The former President it appears has been rather put out. He blames none other than his erstwhile cabinet colleague now the President under whom he has been appointed Prime Minister. Amidst calls that his appointment was at the least morally wrong with a sizeable opinion that it is also unconstitutional, Mahinda Rajapaksa has become rather tetchy all because of course they do not appear to have the numbers. If indeed they do not have it will be a huge blow not only to egos but also to his plans for a return to power in some shape or form.
Basil Rajapaksa however was at least openly upbeat. He was of the view that they did indeed have the numbers but he did want more numbers to create a buffer. Apparently he did not believe in just the numbers he had – by implication at least 113 – as he wished to play safe and create a buffer to counter those numbers who come in the morning but have flown to Sri Kotha by tea time.
Although various appointments are taking place and have taken place, there is a greater consensus that it was essential to turn up in parliament and exercise their majority to enable the real work to start with some earnestness given that elections are not too far away.
Some have steadfastly refused to take on any official portfolios. Amongst these are the former defence Secretary who is firmly of the view that there is a real need to call elections so that the people can be fully consulted. Another significant non participant in looking for trophies or real jobs was to be former Governor Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal. Offered the chance of returning to the Central Bank after incumbent Coomaraswmy leaves within the next three months, persons closest to the former Central Bank Supremo, said that Cabraal had never gone back to any position and he was unlikely to go there at this juncture. Another analyst opined that perhaps Cabraal had not taken into account the persuasive powers of his former Boss.
Others included Dr PB Jayasundera who offered to help from the background but refused to come in to the hot seat. There was unanimity on the need to distance the gazetted Prime Minister from those with cases already filed and who are subjected to scrutiny.
One who did not refuse but actively lobbied for position or for a trophy so to speak, was the former SEC supremo Nalaka Godahewa. Basil Rajapaksa had opposed any form of appointment for him along with others who had cases filed against them already. Having been the economic front of the Rajapaksas in opposition Godahewa may well have felt slighted however his past controversies including claims of being involved in various deals including the unfortunate Krrish project may well have taken the toll. Many analysts opined that the one person he was unable to have taken on was the formidable promoter of the Krrish project a fair lady who was instrumental in getting the project going albeit under a different name and different financiers aided by the expertise and vision of Alex Lovell. Of course there is no love lost between some of the Rajapaksas and Godahewa. Godahewa has been busy spending and lobbying for a chance to contest for a parliamentary seat.
Another instance of the changing dynamics is the case of the former Foreign Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardene. He had been asked to return to the fold and the response left many surprised. SVG having been denied the opportunity to contest the last elections politely declined saying that he would rather others be given a chance and in any event analysts pointed out that there would also have been a scenario of once bitten twice shy.
The international community in Colombo came in for a battering of sorts. Ranil Wickremesinghe for long has been the leader of choice in Lanka for the western powers and as a result has also been accused by analysts of being the hit man for Sri Lanka to change its constitution at the behest of the West who are accused of acting to satiate the demands of minority diaspora voting in marginal constituencies in their adoptive lands. Threats veiled and otherwise have been made including the attempt to create a fear psychosis among the people and thereby hang that on Sirisena. Britain has issued a travel advisory and there are other forms of warnings and alerts from other nations including Korea.
