Politics

JVP's deadline to SLFP and LTTE's upper hand

K. D. Lalkantha, Maithripala Sirisena, Mahinda Rajapakse and Chandrika Kumaratunga

Inside Politics

By Suranimala

While talks between the government and LTTE to work out a mechanism for the handling of tsunami related funds remained deadlocked last week, the fallout of the December 26 disaster was also threatening to tear the SLFP-JVP alliance apart.

Slighted at President Chandrika Kumaratunga's move to keep the JVP out of the government's reconstruction effort, the Marxists have started breathing fire, openly challenging the decisions made by the President with a public ultimatum to be issued to the SLFP sooner than later to stick with the UPFA manifesto or face the consequences.

There is no gainsaying, the JVP as a political entity received a sucker punch with the tsunami and considering the party's base in the south being practically wiped out, it was of utmost importance for the Marxists to be seeing as playing a pivotal role in the relief as well as reconstruction efforts of the government.

Action plan

But the President had her own ideas on the matter and set about putting in motion a plan of action which gave the JVP practically no role in the government's rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, compelling the party thereby to be openly critical of the task forces formed by Kumaratunga.

Plans by the government to proceed with the privatisation of the power, oil and water sectors under the name of 'restructuring' in the midst of the tsunami operation only made matters worse with a severely embarrassed JVP distancing itself from the decisions made following The Sunday Leader and its sister paper Irudina exposes last week.

The President has in addition put the final touches together with Finance Minister, Sarath Amunugama for the restructuring of the People's Bank, Bank of Ceylon and the National Savings Bank, which will undoubtedly add to the tension.

With the decision thus taken to oppose the President's action plan, the JVP started distancing itself from the government on the issue with sharply critical comments being made by the party leadership including Somawansa Amarasinghe and Rural Economy Minister, K.D. Lalkantha.

Minister Lalkantha while sitting in cabinet went so far last week as to compare Kumaratunga to an emperor without clothes in the handling of government and told the people not to expect this administration to deliver the goods.

Significantly, not a single member of the SLFP rose in Kumaratunga's defence, a majority of them also peeved the President was running the show with her confidantes Tara de Mel and Mano Tittawela in addition to a team of leading businessmen whom the members claim are out of touch with grassroot realities.

The JVP too, sensing this discomfiture of the SLFPers, upped the tempo by also publicly rejecting moves the government was making to work out a mechanism with the LTTE for the disbursement of tsunami aid to the north east.

Confusion

Whilst large monies were pledged by the donor community for the reconstruction of the tsunami devastated areas, they not only wanted the LTTE brought into the process but a workable mechanism put in place for that purpose and the JVP's objection threw Kumaratunga into further confusion.

And the statement of the four cochairs after the Brussels conference, Tuesday, January 25 did not make matters any easier for the President where specific reference was made to the peace process and the LTTE (see box). Interestingly, with only reference made to the LTTE, the Norwegians have also effectively distanced themselves from the Karuna faction, which the government was banking on.

The co-chairs, USA, EU, Japan and Norway went to far as to say the multi million dollar international aid pledged as tsunami assistance should be sensitive to and strengthen the peace process.

Thus on the one hand whilst the government desperately needs the aid, it will necessarily have to take on board the peace process and the LTTE as well and that is exactly what the JVP is hell bent on preventing, making their intentions clear publicly.

What the international community has done by this statement albeit couched in diplomatic language is also to tell the President it was time for her to bite the bullet notwithstanding JVP opposition.

The message further puts a lid on Kumaratunga's lone ranger approach, calling for the participation of local and international civil society and all political parties in the rebuilding effort.

JVP issue

The gravity of the message was not lost on the government and Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar whose dislike of the LTTE is all too well known, summed up the reality brought home to the government at a press conference, Wednesday, in these words, "We have to leave our likes and dislikes aside. Sometimes you have to work with people you dislike. Our discussions have to be realistic."

But the government is also realistic, without the JVP it is history and is now hoping the international community will bring sufficient pressure to bear on the opposition UNP to work with the government if the JVP pulls out.

The government on this score is in a catch 22 position since refusal to take the LTTE on board would mean funds drying up and funds are what the government is desperately in need of with near riot situations in the areas affected by the tsunami.

The LTTE for its part is now sitting pretty and having agreed to work with the government is waiting for the mechanism to be set up. And it is on this issue, the JVP will be forced to stand up and be counted, which the party has already said it will and that will not be to the government's liking.

Be that as it may, Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe who is to meet the leaders of the European Union and the Norwegian facilitators including Prime Minister, Kjell Bondevik this week will be called upon for his views on these crucial aspects and no doubt Wickremesinghe in turn will clearly articulate his thinking, including the need for the President to honour the letter and spirit of the constitution.

For now, however, it is the JVP that is the government's biggest headache and the President made no bones about her feelings when the SLFP central committee met, Tuesday, January 25, just hours after news of the co chairs meeting reached her.

Arriving at the meeting half way through, the President quickly went through the remaining items on the agenda relating to party reorganisation when General Secretary and River Basin and Rajarata Development Minister, Maithripala Sirisena broached the subject of the JVP.

Said Sirisena - "There is a problem regarding the JVP. They are criticising the President all over the country, including the plans to handle the tsunami reconstruction. As a party we will have to take a decision on how to respond."

Attack

That comment saw the President launching a blistering attack on the JVP, warning the days of her silence on the issues raised were numbered.

Said the President - "I was waiting for this question to be raised. The JVP is now resorting to going around the country scolding me in filth. It is not that I did not see the statements made. I read all their statements. They started this campaign with Wimal Weerawansa giving me a disparaging name. I cannot remember it now."

Chipped in Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse helpfully, "Madam, the word used was 'bibikkama.'"

Responded Kumaratunga - "Yes, that is the filth they started with."

Interjected Rajapakse - "It is not a filthy word. It is something you eat. The problem was in comparing you to it."

The comments made by Rajapakse saw the President becoming even more livid, charging the word bibikkama was used in an offensive manner by Weerawansa.

Said the President, "Un mata bibikkama kewye kunuharapa vidihata (they used the word bibikkama in a filthy way). What I am sad about is not that. I have been in office for 10 years and governed without stealing five cents. I have held several ministries, the prime ministership and the presidency and no one has pointed a finger at me accusing me of financial impropriety. But now the JVP is saying I am trying to play out the tsunami funds. But the saddest part is that when the JVP is going around the country scolding me, and calling me a crook, not a single member of the SLFP has risen to my defence."

No one to defend CBK

Added she, "Now took at S.B. Dissanayake. Just within weeks of his sentence, the UNP organised a march from Hanguranketha to Colombo and held a rally. Whatever problems they had, they at least had a few people to do that. When I saw it, I watched with sadness because though the UNP could have done it for SB, the party I have done so much for did not raise a finger to defend me. I don't want marches organised but at least you should have spoken up. As far as I am concerned now, I don't trust anyone in this party any more. Even the people I thought can be trusted are running behind the JVP today."

Trying to calm the proceedings down, Minister Sirisena said the President's anger and feelings are reasonable and it was important as a party for the SLFP to defend Kumaratunga.

"That is why I raised the issue. But it must be done in a manner the unity of the alliance is not ruptured. Nevertheless, I too think we were silent far too long in the face of JVP criticism. They can scold us but not our party leader," Sirisena said.

However Sirisena's comments did not help ease the tension with the President once more firing a series of missives at the SLFPers and the JVP. Said she to Sirisena - "No, they accused you also of being a crook. They said the rice prices were going up because of your brother. At that time, only I fought for you. No one else in the party did that."

Having said so, the President laid down the law for any future rapport with the JVP, which no doubt is going to be a hardsell unless the Marxists are prepared to eat humble pie.

Said the President - "Any of you can go and talk to the JVP to settle this problem but I have taken a hard decision on the matter. There is no compromise unless the JVP as a party or Somawansa Amarasinghe as the party leader in writing tenders an apology to me for their statements against me. That is my condition. You can talk to them on any compromise but this has to be the final result."

The President went on to say she has not started responding to the charges levelled by the JVP but would start doing so shortly unless they apologise to her in writing in the very near future.

Government agenda

With that out of the way, SLFP Administrative Secretary, Cecil Bandara Senaratne raised a pertinent issue, which went to the very heart of Kumaratunga's political existence.

He said, due to the tsunami the political agenda drawn up by the government to amend the constitution and conduct a referendum has been pushed to the backburner, which he added was an unhealthy situation.

Senaratne said it was crucial for the SLFP to ensure Chandrika Kumaratunga has a long stint as leader of the country and towards this end, the government must stick to the agenda that was planned pre tsunami, without any change of dates.

Almost on cue came Kumaratunga, pointing out she was now fully concentrating on the post tsunami scenario and that it was up to those interested in ensuring the agenda worked is implemented to take it forward.

"Others must know how to take it forward without my involvement," the President added.

Interjecting at this stage was Labour Minister, Athauda Seneviratne who warned of a sinister campaign carried out by the UNP in the south which he said he learnt of while touring the area.

Asked Kumaratunga - "What is it that they are doing?"

Said Seneviratne - "They are going around making inquiries of the requirements of the people and informing them, they will be provided for after end March. I asked them how the UNP plans to do it and they say there is going to be a major planetary change end March. Is that correct?"

Replied the President - "I don't know about a planetary change but I have a report of the scientists who met in Kobe, Japan. They say there will be a big earthquake in our region. I am planning on how to handle that."

Buffer zone

Thereafter, the members focused on the issues arising from the tsunami with special emphasis on the 100 metre buffer zone in coastal areas proposed by the President.

Several members told the President, the 100 metre rule was creating huge problems and there was a trend developing against the government which needed to be addressed.

Responded the President - "I checked out the reports myself. The UNP MPs are going around campaigning against it. None of our MPs have gone into the areas affected and countered the UNP strategy. They are instead waiting to earn kutti, kutti from the disaster. Our MPs must go and explain why the 100 metre zone is important. People must be asked whether they want to die with the next tsunami or go beyond the 100 metre buffer zone and live. My view is it should be implemented strictly but let's discuss it in cabinet."

While the President and the SLFP were thus gearing for battle with the JVP, the Marxists were planning their own strategy with a two month deadline to be given to Kumaratunga on the implementation of the SLFP-JVP MoU, failing which they would exit from the government. (See Pot Shots, page 17)

Thus, the President is on the horns of a dilemma but is fast reaching a stage where she can no longer dance to the tune of the JVP without losing the international battle and with it the desperately needed funding.

With the battle lines clearly drawn, it now remains to be seen who will blink first, the President or the JVP and that will determine the future direction of this country.