John Kampfner: What should Nick Clegg do next?
The party's unique selling point is a belief in compassion and fairness combined with a caution about the role of the state
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Has the dominant institution of the 20th century dusted itself off, modernised just enough and ensured its hegemony for the century barely begun? The question was posed of the Royal Family only a week after its consummately choreographed wedding festivities.
The same should be asked of the Conservative Party, an organisation of similar traditionalism and breathtaking professionalism. How could a party that had failed to earn the endorsement of the public a year ago, at times as propitious as the demise of the hapless Gordon Brown, have learnt the lessons so quickly? How could it have emerged in the midst of a deep recession in a stronger position?
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* Search the news archive for more stories
Over the decades, the Tories' ideological adversaries have never under-estimated the task they faced. Indeed, like rabbits before the headlights, they have often seemed paralysed, with a mix of fear and awe. Each devised its own strategy, with varying degrees of success. Tony Blair re-engineered the Labour Party for the task of driving the Tories into the margins. Everything was done to secure the centre ground, leaning more to the right than left, never to veer off. This drove William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard into the chilly embrace of the cranks.
Brown's analysis was bleaker still. He believed Labour had a duty to help the poor, but could do so only by stealth and by trickling down the odd penny from the super-rich. Thus he combined obsequiousness to the bankers with targeted help for the most disadvantaged.
The same questions have perplexed Nick Clegg. As the results came in during the 2010 general election, he believed he had a better chance of doing a deal with David Cameron that would allow him to sneak into the coalition agreement a few prized Liberal Democrat policies. Cameron indulged him – arithmetic gave him no choice – but he was confident that these would be small concessions.
As a supporter of Clegg who hails from a left-liberal view of politics, I have never seen his decision to enter into government with Cameron as either a mistake or a betrayal. If you believe in coalition politics, you must accept coalitions of different hues. Labour was in such disarray a year ago that the dream of most Lib Dems of finally realising a centre-left "progressive consensus" was merely a dream. It would not have lasted.
I have written many times about the Clegg tactical mistakes that followed. The new Deputy Prime Minister needed not only to trumpet Lib Dem achievements (and, yes, there have been several). He needed to behave differently within the coalition. He should have made it clear in public whenever there was a fundamental difference of view: "We advocated A, they advocated B, we settled on C", or "We couldn't agree on this policy". Two separate parties, not the merging into one. This kind of politics could have been pursued respectfully, without destroying the business-like arrangement that is vital to a coalition.
After the tuition fees debacle, with Lib Dems taking the flak for a policy that was not theirs, Clegg seemed willing to embrace this approach. In fact, even during the heavy petting of the first six months, he did occasionally strike out on his own. Last August, while his boss was away, he made clear his party's hostility to Trident. If he had chosen to, he could have proclaimed that Britain's ludicrously expensive nuclear non-deterrent may have been quietly ditched – only thanks to the Liberal Democrats (Labour, absurdly, continues to support it). He decided not to say any of this, thus ensuring that the many whose support for the Lib Dems was informed in part by their position on Trident would not appreciate what their party had done.
Underlying this caution was the mantra that so paralysed Blair and Brown – Britain is a Conservative and conservative country.
Clegg began to harden his approach at the start of this year, to make clear the distinctiveness of the Lib Dem position within government. But by that point many in the media were no longer listening. There was only one narrative: the man deserves a kicking. His task now, in adversity, is to do more than "differentiate". While the wounds are deep over the local-election humiliation, and the anger is justified over the Tories' behaviour during the referendum, it does the Lib Dems no good for senior figures such as Vince Cable and Chris Huhne to be hurling invective at their Tory Cabinet "colleagues". Petulance or self-pity never won an election. Don't get mad, get even.
The Lib Dems need to remind themselves, and try to persuade voters, that they retain a unique selling point – a belief in compassion, fairness, equal life chances and a strong society, combined with a caution about the state trying to be the panacea for all problems. They should remember that Keynes and Beveridge were liberals, as much as Rawls and Hobhouse were. Liberalism and equality are not in conflict; in an enlightened liberal politics, they reinforce each other.
In coming days, Clegg will set out his stall in a speech that will focus on specific policy positions, such as tempering Andrew Lansley's health reforms and pushing further with raising tax thresholds for the poor. He is right to focus on the here and now, and on the specifics. But, ultimately, voters go with their gut, and they need to know that his party stands for ideas that are its own.
It might seem perverse to say, but the landscape is – in the long run – not as bleak as it might first appear. There is no evidence, contrary to some assertions, that voters are moving back into two-party tribal politics. For sure, Cameron has played his first year spectacularly well. But it is just one year, and the ideological schism that so damaged the Conservatives has not disappeared. There is little sign that Ed Miliband, for all his efforts, is breaking through into the more affluent parts of Britain – a feat last achieved by Blair. His more sensible advisers know that, while it might have provided enjoyable spectator sport to duff up Clegg, Labour has focused on the wrong target. There is still at least as much reason for Labour and the Lib Dems to work together as there is for the present coalition. Both sides should keep their options open.
There is ample opportunity for a party that espouses sensible liberal values mixed with a determination to achieve greater fairness and a belief in a strong society. The Lib Dems have struggled desperately after the fees' U-turn to convince voters that they can bring these virtues to government, even this Government. Now they must fight harder, and cleverer.
If Clegg fails to deliver, he will be driven out, and his party will be destroyed for a generation. He may, however, yet succeed – but only if he shows a resilience and a political courage that has so often deserted the centre-left when given the rare chance to govern.
John Kampfner is chief executive of Index on Censorship and the author of 'Freedom For Sale'. twitter.com/johnkampfner
Mary Ann Sieghart is away
Sumber :©independent.co.uk Terms & Policies
Minggu, 08 Mei 2011
Government Prepares Its Response To The UN
The National Freedom Front (NFF) party of Minister Wimal Weerawansa participating in the May Day procession organized by the Government shouted slogans and carried placards against the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh . An effigy of his was also burnt. While the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka (SL) protested against these actions, even Ministers of the Government expressed grave concern.
Manmohan Singh, Mahinda Rajapaksa and G L Peiris
The Government convened a meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss its campaign against the UN Panel report. At that discussion JHU Minister Champika Ranawake castigated Weerawansa’s procession. Champika who has always been fiercely antagonistic towards the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the pressures exerted by India, however said, ‘irrespective of what differences of opinion that may exist among us, no measures should be taken at this juncture which can jeopardize the friendly ties between India and SL.’ This is not the time to underestimate America or the UN panel report. America does not intermeddle in another country’s affairs without sound planning. ‘Just see what happened to Iran. Iran is finished. There isn’t even a government in Iran. Now Syria is also being crept into. Hence, we should not follow a collision course with these countries, instead we must explore ways and means to defeat their conspiracies.’ Gotabaya too partook in those discussions. He roundly criticized the panel report at length. ‘Because Russia and China are aligned with us we have no cause for fear and we can surmount the problems at the UN Security Council. Portugal which is in the Security Council is also helping us in an unexpected manner,’ the President said. India is not 100% with us, but we can win over India to our side. ‘GL is leaving for India. I am also intending to go there,’ he added.
At this crucial hour we must handle the UNP with caution. ‘We shall carefully follow Ranil’s speech in Parliament tomorrow,’ Minister Dullas Alahaperuma observed. ‘After listening to Ranil’s speech, we will think about how the State media should be made to react to the UN pressure,’ Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out. It is the aim of Rajapaksa to issue a joint statement signed by both, Prime Minister (PM) D M Jayaratne and Ranil Wickremesinghe against the UN panel report. Ranil had earlier agreed to sign the statement jointly with Mahinda. However , when he was asked to sign jointly with the PM, he dodged it by going on a holiday to Bhutan.
Meanwhile prior to Prof. G L Peiris’ tour of India, an Indian team including the Secretary to the Indian PM, the Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor Menon are scheduled to visit SL. They are arriving here to discuss the UN panel report. India had stated that she will be discussing the panel report with SL Government. India desires a 13th Amendment plus political solution, as well as the completion of the Indian projects including Sampur as swiftly as possible which are now supposedly impeded due to Government hindrances. India’s main aim is to have the 13th Amendment fully implemented and ensure that the devolution of police and land powers are in place. Following the pressure on the Government by India, it is now holding discussions with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on the 13th Amendment. In any event, the TNA and the Government have still not reached a consensus over the power for the concurrence list.
The Government’s patriotic parties and organizations are of the opinion that India is coming here to fish in deeply troubled waters. They had issued a joint statement last week against yielding to a political solution. It was hinted therein that SL should not fall into the trap of India. The loud and vicious protests staged by Wimal Weerawansa during the May Day procession was an extension of the joint statement. On the other hand the TNA alleges that the Government is itself instigating Weerawansa in order to intimidate India.
Mahinda Rajapaksa is fully cognizant of the fact that without India’s support the UN panel report cannot be defeated. But at the same time he is averse to granting police and land powers and full implementation of the 13th Amendment. The Government is also aware that the more its despair deepens in respect of the panel report the more the Indian Government gains on opportunities and leverage to achieve its goals through the SL Government. This was testified to when Mahinda Rajapaksa gave his approval finally at the Wednesday Cabinet meeting for the long drawn out Kankesanturai harbor project under Indian aid.
The Government was panic stricken when it heard last week that the resolution on the panel report is coming before the UNHRC next month. As soon as Rajapaksa heard that the Swiss Foreign Ministry had begun canvassing the support of the countries constituting the UNHRC in favor of the resolution, he contacted Foreign Secretary Amunugama and directed him to make inquiries about it. Prof. G L Peiris too after touring India will be directly traveling to China. Thereafter, he is scheduled to fly to Indonesia to participate in the conference of the Non Aligned Nations Organization where he shall be canvassing the support of non aligned countries against the UNHRC resolution. The Government is placing immense faith in these measures that are being taken. Meanwhile Minister Basil Rajapaksa who organized an emergency meeting to take over the campaign against the UN Panel, had suddenly left for Los Angeles following the meeting after taking a month’s leave. He had excused himself on the grounds that he is going to see his daughter who is abroad. Gotabaya too returned to the Island last week after seeing his son who is abroad. It is surmised that after their names had been included in the panel report, they are in a state of anxiety and have traveled abroad to confirm that there is nothing affecting their foreign citizenships. Some are of the view that because there was stronger stance built up within the Government against Basil Rajapaksa’s stance not to respond to the UN report that he went abroad in disgust casting aside the issue.
Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, deviated from the past practice and held the UNP May day rally in the morning. This is believed to have been his ploy to obstruct UNP MPs from participating in the late President Premadasa’s commemoration ceremony which fell on the same day. The commemoration ceremony was held in Colombo and organized by Sajith Premadasa. Ranil assumed that because the UNP May Day celebrations were being held in Bandarawela, the UNP MPs would not attend the Premadasa commemoration in Colombo. Yet, UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasooriya and a group of MPs participated in the commemoration ceremony to pay their respects to a great leader who dedicated and sacrificed his life for the UNP and the country.They recalled how Ranil was appointed as leader of the House in 1989 by late Premadasa and criticized Ranil for his ingratitude.
The UNP May Day rally was attended by some UNP MPs only. A majority of the MPs kept away from both events – May day and the commemoration .
Sajith attended the recent UNP advisory Committee meeting after having met Karu Jayasooriya and explained the need to get the Sajith group that was expelled from the Working Committee back to it. He emphasized to Karu the necessity to unite the party rather than divide it , and appoint a National Organizer through an election. During the Advisory Committee proceedings Ranil brought forward the proposal to appoint PC member Shanthini Kongahage as the President of the UNP women’s wing. Her name was withdrawn at the previous Advisory Committee meeting on Sajith’s objections. Ruwan Wijewardena who was proposed by Ranil to the post of President of the UNP youth wing received the approval of Sajith. ‘We must appoint a Parliamentary MP to the women’s wing. The most suitable candidate for that is Thalatha Atukorale. She was the first in the Ratnapura district preferential voting list. She is the sister of late Gamini Athukorale who was loved by his supporters. He even fell ill and succumbed to his illness finally because he was overworked through dedication and commitment towards the party and to bring it to power at the 2001 elections. On the contrary, Shanthini Kongahage‘s husband Sarath Kongahage was the candidate fielded by the Rajapakse Government at the 2010 Presidential elections to hinder and hamper the Presidential candidacy of Sarath Fonseka. The Government later appointed him as the Rupavahini Chairman. Therefore , are you appointing her as the women’s wing President to fulfill a contractual requirement of the Government?’ asked Sajith. Ranil evaded the question and left the meeting abruptly saying he had some work.
Later on Ranil summoned another Advisory Committee meeting and sought to get Shanthini’s name approved for the appointment, when Sajith raised objections again. Sajith then insisted on getting the MPs of his group back into the Working Committee and strengthening the party’s unity first and foremost.
During the appointment of members from Districts to the Working Committee, while there were two Kalutara district MPs, Ranil appointed a UNPer who was defeated at the 2010 general elections. Ampara National List MP Anoma Gamage was appointed to the Working Committee while her husband was already in the Committee. Ranil rejected the proposal of Sajith to appoint Chandradasa Galapaththi who is a politician from Ampara instead of the husband and wife pair. This led to a heated exchange of words between Ranil and Sajith.
When Ranil began addressing Sajith as ‘I say’ , Sajith retorted “who the hell are you to call me ‘I say’.’’ During this altercation, the party Dep. Leader Jayasooriya and other officials remained silent . Jayasooriya who is normally vociferous about good governance and democratic norms was silently watching the
outrageously dictatorial conduct of Ranil. His silence was not acceptable to those around advocating party reforms.
Meanwhile, Ranil without heeding Sajith held a Working Committee meeting after summoning the members appointed according to his wishes. While the Working Committee comprising 92 members was due to be appointed , he summoned a sudden Working Committee meeting without a quorum. There were only 35 members present and Ravi Karunanayake who was not in the Working Committee intruded and forcibly occupied a seat to the dismay and disgust of all except Ranil.
The deletion of the minutes where Ranjith Madduma Bandara’s name was proposed and seconded duly for the post of National Organizer in the interim Working Committee report was frowned upon by Sajith as a most deplorable piece of villainy. He wanted to include the letter of Chandra Gankande who proposed the name, into the minutes. He went on to say , even if this Committee is not legally valid, yet he proposed to appoint Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the National Organizer, which was seconded by Upali Samaraweera. Hence , when Ranil told the meeting that he was going to appoint Ravi as the National Organizer, it was a most unpleasant shock to all. Besides, there was none to propose or second this proposal.
The officially appointed Dep. Leader Sajith and Dayasiri Jayasekera demonstrated their protests against Ranil’s dictatorial attitude and anti constitutional actions. They argued that the appointment of a National Organizer without a quorum in the wake of the dissolution of the interim Working Committee is a violation for the second time of the party constitution . ‘You are conducting yourself like Hitler,’ Sajith told Ranil. In reply Ranil said, he will even become Mussolini to achieve what he wants. At this stage Sajith and Dayasiri left the venue after expressing their opposition.
Ranil appointed Ravi as National Organizer by force. After the conclusion of the Working Committee meeting , the members who were responsible for Ranil’s appointment began talking among themselves with regret that Ranil is only moving heaven and earth to demolish and devastate the UNP rather than rebuilding and revitalizing it. ‘Ranil appointed Ravi violating the constitution to gratify the Government’s fervent desire to install Ravi as the National Organizer in order to devastate Sajith’s political career. Ranil is possessed by an overriding trait of never standing by his own people. This is a pure government contract entrusted to Ranil,’ a party senior moaned.
Ranil had appointed his favorite Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to the Working Committee. Another favorite Sagala Ratnayake appointed by Ranil as the chief of the party’s international affairs and accompanies him on his foreign tours was forcibly brought into the Working Committee.
Sagala was defeated at the last general election. Party seniors were profoundly disconcerted over this appointment as Sagala is just an idle companion of Ranil on foreign tours serving no official purpose. This appointment despite there being more competent MPs who are highly knowledgeable on international affairs has caused consternation and confusion among the party rank and file. Moreover, the foreign NGOs supporting the UNP have all been brought under his charge. Even the foreign funds received are diverted to Sagala’s Matara foundation.
Ranil has appointed to the new working committee, MPs who are at the center of controversies, those who were defeated at the general elections 2010 and old worn out MPs who are begging Ranil to introduce their children to politics. Nevertheless after the unlawful Working Committee meeting was over, Ranil told the media that at the Advisory Committee meeting Ravi was elected as the National Organizer with the concurrence of the Working Committee.
Recently when a media briefing was held by Sajith along with Ranjith Madduma Bandara, he explained that at the Advisory Committee meeting summoned prior to the unconstitutional Working Committee meeting nothing was discussed regarding the appointment of the National Organizer, and at the unlawfully constituted Working Committee meeting there was no agreement reached to appoint Ravi. Hence these high handed actions are unconstitutional and dictatorial aimed at destroying the democracy and unity of the party, said Sajith .
Ranil left for Bhutan immediately after the meeting despite the fact that the seniors were earnestly waiting to express their opposition to his conduct which is unbecoming of the disciplined and selfless leader he tries to project himself as.
The party seniors and Deputy Leader Jayasooriya were also thoroughly disappointed with Ranil’s soothing statement supporting the Government on the UN panel report. The disappointment was all the more because when Ranil was in London he had directed Jayasooriya to issue a strong statement against the Government on this issue. But, he himself had made a statement comforting and boosting the Government on the panel report.
Meanwhile Ranil’s sympathizers had sent Fonseka’s former Secretary Senaka Silva to the President to discuss Fonseka’s release. Senaka who was in jail and now out on bail has met with Rajapaksa and asked for permission to meet Fonseka in jail as he is capable of convincing and inducing the latter to request a pardon from the President. Rajapaksa had however told him to take up these measures through Fonseka’s lawyers. However when Fonseka’s lawyers asked permission, it was declined. At the same time, DNA MP Tiran Alles had got wind of the fact that Senaka Silva had blamed him when Senaka had met the President. Tiran has come to know that Senaka had told the President that Fonseka is prepared to ask for a pardon, but , but it is Tiran who is blocking it.
Ranil’s plan now is to work for Fonseka‘s release ostensibly, but in truth to prolong his incarceration so that he could get permission while he is in prison to absorb his party and its three MPS into the UNP. He also intends to take in the JVP and form a common opposition Alliance with a view to uprooting Sajith and his group from the party .
It is reported that Fonseka had questioned as to why Ranil had suddenly got concerned about him after dragging him down from victory at the Presidential elections and rejecting the proposal to appoint him as Dep. Leader of the party . ‘Moreover, when I was taken into custody, Ranil bolted to India, and when he met Mahinda after his return he never uttered a word on my behalf.’ Fonseka went on to ask, ‘how is it that Ravi is now seeking him after openly announcing to his supporters not to cast preferential votes for me at the general elections 2010. I know why he wants me now’. The JVP too has categorically refused to join a common alliance under Ranil. It may be recalled that the JVP opposed the appointment of Ranil as a Premier in an interim government under Fonseka in the event he was elected President in the 2010 Presidential elections. The JVP said they cannot forget how Ranil conducted himself during the 1988-89 insurgency period and the protest the JVP launched against Ranil’s ceasefire agreement. Therefore they said , if there is to be a common opposition alliance Fonseka shall be the leader.The opposition mounted within the party against Ranil is itself sufficient grounds to desist from joining an alliance under Ranil, they concluded. It is clear from these developments that while Ranil is tumbling down within his own party Mahinda Rajapaksa is being stumped internationally.
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Manmohan Singh, Mahinda Rajapaksa and G L Peiris
The Government convened a meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss its campaign against the UN Panel report. At that discussion JHU Minister Champika Ranawake castigated Weerawansa’s procession. Champika who has always been fiercely antagonistic towards the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the pressures exerted by India, however said, ‘irrespective of what differences of opinion that may exist among us, no measures should be taken at this juncture which can jeopardize the friendly ties between India and SL.’ This is not the time to underestimate America or the UN panel report. America does not intermeddle in another country’s affairs without sound planning. ‘Just see what happened to Iran. Iran is finished. There isn’t even a government in Iran. Now Syria is also being crept into. Hence, we should not follow a collision course with these countries, instead we must explore ways and means to defeat their conspiracies.’ Gotabaya too partook in those discussions. He roundly criticized the panel report at length. ‘Because Russia and China are aligned with us we have no cause for fear and we can surmount the problems at the UN Security Council. Portugal which is in the Security Council is also helping us in an unexpected manner,’ the President said. India is not 100% with us, but we can win over India to our side. ‘GL is leaving for India. I am also intending to go there,’ he added.
At this crucial hour we must handle the UNP with caution. ‘We shall carefully follow Ranil’s speech in Parliament tomorrow,’ Minister Dullas Alahaperuma observed. ‘After listening to Ranil’s speech, we will think about how the State media should be made to react to the UN pressure,’ Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out. It is the aim of Rajapaksa to issue a joint statement signed by both, Prime Minister (PM) D M Jayaratne and Ranil Wickremesinghe against the UN panel report. Ranil had earlier agreed to sign the statement jointly with Mahinda. However , when he was asked to sign jointly with the PM, he dodged it by going on a holiday to Bhutan.
Meanwhile prior to Prof. G L Peiris’ tour of India, an Indian team including the Secretary to the Indian PM, the Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor Menon are scheduled to visit SL. They are arriving here to discuss the UN panel report. India had stated that she will be discussing the panel report with SL Government. India desires a 13th Amendment plus political solution, as well as the completion of the Indian projects including Sampur as swiftly as possible which are now supposedly impeded due to Government hindrances. India’s main aim is to have the 13th Amendment fully implemented and ensure that the devolution of police and land powers are in place. Following the pressure on the Government by India, it is now holding discussions with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on the 13th Amendment. In any event, the TNA and the Government have still not reached a consensus over the power for the concurrence list.
The Government’s patriotic parties and organizations are of the opinion that India is coming here to fish in deeply troubled waters. They had issued a joint statement last week against yielding to a political solution. It was hinted therein that SL should not fall into the trap of India. The loud and vicious protests staged by Wimal Weerawansa during the May Day procession was an extension of the joint statement. On the other hand the TNA alleges that the Government is itself instigating Weerawansa in order to intimidate India.
Mahinda Rajapaksa is fully cognizant of the fact that without India’s support the UN panel report cannot be defeated. But at the same time he is averse to granting police and land powers and full implementation of the 13th Amendment. The Government is also aware that the more its despair deepens in respect of the panel report the more the Indian Government gains on opportunities and leverage to achieve its goals through the SL Government. This was testified to when Mahinda Rajapaksa gave his approval finally at the Wednesday Cabinet meeting for the long drawn out Kankesanturai harbor project under Indian aid.
The Government was panic stricken when it heard last week that the resolution on the panel report is coming before the UNHRC next month. As soon as Rajapaksa heard that the Swiss Foreign Ministry had begun canvassing the support of the countries constituting the UNHRC in favor of the resolution, he contacted Foreign Secretary Amunugama and directed him to make inquiries about it. Prof. G L Peiris too after touring India will be directly traveling to China. Thereafter, he is scheduled to fly to Indonesia to participate in the conference of the Non Aligned Nations Organization where he shall be canvassing the support of non aligned countries against the UNHRC resolution. The Government is placing immense faith in these measures that are being taken. Meanwhile Minister Basil Rajapaksa who organized an emergency meeting to take over the campaign against the UN Panel, had suddenly left for Los Angeles following the meeting after taking a month’s leave. He had excused himself on the grounds that he is going to see his daughter who is abroad. Gotabaya too returned to the Island last week after seeing his son who is abroad. It is surmised that after their names had been included in the panel report, they are in a state of anxiety and have traveled abroad to confirm that there is nothing affecting their foreign citizenships. Some are of the view that because there was stronger stance built up within the Government against Basil Rajapaksa’s stance not to respond to the UN report that he went abroad in disgust casting aside the issue.
Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, deviated from the past practice and held the UNP May day rally in the morning. This is believed to have been his ploy to obstruct UNP MPs from participating in the late President Premadasa’s commemoration ceremony which fell on the same day. The commemoration ceremony was held in Colombo and organized by Sajith Premadasa. Ranil assumed that because the UNP May Day celebrations were being held in Bandarawela, the UNP MPs would not attend the Premadasa commemoration in Colombo. Yet, UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasooriya and a group of MPs participated in the commemoration ceremony to pay their respects to a great leader who dedicated and sacrificed his life for the UNP and the country.They recalled how Ranil was appointed as leader of the House in 1989 by late Premadasa and criticized Ranil for his ingratitude.
The UNP May Day rally was attended by some UNP MPs only. A majority of the MPs kept away from both events – May day and the commemoration .
Sajith attended the recent UNP advisory Committee meeting after having met Karu Jayasooriya and explained the need to get the Sajith group that was expelled from the Working Committee back to it. He emphasized to Karu the necessity to unite the party rather than divide it , and appoint a National Organizer through an election. During the Advisory Committee proceedings Ranil brought forward the proposal to appoint PC member Shanthini Kongahage as the President of the UNP women’s wing. Her name was withdrawn at the previous Advisory Committee meeting on Sajith’s objections. Ruwan Wijewardena who was proposed by Ranil to the post of President of the UNP youth wing received the approval of Sajith. ‘We must appoint a Parliamentary MP to the women’s wing. The most suitable candidate for that is Thalatha Atukorale. She was the first in the Ratnapura district preferential voting list. She is the sister of late Gamini Athukorale who was loved by his supporters. He even fell ill and succumbed to his illness finally because he was overworked through dedication and commitment towards the party and to bring it to power at the 2001 elections. On the contrary, Shanthini Kongahage‘s husband Sarath Kongahage was the candidate fielded by the Rajapakse Government at the 2010 Presidential elections to hinder and hamper the Presidential candidacy of Sarath Fonseka. The Government later appointed him as the Rupavahini Chairman. Therefore , are you appointing her as the women’s wing President to fulfill a contractual requirement of the Government?’ asked Sajith. Ranil evaded the question and left the meeting abruptly saying he had some work.
Later on Ranil summoned another Advisory Committee meeting and sought to get Shanthini’s name approved for the appointment, when Sajith raised objections again. Sajith then insisted on getting the MPs of his group back into the Working Committee and strengthening the party’s unity first and foremost.
During the appointment of members from Districts to the Working Committee, while there were two Kalutara district MPs, Ranil appointed a UNPer who was defeated at the 2010 general elections. Ampara National List MP Anoma Gamage was appointed to the Working Committee while her husband was already in the Committee. Ranil rejected the proposal of Sajith to appoint Chandradasa Galapaththi who is a politician from Ampara instead of the husband and wife pair. This led to a heated exchange of words between Ranil and Sajith.
When Ranil began addressing Sajith as ‘I say’ , Sajith retorted “who the hell are you to call me ‘I say’.’’ During this altercation, the party Dep. Leader Jayasooriya and other officials remained silent . Jayasooriya who is normally vociferous about good governance and democratic norms was silently watching the
outrageously dictatorial conduct of Ranil. His silence was not acceptable to those around advocating party reforms.
Meanwhile, Ranil without heeding Sajith held a Working Committee meeting after summoning the members appointed according to his wishes. While the Working Committee comprising 92 members was due to be appointed , he summoned a sudden Working Committee meeting without a quorum. There were only 35 members present and Ravi Karunanayake who was not in the Working Committee intruded and forcibly occupied a seat to the dismay and disgust of all except Ranil.
The deletion of the minutes where Ranjith Madduma Bandara’s name was proposed and seconded duly for the post of National Organizer in the interim Working Committee report was frowned upon by Sajith as a most deplorable piece of villainy. He wanted to include the letter of Chandra Gankande who proposed the name, into the minutes. He went on to say , even if this Committee is not legally valid, yet he proposed to appoint Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the National Organizer, which was seconded by Upali Samaraweera. Hence , when Ranil told the meeting that he was going to appoint Ravi as the National Organizer, it was a most unpleasant shock to all. Besides, there was none to propose or second this proposal.
The officially appointed Dep. Leader Sajith and Dayasiri Jayasekera demonstrated their protests against Ranil’s dictatorial attitude and anti constitutional actions. They argued that the appointment of a National Organizer without a quorum in the wake of the dissolution of the interim Working Committee is a violation for the second time of the party constitution . ‘You are conducting yourself like Hitler,’ Sajith told Ranil. In reply Ranil said, he will even become Mussolini to achieve what he wants. At this stage Sajith and Dayasiri left the venue after expressing their opposition.
Ranil appointed Ravi as National Organizer by force. After the conclusion of the Working Committee meeting , the members who were responsible for Ranil’s appointment began talking among themselves with regret that Ranil is only moving heaven and earth to demolish and devastate the UNP rather than rebuilding and revitalizing it. ‘Ranil appointed Ravi violating the constitution to gratify the Government’s fervent desire to install Ravi as the National Organizer in order to devastate Sajith’s political career. Ranil is possessed by an overriding trait of never standing by his own people. This is a pure government contract entrusted to Ranil,’ a party senior moaned.
Ranil had appointed his favorite Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to the Working Committee. Another favorite Sagala Ratnayake appointed by Ranil as the chief of the party’s international affairs and accompanies him on his foreign tours was forcibly brought into the Working Committee.
Sagala was defeated at the last general election. Party seniors were profoundly disconcerted over this appointment as Sagala is just an idle companion of Ranil on foreign tours serving no official purpose. This appointment despite there being more competent MPs who are highly knowledgeable on international affairs has caused consternation and confusion among the party rank and file. Moreover, the foreign NGOs supporting the UNP have all been brought under his charge. Even the foreign funds received are diverted to Sagala’s Matara foundation.
Ranil has appointed to the new working committee, MPs who are at the center of controversies, those who were defeated at the general elections 2010 and old worn out MPs who are begging Ranil to introduce their children to politics. Nevertheless after the unlawful Working Committee meeting was over, Ranil told the media that at the Advisory Committee meeting Ravi was elected as the National Organizer with the concurrence of the Working Committee.
Recently when a media briefing was held by Sajith along with Ranjith Madduma Bandara, he explained that at the Advisory Committee meeting summoned prior to the unconstitutional Working Committee meeting nothing was discussed regarding the appointment of the National Organizer, and at the unlawfully constituted Working Committee meeting there was no agreement reached to appoint Ravi. Hence these high handed actions are unconstitutional and dictatorial aimed at destroying the democracy and unity of the party, said Sajith .
Ranil left for Bhutan immediately after the meeting despite the fact that the seniors were earnestly waiting to express their opposition to his conduct which is unbecoming of the disciplined and selfless leader he tries to project himself as.
The party seniors and Deputy Leader Jayasooriya were also thoroughly disappointed with Ranil’s soothing statement supporting the Government on the UN panel report. The disappointment was all the more because when Ranil was in London he had directed Jayasooriya to issue a strong statement against the Government on this issue. But, he himself had made a statement comforting and boosting the Government on the panel report.
Meanwhile Ranil’s sympathizers had sent Fonseka’s former Secretary Senaka Silva to the President to discuss Fonseka’s release. Senaka who was in jail and now out on bail has met with Rajapaksa and asked for permission to meet Fonseka in jail as he is capable of convincing and inducing the latter to request a pardon from the President. Rajapaksa had however told him to take up these measures through Fonseka’s lawyers. However when Fonseka’s lawyers asked permission, it was declined. At the same time, DNA MP Tiran Alles had got wind of the fact that Senaka Silva had blamed him when Senaka had met the President. Tiran has come to know that Senaka had told the President that Fonseka is prepared to ask for a pardon, but , but it is Tiran who is blocking it.
Ranil’s plan now is to work for Fonseka‘s release ostensibly, but in truth to prolong his incarceration so that he could get permission while he is in prison to absorb his party and its three MPS into the UNP. He also intends to take in the JVP and form a common opposition Alliance with a view to uprooting Sajith and his group from the party .
It is reported that Fonseka had questioned as to why Ranil had suddenly got concerned about him after dragging him down from victory at the Presidential elections and rejecting the proposal to appoint him as Dep. Leader of the party . ‘Moreover, when I was taken into custody, Ranil bolted to India, and when he met Mahinda after his return he never uttered a word on my behalf.’ Fonseka went on to ask, ‘how is it that Ravi is now seeking him after openly announcing to his supporters not to cast preferential votes for me at the general elections 2010. I know why he wants me now’. The JVP too has categorically refused to join a common alliance under Ranil. It may be recalled that the JVP opposed the appointment of Ranil as a Premier in an interim government under Fonseka in the event he was elected President in the 2010 Presidential elections. The JVP said they cannot forget how Ranil conducted himself during the 1988-89 insurgency period and the protest the JVP launched against Ranil’s ceasefire agreement. Therefore they said , if there is to be a common opposition alliance Fonseka shall be the leader.The opposition mounted within the party against Ranil is itself sufficient grounds to desist from joining an alliance under Ranil, they concluded. It is clear from these developments that while Ranil is tumbling down within his own party Mahinda Rajapaksa is being stumped internationally.
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