The President’s two-faced act before the Bodhu Bala Sena
Monday, 11 February 2013
The President recently summoned Ven. Kirama Vimalajothi Thero, Ven. Galagodatte Gnanasara Thero and Ven. Vitharandeniye Nanda Thero for a discussion at Temple Trees. However, the President had lost his temper when he had seen a civil society activist, Dilantha Vithanage among them. “I know who is behind all this. Don’t try to play with me by creating ethnic and religious disharmony. Where is Ranil’s lackey? Didn’t Mahagedaragamage (Asanka Mahagedaragamage) come? We know your extremist work. You can’t fool us,” the President had put on a show by shouting in front of the monks and media personnel.
Shocked by the President’s comment, Dilantha Vithanage had moved aside. After the discussion, the President had invited the monks to offer them alms and afterwards called Dilantha to have some lunch with him. The President had been engaged in a friendly chat with Dilantha during the lunch. When Minister Dullas Alahapperuma had approached them, the President had said, “Look how efficient Dilantha is? He is wasting his time near Minister Navinna. Find him a good job.”
After the lunch, the President had once again called Dilantha Vithanage to a corner and said, “Don’t take notice of what I shouted at you. People need to believe that we are not connected to these. Don’t stop your work because of what I said. Continue in the same manner. Speak to me directly if there’s any issue.”
The President had then given Dilantha a telephone number to directly contact him.
Sources said that Dilantha had thanked and worshiped the President and walked out of Temple Trees with the President’s direct telephone line.
Willie hit by Basil-Namal clash
Monday, 11 February 2013
The cold war between Minister Basil Rajapaksa and parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has affected the Botanical Gardens and Public Entertainment Ministry Secretary Willie Gamage.
Gamage was among the most trusted state officials of the President along with Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Dr. P.B. Jayasundera a few months ago. (Namal gears to extort graphite worth billions of rupees ) However, he has now been reduced to the post of secretary of a third level ministry. His latest appointment has been due to the pressure by Namal Rajapaksa.
The reason for Gamage’s downgrading was due to his objection to the attempt to sell a stock of graphite without calling for tenders. State intelligence units have also commenced an inquiry into the monies gathered by Gamage through irregular means.
The Ministers who were following Gamage for favours until a few months ago are now carrying various tales against him to the President and Namal Rajapaksa. Gamage is a contemporary of the Rajapaksas and also hails from Beliatte. The President was angered by Gamage’s decision to join the group that was trying to get Basil Rajapaksa appointed as Prime Minister.
SLFP Homagama organizer, Minister Bandula Gunawardena had recently complained to Namal Rajapaksa that Gamage had opened a road in his electorate without informing him. Namal had informed the President about the incident and the President had in turn reprimanded Gamage in filth.
The President had asked Gamage to apologize to Gunawardena.
Gamage had lamented about the incident to Minister Basil Rajapaksa. “Don’t go to apologize to these fellows. I will take care of what happens,” Basil had said.
It is learnt that a very disgruntled Gamage has now prepared his resignation letter and planned to give it to the President the next time he gets shouted at in filth for some reason.
