Connect with us

News

DEW endorses dissident ministers’ stand on secret Yugadanavi deal

Published

on

‘It cannot be defended in terms of collective responsibility of Cabinet of Ministers’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Minister D. E. W. Gunasekera says dissident ministers, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila, are right in having thrown their weight behind those who petitioned the Supreme Court against the signing of the sale and purchase agreement for the purchase of 40% of the issued share capital of West Coast Power (Pvt.) Ltd.

Seller Sri Lanka and buyer New Fortress Energy Sri Lanka Power Holding LLC signed the agreement on Sept. 17, 2021 in Colombo.

Gunasekera, who served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party from 2004 till late August 2020, has, in an article published in the party organ, Aththa, in its 02 Jan. edition, emphasised that in spite of being a member of the SLPP Cabinet, the three ministers obviously didn’t want to be respondents in the high profile case. Instead, they have taken a principled stand on the agreement, which was not subjected to proper Cabinet procedure.

Dr. G. Weerasinghe succeeded Gunasekera as the General Secretary of the CP but was denied an SLPP National List slot regardless of an understanding among constituents. First time entrant to parliamentary politics Weerasumana Weerasinghe, longstanding CP member represents Matara District. The CP backs the stand taken by the three ministers, both in and outside Parliament.

Declaring that the ministers opposed the agreement as it had been signed without following proper procedures against their conscience, Gunasekera said that their actions couldn’t be considered a violation of the collective Cabinet responsibility.

The Supreme Court will resume hearing on the case on 10 Jan. The SC bench consists of Supreme Court five-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Vijith Malalgoda and Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya.

The case was heard on Dec 16 and 17. The five-judge-bench put off the case to January 10 after Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, appearing on behalf of the respondents requested that the proceedings not be resumed on Dec 21. The judges wanted to hear the case on Dec 21 and 22.

Gunasekera emphasised that against the backdrop of three Ministers decrying the agreement, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa should have given an opportunity for the cabinet of ministers to discuss the issue at hand. Had remedial measures been taken promptly, the SLPP government could have prevented the problem being exploded into a major political crisis, the former lawmaker said. Gunasekera asserted that the government blundered seriously by its failure to address concerns expressed by a section of the ministers. The former minister declared: “It is the first mistake and the first sin.”

Gunasekera explained how the absence of transparency in the sale of 40 % shares owned by the Treasury to New Fortress Energy, hasty approval of the agreement at the Cabinet level without following due procedure, bringing the power ministry under a new Minister Gamini Lokuge at the expense of Dullas Alahapperuma ahead of the finalization of the agreement, the project being a threat to the country’s sovereignty and inimical to national aspirations and finally the impact on current Geo-political situation undermined stability.

Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) former Parliamentarians Sunil Hadunneththi and Wasantha Samarasinghe, Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and Ven. Elle Gunawansa thera and Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya have challenged the deal in the Supreme Court.

The former minister also examined the SLPP’s continuing failure to grasp the current crisis. Instead of realizing that their economic strategy had failed to meet the desired objectives or challenges, influential sections of the SLPP quite conveniently blamed the crisis on the Covid-19 epidemic, the ex-MP said.

Gunasekera questioned whether the government was considering a taking a turn to the right seeking a new alternative.

The outspoken politician emphasized that the SJB, the UNP and the JVP (JVP contested last general election on the Jathika Jana Balavegaya ticket) hadn’t been able to correctly ascertain the current situation, particularly against the backdrop of the crisis caused by Yugadanavi fiasco. The SJB and the UNP essentially blamed the current situation on incompetence and mismanagement whereas the JVP believed waste, corruption and misappropriation of public funds caused the deterioration of the national economy.

The former minister also drew public attention to the government altogether doing away with price controls. The runaway cost of living should be examined taking into consideration the government ending state intervention in price controls, the ex-lawmaker said, adding that those who asserted that eradication of bribery, corruption and misappropriation of public funds would be the panacea for Sri Lanka’s ills should realize how government strategy and policies contributed to the deterioration.

Gunasekera also questioned the suitability of the majority of those who had received appointments from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Categorizing them as believers of disastrous neo liberal policies, Gunasekera said that the current dispensation was in fact a UPFA style administration. They had proved their belief in neo liberalism through their actions, the former MP said.

The former minister declared that the vast majority of lawmakers in the Parliament couldn’t even understand the developments that had taken place since 1956 hence the deterioration of overall parliamentary standards and way of thinking. Taking a genuine anti-imperialistic patriotic stand was no longer attractive to the majority of lawmakers, Gunasekera said, adding that the current lot basically followed the policies of those elected to the Parliament in 1977.

Gunasekera also examined the differences between the current dispensation and the 2005-2015 Mahinda Rajapaksa administration that quite convincingly managed political upheavals both in and out of Parliament. The former minister said that the same couldn’t be said about the current dispensation.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA departs island concluding her visit

Published

on

By

The Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA which arrived in Sri Lanka on a formal visit, departed the island on 18 Jun 25.

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing
ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions. Upon leaving, the Turkish Naval Ship engaged in a successful Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Gajabahu in Colombo seas. The PASSEX involved training exercises in communication and tactical maneuvering, concluding with the traditional cheer ship salute.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka,  Semih Lütfü Turgut, accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship, Lieutenant Commander Anil
BİLGİN met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters on 13 Jun 25. The cordial discussion mainly focused on several matters of
bilateral importance and it importance of the occasion.

During her stay in Colombo, crew members of TCG BÜYÜKADA took part in several programmes including sporting events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the island.

Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit the Turkish Naval Ship gaining insights into the ship’s operational capabilities.

Meanwhile, the enhanced cooperation and interoperability fostered through this nature of port calls made by foreign naval ships will provide a strong foundation for the Sri Lanka Navy to
collectively and effectively respond to emerging trends and challenges in the maritime fraternity.

Continue Reading

News

Students of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visit President’s House

Published

on

By

A group of students from Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visited the Presidential Secretariat and the President’s House on Wednesday (18).

The visit was facilitated under the ‘Vision’  programme series, a collaborative initiative for schoolchildren organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

As part of the visit, the students toured the Old Parliament building located within the Presidential Secretariat and received a briefing on the history of parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka.

The students and teaching staff were also briefed on the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as well as on the functions of the executive branch and the importance of the rule of law.

To symbolically emphasise the importance of environmental preservation,  K.M.N. Kumarasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, presented the school with a valuable plant sapling.

Among those in attendance were Colonel Dhananjaya Senarath, Deputy Director of the Tri-Forces Security Operations Coordinating Unit;  N.A.L. Wijerathna, Principal of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School; and members of the school’s teaching staff.

Continue Reading

News

President commends the service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

Published

on

By

President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Wednesday (18), lauded  Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change.

The President particularly commended Mr Siriwardana’s exceptional dedication and commitment in expertly navigating the nation’s economy through the transformative period following the recent economic crisis, ultimately achieving significant economic victories for the country. President Disanayake expressed his gratitude for Mr Siriwardana’s invaluable contributions.

These remarks were made by President Disanayake at a farewell ceremony organised at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (18)  morning  to mark Mr Siriwardana’s retirement from his post as Secretary to the Treasury.

The President highlighted the need for a new value system focused on individual merit in an era where material possessions often overshadow genuine human values. He stressed that the country requires a public service driven by humanity and empathy towards others, fulfilling its duties rather than one marred by excessive consumerism and corruption.

President Disanayake further emphasised that the public service should not be an inaccessible mechanism aloof from citizens. He underscored the importance of considering the impact of decisions on people’s lives when making policy choices. The President concluded by stating that young public officials have much to learn from the distinguished career of Mr Mahinda Siriwardana, a senior public servant with extensive experience and profound understanding.

In his address, Mr Siriwardana described his three-year tenure as Secretary to the Treasury as the most significant period of his professional life. He thanked the President for maintaining confidence in him and allowing him to continue in the position despite a change in government leadership, noting that the President’s support was a great source of strength. Mr Siriwardana added that the country might not have overcome its economic crisis without President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s faith, resilience and boundless dedication.

During the ceremony, the President also presented Mr Siriwardana with a token of  appreciation for his outstanding service.

The event was attended by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning; Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy; Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs; other government officials; and family members of Mr Siriwardana, amongst other invited guests.

Continue Reading

Trending