President looks into upcountry woes | Sunday Observer

President looks into upcountry woes

1 January, 2023

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is in Nuwara Eliya, spoke to President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake over the phone and fulfilled his duties without fail by giving instructions and guidelines to his Secretary. In Nuwara Eliya, President Wickremesinghe also celebrated Christmas. While wishing the Christians, he inquired about the disasters caused by the torrential rain that day.

In the meantime, the President came to know that after many years, the city of Kandy had been flooded. The President immediately called the President’s Secretary and instructed him to investigate the incident and report to him. Accordingly, the President’s Secretary contacted the Kandy District Secretary and summoned a report. Then the President’s Secretary got to know an important piece of information related to him by one of his friends.

It means that the place where the Kandy railway station as well as the bus stand is located today is the place where the old Bogambara Lake was located.

On the other hand, the Presidential Secretary had also received unofficial information that the side canals that take rainwater to the Mahaweli River are blocked due to unauthorised constructions. He immediately informed the President about this and the President instructed to take necessary steps after receiving the report of the District Secretary.

“Not the right time”

The President was informed by a Government official that the Election Commission was preparing to hold an election. “Sir, this is not the right time to hold elections. We have barely built the economy,” a Finance Ministry official said.

“After a few years, we have a big harvest. You have to spend more money to buy it. Food security program is also being implemented. A program has been made to help the poor. But if you give money for an election, there will be no money for this,” a Central Bank official who was there informed the President.

“Rs.10 billion has been allocated to the Election Commission from the Budget. Isn’t that money allocated for the election?,” the President asked.

“Every year in the figures, they allocate the amount of money they ask for. But the situation is not the same as before. Back then, there were 4-5 billion dollars in reserves, but not now. If a lot of money is spent on voting, there is a risk of gas queues and fuel queues again. Therefore, we suggest that the election be postponed,” the bank official pointed out.

“There is truth in the story of the Central Bank, sir. At this time, people are asking to strengthen the economy and reduce the cost of living, not to hold a vote,” said another administrative service officer who was there.

They all heard the talk but did not talk about whether there is a Presidential Election or not. In the meantime, the President came to know about an allegation against his Parliamentary Affairs Advisor Prof.Ashu Marasinghe who had already resigned from his portfolio.

The President instructed his Secretary Saman Ekanayake not to involve Prof.Marasinghe in his affairs until the charges against him were cleared.

Coal issue

Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena asked President Wickremesinghe over the phone about the coal issue.

The President directed his Secretary to investigate the issue pointed out by the Minister. When he looked into it, he discovered that a ship carrying 60,000 metric tons of coal would arrive on January 5.

Three ships are expected to arrive this month, and there is no shortage of coal. President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake informed the President and the Minister about this. He also gave another valuable instruction to the officials of the Electricity Board regarding the sparing use of electricity and how to give the message to the people of saving electricity by switching off at least one bulb in their houses.

New Secretaries

On the instructions of President Wickremesinghe, eight new Ministry Secretaries and three Provincial Secretaries were appointed recently. After that the President’s Secretary informed the Secretaries that an agreement will be signed with the Secretaries to the ministries this year. He also said that he will decide whether the Secretary will continue to be there or not based on its progress.

Milk production

President Wickremesinghe visited the Ambewela dairy farm to inquire about its current situation. A discussion was held by the governing authority to increase the production of milk there, and then the President took a decision to give another 30 acres of the vacant land in the area to this farm.

The President also received a message on social media approving a recorded audio tape with another woman who accused Prof. Ashu Marasinghe. “Sir, it is called Ditta Dhamma vedaniya Karma,” an officer present told the President’s Secretary. The President and others smiled as they greeted him and did not go to another Secretary.

Gangaramaya perahera

Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayaka and President’s Secretary Saman Ratnayake participated in the discussion about the annual Perahera at Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.

They informed the temple head Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji thera that the Government has provided the necessary support. The annual ‘Navam Perahera’ is scheduled to be held in February. Meanwhile, on the directive of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a proposal to sign free trade agreements between several states was forwarded to the respective countries. Among them were India and Thailand.

As of now, due to Thailand’s response in this regard, diplomatic negotiations are scheduled to begin in the near future. The Government has also decided to continue the negotiations that it has started with Bangladesh regarding free trade agreements.

Businessmen meet President’s Secretary

Last week, a group of Sri Lankan businessmen who have built hydropower plants in South Africa met President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and other officials. Seeing the facts pointed out by this group, the Government officials were surprised when they pointed out that it would take 10 years to earn the amount that can be brought to Sri Lanka from the field in a year from the domestic workers in the Middle East.

Here, like the Electricity Board officials, the Central Bank officials also promised to provide assistance to this group, encouraging them to improve it further. They had the problem of having to go to India to get a visa for those who were taken from Sri Lanka to work there. The President’s Secretary also promised them that he would intervene to the best of his ability to provide solutions to their problems.

President Wickremesinghe will return to Colombo today.

The public servants pledge will be given at the President’s Secretariat on January 2 to mark the start of the New Year’s duties for all public servants.

LG polls

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are continuously explaining the reasons for conducting the Local Government election early this year.

Constituent parties of the Government are also of the view that if there is no serious impact on the economy, it is not an issue of conducting the LG elections. However, some political analysts have warned if a Local Government election is held in 2023, it would become a key obstacle to restoring economic stability in the country this year.

The Patriotic United National Party (PUNP), which was recently recognised by the Elections Commission as a political party, has also requested the Election Commission Chairman to call a meeting of all political parties before announcing the Local Government election to discuss several matters pertaining to the election.

In a letter to the Chairman, Nimal Punchihewa, the PUNP Secretary Sugath Hewapathirana has said that such a meeting will be helpful to take a decision on holding of the LG poll. The announcement of the election is due to be made by the Elections Commission in the first week of January.

Hewapathirana quoting a statement by the Chairman said that Rs.10 billion will have to be spent on the election, which has become a major concern of the society amid this economic crisis.

He said parties should discuss the matters such as the electoral system, number of members to be elected, youth representation and the ability to allocate funds for the development programs via local government institutions and through such a meeting. “Such a meeting will also make it easy for the society to identify the political parties and the leaders who are greedy for power amidst this crisis,” he said.

‘Sakwala’ program

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday said that the socialist leaders who are leading a luxurious life don’t want the oppressed to rise.

He was speaking at the presentation of a bus for Urubokka National School under the SJB’s ‘Sakwala’ program. He said when the President-led Government does nothing for the education and health of the country, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya contacted the wealthy and provided buses, computers and e-classrooms for schools, and medicine for the hospitals.

The Opposition Leader said that the socialist parties of the country who claim to stand for the poor ask us whether bus drivers can become the President of the country. Premadasa said they collected millions of rupees using the youths in the country, built luxurious party offices and enjoyed themselves.

“They are jealous of the program of providing buses to schools. They are jealous that schoolchildren get some strength through the relief given to the schools in the remote areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa participating in the donation of another bus worth Rs. 5 million to the Seethawaka National School, Avissawella on Thursday said stressed that even some of these individuals slinging mud at him don’t want to bring those involved in corruption and financial irregularities to book, he wanted them to be punished and make the country free of corruption.

He said that if a bus driver has the ability, dedication and humane qualities, he can reach even higher than the position of President.

He said that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya has already started the system change aiming at the educational and health sectors as expected by the people..

“Landslide victory”

SJB Parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said a SJB led alliance will secure a landslide victory at the upcoming Local Government polls. Addressing the media recently, Kiriella said that the SJB has no intention of accepting any politician, alliance or political party that has helped the Rajapaksa family to destroy this country, to contest the upcoming election, even if they try.

Kiriella said, “The SJB, comprising the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and members of the SLPP who sit as an independent group in Parliament, is the most powerful political alliance at the moment. No political party or political alliance in the country can doubt the SJB in respect of the confidence among voters, ability, power and popularity.”

He invited the political opponents of the alliance, who inquired from the SJB about their program to save the country from the current crisis, to go through the 20-point strategic plan announced by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Parliament in early October.

Speculation on cross-overs

Speculation was rife over the past couple of days on the SJB stalwarts who are going to join the Government and once they join the Government the Cabinet of Ministers will be sworn in.

A discussion had also been conducted among the UNP seniors about who is going to join the Government from the SJB and what are the ministerial portfolios to be given to them. It has been decided if 12 SJB MPs are ready to join the Government, at this point get the support of only three MPs and take others to the Government later.

Three SJB seniors who represent Kalutara, Kegalle and Kandy districts are due to join the Government in the near future. Two of them will be given cabinet ministerial portfolios while the other will be given a state ministerial portfolio.

UNP Leader President Wickremesinghe had told a group of his close associates that those who join the Government from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya should be taken to the Government without causing any damage to the post of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Because if a large number of SJB Parliamentarians joined the Government, it would not be favourable for the Sajith Premadasa’s Opposition Leader’s post.

MR continues routine

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa still continues his routine practice of doing morning walk and exercises. Despite his busy schedule over the past so many years, it has become a common phenomenon for former Prime Minister Rajapaksa to do his daily exercises. Some days, Ministers and Parliamentarians also join with the former Prime Minister on his morning walk.

While doing his walk, former Prime Minister Rajapaksa didn’t forget to talk about the football world cup finals. He said “I have never seen a World Cup football final such as Argentina Vs France. Like Messi today, those days we proudly spoke about Argentine football player Maradona and Brazil football player Pele.

On December 30, morning, former Prime Minister Rajapaksa came to know Pele, one of the outstanding football players produced by Brazil, had passed away. Former Prime Minister Rajapaksa who was shocked about Pele’s death said that the two legends of the football world are no more. Earlier, Argentine football player Diego Maradona also passed away.

Program to educate students on parliamentary process

On the directive of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa has intervened to implement a program to educate schoolchildren on the parliamentary process. The responsibility of this task has been vested in the Communication Unit of the Parliament. Government and Opposition lawmakers who were aware of this program had informed Deputy Speaker Rajapaksa that it is very timely to educate the students on the importance of representative democracy.

 

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