SLPP Parliamentarian Wimalaweera Dissanayaka said the people have to act with restraint and understand reality. At an SLPP press conference at the party headquarters on Wednesday, the MP said the people should not be carried away by false rumours spread by groups with vested interests.
He said the Members of Parliament do not enjoy special privileges as some people think, adding that he does not have a single vehicle in his name.
He said, “Our country is in a deep crisis and we are strategically working to get out of it. People have lost human values and are wishing bad for those holding opposing political views. It is because of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the people could protest freely at Galle Face. He is the one who saved this country.”
‘Normalcy in six months’
JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that he is ready to accept the Premiership if Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa are willing to step down from their positions
At a press conference on Wednesday, Dissanayake said that he is prepared to bring normalcy to the country within a very short period. He said, “As proposed by the Prime Minister, if he steps down from the Premiership, I am ready to accept the position.”
Meanwhile, responding to a challenge by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, JVP Leader Dissanayake told Parliament on Tuesday that he is capable of bringing the country back into normalcy by forming a Government which would include Ministers and MPs from the current Parliament in six months after which a stable and reliable Government should be appointed through the people’s mandate.
Protests in Parliament
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the Parliament Chamber amid slogans chanted against him by the Opposition on Tuesday, July 5. Parliamentary sitting was adjourned for 10 minutes following the Opposition’s protest against the President. The President, who arrived at the Parliament complex, was welcomed by Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and ruling party MPs.
At that time, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was presenting the road map with proposed solutions to the economic issues. The President listened to the Prime Minister’s speech on the economy and the progress of the discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
When Premier Wickremesinghe in a sarcastic tone challenged Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take the Premier post for six months if the latter has a proper plan to resurrect the collapsed economy, the Opposition lawmakers started to protest holding placards - barinam gedara yanna (Go home if you can’t govern properly).
Although Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena tried to calm them down, the protest continued. However, Premier Wickremesinghe continued his speech. The President and Wickremesinghe were seen smiling slightly as they watched the protest. After a while, a group of ruling party MPs including S.B. Dissanayake and Mahindananda Aluthgamage approached the President’s chair. Chief Government Whip Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was seen shouting back at the Opposition while former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was seen standing up and smiling.
The Speaker, after several attempts to restore order, adjourned sittings for 10 minutes. Even after that, the Opposition lawmakers continued the protest until the President left the Chamber.
‘No plan’
Investment Promotion Minister Dhammika Perera urged Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign from his post immediately as he has no idea of the country’s cash-flow. He was speaking at a press conference called by him on Wednesday in Colombo.
Minister Perera said that the Finance Minister should resign since he has failed to implement a proper mechanism to come out of this financial burden and to end the scarcity of foreign reserves.
He said, “The Finance Minister has no plan to resolve the foreign exchange crisis, which affects all sectors. The Finance Minister is planning an economic disaster. Therefore, Ranil Wickremesinghe should immediately resign as Finance Minister.”
He accused Wickremesinghe of never allowing any project, which brings dollars to the country to move forward. Minister Perera also said that he proposed to the Finance Minister a proposal that could bring in an income of US$30 million to the country. But he said that the Prime Minister does not have any plans to bring that amount of money to Sri Lanka. Minister Perera challenged Finance Minister Wickremesinghe to come to a public debate with him on his economic plan. Minister Perera also said that he challenged Wickremesinghe to a public debate in 2019 but ran away from it in 2019.
Responding to Minister Dhammika Perera’s remarks, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said when action is being contemplated against tax evaders in the casino and gaming and betting arena, businessman-turned politician Dhammika Perera has started accusing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
At a press conference on Thursday, the former MP said the Premier presented a Bill to amend the Gaming and Betting Act to the Cabinet on Monday to prevent tax defaults by businessmen involved in those businesses. “Hurt by this move, casino owner Dhammika Perera has demanded the resignation of Wickremesinghe. Perera was appointed a Minister barely a week ago. What ground does he have to ask the PM to step down from the Finance Ministry portfolio?” he asked.
Galle Face protestors meet SLFP
Former President and SLFP Chairman Maithripala Sirisena said the protesters demanding change in governance at Galle Face have the blessings and support from the SLFP as long as they are acting within the parameters of democracy and non-violence. He said that the people will support the struggle as it is carried out in a democratic and non-violent way.
Former President Sirisena said that these peaceful protestors had an extensive meeting with the SLFP Leaders and the Party has decided to support the proposals made by the protestors.
At a meeting with a group of protestors in Colombo on Wednesday, the former President said that the SLFP endorsed the proposals put forward by the peaceful protestors for an administration free from corruption, nepotism and fraud. The parties in the Opposition and the Galle Face protestors reached a decision to have a common agreement at this meeting. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Opposition political party leaders were present.
The former President hoped that such an administration would strengthen human rights, democracy, freedom of expression and coexistence. Former President Sirisena said that the present Government may resort to many strategies to hang on to power.
Sajith meets Opposition political party leaders
Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa and Sri Lanka Freedom Party Leader former President Maithripala Sirisena met several Opposition political party leaders and civil rights activists on Monday in a fresh effort to moot a collective program to get the country out of the crisis.
The meeting was organised on the theme “National Reforms and Progress” and is aimed at finding common ground on several issues to salvage the country and bring about long-term reforms. Premadasa who addressed the meeting said whatever form a Government takes, the economic issues of the people have to be addressed urgently and a solution acceptable to all people must be found first.
He said, “We are faced with a dollar and cents problem today. The basic human needs can only be met with the increase in our foreign reserves.” Premadasa said that the country can be built through social reforms that take a wide variety of opinions on board. Former President Sirisena said that the country’s foreign policy is in a mess and during the past three years, Sri Lanka has lost her traditional allies including Russia and Japan.
Govt parliamentary group meets
The Government parliamentary group meeting was held at the President’s House under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also attended the meeting. First, Premier Wickremesinghe briefed the Government lawmakers on the progress of the discussions held with the IMF.
He said, “The discussions with the IMF were successful. We have already taken further measures regarding that. Steps will be taken to educate the MPs about its progress in the near future.” Later, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera spoke about the fertiliser issue. He said the fertiliser ship will arrive in Sri Lanka on Sunday, July 9. A program has been prepared to distribute fertiliser to farmers.
Following which Petroleum Minister Kanchana Wijesekara outlined the situation regarding the fuel issue. He said two diesel ships will arrive in Sri Lanka next week. Arrangements are also being made to bring a petrol ship as well. Payments have already been made for two diesel ships.
“Youth disenchanted”
SJB Parliamentarian Imthiaz Bakeer Markar told Parliament on Wednesday the trust of the educated younger generation towards democratic institutions including Parliament has dwindled to a large extent. MP Bakeer Markar made this comment while presenting the revised Bill to give 25 percent of the election nominations to youth.
The MP also said that if there is no room for youth to air their grievances and get involved in the decision making process of the country’s future, the nation may again fall prey to further turmoil.
MP Markar said that Parliament, Provincial Councils and Local Government institutions should have a fair representation of youth and this request is also made to the leaders of all political movements in Parliament. He said that there should be democratic reforms within the political parties, otherwise the political parties will become a monopoly of the elite families and capitalist groups.
“If there is no space for the voice of the youth in the places where decisions are made regarding their future, we will once again lead this country to a dangerous situation,” MP Markar said.
“Don’t abandon country”
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged Sri Lankan intellectuals not to abandon the country at a time when it is in a huge crisis. He appealed for them to help him rebuild the country.
Speaking to Samagi Jana Balawegaya youth professionals, Premadasa said that the intellectuals should join a new coalition with the correct vision consisting of a majority in Parliament with labour, intelligence, knowledge, and competencies to build the country in the next five years.
The Opposition Leader said, “The present crisis is much more complex than the interpretation of the President and the Government and even caretakers have abused their power and hyperinflation and unemployment have occurred as a result. People’s dreams have been shattered.” Citing the example of Rwanda, which lost nearly 800,000 lives due to fierce tribal wars, the Opposition Leader said it is presently the ‘Singapore of Africa’ because of the correct decisions taken by the country’s rulers and intellectuals.
“No solution in sight”
National Freedom Front Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa queried on Monday as to why President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is nowhere to be seen as the economic crisis in the country is worsening by the day. He was speaking in Parliament. Weerawansa said even though the country has a President; he is nowhere to be seen. A solution for the crises that burdened the public is nowhere to be seen either, he said.
He said, “Parliament sittings are being held while a chaotic situation is gripping the country. The people are in self-declared curfew because they cannot get about due to the fuel crisis and neither the Prime Minister nor the Energy Minister is present in the Chamber. There is a President in the country as well, but he is nowhere to be seen. The people are suffering and a solution for their problems is nowhere to be seen either.” Weerawansa said the international community has lost faith in the present administration. “All parties need to get together and reach common ground to solve these crises. What we are doing today is like playing tennis on a volcano which is about to erupt,” he added.
Senkadagala Declaration
The Senkadagala Declaration, which consists of six points including the presentation of a common program was made before the statue of National Hero Monarawila Keppetipola in Kandy on Friday to form an All-Party Government and put an end to the miserable condition of the people.
The declaration was made by Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera in the presence of Ven. Prof. Akuretiye Nanda Thera, Ven. Prof. Agalakada Sirisumana Thera, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, religious leaders and civil society representatives.
Ven. Sobitha Thera said that the Senkadagala Declaration which includes the short-term steps to be taken to free the country from the situation and is similar to the proposals made to the President by the Chief Prelates of four Chapters. This Declaration consists of demands including the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the Presidency unconditionally, forming an All-Party Interim Government and presentation of time frame for a Parliamentary and Presidential election through a Consensus Government.
Religious leaders and civil society representatives signed the declaration at the Queen’s Hotel and it was later presented to the Chief Prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters.
“Ready to step down”
National People’s Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the Parliament on Tuesday that neither Ranil Wickremesinghe nor I have a mandate to take up the Prime Minister’s post at this moment. Dissanayake made this observation in response to the statement made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who said he is ready to step down if the former presents a better plan to tackle the prevailing economic crisis. “At least I have the position of a Member of Parliament with a mandate. You do not even have a mandate to be in Parliament”, Dissanayake said.
He said, “Usually the media portrays you as a person who values democratic qualities. How does your action match your principles of democracy? If you are stuck in this Chair, then I am against that. Is it fair to allow someone who has no people’s mandate to stay in the Premier post without a decided time period?”
Dissanayake also said that no one can rebuild the economy that has been going down for decades. However normal tasks like providing oil, gas, medicines, opening schools, giving fishermen the opportunity to go to sea and allowing farmers to go to the fields can be restored in six months.