Whither judicial independence: JSC expresses concern
Two weeks after polls for the Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North Central Provincial Councils, the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), the main winner, is on a political roller coaster ride with both allies and their own ranks. The rough and tumble centres mainly on the appointment of Chief Ministers and what to give or take from alliance partners.
The focal point was of course the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC). Last Sunday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had some strong words and a tough message for Rauff Hakeem, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). “You must remember I am not going to resort to any political horse deals. I would rather have my councillors sit in the opposition. You can remain in my cabinet and form an administration in the East if you so wish,” he said.
Besides the two, also present on the occasion was Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga. Yet, a ministerial team engaged Hakeem behind-the-scenes articulating the UPFA’s position and urging the SLMC to re-consider its main demand, the appointment of a Chief Minister from its ranks. The dialogue ended with UPFA’s Najeeb Abdul Majeed (55), a non-cabinet Minister of Co-operatives, Local Government and Provincial Councils in the previous UPFA government, being sworn in as Chief Minister for EPC. His first visit to the east yesterday was by helicopter for a welcome reception in Kinniya. Bad weather forced the chopper to land in China Bay. The SLMC, in return, obtained written acknowledgement over its demands contained in a document that was handed over. The Sunday Times (political commentary) gives a detailed account today of how the dodgy deals between UPFA leaders and the SLMC played out.
By Our Political Editor
View(s): 1106Two weeks after polls for the Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North Central Provincial Councils, the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), the main winner, is on a political roller coaster ride with both allies and their own ranks. The rough and tumble centres mainly on the appointment of Chief Ministers and what to give or take from alliance partners.The focal point was of course the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC). Last Sunday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had some strong words and a tough message for Rauff Hakeem, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). “You must remember I am not going to resort to any political horse deals. I would rather have my councillors sit in the opposition. You can remain in my cabinet and form an administration in the East if you so wish,” he said.
Besides the two, also present on the occasion was Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga. Yet, a ministerial team engaged Hakeem behind-the-scenes articulating the UPFA’s position and urging the SLMC to re-consider its main demand, the appointment of a Chief Minister from its ranks. The dialogue ended with UPFA’s Najeeb Abdul Majeed (55), a non-cabinet Minister of Co-operatives, Local Government and Provincial Councils in the previous UPFA government, being sworn in as Chief Minister for EPC. His first visit to the east yesterday was by helicopter for a welcome reception in Kinniya. Bad weather forced the chopper to land in China Bay. The SLMC, in return, obtained written acknowledgement over its demands contained in a document that was handed over. The Sunday Times (political commentary) gives a detailed account today of how the dodgy deals between UPFA leaders and the SLMC played out.
In the North Central Province (NCP), former Chief Minister Berty Premlal Dissanayake, who was quoted as telling election rallies that he would remain in that post “forever,” was in for bad news. The UPFA leadership decided on S.M. Ranjith, who secured the highest number of preferential votes. His brother, S.M. Chandrasena, Minister of Agrarian Services and Wild Life, resigned from the cabinet on Wednesday to facilitate the appointment. There was speculation in UPFA circles that his ministerial post was to go to 32-year-old Duminda Dissanayake, the son of former NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake. He is now Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development. The move has heightened the likelihood of a cabinet reshuffle. United National Party’s Kings Nelson, son of H.G.P. Nelson, a former cabinet minister, will be the leader of the opposition.
Former Chief Minister Dissanayake did not seem pleased. He summoned a news conference at his residence in Anuradhapura on Thursday. He said that 120 UPFA local council members including chairmen and vice chairmen in the Anuradhapura district have “threatened to resign from their positions” if he was not appointed as the chief minister. He claimed they had informed that their “letters of resignation and affidavits to this effect” would be handed over to him. Some have already done so, he said. If he was not appointed as the Chief Minister for NCP, he said, “I will also function as an ordinary member in the council representing the SLFP,” he claimed. “One should have the experience to be the chief minister”, he argued.
Former Chief Minister Dissanayake did not seem pleased. He summoned a news conference at his residence in Anuradhapura on Thursday. He said that 120 UPFA local council members including chairmen and vice chairmen in the Anuradhapura district have “threatened to resign from their positions” if he was not appointed as the chief minister. He claimed they had informed that their “letters of resignation and affidavits to this effect” would be handed over to him. Some have already done so, he said. If he was not appointed as the Chief Minister for NCP, he said, “I will also function as an ordinary member in the council representing the SLFP,” he claimed. “One should have the experience to be the chief minister”, he argued.