… frowns on mismanagement of relations with Russia

By Shamindra Ferdinando

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and MP Wimal Weerawansa has warned that the current politico-economic-social crisis could lead to foreign military interventions.

Appearing in a Hiru TV programme on Monday night, the former industries Minister declared that Western powers could intervene on the basis of the ‘responsibility to protect’ (R2P) doctrine.

The Colombo District lawmaker said so when he dealt with possible scenarios in case the much touted IMF debt restructuring programme failed to materialize. The police and the armed forces wouldn’t be able to deal with the situation efficiently, the MP said, recalling how the May 09 violence changed Sri Lanka’s image overnight.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked Weerawansa along with his Cabinet colleague Udaya Gammanpila, in the first week of March this year. They were sacked soon after a group of rebel lawmakers presented an alternative action plan consequent to a split in the ruling SLPP over the finalization of the Yugadanavi deal.

MP Weerawansa said that international media coverage compared the situation here with that of South Sudan. The NFF leader said that the Indian Army would probably lead the foreign military deployment here.

Commenting on India’s renewed interest in Kachchativu island south-west of Delft, MP Weerawansa explained how Sri Lanka could end up like Bhutan and Nepal where Indian currency is widely accepted. The former minister alleged that it was a different kind of take-over.

Appreciating the financial support extended by India at Sri Lanka’s hour of need, lawmaker Weerawansa asserted that the political environment was so dicey, powerful external elements and their local agents undermine and manipulate the hapless country.

Asked whether the NFF was happy to see the back of Basil Rajapaksa, who recently quit his National List seat in Parliament, lawmaker Weerawansa emphasized how Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe could sustain the former finance minister’s agenda.

The MP examined the current developments and various external interventions in the context of ‘Quad’ alliance comprising the US, Japan, Australia and India. The one-time JVP heavyweight said that foreign powers may find developments here conducive for their overall plans. Therefore, the government and the Opposition should not in any way contribute to destabilization projects underway, MP Weerawansa said, warning of dire consequences unless those in authority responded to the threat.

The ex-minister alleged that there hadn’t been a proper assessment of the crisis so far. Therefore, the government responses to the developments could be either late or irrelevant at the point they were taken, MP Weerawansa said.

MP Weerawansa said that Sri Lanka could seek assistance from friendly countries without primarily depending on India. Accusing the incumbent dispensation of having antagonised China, Japan and Russia, MP Weerawansa discussed how former finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa followed an agenda inimical to Sri Lanka. Asserting that UNP leader Wickremesinghe was capable of executing Basil Rajapaksa’s strategy, MP Weerawansa reiterated previously denied unsubstantiated accusations directed at Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Milinda Moragoda.

Referring to ‘Pathfinder’ organization established by Moragoda in 2008, MP Weerawansa alleged that Sri Lanka had been snared in a clandestine US operation. The former minister said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa couldn’t absolve himself of responsibility for the situation. The Parliamentary High Posts Committee cleared former Minister Moragoda nominated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka’s HC in New Delhi with the rank of a Lankan Cabinet Minister.

MP Weerawansa said that the growing Indian role here should be examined against the backdrop of the IMF deliberately delaying much needed assistance as happened at the height of the war.

Commenting on Western attempts to isolate Russia, especially in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, MP Weerawansa pointed out Sri Lanka’s pathetic failure to seek closer trade ties. The former minister commended several countries, including India and Vietnam for conducting their relations with Russia prudently.

Referring to the recent detention of an Aeroflot flight following an order issued by the Commercial High Court of the Western Province, MP Weerawansa questioned the role played by a section of lawyers in the ongoing crisis. According to him, since the eruption of violent protests at Mirihana on March 31, some lawyers had acted in a manner supportive of violent elements. The former minister alleged that powerful external elements were busy causing a conflict among the executive, legislature and the judiciary.

Declaring that UNP leader Wickremesinghe had been a beneficiary of the forex crisis, MP Weerawansa said that though Basil Rajapaksa served as the finance minister several weeks less than a year (July 2021 to June 2022) he played a much wider role from the very beginning of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government from behind the scene.

MP Weerawansa regretted their failure to prevent Basil Rajapaksa’s entry into Parliament on the National List. The NFF chief described Basil Rajapaksa as New Delhi’s man and went on to blame the Rajapaksa clan for the irreparable damage caused by the SLPP founder. MP Weerawansa expressed shock and dismay over five Rajapaksas, namely Mahinda, Chamal, Basil, Namal and Shashendra serving in the Cabinet, in addition to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, too, being a member.

Appreciating the pioneering role played by the Galle Face protest campaign, MP Weerawansa said that the movement had transformed itself into something else and was pursuing a destructive agenda. The former minister urged political parties represented in Parliament and other interested parties outside to realize the danger in promoting lawlessness. Those who created chaos, too, often fall prey to the destructive elements, the former minister said, urging the judiciary to be mindful of its role.

Referring to corruption allegations directed at politicians, MP Weerawansa questioned the conduct of senior officials as well. The former minister said that M.C. Ferdinando, who had been embroiled in a simmering controversy over the Mannar wind power project given to India’s Adani Group was among a group of influential officials who exercised authority over major deals. MP Weerawansa claimed that former Secretary to the President Dr. P.B.J. Jayasundera delayed the finalization of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission for the benefit of someone who handled legal matters. If President Gotabaya Rajapaksa managed to finalize the agreement within three months as promised to the Chinese, some investments could have taken place much earlier, the MP said.

The former minister recalled how India won the contract for Colombo West terminal after the Colombo East Terminal project went awry. India was determined to secure the Mannar project for obvious reasons, MP Weerawansa said, urging the government to be cautious in its endeavours.

The NFF Leader lambasted a section of the SLFP for giving up their struggle for personal benefit. Naming Senior Vice President of the SLFP Nimal Siripala de Silva as one of the beneficiaries of the utterly corrupt political party system, MP Weerawansa said that the SLFP played a critical role in Wickremesinghe receiving the premiership. He also accused the SLFP of deceiving the President.