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Confusion reigned   in politics for quite some time, as nobody knew exactly which main election will be conducted first by the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. One section argued that it would be a  presidential, and another that it would be a parliamentary election.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the key ally of the government, launched a campaign countrywide to reorganise the party structure at grassroots level. All the wings of the party, have thrown themselves in full    swing in this exercise, and what is discussed at such meetings leave scope for political analysts to conclude that a presidential election will be conducted first, probably during the first quarter of next year.

SLFP leaders, in their addresses during the public rallies at local level, lay focus on boosting the image of the President, and the need to ward off international pressure by strengthening his hands. At the moment, the international spotlight has been flashed on Sri Lanka.  The investigation team, appointed by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), has started its work. The   pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora groups have vowed to give evidence before this panel. In fact, one such group called ‘Global Tamil Forum’ headquartered in Britain vowed recently to reveal some fresh information   about the allegations of war time human rights violations and accountability issues.  

The government is positioning itself for a major election against this backdrop. Locally, the ruling party, as it appears, is going to exploit the developing situation in the international arena, for political advantage.

Therefore, the government calls for the general public to give a fresh mandate to tackle the emerging challenges, and    to take the country forward.
However, SLFP has not yet given any definite indication about the presidential election being declared first. But, it has left scope for anyone to interpret that it will be a presidential election.

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Young blood at work

During the party organisational activities, SLFP has infused young blood into work, alongside party seniors. Party’s Western Provincial Councilor member Hirunika Premachandra addresses almost all the meetings organised by the women’s wing along senior SLFP woman leaders Sudarshani Fernandopulle and Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

Samanmali Sakalasuriya is yet another young woman leader assigned for addressing the party’s meetings of the women’s wing. Ms. Sakalausriya, the niece of Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardane, is a member of the Western Provincial Council.

"The party is promoting   a new breed of young leaders, and some of them are related to those already serving as ministers, deputy ministers and chief ministers. "

Ahead of a planned major election, the party targets female voters in particular, apparently because they constitute more than 50 per cent of the voter population.  
The party is promoting   a new breed of young leaders, and some of them are related to those already serving as ministers, deputy ministers and chief ministers.  President’s son MP Namal Rajapaksa holds the baton in this political relay game. He is assisted by young members such as   MP Kanaka Herath - the son of Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Mahipala Herath, Udith Chandana Lokubandara - the son of former Speaker W.J.  M. Lokubandara, Dilum Amunugama - the nephew of Deputy Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Eric Prasanna Weerawardane, Roshan Ranasinghe, Thenuka Vidanagamage,  Shehan Semasinghe, Tharanath Basnayake etc.

In the meantime, SLFP has agreed to initiate a dialogue with its alliance partners.  Already, its leftist allies – Democratic Left Front, Communist Party and Lanka Sama Samaja Party, have sought an appointment with the SLFP Central Committee.  The party fixed a date for a meeting, but it coincided with the convention of Communist Party.   So, the meeting was cancelled, and a fresh date is to be agreed upon later.   Also, SLFP, decided to accommodate Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) on board though it tendered nominations to contest the Uva Provincial Councilor alone in the Badulla district.  With the latest overtures by SLFP, JNP decided to team with it in the Moneragala district.  

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Govt members congratulate Harin

The United National Party (UNP) MP Harin Fernando resigned from Parliament on Tuesday to contest the Uva Provincial Council Election as the party’s chief ministerial candidate.  After an emotional speech, he announced his resignation bade farewell to his parliamentary colleagues.  Soon after his speech was over, he was mobbed by his friends who wanted to pose for a picture with him inside the Parliamentary Chamber.  The photos were clicked using the camera facility available on MPs’ iPads. Some even embraced Mr. Fernando and wished him good luck.

"I regret that Parliament loses a young MP with talents. At the same time, you are going to fall into a political trap. But, I wish you good luck.”"

From the government benchers, it was MP Sudarshani Fernandopulle who approached Mr. Fernando and shook hands with him. Later, MP Kamala Ranatunga, Deputy Minister Hemal Gunasekara and MP Arundika Fernando shook hands with the UNP MP leaving Parliament to contest the Provincial Council election.
Mrs. Fernandopulle had to click the camera to photograph Harin with his friends.

At one point, she told Harin, “I regret that Parliament loses a young MP with talents. At the same time, you are going to fall into a political trap. But, I wish you good luck.”
Before his parliamentary speech, Mr. Fernando addressed the party’s parliamentary group meeting, and asked all the members of the party to co-operate with him in the run-up to the election.

Besides, MP Rosy Senanayake made a special appeal to the party members to be united in supporting Mr. Fernando at the election.
In the run-up to the Western Provincial Council election, MP Dr. Harsha de Silva was requested to resign and contest as the Chief Ministerial candidate by some sections of the party. Mr.Fernando was among them.

“At that election, I asked either Dr. de Silva or Ms. Senanayake to contest the election as the Chief Ministerial candidate. They did not listen to me. Today, I set an example by resigning from Parliament,” MP Fernando said.

This kind of political sacrifice may have an advantage for Mr. Fernando at the next parliamentary election.  It will make Mr. Fernando more popular and make an opportunity for him to reach out to voters in his constituency closely as the main candidate.  According to the voting pattern of Sri Lankan, the main candidate is voted by almost all.   Then, Mr. Fernando gets the chance to be the favourite candidate of all the voters of his party, and it will definitely have a beneficial effect on him at a future parliamentary election.

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TNA headed for a constitutional spat

After nine months, the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) passed three statutes during a special session conducted on August 5.   The session turned tense with heated arguments exchanged between the members of the ruling Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and opposition leader Joseph Thavarajah.  

"A statute is a law passed by the Provincial Councils in terms of powers devolved to them under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.  Political analysts wonder as to why the NPC took nine months after its constitution to enact such laws required for serving the public in the province."

A statute is a law passed by the Provincial Councils in terms of powers devolved to them under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.  Political analysts wonder as to why the NPC took nine months after its constitution to enact such laws required for serving the public in the province.

Controversy surrounded the NCP’s adoption of a statute to establish the Chief Minister’s Fund.  According to the Constitution, the Governor’s concurrence is required to adopt statutes related to the financial matters. Accordingly, this statute was referred to the governor for his concurrence.   The governor, as reported, consulted the Attorney General, and refused to give his concurrence.

But, during the August 5 session, the statute was placed before the council to be passed into law applying to the province.   The TNA brought forth the argument that it could proceed with the statute since the governor’s concurrence was not necessary.

At this point, Mr.Thavarajah countered this argument and asked as to why the TNA referred it to the governor for concurrence, well knowing that it was not needed in terms of the Constitution. He noted that the TNA had done it deliberately to bring the governor to bad light in the eyes of the international community.
On the ground that the TNA has acted for their political gains, the Opposition registered its protest to this statute. But, the TNA, enjoying an overwhelming majority, passed it.

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran intends to raise funds from the Tamil Diaspora   by establishing this fund to be used in welfare projects.
“The Tamil Diaspora is unwilling to donate their funds to the President’s Fund. Therefore, the Chief Minister’s fund is sought to be established,” TNA member M.K. Sivajilingam said.

However, without the governor’s concurrence for it, the TNA is heading for a constitutional spat with the centre now over its validity.

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NPC tries to deviate from other PC

President Mahinda Rajapaksa   announced in his 2011 budget speech that the Provincial Councils should not collect   turnover tax. Instead, the National Building Tax (NBT), covering the whole country in general, was introduced.    NBT collection has been shared with the provinces since then.

"If you impose turnover tax, the central government will not share NBT collections with you.  Then, why do impose tax burdens on people already suffering from many problems?” he asked.
The TNA agreed to this viewpoint."

However, the NPC wanted to pass its finance statute for the imposition of taxes including the turnover tax.
Mr. Thavarajah argued against it. He said the NBT share of the Northern Province had been higher than collections from the turnover tax.

“If you impose turnover tax, the central government will not share NBT collections with you.  Then, why do impose tax burdens on people already suffering from many problems?” he asked.

The TNA agreed to this viewpoint. It said though the Statute was adopted, it would not proceed with the turnover tax.
The third Statute, adopted by the NPC, was to deal with the Stamp Duty collections.

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Wee hour nomination signing

The ruling party completed the signing of its nomination list by 3.00 am yesterday. The last person to sign the nomination paper was JNP member Padma Udayasantha Gunasekara. Mr. Gunasekara decided to contest the election on the government ticket only at the last moment.  

"At the meeting, Minister Basil Rajapaksa asked Sashindra   how he would conduct his campaign. Mr. Sashindra replied that he even printed a booklet outlining the work done by him in the district."

Besides, ruling party stalwarts such as Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Dullas Alahapperuwa, North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith, and Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatungan remained at the residence of ruling party chief minister candidate Sashindra Rajapaksa in Monaragala.

They discussed the methodology for conducting the election campaign.  At the moment, President Mahinda Rajapaksa contacted Sashindra Rajapaksa, who is his nephew, over the phone and wished him good luck. Sashindra Rajapaksa’s father Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa was also there in Moneragala.

At the meeting, Minister Basil Rajapaksa asked Sashindra   how he would conduct his campaign. Mr. Sashindra replied that he even printed a booklet outlining the work done by him in the district.

Minister Rajapaksa, “It is a good move. You have to cover the district.”
All the chief ministers, barring the Northern Province Chief Minister who belongs to aseparate party, are expected to participate in the campaign of Mr. Sashindra Rajapaksa.