President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who went for the coronation of King Charles III, received a dignified welcome from King Charles. While the President took part in the discussion among leaders of Commonwealth countries, First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe joined a women’s conference. Her speech about cancer patients was appreciated by everyone.
President Wickremesinghe, reserved a part of the lobby of the hotel where they were staying to meet and discuss with the state leaders, businessmen and officials who had come for the coronation of King Charles. It was easy for the President to meet the Heads of State and businessmen as the meeting of the leaders of the Commonwealth countries was held at that venue before the coronation.
The President met many businessmen and briefed them about the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
King Charles, who came towards the President during the friendly meeting, appreciated his visit. President Wickremesinghe recalled the visit of King Charles to Sri Lanka some time ago. The President who asked if he would like to visit Sri Lanka did not forget to invite him to visit Sri Lanka again. After exchanging views on old memories and the economic conditions of the two countries, King Charles told the President that he would think about coming to Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe returned to Sri Lanka last Monday morning.
The President resumed his duties on Monday itself and attended the Cabinet meeting that evening. Before that, he held several rounds of talks at the President’s Office, and the Government parliamentary group meeting was one of them.
The President also attended the United National Party (UNP) Management Committee meeting on Tuesday evening. The President arrived a little late, but before taking his seat, he did not forget to look at Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and congratulate him on the successful conduct of May Day activities. “Everyone told me that the most well-organised May rally was the United National Party’s rally.” The President thanked everyone for their support.
“Actually, the credit should go to the General Secretary. He took it on and did it well,” Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said.
Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara also gave good support to our General Secretary, said National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka.
General Secretary Range Bandara gave a long explanation about the holding of the party’s ‘Balamandala’ and its progress. Range Bandara also briefed the President about some of the views expressed by the people when he went to Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu to set up ‘Balamandalas’ during the weekend.
“Sir, now the Tamil people are fed up with the political organisations in the North. They reject all of them. Their only hope is the President,” said Range Bandara.
“Sir, when the General Secretary was in Vavuniya, he even tamed an elephant,” said Shamal Senarath. Everyone looked at Range Bandara with curiosity.
“No, Sir, when I passed Chettikulam and came to visit Thanthirimale Nayaka Thera, there was a big traffic congestion. I found that an elephant was blocking the road. Then the animal was chased away and the road was cleared. That’s what Shamal is talking about,” Bandara said.
“No, we heard that something more than that happened,” said Ruwan Wijewardene smiling.
“The people there asked me to shoot at the elephant to drive it away. Then I shot into the air. The elephant looked at me and ran into the forest,” said Range Bandara. Everyone looked at each other when the General Secretary said that.
Later, President Wickremesinghe instructed them to continue holding the party ‘Balamandalas’. The President instructed Range Bandara to hold about 80 to 100 ‘Balamandalas’ across the country.
Range Bandara who responded said around 80 ‘Balamandalas’ could be held across the country by July.
Navin Dissanayake and Ravi Karunanayake were also there and Sirikotha officials said to one another that the President had given a hint that there would be no change in the General Secretary’s office in handing over the responsibilities of the party by asking him to hold the ‘Balamandalas’.
Dengue
Looking at the information received regarding the spread of dengue, the President ordered the health authorities and the Security Forces to immediately pay attention to it and take measures to mitigate it.
President Wickremesinghe went to the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday morning and discussed with the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka on the outcome of the meeting with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarians.
A ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) was held at the BMICH with the participation of the President, Prime Minister and officials of the Chinese Embassy.
President Wickremesinghe delivering the keynote address said that Sri Lanka will not support any task that hinders the unity of Asia. That night, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry and other ministry officials met the President to discuss the country’s 2030 foreign policy. Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka were also present at the discussion which was a dinner discussion.
It appeared to Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Sagala Ratnayaka that the President was not very impressed with the views and proposals presented by Foreign Ministry officials about the 2030 policy.
Secretary Ekanayake told Sagala, “It looks like they will to take dinner at Rahumania Hotel.” When he said that, Chief of Staff Ratnayaka could hardly contain his laughter.
President Wickremesinghe, who listened to the proposals and ideas of the officials, started analysing the country’s foreign policy from 1948.
The President pointed out how Sri Lanka joined the United Nations, Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s foreign policy and President J.R. Jayewardene’s foreign policy and then analysed the current balance of power between states.
The Foreign Ministry officials were impressed after hearing the speech analysing the economic trend in the continent of Africa and the Asian economic trend.
“We are surprised by the President’s knowledge. Actually, he should have become the President earlier. If it had happened the situation in the country would have been different,” a Foreign Ministry official told Secretary Ekanayake.
“I learned a lot,” Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told Sagala Ratnayaka while having dinner. Although they thought that they would have to eat at Rahumania Hotel, the discussion ended amicably and the President repeatedly told them to dedicate themselves to uplift the country in the eyes of the world.
President meets IMF officials
The President visited the Ministry of Finance on Thursday to meet representatives of the International Monetary Fund. Before the meeting, a friendly conversation was held for a few minutes with the Ministers who had come to the Ministry.
“The President gave a good message to the world while addressing the Commonwealth meeting,” said Minister Shehan Semasinghe. “How will domestic debt restructuring work? The Opposition is running a campaign saying that the banks are collapsing,” MP Madura Withanage asked the President.
“It is a false propaganda of the Opposition. The Governor of the Central Bank had given an assurance that the banks would not collapse. Because what is being done here is not that debt will not be paid. It’s merely to extend the repayment period.” Shehan Semasinghe said, looking at the President.
MP Wajira Abeywardene said, “The media say that four Governors have been informed by the President’s Office to resign.”
Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said, “Many of the Governors are opposed by the Members of Parliament in the Province. When the MPs of the Province oppose them, they cannot work. That’s what has happened. Otherwise, the President can ask them to resign because they work as his representative.”
When Wajira asked the President, “Will you give Governor posts to UNPers?” The President replied that he had not promised to give governorships to anyone.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga asked about the TNA talks. In response, the President said that the negotiations are not over yet. “There is no consensus among the TNA members. There is no plan. It can be seen that they are divided without an opinion,” said Sagala Ratnayaka ending the conversation.
SJB Working Committee meets
The Working Committee meeting of Samagi Jana Balawegays (SJB) was held on May 8 under the patronage of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
Chandrani Bandara: “Some people are saying that you and the SJB will join the Government to get ministerial portfolios and the premiership, is this true?”
Ravi Samaraweera: “Leader, is this story true? Please respond to this.”
Sajith explaining the situation said, “This is a complete lie. None of us wants to join this vicious Government. There is no such decision or discussion. There is no possibility to even think about such a discussion.”
The Working Committee took a unanimous decision that they should not join the oppressive Government that violates democracy and should not get positions.
It was also unanimously decided by the Working Committee that holding discussions about a merger with the Government or bringing such proposals is a serious mistake in the name of the people and that such a thing should not be done and it is absolutely prohibited.
Sajith said,”But we say only one thing. We will discuss and take decisions as a party in providing support for the progressive activities favourable to the country.”
The Working Committee then drew attention to another special point.
“In the upcoming Presidential Election, the SJB must field a candidate,” General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.
“Yes, there are no two words about it. There are no common candidates or other candidates. A candidate will be fielded by the SJB and a huge alliance will be formed for the victory of that candidate,” Sajith Premadasa said.
“That’s very good. But you should be the Leader of that alliance,” Ravi Samaraweera said adding, “It must be so.”
The Working Committee unanimously approved Ravi Samaraweera’s proposal. Following this, disciplinary action against a few people who acted outside the decisions of the party was discussed.
The Working Committee authorised Opposition Leader Premadasa to take disciplinary action in accordance with the party’s constitution against anyone who acts against the decisions of the Working Committee of the party.
Opposition Leader Premadasa visited the Colombo National Hospital on Friday morning to see social activist Piyath Nikeshala, who was injured after being attacked at Kaduwela by the former Kaduwela Deputy Mayor (Pohottuwa).
Premadasa, who inquired about his condition, spoke to several doctors on the phone and inquired about his condition. “What do you want?” If there is anything, don’t think twice. If you want any legal advice, I will refer you to our legal team,” Sajith said.
“Currently there is a group of lawyers, Sir. If you can also provide some lawyers, it would be great,” Nikeshala said.
Immediately, Sajith called two President’s Counsel. While leaving the hospital, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa did not forget to check on the health of the other patients in the hospital. A large number of nurses came to meet and talk to the Opposition Leader when they heard that he had come.
Sajith also did not forget to make a comment to journalists who were near the main gate of the hospital. “It is regrettable that such barbaric attacks are happening under this Government which has no mandate and is full of thuggery and brutality. This can be called as one of the victims of the thug movement announced to the world by Parliament.”
At present, a list of many youth who are to be assaulted is being circulated on social media. Therefore, if such atrocities are committed against the youth engaged in such a peaceful struggle, after a SJB Government comes to power, legal measures and severe punishment will be meted out to all those who resort to such thuggish politics irrespective of their positions, Premadasa said.