Tiger bogey that was hatched to save budget

Heads of all state media institutions meet every Wednesday with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse and Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse.

The meeting is also attended by Defence Spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Head of the MCNS, Lakshman Hulugalle and Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

The meeting was held last Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. and the media heads in attendance were SLRC Chairman Ariyaratne Athugala, ITN Chairman Anura Siriwardena, Lake House Chairman, Bandula Padmakumara and SLBC Chairman Sunil Sarath Perera. President's Media Secretary Chandrapala Liyanage and Newton Guneratne were also present at the meeting.

At the outset of the meeting, Basil inquired into the functions of each institution. Gotabhaya inquired if there were any changes that have taken place due to Wijedasa Rajapaksa's cross over.

All the media heads looked shocked and uncertain and it was Padmakumara who first spoke. "All is over. The Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and Mangala's team in Lake House behaved as if the UNP has come to power," he said. Other media heads agreed and said that the cross over of UNP provincial council members to the government was overshadowed by Rajapaksa's cross over.

"This is a game played by Mangala. We have kept a close watch on Sripathi's movements. We will tell you how we plan to counter it as well. There is a Tamil man at the Taj called Shanmugam. It can be said that there is a connection between him and Sripathi. Chandrapala Liyanage has evidence to show that Sripathi has connections with a man called Mahesh, who is one of Shanmugam's friends. We have videoed the house. Take those clips from Chandrapala and start giving publicity to them from tomorrow. Say that it is a conspiracy," Basil said.

Basil spoke of the political game although there was a lot going on behind the scenes.

That was of Mahesh, who was said to be Shanmugam's friend.

Mahesh and Sripathi know each other and it was Mahesh who was in touch with Sripathi.

Sripathi had met Mahesh at several functions and Mahesh is also well-known by many politicians. The government needed to show a connection between Shanmugam who was staying at Taj Samudra Hotel and Sripathi and therefore, the CID as well as the President's media unit kept a close watch on Mahesh.

The police finally said that they needed a statement from Mahesh, which was known by both Basil and Gotabhaya.

Basil who did not give background details to the media heads said that since Mahesh was going to be arrested at night, wide publicity should be given to it.

Mahesh's friends in the government did not know about the conspiracy that was being carried out against him. Mahesh decided to inform his friends of the sudden turn of events.

He immediately informed two of his friends, Ministers Rajitha Senaratne and Mervyn Silva. Silva who was unaware of Basil and Gotabhaya's plan with regard to Mahesh and Shanmugam immediately called the CID chief. Silva told the CID chief to release Mahesh as he was one of his good friends.

The CID chief responded by saying that he was unable to do anything about it as it was an order from the higher authorities. He also said that it was only Gotabhaya or the President who could order his release.

Senaratne also came forward to help his friend. He decided to take the matter to the President. He told the President that Mahesh was one of his friends and was not involved in any suspicious activities. He also said that Mahesh had met Sripathi while he was en route to some place.

Basil and Gotabhaya who were unaware of any of these dialogues told the state media heads to give publicity to the story that was woven around Sripathi, Shanmugam and Mahesh. However, that night, the state media institutions also received orders not to give too much prominence to the story.

The Dinamina newspaper last Thursday published an article stating that a millionaire Tiger was in Colombo to buy government MPs. However, the newspaper made it a point not mention Mahesh's name anywhere in the article.

Basil also told the media heads that Arjuna Ranatunge would also join the opposition. He also said that mud-slinging posters on them have already been printed and that Wickrema from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and another director, Prasanna would help in carrying out the work.

Basil then asked the state media heads if they had any proposals.

"What is the course of action we plan to take as things are not going well? There is a big game going on. There should be a massive media campaign for this. If not the tables will turn," Newton Guneratne said. Others agreed and said that Rajapaksa's cross over was the beginning of a massive game plan.

They also said that apart from Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, former President Chandrika Kumaratunge also played a key role in formulating the game.

Basil said that a meeting would be called with all party organizers and if the situation turns for the worse, then parliament would be dissolved. Rambukwella also agreed with the idea.

"We have won the war, the best is to dissolve Parliament and go for an election," he said.

Lakshman Hukugalle however gave a different opinion. "No we have to somehow win the budget. We have to get the JVP. Then we can prorogue Parliament and go for an election," he said.

Padmakumara did not agree. "No, that is not wise. The situation today is not good. The battle for survival from hunger is the key issue. Even our correspondents say it. If this problem continues then what happened in 1977 will happen again. The main problem now is the cost of living and therefore an election is not suitable now," he said.

"Yes, that is true. The President wants get the JVP's support," Basil said.

Then everyone agreed that things would be a little different if an election was called after winning the budget.

"Yes, we are trying to accept the JVP's proposals. The problem is their condition to dissolve the APRC. That was a committee formulated by the President and it is not easy to dissolve. Also, if it is done so, then the minority parties would have a problem with it. Let's try to settle it. Also, remember that we are dealing only with Wimal. But he does not have the power in the party. The power is with Anura Kumara and Tilvin. Luckily for us Somawansa Amerasinghe is with Wimal. Wimal has Kularatne, Chandrasena Wijesinghe, Lalkantha and a few others. Anura Kumara and Tilvin have the support of _ members of the politburo. Do not attack the JVP at this moment. If that happens then we will not be able to get what we want. I have details of all Anura Kumara's deals. I will give them at the appropriate time. For now, let's not attack the JVP," Basil said.

The next to be discussed was the JHU and its support to the government. The media heads asked if the JHU would support the government at the budget.

"There is a problem. There is a problem with four of their members. Jeyaraj has been appointed to look into it. Sripathi has also dealt with them. Although Champika is with us, there are several problems with it as well. Even Thondaman has had discussions with Mangala. Although Baiz is with us, Hakeem has spoken to Mangala. Therefore we have to somehow get the JVP's support," Basil said. It was further told by Basil that any one suspected of crossing over will be promised what they want and then sidelined after the victory.

The next person to be discussed was Nandana Gunathileka.

Basil said that although the government was in a position to get his support, it would then lose the support of the JVP. Therefore, they decided to consider Gunathileka as a bonus.

Battle in COPE to protect a Lanka Puthra

The hidden animosity between the government and the JVP came out in the open in Parliament last week at the meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).

The COPE meeting that day was chaired by Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in the absence of the Committee Chairman Parliamentarian Wijedasa Rajapaksa.

It was the Lankaputhra Bank that was to be taken up for discussion by the committee. The members of the committee started to question the bank officials on the workings of the bank.

JVP MP and COPE member Piyasiri Wijenayake asked the officials if they had brought with them a report, which is learnt to have included a statement by the Central Bank critical of Lankaputhra Bank Head, Vass Gunewardena.

Initially, the officials maintained that they did not have any such report with them. With continued questioning on the matter by Wijenayake, the officials slowly changed their stance.

When Wijenayake asked the officials if they had received such a letter from the Central Bank, the officials said that they did not have it with them at that time as the bank had received it only a few days ago.

Wijenayake then said that the officials had to table the report at the next COPE meeting.

As soon as Wijenayake said this the whole meeting turned out to be a heated debate. It was Minister Mervyn Silva who first stood and protested against Wijenayake's comment.

"This is funny. Is the COPE, the CID or the government? They cannot be allowed to hold inquiries as they please. You do not have to give the letter that has been requested and you do not need to bring any such thing to this," he said.

Wijenayake ignored Silva's comments and continued to tell the bank officials to bring with them the report to the next COPE meeting.

The next to interfere was Presidential Advisor and newly appointed Parliamentarian Basil Rajapakse.

"The COPE is not a place to bring down every report in the government. This is funny. Why should confidential reports be brought to this meeting? Is there anything confidential in it then? That is not there as everything that happens here goes to the papers. Besides the COPE does not have the power to bring any one it pleases before it and call for any report. I agree with Mervyn," Rajapakse said.

After listening to Rajapakse, Wijenayake responded. "You have entered Parliament recently. Therefore, when you are being appointed to these kinds of places, please learn the rules and privileges of these committees before you come. Also, if you do not know the functions of a committee like the COPE, then you must ask some one who knows about it and learn. Do not behave in this manner just because you are the President's brother," Wijenayake said.

Rajapakse said that he was well aware of the standing orders.

"I know what the standing orders are. The COPE does not have such a power as being stated. Does the Finance Ministry Secretary function according to the needs of COPE? Public servants are not bound by it," he said.

Silva then spoke in support of Rajapakse and said, "I do not know about it, but I do know that when the President's brother comes here and makes a statement, we are bound to adhere to it."

Wijenayake responded to Silva's comments in a humorous manner.

"We are members of the JVP and we do not do dirty work for others. We learnt about parliamentary traditions before coming here. We know exactly what the standing orders are. That is why we requested the report to continue with the inquiry," he said.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake then intervened.

"Basil, please read carefully about the standing orders. It clearly states that the COPE has the right to request for any report or letter from any state institution. Therefore it is better if you could study it well before speaking," Karunanayake said.

Rajapakse did not agree with Karunanayake and said, "I do not agree with it. There is a chairman, please make your observation on this."

Wijenayake responded before Yapa could say a word and said, "Please do not speak in a manner to protect your portfolio just because you are now in front of the President's brother. If there is any greed for the portfolio, then you should leave that seat. All this time everyone who sat on that seat protected its dignity. Therefore, please keep that in mind when you respond. Besides, if someone is trying to control the COPE like this, then we would leave this meeting. We will complain about this to the Speaker as well as Wijedasa Rajapaksa."

Soon after Wijenayake made this stern statement, Rajapakse changed his stance and agreed with him and even agreed that the report should be tabled before the committee.

Budget blues and crossovers

It would be proper to say that it was the government that felt a greater heat of the budget last week.

The reason was the decisions arrived at by the JVP central committee and the possibility of the government being defeated at the budget vote.

Presidential advisor and MP Basil Rajapakse received information that many government MPs were planning to cross over to the opposition and that even unwillingly, the JVP was being pushed to vote against the government in the budget.

When discussing this issue, Basil said that before a government member sits in the opposition, measures should be taken to get an UNPer to cross over to government ranks. They decided on several UNP MPs to approach on the matter and they were approached with the intention of getting them to sit in Government benches by either Tuesday or Wednesday last week.

However, when all their attempts failed, it was Minister S. M. Chandrasena who brought in the best news that Basil could have heard at the time. The news was that UNP Western Provincial Councilor Duminda Silva, whose brother Raynor Silva's radio license for ABC Radio Networks was withdrawn by the government, was interested in joining the government.

"These fellows are trying to join to get back their license," Basil said. Later Basil realized Duminda Silva's importance as he realized that he could not find any other UNPer to join the government.

Basil summoned Chandrasena and asked him to bring Silva for a meeting. After a lengthy discussion, Basil sent out word that Silva was to join the government and the news was given wide publicity.

Basil, Chandrasena and Silva then met with the President.

The President also agreed and after making a huge hue and cry, Silva was accepted in to the government.

The euphoria however died soon after Basil heard that a government MP was planning  to crossover to the opposition. He also heard from a reliable source that the UNP was in the process of securing the necessary numbers to defeat the budget.

Basil immediately informed of it to the President and discussed the next course of action.

They believed that if the JVP does not announce by the 19th of its decision to abstain from voting, it would be a risk for the government to go for the budget vote.

It was discussed that going for a general election after being defeated at the budget would be a negative factor for the government. They believed that if there was no clear indication of the government being able to pass the budget, Parliament should be dissolved the day before, 18th.

Basil also said that in the meantime, it would be wise for the government do everything in its power for its members to prevent them from joining the opposition.

"Minister and MPs who show doubt and fear have to be looked after well, but after the budget, I will take care of it," the President said.

Wijedasa takes on Rajitha

COPE Chairman and MP Wijedasa Rajapakse sat in the opposition last week.

Rajapaksa crossed the floor and made a hard hitting statement much to the amazement of every government parliamentarian present at the time. What was even more surprising were the reasons adduced for his cross over.

Rajapaksa's decision shocked even President Mahinda Rajapakse and his brothers' company.

After crossing over, Rajapaksa went to the MP's cafeteria to have lunch. A large number of people gathered around him at the time. Many were the government members who surrounded him.

After explaining reasons for his decision, Rajapaksa told the government MPs that he was never to leave the government, but was compelled to do so. He also explained the difficulties he had to face in his own government and with his own President.

Minister Dilan Perera is one of Rajapaksa's close friends and he too was there at the time.

"I would not find fault with Wijedasa's decision. It is true that it would have been better if he did not cross over to the opposition, but he was compelled to do so. I have questions about how Wijedasa was treated," Perera said.

Rajapaksa met Minister Rajitha Senaratne in the parliament lobby on his way out from the cafeteria not long after.

Senaratne has had his differences with Rajapaksa for a long time. The reason was the fact that it was Rajapaksa who took Senaratne to courts over the sale of expired pharmaceuticals, which resulted in the latter losing his place in parliament.

"You are trying to show that you have a clean character? The Inland Revenue Department has asked you to pay taxes since you have evaded it in 1999," Senaratne said.

"Do not  speak like a child. That is the way. Everyone cannot pay taxes as soon as they are asked to do so. Taxpayers have their own issues as well. When taxes are not paid, they are asked to pay and it is paid in due course," Rajapaksa responded.

Rajapaksa however could not continue the discussion as the SLFP members around him decided to speak on behalf of him. "Don't speak like that. He crossed over to the opposition because he had issues with the government. We won't abandon him because of that. We will solve the problems and get him back to us. You are trying to make things worse by interfering like this. You saw Mahinda Rajapakse's greatness only recently. Please leave we are in the process of discussing the problems," they told Senaratne.

 As the MPs came to Wijedasa's defence the COPE Chairman gave a parting shot claiming that people who have not paid any taxes were raising queries about him.

Majority in JVP opt to defeat budget

The budget heat has now reached its peak with the vote on the second reading scheduled for tomorrow,  November 19.

The main opposition, UNP, has already said that it would vote against the budget. However, the JVP has become the deciding factor.

In a show of power, the JVP said that it would only announce its decision on the 19th, the day of the vote. Be that as it may, the JVP too had to last week face an eventuality that they never anticipated they would have to face.

With the government trying its best to get the budget passed while the UNP is working towards its defeat in Parliament, the battle heat has now encroached the JVP as well. The JVP was initially under the impression that arriving at a decision with regard to the budget would be a cakewalk. Realising that it was not the case, the JVP summoned its central committee and the politburo several times last week to discuss the budget.

The central committee, which is the main decision making body of the party, discussed at length the impact of the budget. In the meeting, a majority, about 26 members, argued that the only option left with the JVP was to vote against the budget.

It was Wimal Weerawansa, K. D. Lalkantha and two other members who argued that voting against the budget and defeating the government would imply that the JVP was indirectly supportive of the UNP. Therefore, it was their opinion that the JVP should not get involved in the vote and allow the government and the UNP to battle it out.

Although Weerawansa and several others believed the JVP should not vote against the budget, majority of the members did not agree with it.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Vijitha Herath said that the party's tactic of remaining silent about its decision with the intention of preventing the UNP from getting its numbers organized has failed. They said that discussions with several UNP members as well those from the SLFP (M) group showed that they had already secured more than the number initially anticipated. Therefore, they believed that the UNP would be in a position to defeat the budget.

The members then discussed that given such a backdrop, the JVP abstaining from voting would be a futile act and at such a time the JVP would have to bear a huge responsibility even more than President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Dissanayake also said that the UNP was planning to increase its numbers by reducing the numbers with the government and hence making it up to the JVP to carry the burden of helping the government sustain itself. He therefore said that the JVP should vote against the budget and face the consequences later.

The central committee then started to discuss the pros and cons of facing another election if the budget was defeated.

After a lengthy discussion, the committee decided that even if the budget was passed, the JVP would have to launch a massive campaign to defeat the government by June next year.

However, several decisions were also taken at the meeting on how the party should act in case the budget was defeated and a general election was called. The party decided to postpone arriving at a final decision on the budget till the last minute as they said it was important to study the situation closely till the last date.

Although a decision was yet to be made, the central committee members were divided as 24 for voting against the budget as opposed to four who felt it was the wrong move.

The decisions arrived at the JVP central committee was unofficially discussed in the opposition lobby in Parliament. The response from the JVP MPs when asked as to what they had decided on with regard to a budget vote, they said they were not prepared to face an election.

Astrology holds sway on budget vote

Today marks the second anniversary of President Mahinda Rajapakse assuming office as the President of Sri Lanka.

Two year ago, on November 18, 2005, an astrologer called this newspaper office and said he had details that no other media institution was willing to listen to.

He said that since he was in possession of the birth times of all the leading politicians in the country, he had studied their charts. He also said that he had studied details about Rajapakse's victory and found exactly how long the government would last.

The astrologer then visited our newspaper office and said that two years in to office, the President would face a great crisis. He said that the crisis would be caused by people from his family and their actions.

Today, the astrologer's prediction seems to be true.

The greatest crisis faced by the Rajapakse administration so far began last week. That was with the presentation of the government's budget proposals for 2008.

Rajapakse made it a point to inquire into the pros and cons of the budget presentation from astrologers and was asked to hold both the votes with regard to the budget before November 30. They have said that the government would be faced with a difficult period after November 30 and therefore the votes on the second and the third reading of the budget should be held before November 30.

Although, the vote on the second reading was scheduled for November 19, the third reading vote was scheduled for December 14.

However, the astrologers advised the President to hold the vote on the second reading on November 19, as it was the best day for it. The problem however was on the vote on the third reading.

That was the issue taken up for discussion between officials at the Presidential Secretariat and Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. After the discussion, Fernandopulle informed the Speaker and other party leaders that due to the security threat on the VIPs following the killing of LTTE's S.P. Tamilselvan, the budget debate should be ended before November 30.

The JVP and the UNP denied Fernandopulle's request and said the debate should continue till December.

Therefore, even unwillingly, the government had to schedule the vote of the third reading for December 14.

The next issue to be discussed was the direction the President had to face while presenting the budget. He was advised by the astrologers that presenting the budget facing either the Speaker or the opposition benches would be unlucky. According to astrological predictions, the President had to present the budget looking at the backbenches of the government side.

Since it was a difficult task, the astrologers said that the President had to at least start present the budget looking at the government backbenches. The plan therefore was for someone in the backbenches to say something to the President when he prepares himself to present the budget and the President would then look in the direction as if to respond to him and then present the budget.