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The political thunderstorm They carried placards, banners and national flags to show their solidarity with him as he came home after an official visit to Washington, to face one of the biggest political storms after being elected to power. Almost all the UNF parliamentarians including the three ministers who were sacked by President Chandrika Kumaratunga were there to greet the Premier, as dozens of local and foreign journalists converged to cover the event. Speaking to journalists the Premier declared his priority would be reconvene parliament, to pursue the peace process and present the budget. "Parliament is the focal point where issues related to the peace process can be discussed," the Prime Minister declared emphasizing that peace talks could suffer a setback if Parliament did not meet. Soon after the motorcade turned out of the airport on to the main road at Katunayake, hundreds of UNF supporters mobbed the motorcade. From there onwards the 26 kilometre stretch to Temple Trees took over nine hours. Crowds virtually mobbed the motorcade forcing it to inch its way into the city. Firecrackers,
papara bands, and traditional drum beaters greeted the Prime Minister
as crowds chanted slogans and cheered him on calling him to re-summon
parliament, present the budget and go ahead with the peace process.
A visibly jet-lagged Prime Minister acknowledged his supporters
while remaining in the vehicle. In addtion to UNP parliamentarians, provincial councillors, other local councillors and party organisers were also present. UNP MP for Puttalam district, Neomal Perera told The Sunday Times that majority of the crowd had come at their own will. "I organised two buses, but since there were more people than expected we had to organise three more. The presence of the crowds was a display of the strength of the people who believe in democracy," he said. The Prime Minister ended his long day saying it took him seven hours to fly from the States to London, another seven from London to Dohar, four hours from Dohar to Colombo and nine long hours on the road from Katunayake to Colombo. Stab
in the back at home, pat on the back overseas The political uncertainties that have arisen following the sacking of three ministers, the suspension of parliament and the declaration of an emergency by President Kumaratunga have irked both Washington and London to diplomatically rebuke her for this precipitous action. "The declaration of a State of Emergency and the prorogation of Parliament by the President have prompted strong concerns for the prospects of a speedy resumption of dialogue in a complex peace process," the Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien said here. "We strongly support the commitment shown by the Prime Minister and his government to pursue this process which is at a crucial stage. These efforts have won international admiration," the minister said after a meeting with Economic Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda who arrived in London from Washington having accompanied Ranil Wickremesinghe on his US visit. Earlier in
Washington President George W Bush had clearly indicated his support
for Prime Minister Wickremesinghe after they had met at the White
House for talks scheduled before President Kumaratunga's sudden
constitutional one upmanship. "The United Kingdom reaffirms its strong support for Sri Lanka, its democratic institutions and the peace negotiations," the statement concluded. Minister Moragoda also met Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for International Co-operation and Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon and briefed them on the situation. He also had talks with Peter Mandelsson, a former minister in the Labour government and now said to be a close adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair since the recent changes at the prime minister's office at No 10. Meanwhile the travel industry here including several travel agents of Sri Lankan origin, are keeping their fingers crossed. The heavy bookings for Sri Lanka, particularly with the scheduled tour of the England cricket team starting this month, appear to be in jeopardy because of the political uncertainties. Travel agents report that passengers booked to travel to Colombo are anxiously calling to find out whether it is safe to go on tour to Sri Lanka. Though the British Government travel advisory does not suggest that it is unsafe to be in the country, media reports have spoken of a political crisis and the declaration of emergency. Television news showing scenes of armed soldiers and police out in the streets and guarding installations have had a particularly negative impact on the travel and tourism industry. This uncertainty has come at a time when travel to Sri Lanka is picking up fast. In the period January-September this year, tourist travel from the UK has increased by almost 23.5 % compared with the same period in 2002. The western European market has shown an increase of 22.3 % during this period compared with the corresponding period in 2002 and the eastern European market by a remarkable 40.4 %. SriLankan Airlines has increased its flights to 11 each week from London because of the growing market. The spate of inquiries now reaching travel agents from prospective travellers is causing concern. Security
beefed up About seven platoons from the army (a strength of about 250 personnel) were deployed in key installations such as the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Water Board, hospitals, ports and the Government Press, while the Special Task Force was kept alert to respond to any exigency. The newly appointed Secretary of Defence, Cyril Herath, a one-time Police Chief, told The Sunday Times that these security steps were taken as a precautionary measure as they feared that some groups might try to create chaos in the country. He said the
security forces had been deployed only at vital establishments but
would be sent to guard any place that could come under threat. The
Negombo and Wattala Police and Police intelligence units said they
warned authorities to tighten security at the airport as there was
an influx of outsiders to these areas in the past few months. Sri Lanka Air Force spokesman Ajantha Silva said the maximum level of security was maintained at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Shake-up
in state media under new heads Soon after taking over as chairman of Rupavahini, Harim Peiris told The Sunday Times his main mission was to create a new media culture with the emphasis being on balanced and impartial coverage. However, media watchers said the state media had taken a complete about turn snce the takeover of the Media Ministry with presidential coverage dominating news bulletins and views of the People's Alliance dominating political programmes. The Sunday Times learns that moves are under way to change heads of relevant divisions, especially programme directors who were responsible for producing political satire. Mr. Peiris said a few new\ appointments were to be made, but it would not be a major shake-up. ITN's new chairman, Newton Gunaratne said the programmes would not be changed but he had decided to fill certain top positions with "people who are loyal not to the party but to the institution". Mr. Gunaratne assured that ITN would offer a balanced coverage of news . "I don't believe that the media can make or break a government. What is important is the credibility of the institution. I have instructed the news room to keep this in mind, though we may not be able to do it 100 percent. When the President appointed us, we were specifically told that we have to assure a balanced coverage," he said. SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe said one change he made was the removal of the Director General. "We have not appointed any person. There won't be any major changes in the divisions," he said adding that the SLBC would try to give fair and impartial news to its listeners. JVP
support for Ranil ouster The deicision
was taken on Thursday at the party’s central committee meeting. The JVP also wants to convey its position to the President on the developments of the past few days and its view on the takeover of the media establishments and the change of state media officials. Meanwhile, the PA has decided to support more nationalist elements within the party to drum up support for tis latest moves. When the Desha Hitheshi Jathika Viyaparaya (DJV) held its meeting at Campbell Park on Friday, the PA which had been reluctant to permit its members to take part in the rally, shed this approach taking a more flexible stance. Mangala Samaraweera made a key speech at the Campbell Park meeting expressing the need for joint action. At the PA group meeting held after the President took over the three key ministries she promised that she would not dissolve Parliament. But a day after that the President had summoned all district organizers and told them to be prepared for any eventuality. The PA is also trying to form a new government by triggering a mass crossover from the UNF, thus avoiding a snap election. However advisors had briefed President Kumaratunga that some potential UNF defectors were now having reservations. The SLFP is also trying to reach the masses by launching a house-to-house campaign on Saturday and Sunday with all members of Parliament, organizers and representatives of grassroots organisations involved in the campaign. Two million leaflets explaining the President’s decision to take over the three ministries and the PA’s new vision have been printed to be distributed in this new publicity campaign. TULF
chief calls for CBK-Ranil joint action In a letter to the President, Mr. Anandasangaree, who has come under pressure from within a section of the party to toe the LTTE line, said what the people in the North and East need was a peaceful situation to return to their homes and live a life of normalcy. He said the best two people to join hands to bring lasting peace to the country were the current President and the Prime Minister. Mr. Anandasangaree
criticised the 1978 Constitution for the present political crisis,
describing it as a curse on the nation. He said this constitution
which allowed the President and Prime Minister to be from two rival
parties, had hindered the progress of the country as the President
could remove ministers whenever she wanted. UNF
going ahead with motion against CJ He said that although the motion was presented in parliament on Tuesday, it was not entered in the order book because the Presidential declaration on the prorogation of parliament was issued prior to that. The Speaker's comments indicate that the ruling United National Front is determined to go ahead with the motion in spite of countrywide protests by judges, judicial officers and lawyers against the move. For the first time in history, court functions were virtually brought to a standstill with all lower court judges, lawyers and court employees staging a walk out, describing the motion as an interference with the independence of the judiciary. The Registrars of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal said that although the judges had turned up, hearings could not be proceeded with as the court employees also joined the protests. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka passed a unanimous resolution, urging the withdrawal of the motion. Spokesmen for the protesting judges and lawyers said the tabling of the motion in the wake of a Supreme Court opinion reaffirmed the President's powers regarding national security and defence. Several opposition political parties also condemned the move with the JVP calling it an "underworld-type threat". It said the government move would give rise to a situation where the judiciary would not be impartial. Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader Dinesh Gunawardene told a news conference the President had backdated the date in the Proclamation to prorogue Parliament, after she learnt that the impeachment motion was handed over to the Speaker on Tuesday. He said that they were studying, whether the motion was valid in such a context. Southern
turmoil, northern ripples Soon after the President took over Defence Ministry, there were scenes of panic with people queueing up to buy essentials. Businessmen who were involved in trade in Jaffna, were either packing up to return to the South while others were cancelling their visits to the North. Sales representatives, insurance brokers, and road construction workers were among those who panicked and returned to Colombo. In Jaffna many of the guest houses and restaurants had been seriously affected with occupancy sharply dropping. Hours after the President took over the Defence portfolio security forces were seen carrying out security checks on civilians and checking National Identity cards. Civilians said it had been nearly 20 months since security forces were checking identity cards. Sri Lankans who were visiting the North after years of living abroad were seen making hurried exists in fear of being trapped in the peninsula in case hostilities broke out among LTTE cadres and armed forces. There were also reports that the LTTE was recalling its senior cadres involved in political activities operating in the peninsula. All of them had returned to the Wanni region within hours of the President taking over the defence portfolio and the imposition of emergency regulations. Most of the political offices were being manned by junior cadres or had been closed down. In the Eastern province security forces stepped up security operations, including the search of vehicles. Trading had also dropped with lorries travelling to the east keeping away. Meanwhile the LTTE reacting to unconfirmed reports about the closure of the A9 road, denied such reports but said they were keeping a close watch on the situation in the South. The LTTE has so far not issued an official statement regarding the moves made by the President, but eastern province military leader, Karuna speaking at a function in Kokadicholai said they were closely watching the situation. “The current situation in Colombo is creating fear among our people. We have been expecting this to happen for a long time," Karuna said. |
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