the 1980s and 1990s, all the new aspirant democracies in Latin America and Asia (Korea and the Philippines) have chosen pure presidentialism and out of approximately twenty-five countries that now constitute Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, only three- Hungary, the new Czech Republic, and Slovakia-have chosen pure parliamentarianism. Most countries which have retained parliamentary systems are Kingdoms or remnant of the British regime.
This is a recent comment by Dr Dayan Jayatilleke on the PSG.
Latin America and Southeast Asia have witnessed far more autocratic rule than has Sri Lanka so far – for instance that of Pinochet, Suharto and Park Chung Hee—but no Latin American or Far Eastern revolutionary, radical, leftist, progressive or democrat has advocated the abolition of the presidency, and many have run for and been elected President without regarding it as their duty to abolish the office!
Every single centrifugal, supremacist act that dragged this country from being ahead of the rest of South Asia to lagging behind it, took place under Ceylon’s/Sri Lanka’s Westminster model.
Not a single such piece of discriminatory legislation was promulgated under the 1978 Constitution (and the system of proportional representation).
In the USA, the executive is checked not by commissions consisting of unaccountable NGO members, but by legislative oversight in the form of strong Congressional committees. In Sri Lanka, that would forestall any backlash.”
If at all the fault is not in the system but in the holders of the powerful post.
1. PS ensures the Sovereignty of the People and their right of Franchise. It is the best measure of the popular will of a nation. Sovereignty of the people implies the sovereignty of the all the people of the nation. It cannot be fragmented. A President is elected by all the people of the country whereas a Prime Minister is elected as a member of Parliament from a particular constituency and then chosen as the Prime Minister by a majority of the elected members of the Parliament. The election of a President is the only test of the popular will of a nation. For example a Prime Minister elected from an urban constituency cannot claim to represent the popular will of the nation. The selection process of a President is more rigorous than the selection process of a Prime Minister or Cabinet Ministers. He or She has to be of a person of exceptional skills with a national appeal. A President has to be conscious of the needs of the minorities and minorities can become the deciding factor as experienced in Sri Lanka in the past. The probability of a President being a more effective leader is higher than that of a Prime Minister.
2. Guarantees Stability:Presidential elections are held on a fixed date whereas in the Parliamentary system elections are held at the will of the Prime Minister and the party in power. A fixed period of governance ensures the stability of the state. Fringe parties, which dictate terms to governments, have less destabilizing space in a Presidential system. In a Parliamentary system the Prime Minister is only primus inter pares. Especially in coalition governments, like what we have had in Sri Lanka the Prime Minister has to yield to minority demands that are not in the interest of the nation. This could lead to conflicting and destabilizing outcomes. A President has to watch only major political trends whereas a Prime Minister in a coalition government has to appease fringe parties in order to hold power. This is a typical feature in Sri Lanka politics. A President who is elected by all of the People can prevent special interest groups or ideologues from diverting public policy into immoderate or non-public-interested directions.
3. Ensures Separation of Power.: The Montesquieu principle of separation of power asserts that, to most effectively promote liberty, executive, legislative and Judicial powers must be separate and act independently. Separation of powers prevent the concentration of power in one branch of government by providing for “checks” and “balances” to avoid, over-reaching by one branch over another, and governing by one actor without regard to the others.
In the Constitution of Sri Lanka the principle of separation of power is recognized and the separate powers are assigned to the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. A weakness in the SL scheme is that the executive cabinet is formed with members of the legislature. This also prevents the best talent in the country to be harnessed for the development of the country.
In the Parliamentary system the executive is selected by the legislature and acts closely with the legislature. There are no effective checks and balances between the two powers as in a presidential system.
4. Provides Legitimacy: The Prime Minister as mentioned earlier, is elected by a single constituency which may not reflect the interests of the wider population. This is a very significant issue where Prime Ministers represent urban constituencies. A Prime Minister who is normally the leader of his party has only to exercise his leader of the party position to be accepted as the prime ministerial candidate. This requires manipulative skills more than national leadership qualities. There is a legitimacy deficit in the selection of a Prime Minister. Direct election by the people is vital for legitimacy. Even the strongest parliamentary regimes lack this prerequisite.
5.EncouragesTwo Party Systems of Government
A presidential system tends to engender a two party system reinforcing stability and enhancing democracy. The advantage of a two party system is that it results in a high degree of moderation in a political system. When there are only two political they are inclined to be usually moderately left of center and moderately right of center. When there are many small parties as we have in Sri Lanka the small parties, based mainly on ethnicity they exploit racial, ethnic, linguistic, and religious differences to try to gain popularity and power.
The presidential system tends to bipolarize elections, so that the system is one that has “two principal poles, each composed of several separate parties forced to cooperate with each other in order to win the presidential election and to govern with a parliamentary majority which reflects that cooperation.” We can observe this development in the many Sandanayas formed to contest the forthcoming Presidential elections.
6. Ensures Speed and Proficiency in decision-making: A strong Presidency is capable of making prompt and radical decisions than a cabinet led by a Prime Minister. It is doubtful if the open market policy, poverty alleviation and more importantly the successful war effort against the Tamil separatists could have been made other than a strong Presidency. A President is more effective in a crisis situation, which demands swift and decisive action.
7. In Sri Lanka the President plays an indispensable role in the devolution of powers to the Provinces. Presidency becomes the anchor which firmly holds the link between the Provinces and the Center. This unique status of the EP was clearly stated in the following wording in the Supreme Court determination on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.”
The Governor is appointed by the President and holds office in accordance with Article 4(b) which provides that the executive power of the People shall be exercised by the President of the Republic, during the pleasure of the President (Article 154B(2)). The Governor derived his authority from the President and exercises the executive power vested in him as a delegate of the President. It is open to the President therefore by virtue of Article 4(b) of the Constitution to give directions and monitor the Governor’s exercise of this executive power vested in him. Although he is required by Article 154F(1) to exercise his functions in accordance with the advice of the Board of Ministers, shall be on the President’s directions and that the decision of the Governor as to what is in his discretion shall be final So long as the President retains, the power to give directions to the Governor regarding the exercise of his executive functions, and the Governor is bound by such directions superseding the advice of the Board of Ministers and where the failure of the Governor or Provincial Council to comply with or give effect to any directions given to the Governor or such Council by the President under Chapter XVII of the Constitution.”
The Yahapalana government did its utmost to whittle down the powers of the President and transfer most executive powers to the Prime Minister. To their dismay the Supreme Court held that it cannot be done without a referendum on the argument that transfer, relinquishment or removal of power attributed from one organ to another organ or body would be inconsistent with Article 3 of the constitution read with Article 4 of the Constitution .(However on the same grounds SC did not consider the reduction of powers given in the Constitution to the President a violation of the Sovereignty of the People). Presidency is not without criticisms. But most of these criticism apply to Prime ministerial governments as well. A major complain is that presidency produces authoritarian governments. This has been the chief objection to the former Presidents of Sri Lanka as well. In Asia Indira Gandhi of India and Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore were considered highly dictatorial. Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Hun Sen of Cambodia were considered despots. Margaret Thatcher of the mother of parliaments was an autocrat.
When the President is from a different party from that of the Prime Minister there can be friction similar to what has happened during the tenure of the former governments of Maithripala and CBK.. This would not take place if the President is an independent candidate or the President after elections leaves his party.
While an errant Prime Minister can be removed with a vote of no confidence (in Sri Lanka even by suspending standing orders like how MR was sacked under five minutes) an EP cannot be removed from his post without following the exact practice laid down in the Constitution, including an inquiry by the Supreme Court. While this may not be meet desperate situations (like the no confidence motion on Premadasa) this practice provides stability to the post of President. As he/she is elected by the people his/her removal should rightly be approved at a referendum. (Not by an Aragalaya).
Another accusation cited is that a President is not responsible to the Parliament. The Constitution states that the president is responsible to Parliament and can be impeached by the legislature if that body approves the measure by a two-thirds vote and the Supreme Court also calls for his or her removal from office. Members of the Cabinet are members of the Parliament. Parliament has power over finance.
The success of a President depends largely on the quality of the holder. He/she should be of high intellect, ethical, professional and gifted with a high degree of emotional intelligence. Let Sri Lanka not be a country which has backpedaled to a Parliamentary system from a Presidential system. We are good at backpedaling. It is noted that no country which had adopted a presidential system of opted out of the presidential system. In changing back to Westminster system which does not now seem to be working efficiently even in UK, Sri Lanka will establish again a dysfunctional first for which we are getting world famous.
‘For forms of Government let fools contest. Whate’er is best administered is best.’ Alexander Pope.
In recent times, one of the topics of discussion in regional politics including Bangladesh is the economic and political disaster in Sri Lanka. Since early 2022, this issue has been the subject of extensive discussion in both national and international level.
Bangladesh’s story is different from others
The worsening economic crisis that Sri Lanka and many other nations are experiencing does not threaten Bangladesh with a debt catastrophe. More than 10 nations face the possibility of an economic collapse due to rising inflation, debt, and borrowing costs.
Canadian news organization Visual Capitalist recently identified 25 nations that are vulnerable to debt risk using information from Bloomberg.
According to the report, Sri Lanka is not the only nation now experiencing financial difficulty. Russia, Zambia, Suriname, Lebanon, and other countries are currently in arrears. Belarus is another nation that is in danger of becoming bankrupt. However, the list goes on. Twelve additional nations are in danger due to rising inflation, debt, and borrowing costs. The vulnerable countries are as follows: Argentina, Ukraine, Tunisia, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, SL Salvador, Pakistan, Belarus, Ecuador. Bangladesh isn’t on the list.
Bangladesh approach for ‘not to face Sri Lanka like crisis’
Government officials’ travel abroad is restricted, the taka is devalued, remittances are rewarded with cash, and luxury goods are taxed, all of which help Bangladesh build up its foreign exchange reserves so it can easily meet import demand. In the meantime, the government’s policy of raising exports and lowering imports helps the economy recover.
The impact of COVID-19 on the economy, which is already constrained by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, cannot be denied. The latter has made things more difficult for developing nations like Bangladesh as well as escalating the global economic crisis.
In order to support the COVID-19 and the war-damaged economy, the nation must give controlling inflation equal priority to improving the export-import ratio.
Although the country has enough reserves to cover the minimum three-month import payment, the depletion of the foreign reserve may become a concern if it continues to decline. Here, the adoption of strategic interventions at all levels of budget management becomes necessary as part of a comprehensive economic plan to control and repair the economy. Bangladesh has already taken the policy of ‘cost minimization’.
On May 17, 2022, while presiding over a meeting of Bangladesh’s National Economic Council, the country’s prime minister gave advice to the ministries and divisions about how to implement development projects without going overboard with spending.
She underlined the importance of completing only critical projects and postponing low-priority ones for the time being in order to prevent pressure on the national economy from the current global crisis. This order continues a number of other policy directives and orders from the head of government to address the COVID-affected economic problem. It is not a stand-alone issue.
Over the past few months, Bangladesh’s a vested quarter, inspired by the events in Sri Lanka, have begun to expect that Bangladesh is heading towards a Sri Lankan economic status. They also expected that if that situation arose, the people of Bangladesh would take the field like the people of Sri Lanka to remove the government from power. But all those false ideas of theirs did not prove to be true at all. Ever since Sri Lanka’s economic disaster, the Awami League government under the leadership of the BD Prime Minister has strongly presented the argument that the economy of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are vastly different.
Moreover, development aid organizations in Bangladesh have repeatedly said that there is no logical reason for the situation in Bangladesh to be similar to that of Sri Lanka. Those who make such false assumptions must first understand the fundamental difference between the economy of Bangladesh and the economy of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s economy is largely dependent on the tourism industry.
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has collapsed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that has been ongoing for more than two years. As a result, the country’s foreign exchange reserves began to decrease and the government began to pick up speed in importing fuel and other commodities. At one point the government was forced to stop all imports. As a result, there was a lot of anger among the people.
But, the main pillar of Bangladesh’s economy is garments and foreign exchange sent by expatriates. Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves are in a much stronger position than other South Asian countries. In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, many assumed that remittances to Bangladesh would decline as many expatriates lost their jobs in the early stages of the pandemic. However, due to the diplomatic success of the government, Bangladeshi workers have returned to their workplaces in a short span of time and are sending foreign exchange at the same rate.
As a result, there is absolutely no possibility of a situation like Sri Lanka in Bangladesh’s economy in the current situation. Moreover, even though the level of corruption of the Rajapakse dynasty in Sri Lanka has reached the highest level, no action has been taken against them by the government. As a result, there was great anger among the people.
Although there are allegations of corruption in some cases in Bangladesh, no such situation has arisen. Besides, no such complaint is found about the Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh and his family members. As a result, there is no anger among the people. As a result, it can be said with certainty that there is absolutely no possibility of a Sri Lanka-like situation in Bangladesh in the near future.
Global economic crisis as a reality and Bangladesh case
It is good to say here that for the last two years, the economy of the major countries of the world has been disrupted due to the ravages of the Covid-19 epidemic and now Russia-Ukraine war. Because the impact of covid has not only fallen on the health sector, it has disrupted all other sectors including the economy and education. However, due to the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister of the Government of Bangladesh, on the one hand it has been able to deal with the health threat of Covid very successfully, as well as on the other hand it has been able to put its economy on a solid footing.
Post-Covid-19, there has been a global economic recession. Keeping that in mind, the government has already undertaken some financial reform programs. The hope is that several economic reform programs have already been undertaken by the Bangladesh Bank and the government keeping the global recession in mind.
The economy of Bangladesh is now standing on a solid foundation. As the economy struggles to recover from the shock of the coronavirus, the Russia-Ukraine war has made that struggle even more difficult. Although the economy of Bangladesh is going through a difficult time. Commodity prices are rising, inflationary pressures have become difficult to handle, reserves have fallen below $40 billion after two years, and the government is under severe pressure on electricity and fuel, but initiatives taken by the BD government in tackling the temporary crisis may be effective. Many people think that this crisis will lead Bangladesh to Sri Lanka. But Sri Lanka’s crisis and Bangladesh’s crisis are not the same. Sri Lanka’s crisis began before the Ukraine war. And the current crisis due to the war is not only of Bangladesh, but of the whole world. The current crisis is actually imported. The crisis will fluctuate with the international market. The BD government has adopted austerity policy to deal with the crisis. There really is no other way. Efforts were made to prevent the deterioration of reserves by reducing imports and increasing exports. As long as the effects of the war last, it must on the whole be thrifty, the rush of demand. War is like a storm. Whose touch will be in everyone’s house. If your house is strong, you will feel less windfall. Bangladesh’s economic base is very strong now, so the storm of war may not blow it away, but the blow will be less.
One thing is quite clear in economic language and in terms of economic figures that any country taking on global debt of up to 70% of its core GDP will not face economic ruin. Bangladesh’s current debt to gross domestic product (GDP) is 44%. Although the foreign debt has increased by 21.8%, while the import expenditure has increased by 44% in the global downturn and the foreign exchange reserves have already fallen, Bangladesh ranks 41th economy in the world. The position is just after India. According to new data IMF, Bangladesh and India were the only two South Asian countries considered to be part of the 50 largest economies of the world.
Reserves have stood under 40 billion. Reserve gone – I don’t see any reason to make a fuss because the reserve has gone. Because the hard truth is, when the current AL government took power, how much was the reserve? That comparison is now more than double. (I am not being effusive in praising the government, that is the hard truth) So reserves should not be a problem at all. At that time, the state had three months’ worth of import expenditure compared to seven months at present. However, the Bangladesh government has already settled import payments worth 1.99 billion dollars with the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) last week. Reserves have been reduced mainly after sanctioning import payments. Through ACU, member countries settle import payments for their regional transactions. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are members of ACU.
Just as we cut our family expenses in times of danger, the state also has to cut back. Sri Lanka borrowed more than it could afford, and built a watchdog scheme on that debt without knowing if it would be reciprocated. Wrong policies have reduced crop production. There is no such crisis in Bangladesh. Economists have already explained why Bangladesh will not become Sri Lanka with various statistics. Even in the common eye, we understand that Bangladesh is not Sri Lanka and will never be. If you love your country, then it is the responsibility of all of you to work to overcome the crisis from your own respective places
Manohara de Silva, PC, says the rejection by the US of a visa application by Gotabaya Rajapaksa towards the tail end of the latter’s presidential term may allow Western powers to arrest him in terms of the Geneva Resolution.
The President’s Counsel emphasised that the Geneva Resolution authorised universal jurisdiction by accepting the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner conducted that investigation, in terms of the Geneva Resolution (A/HRC/25/1), adopted in Match 2014.
Sri Lanka co-sponsored Geneva Resolution on Oct 01, 2015, brought in by the US. The UNHRC consists of 47 countries, divided into five zones.Responding to The Island queries, de Silva said the possibility of Western powers moving against the wartime Defence Secretary couldn’t be ruled out, especially against the backdrop of declaration in the House of Commons that the ex-President should be arrested.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, last week told the House of Commons that an international arrest warrant should be issued in respect of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his cronies.Scottish National Party MP Alyn Smith told the House of Commons that though the President had fled Sri Lanka, he couldn’t flee accountability. Smith asked the UK Minister for Asia and the Middle East, Amanda Milling, whether she agreed that the President, and those officials who had been complicit in acts of humanitarian abuses, would and must be held accountable, and would the UK contribute to those international efforts?”
Sri Lanka brought the war to a successful conclusion on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon on the morning of 19 May 2009.De Silva, who was a member of the expert team that prepared a new draft Constitution, said the US might have one if its allies carry out the arrest. President Rajapaksa left the country in an SLAF plane for the Maldives, less than 24 hours after protesters overran the President’s House, and from there flew to Singapore, from where he sent his letter of resignation, through the Sri Lankan mission in Singapore.
Rajapaksa relinquished his US citizenship ahead of the last presidential election, in Nov 2019. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution barred foreign passport holders from contesting either presidential or parliamentary polls.
India also categorically denied having any role in facilitating the departure, or travel, of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from Sri Lanka.De Silva said that whatever the political differences, the vast majority of people certainly didn’t want the West to prosecute political leaders, and the military, under any circumstances.
Responding to another query, the top lawyer said that actually political parties represented in Parliament and other stakeholders should explain their stand on the contentious issue at hand.Since Sri Lanka co-sponsored the Geneva Resolution, eight years ago, the US and Australia denied visas to several top officers, both serving and retired. Among them were Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka (US/retired), Maj. Gen. Udaya Perera (US/retired) and Maj. Gen. Chagie Gallage (Australia/serving). The US also blacklisted General Shavendra Silva in Feb 2020.
De Silva said that Sri Lanka should, at least now, rethink its response to the Geneva threat. Those who had been in political authority, particularly since Nov 2019 till 09 July 2022, should be ashamed that Lord Naseby’s disclosures, pertaining to unsubstantiated war crimes accusations, were never properly used to counter lies propagated by interested parties, de Silva added.
SLPP lawmaker Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera said that the government should address the issue without delay. Western powers could exploit the ex-President predicament to humiliate Sri Lanka, experiencing a severe financial-political-social crisis, the former Public Security Minister told The Island.
The Colombo District MP said that the previous leadership neglected the accountability issue. The government’s failure to do so has now created an environment conducive for interested parties to go after top political and military leaders, Weerasekera said. Parliament, too, should look into this matter, the MP said, adding that current political imbroglio was not an excuse for abandoning the President.
A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued declaring a state of emergency across the island with effect from today (July 18).
The state of emergency has been declared in a proclamation by Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe in terms of Article 40(1)(C) of the Constitution, by virtue of the powers vested in him by Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), as amended by Act No. 8 of 1959, Law No. 6 of 1978 and Act No. 28 of 1988.
It states the public emergency in Sri Lanka has been declared in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.
Similarly, a nationwide state of emergency had also been declared last Wednesday after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had left the country and flown to Maldives and protesters surrounded the office of the Prime Minister.
Sri Lanka has not reached any initial agreement with the IMF on debt relief, and its largest creditors -the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank – are urged to come up with a package that would speed up its debt restructuring process, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China Palitha Kohona told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.
He also called for more assistance from partners after the debt-ridden country claimed bankruptcy and imposed a state of emergency amid escalating protests and persisting shortage of daily necessities.
The IMF visited Sri Lanka at the end of last month, and judging by report we received the official discussions were very satisfactory. We have appointed a team of legal advisors in London, and team of experts who understand debt restructuring from the West,” Kohona said. But he noted that discussions with the IMF are only at a preliminary stage, and once the new government is installed, there will be new arrangement for the next meeting with the IMF.
Kohona said it is hoped that terms and conditions attached to the IMF package will not be onerous.”
It’s inevitable whenever the IMF comes along we will have to tighten our belt, but in some cases it’s difficult because the belt is already on the last notch. We’re worried that the IMF may insist that we curtail our state-fund health care system. The education system which is free from grade one to university level might be another area the IMF recommends to cut. These may add to the unrest,” Kohona explained.
Sri Lanka’s largest creditors are international financial organizations like the World Bank and the ADB, and a substantial amount is also owed to other institutional investors from the West, for example the Wall Street. While calling on those organizations to take a bigger role, Kohona also hopes more bilateral partners will provide more assistance to help the country overcome its difficulties.
China and Japan each held about 10 percent of Sri Lankan debt. Kohona disclosed that about $1 billion, out of Sri Lanka’s $7 billion foreign debt obligations for this year, is due to China.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing on Friday that Chinese financial institutions have actively approached and negotiated with Sri Lanka after the country stopped debt repayment, expressing willingness to properly settle matured debts owed to China and help it overcome difficulties.
China is ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to continue to play a positive role in supporting Sri Lanka’s response to current difficulties and efforts to ease debt burden and realize sustainable development,” Wang said, adding that as a friend and neighbor, China has been providing assistance for its socioeconomic development to the best of our capacity.
Recently, China has announced a total of 500 million yuan ($74 million) emergency humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka. On Thursday, the second batch of emergency humanitarian grain aid – 1,000 tons of rice – from China was handed over to Sri Lanka.
There have been large-scale protests about the government because of the severe material and energy shortages that Sri Lanka is facing, Kohona noted. Sri Lanka faces a gap in cooking oilfertilizer, medicine, and even food stocks, which poses a huge challenge to Sri Lankans’ basic household cooking, transportation, medical needs, and preparation for the upcoming cultivation season.
On Thursday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa officially resigned after landing in Singapore, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed as acting president. Wickremesinghe declared a state of emergency across the country.
Kohona noted there are still protests in Sri Lanka against Wickremesinghe, and he is not clear whether the acting president will continue to hold this office for much longer. This is very unsatisfactory, because the leadership of the country suddenly comes into question. So we are hoping that the constitutional provisions will be followed, and elections have to be held within a specified period to elect a new president,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s parliament will vote on a new president on July 20, according to the speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament.
Kohona said he is confident that whatever government in power will maintain excellent relations with China.”
China is the major trading partner and investor of Sri Lanka, we have a strategic partnership between the two countries, whoever takes over the government after an election will maintain the confidence of the Chinese government as well as the goodwill of the Chinese people,” he noted.
In recent years, Chinese-invested projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) such as the Hambantota Port have largely improved local people’s livelihood and propelled the country’s growth.
On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka held a video conference with Chinese firms in Sri Lanka, guiding them on how to strengthen security work and cope with demonstration and safety events. Kohona said there has been no threat to Chinese projects or Chinese personnel in Sri Lanka.
BRI investments are critical in Sri Lankan economy after the situation stabilizes. It not only brought foreign exchange, but also generated employments,” he said, adding that the embassy is encouraging a number of Chinese renewable energy companies to establish projects in Sri Lanka.
The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa says that he cannot lie and promise that relief can be given to the people immediately, within the current economic bankruptcy the country is facing.
A special meeting between representatives of the citizen’s struggle protest movement and the opposition leader took place this morning (18) at the opposition leader’s office in Colombo.
During this week, the process of appointing the successor president of this country is ongoing while the members of citizen’s struggle informed their position to the opposition leader.
Speaking further, the opposition leader said that an interim government should be formed to achieve certain goals through a program.
Premadasa also said that although the activists had set dates for the interim governments, if the goals were not met within the relevant period, that government would also fail.
Sajith Premadasa further commented,
We don’t have a big issue with this policy, and I would like to tell you that there is another matter in this. I can’t lie that the people will get relief at once during a time when the country is in economic bankruptcy. Basic human needs such as gas, fuel, fertiliser, milk powder, essential food will be provided properly. That is different. Actually, the entire country is bankrupt. Today the country has gone down to zero from the financial side. That is the true story. So, these things have to be done systematically. It is not because of the decisions taken by me, and us. Also, to achieve justice, people need to have financial strength.”
But I strongly agree with you, human and economic administration and management should happen in this country. I am not a person who believes in the theory of strengthening the capitalist class that creates neoliberal capitalists. We expect a balanced economic management. This situation is very serious. We think that as a first step, we have to give a dollar stimulus to the gas, fertilizer, fuel and banking system. We have studied all these. The truth of the matter is that we need to get IMF support. We can’t go forward without it. They have their conditions. For example, market price formulas should be brought. Then surely people will confront difficulties. This is a very confusing situation. But we have the ability to manage this although with difficulties.”
Sri Lanka’s acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said the country’s previous administration was covering up facts” about its crippling financial crisis.
Former leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government did not tell the truth, that Sri Lanka was bankrupt” and needed to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF),” Wickremesinghe told CNN from parliament in the nation’s administrative capital Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Monday.
I would like to tell the people I know what they are suffering,” he added. We have gone back. We have to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. We don’t need five years or 10 years. By the end of next year let’s start stabilizing, and certainly by 2024 let’s have a functioning economy which will start growing.”
Wickremesinghe’s exclusive interview with CNN was his first with an international news organization since he was appointed acting president by former leader Rajapaksa, who fled the crisis-hit country last week.
Wickremesinghe added he that had spoken to Rajapaksa since he first fled Sri Lanka for Maldives, and then traveled to Singapore. However, Wickremesinghe said he does not know whether the former leader is still in Singapore, or elsewhere.
Wickremesinghe is now vying to be Sri Lanka’s next president, with parliament set to elect a new leader on Wednesday.
The former six-time prime minister, who is being backed by the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna political party, will face off against at least three other candidates.
But Wickremesinghe’s nomination has threatened to inflame an already volatile situation in the South Asian nation of 22 million.
Since March, Sri Lanka has been brought to its knees by a growing economic crisis that has left the country struggling to buy essential imports, including fuel, food and medicine.
Protesters have taken to the streets to demand the resignations of the country’s leaders and last week appeared to have scored a victory when Rajapaksa vowed to resign, then fled the country after thousands of demonstrators stormed his residence, and some swam in his pool. Wickremesinghe’s private residence was set on fire by angry protesters shortly after.
Wickremesinghe — prime minister before Rajapaksa stepped down — vowed to resign to make way for a unity government.
He told CNN that his torched home and much of its contents were not salvageable.
He lost more than 4,000 books, including some that were centuries old, Wickremesinghe said. A 125-year-old piano was also destroyed in the fire, he added.
But despite this, on Monday, he reiterated his desire to compete for the top position, telling CNN that he was not the same administration.”
I’m not the same, people know that,” he said. I came here to handle the economy.”
When asked why he wanted to be president and make himself a further potential target, Wickremesinghe said: I don’t want this happening in the country. What happened to me I don’t want others to suffer … Certainly I don’t want that to happen to anyone else.”
Meanwhile, life for Sri Lankans remains chaotic as they navigate the country’s paralyzing crisis.
People continue to line up outside gas stations for hours — even days — desperately hoping to purchase fuel. Many local businesses are shut and supermarket shelves are increasingly barren.
As anger continues to build, Wickremesinghe said people could protest peacefully.”
Don’t obstruct the parliamentarians and the parliament from carrying out their duty,” he said.
Wickremesinghe had declared a nationwide state of emergency from Monday, in a bid to quell any possible social unrest ahead of parliament’s presidential vote on July 20.
We are trying to prevent (the police and military) from using weapons,” Wickremesinghe said.
They have been attacked on some occasions but we still told them try your best not to use weapons.”
But Wickremesinghe said he can understand what the (people of Sri Lanka) are going through.”
I told them there have been three bad weeks … And the whole system had broken down,” he said. We were not going to have gas, we were not going to have diesel. It was bad.”
Wickremesinghe said he will not let protesters to obstruct parliament from voting Wednesday, or allow more buildings to be stormed.
There has to be law and order in the country,” he said.
extradition was disregarded. 
