Medamulane Rajapakse surrenders to Anura as the 'S' factor strikes back

Chandrika calls on Mangala after Anura's party

Basil accused of interfering in tenders

Anura wooed with foreign relations post

CBK, Ranil, Anura in pow-wow

President says he is not bankrupt to take Mangala, Sripathi

While the security forces were put on red alert fearing an all out war as the fifth anniversary of the Ceasefire Agreement fast approached, President Mahinda Rajapakse was busy last week taking damage control measures following the internal crisis in government exploding publicly.

That the CFA is today confined to mere paper there is no gainsaying and with speculation rising of a policy statement to be made by LTTE Leader Velupillai Pirapaharan on February 22 to mark the CFA's fifth anniversary, security forces personnel were told to brace themselves for the worst amidst fears there will be a declaration of war by the Tigers.

Internal crisis

But what had the President preoccupied last week was the internal crisis in government which erupted following the hasty decision to oust Anura Bandaranaike, Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi from their ministerial posts.

Acting on impulse, President Rajapakse sacked the three ministers on Friday, February 9 after being told by the likes of Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma, Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Coordinating Secretary Sajin Vass Gunawardena that such action will put a lid on the rising dissension within the government over the accommodation of UNP defectors in cabinet and show him as a man of action.

The President was told, it was UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's failure to do so which resulted in a conspiracy for his ouster gathering momentum and that if a repeat performance in government was to be averted, a clear message should be sent to all members, Rajapakse will not tolerate any dissent.

It was acting on this advice that 'Medamulane Rajapakse' flexed his muscles and sacked the three ministers, only to realise his actions had compromised the very survival of the government and it was once again to his brothers, Basil and Gotabhaya, the President turned to for help.

The initial thinking of the President was that he should stand firm on the sacking and not deal with Bandaranaike, Samaraweera or Sooriyaarachchi, lest he appears weak and impulsive and with that in mind, looked to bolstering his numbers with more UNP defectors.

Towards this end, Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya and Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama were told to rope in more UNPers into government and this task they set about doing, albeit with little success.

In fact, Kegalle District MP Champika Premadasa, who was approached by Jayasuriya, reported back to UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as did Earl Gunasekera who was spoken to by Bogollagama.

Desperation

Such was the desperation in government, Bogollagama even called on Gunasekera and said the President was waiting to swear him in as a minister and to proceed to Temple Trees.

But with the anticipated results not forthcoming, Basil and Gotabhaya Rajapakse got activated and decided to eat a little humble pie and bring back Bandaranaike, Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi into cabinet. The Rajapakse brothers were particularly concerned since it was their interference in government that was the bone of contention among the ousted ministers and they wanted to put a lid on the issue before it got out of hand. It was also an open secret in government that other ministers too were privately complaining of interference by the Rajapakse brothers in their ministries.

Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse in fact was particularly concerned since it was rumoured by this time that Samaraweera was in the process of putting pen to paper on his interference in various tenders at the Ports Ministry, which if exposed he knew would have a damning effect on the  Rajapakse family in the backdrop of the 'Helping Hambantota' scandal.

Basil being a resident in the US and a frequent traveller to that country was also concerned unnecessary media exposure on tender matters would lead to queries even by relevant authorities in America and was particularly keen to resolve the crisis before it snowballed, given the gung-ho mood of Samaraweera.

Thus, while Basil agreed to work on Anura Bandaranaike, the task of neutralising Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi was entrusted to Gotabhaya.

Government objective

Given the ham-fisted approach of the Rajapakse brothers when it comes to men and matters, they also believed the three ousted ministers should be softened before making their approach to ensure President Rajapakse does not appear weak by wooing them back after sacking and getting Executive Committee approval for his actions. More so, without so much as calling for their explanation.

Accordingly, orders went out to withdraw the security of the three members and even the household appliances in their official residences, believing such action will put the fright of  Moses in them. Such was the pettiness deployed by the Rajapakses that even the lawn mower in Samaraweera's official residence was taken away.

It was in furtherance of this objective the government put it on the grapevine that former Airport and Aviation Chief Tiran Alles, a close confidant of Samaraweera, was going to be arrested.

The idea was to not only subdue the Samaraweera camp but also have a knock-on effect on the Mawbima newspaper owned by Alles, which strategy too did not pay off with a decision taken to meet the challenges head on.

But the government persisted with the rumour sending messages at regular intervals an arrest was imminent, which led to concerns even within the diplomatic community.

With the stage so set, Basil Rajapakse approached a businessman friend of his, connected to the family through marriage, who was also close to Bandaranaike and asked him to negotiate a settlement.

Towards this end, Basil Rajapakse told the businessman that since Bandaranaike was fond of travel, to offer him some post which borders on foreign affairs as an incentive. Bandaranaike was also to be told that several more UNPers were going to join the government and therefore any campaign to oust the Rajapakses will end in failure.

Wooing Anura

And this brief the businessman carried to Bandaranaike, who while agreeing to consider an invitation to meet the President, insisted his security be restored immediately given the death threats received.

In fact it was only days earlier the President had through another businessman, Harry Jayawardena, sent word to Bandaranaike his life was in danger, a threat the Gampaha District Member brought to the notice of even the diplomatic community.

Thus, while Basil was to work on Bandaranaike through his businessman friend, Gotabhaya Rajapakse was to speak with the Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Kollipitiye Sangarakkitha Thero - whose pet hate is Ranil Wickremesinghe - and urged him to indulge in a bit of domestic politics.

The Defence Secretary was to tell the chief priest that the President had nothing against Sooriyaarachchi other than his association with Samaraweera and that the problem could be easily settled and the member's position restored.

It was further said that Sooriyaarachchi can be accommodated in cabinet provided he distances himself from Samaraweera, who, it was alleged, was working to undermine the government. With that said, the chief priest was asked to bring Sooriyaarachchi to meet the President and resolve the dispute amicably.

Following this appeal by Gotabhaya Rajapakse, the Kelaniya high priest asked Sooriyaarachchi to come to the Vidyalankara Pirivena where Vice Chancellor, Kelaniya University, Ven. Velimitiyawe Kusla Dhamma Thero and another priest were also present.

And getting straight down to politics, the priests told Sooriyaarachchi what the Defence Secretary had communicated and urged the member to meet the President and settle the dispute.

However, Sooriyaarachchi told the priests, he cannot accept the contention Samaraweera had done anything against the government and proceeded to detail the service rendered by the former Foreign Minister.

"But if it is proved he did anything wrong, then I am prepared to look at it," Sooriyaarachchi added.

Having said that, the Gampaha District MP said they have maintained silence despite the false charges levelled against them by the President at the SLFP Executive Committee but will no longer be in a position to do so after 10 a.m. Thursday, February 15.

Sooriyaarachchi's stance

Sooriyaarachchi said if the President wants a settlement, he would have to respond before 10 a.m. Thursday on his readiness to consider a series of proposals they would be submitting on strengthening the government in the eyes of the people.

"I will not come for a discussion but you, venerable monks, can go and discuss. If there is no response by 10 a.m. Thursday, we will be going public with our views," he said.

With that said, Sooriyaarachchi departed and the Kelaniya high priest later called the President and communicated the MP's message, but Rajapakse was to say he will not be available till 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 15.

In the meantime, on his arrival from Male, the President was told by Basil that Bandaranaike can be brought back into government, provided he was offered the National Heritage Ministry plus an additional post dealing with foreign relations.

It was further said, Bandaranaike who made some tough statements leading upto and following his sacking will not tender any apology as earlier demanded by the President and that his re-entry into cabinet with an additional subject will have to be unconditional. Thus, in bringing Bandaranaike back into cabinet unconditionally, the President had to by implication accept he made a blunder.

By now in a state of panic Rajapakse readily agreed - not wanting the Bandaranaike family to join hands with Samaraweera - and early Wednesday morning got his office to call Bandaranaike and invited him for talks at 10:30 in the morning.

But the President did not want it known that Basil had to use the services of a businessman to speak with Bandaranaike, given the nickname his brother had earned as Mister 10 Percent, and requested Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Governor Western Province, Alavi Moulana to accompany the sacked minister.

This the duo agreed to do and the President was all smiles when Bandaranaike walked in and greeted him with a hug and said not to harbour any hard feelings over what happened the previous Friday.

Incidentally, at Wednesday's cabinet meeting the President was to tell the ministers, Bandaranaike would be brought back to cabinet next week and likewise, Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi too would be meeting him later on Thursday, which prompted a minister to ask what the position was with regard to Samaraweera.

Replied an agitated President, "Mangala has given an interview to The Sunday Leader, I was told. What more is there to talk to him?"

Be that as it may, Bandaranaike at the meeting earlier in the morning told the President he was not satisfied with the National Heritage Ministry and would want the additional subject promised if he was to return to government and Rajapakse said he would honour his word.

The President said Bandaranaike would be appointed his special emissary on international relations and the subject gazetted within two weeks and not to entertain any fears on that score.

"But you can swear in as National Heritage Minister by Monday," the President added without any reference to the reasons articulated at the SLFP Executive Committee to justify the sacking.

President's concern

That he was rubbing in the mud the faces of the likes of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who was asked to criticise Bandaranaike following the sacking was of no consequence to Rajapakse who by now was fully conscious of the rising dissension in government due to the cross-over drama and the dominant role played by his brothers.

Said the President - "Let's now get back to work and forget everything that happened. Don't take these things seriously."

President Rajapakse however had one concern and that was how on Wednesday The Morning Leader broke the story of their meeting and the impending agreement and asked as much from Bandaranaike.

Replied Bandaranaike - "That came as a surprise to me also. It is soon after I finished reading The Morning Leader that the call came from your office inviting me for the discussion at 10:30. Maybe the newspaper is tapping your line."

As the conversation proceeded, the powers behind the throne - brothers Basil and Gotabhaya - made an entry and shook Bandaranaike's hand as did Lalith Weeratunga and said not to harbour any ill will since the whole issue erupted due to a misunderstanding.

Bandaranaike for his part was visibly overjoyed that the Rajapakse brothers were in a blue funk and eating humble pie by the plateful and decided to be magnanimous and invited the President to attend his birthday party the following day, February 15 where somewhat of a different diet was on offer.

Thereafter the President, now on the back foot, decided to indulge in a bit of politics and said he had no real problem with Mangala Samaraweera but only Sooriyaarachchi, a statement which was in sharp contrast to what brother Gotabhaya had told the Kelaniya high priest and what the President himself was to tell cabinet later that night.

In a bid to divide and rule, Rajapakse had further said he can bridge his differences with Samaraweera though Sooriyaa-rachchi was a different proposition given his actions and statements.

There were other concerns too for the President, which he gave vent to in the course of his mea culpa. Rajapakse said a group in the JVP led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake was working closely with some Western powers to oust the government and steps needed to be taken to meet that challenge.

It was thus evident, given other comments made by the President to Moulana, Bandaranaike and Gunawardena at the meeting, that he feared a grand alliance being formed in parliament which could upset his parliamentary majority, neccessitating him cutting a deal with the SLFP dissidents.

On that note the meeting ended and an unsuspecting Bandaranaike was to later telephone Samaraweera and brief him on what happened and the President's offer to bring the former Ports Minister back into the cabinet. But Samaraweera was sceptical having earlier compared notes with Sooriyaarachchi on the divide and rule game played by Rajapakse.

"The President is not angry with you. His anger is against Sripathi. You should come back to cabinet since the country cannot afford to lose a talented person like you," Bandaranaike told Samaraweera, who however responded stating unless there were dramatic changes in government, no point will be served in returning to cabinet.

Positive sign

From a tactical point, the return of Bandaranaike to cabinet was also discussed as a positive sign for the SLFP dissidents since it blunted the government's attacks on them and gave more credibility to their charges.

Their argument was that with the accommodation of the UNP defectors, the President had sidelined those who worked for his victory, a charge the Rajapakse brothers sought to counter by saying Anura Bandaranaike did not help in the campaign.

This charge the President got the likes of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle to make publicly last week and Bandaranaike's return to government took away that weapon, giving Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi that much more flexibility in playing the aggrieved party.

And realising this situation, the President told confidants, every possible step needed to be taken to prevent Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi holding the press conference on Thursday as scheduled since it would not only expose the inner workings in government but also attract sympathy for the sacked ministers.

Thus, by Wednesday night pressure was brought to bear on the Galle Face Hotel not to allow the press conference to be held at that venue and a negative response was received from other hotels as well and finally it was decided, the show will go on in parliament.

And there the die was cast with Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi taking the fight to the Rajapakse brothers in no uncertain terms, with Basil Rajapakse in particular singled out for attack on his interference in ministerial functions.

And after the press conference, Samaraweera sent a devastating letter to the President where he detailed the interference in his Ministry by the Rajapakse family and the grave human rights situation in the country, in addition to the price he had to pay politically at the hands of the Chief Executive for lobbying US support for the country's benefit.

Samaraweera's letter to MR

Samaraweera had also forwarded 10 proposals for the President's consideration if he was to resolve their differences and among them were the reduction of the cabinet to 35 ministers, taking legal action against those found fault within the COPE report and reviving the SLFP-UNP MoU. That meant sacking the 18 UNP defectors.

"In February 2006, a Chinese company had submitted a business proposal to the Ministry. While we were busy analysing this report, your brother, Mr. Basil Rajapakse submitted to me another proposal submitted by a different Chinese company. In addition, another close relative of yours also submitted a similar proposal. You are well aware of the problems this created and it took quite a long time to resolve this dispute. Finally, as per your instructions, I made arrangements to award the construction of the Hambantota port to a joint venture between the two Chinese companies," Samaraweera wrote, exposing the role of the Rajapakse family in the tender game. (See page 18 and 19 for full letter.)

Equally devastating was Sooriyaarachchi's statement on Thursday of things to come when he told the press conference, it would be revealed shortly, who it was that had a secret pact with the LTTE.

More political drama was to follow later that Thursday evening when President Rajapakse called on Bandaranaike's official residence, Visumpaya in the company of Dinesh Gunawardena to wish him for his birthday.

Having received Samaraweera's letter by this time, the President appeared pensive and suddenly in a show of defiance told Bandaranaike, he was not so bankrupt to reappoint Samaraweera as a minister by giving into the conditions he has imposed.

"Let's see how far he can take this," the President had said.

It was after President Rajapakse left that former President Chandrika Kumaratunga graced the occasion and not long after, in walked UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and together with Bandaranaike they were engaged in a long discussion on the political situation in the country and the impact the ouster of Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi will have on the government.

Thereafter, at dinner, Kumaratunga and Wickremesinghe continued their discussion and were later joined by Bandaranaike, following which the trio retired to the main hall once again for the cake cutting ceremony.

A "historic picture"

This Bandaranaike did with aplomb and gave Kumaratunga the first piece and the second piece of cake to Wickremesinghe. With that done came the icing on the cake when the photographer was asked to do the honours and take what was described as a "historic picture" of Bandaranaike, Kumaratunga and Wickremesinghe together.

It was finally close upon 1 a.m. when Kumaratunga and Wickremesinghe left but the former President had one more stop to make. And that was to visit Samaraweera. Having tried to reach him on the telephone and failed, Kumaratunga went straight to Samaraweera's residence after the party and had a long discussion over coffee.

All these political developments coupled with the JVP's ire over the accommodation of UNP defectors and sacking of Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi signal politically turbulent times ahead.