Political events in Sri Lanka continued to emerge at a frantic pace this week plunging the nation into an uncertain phase of transition with renewed fears of violence and instability amidst the ongoing economic crisis that has significantly affected all sections of society.
The week that just ended began on a much calmer note with interest focused on the election in Parliament to choose a Deputy Speaker. The previous incumbent, MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya had tendered his resignation and it had been announced that his resignation was accepted.
Announcing his resignation, Siyambalapitiya said that previously he was elected with the support of the Government. As the SLFP had now withdrawn its support to the Government and was functioning as an ‘independent’ group, it was unethical to remain in the post, Siyambalapitiya had explained.
The interest on this election arose from the fact that it would serve as a test of strength for the collective Opposition. This was vital because the main Opposition Party, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) was planning a No Confidence Motion (NCM) against the Government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa.
NCM against Government
For the NCM to succeed, the SJB had to secure 113 votes. With a strength of less than 50 seats in Parliament and even with the support of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the SJB had to rely on factions from the ruling coalition to support them.
This support was expected to come from three main groups within the coalition: Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs, Parliamentarians from the eleven-party group led by Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila and a group of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) dissidents.
Despite informal commitments from these groups to the SJB, the certainty of their support was unclear. That is why the contest to elect a Deputy Speaker assumed much more significance. If the Opposition was successful in winning this election, it could be confident of passing the NCM.
Informal discussions between the SJB and other parties took place in the days prior to the election. The SJB agreed that former Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, who is from the SLFP, should be re-nominated for the contest. The SLPP was to nominate Hambantota district MP Ajith Rajapaksa.
That was the expectation until minutes before the election. However, in a very astute politically strategic move, the SLPP decided at a very late stage to support Siyambalapitiya and not to field Rajapaksa as a candidate. This was announced by Minister G.L. Peiris on the floor of the House.
Deputy Speaker’s post
With no time to have discussions and clearly caught unawares, the SJB immediately nominated its own candidate, Imtiaz Bakeer Markar to contest Siyambalapitiya. Bakeer Markar, fluent in all three languages is the son of M.A. Bakeer Markar, who was Speaker of Parliament from 1978 to 1983.
In the election, Siyambalapitiya won convincingly, with 148 votes, almost a two-thirds majority, to Bakeer Markar’s 65 votes. Eight MPs were absent. It was obvious that the dissidents within the SLPP coalition had all voted for Siyambalapitiya, calling into question the SJB’s political strategy.
Both the SLFP and the eleven-party group blamed the SJB for this outcome, pointing out that the nomination of Bakeer Markar was not discussed with them. It became clear that the SJB was not prepared for the Government’s response. This also cast doubts on the outcome of the NCM.
The election of Siyambalapitiya however angered protestors who had gathered outside Parliament. In Parliament, the SJB was requesting Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena for a date to debate the NCM against the Government. The Speaker stated that this would be referred to the Party Leaders.
The spectacle of Siyambalapitiya resigning as Deputy Speaker because he did not wish to be in office with the support of the Government when his party, the SLFP was ‘independent’ and then being re-elected again with the support of the Government, led to much debate and discussion in the media.
It also led to some unrest near the Parliamentary complex, where the Police engaged with protestors. This resulted in the use of tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors, with some protestors being detained by Police. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa thereafter declared a State of Emergency.
Following these events and considering the dissatisfaction that emerged in major media outlets as well as on social media, on Friday Siyambalapitiya announced that he would again resign from the Deputy Speaker’s position. As such, the post of Deputy Speaker remains vacant in Parliament.
A meeting of the Cabinet followed. Following this meeting there were reports that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would be resigning. However, these reports only quoted unofficial sources. There was no formal announcement that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would be resigning.
During the weekend Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa toured religious sites at Anuradhapura. He visited the Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanweliseya and Mirisawetiya. When the media and members of the public made inquiries about his reported resignation, Premier Rajapaksa was non-committal.
On Monday, the Premier met with representatives from local councils at Temple Trees. Addressing them, the Prime Minister said that his duty was to firstly, secondly and thirdly serve his Motherland. He asked those gathered whether he should remain as Prime Minister and they unanimously agreed.
It was thereafter that a series of unfortunate incidents occurred. It is alleged that supporters of those who emerged from Temple Trees clashed with protestors who had located themselves opposite Temple Trees. Several persons were injured in these clashes which soon spread towards Galle Face.
A tense period of clashes between the Prime Minister’s supporters and protestors at Galle Face ensued resulting in dozens being injured. Even Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Parliamentarian Eran Wickremeratne who attempted to enter the vicinity had to beat a hasty retreat. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake too entered the protest site briefly.
The clashes were eventually brought under control by riot Police and the Army who were deployed at Galle Face. Over 210 persons were treated for injuries at the National Hospital in Colombo. Unfortunately, a twenty four-years-old Police Officer succumbed to injuries sustained in the clashes that erupted later that night near Temple Trees. Tragically, these clashes triggered a countrywide wave of incidents. Major targets were the residences of SLPP Parliamentarians and Local Government representatives. Reports have emerged that at least a dozen residences of MPs have been set on fire by mobs. This includes the Medamulana ancestral residence of the Rajapaksa family, reports said.
Police on Tuesday said that the toll from these clashes included nine deaths, 230 persons injured, 88 vehicles damaged, 38 houses set on fire and 65 houses severely damaged. A curfew, which was imposed on Monday to restore normality, will continue at least until today (Thursday), Police said. It could be extended if further incidents are reported.
Interim Government
While reports of these clashes emerged from many areas in the country, it was announced that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had offered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Later in the day, the President was to issue a gazette notification, accepting the Prime Minister’s resignation.
In his resignation letter, the Prime Minister states that, in keeping with the request of religious leaders to pave the way for an Interim Government (IG), he was submitting his resignation and that the priority at this stage is to create conditions that would alleviate current economic hardships.
Following his resignation, Prime Minister Rajapaksa left Temple Trees early on Tuesday morning even as protests continued outside. Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has told media that he is at a safe location, has no intention of leaving the country and will continue as a Parliamentarian and will help to choose his successor.
During the clashes, a vehicle belonging to SLPP Polonnaruwa District Parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala was attacked by mobs in Nittambuwa. On CCTV, the MP and his security officer are seen running for safety. Later the MP’s body was discovered. The circumstances of his death are unclear.
In another incident, the Chairman of the Imaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha, A.V. Sarath Kumara was reported dead following an attack on his house. SJB Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama was also assaulted by mobs and is receiving treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), reports said.
Even on Tuesday, mobs of people were seen roaming the streets checking vehicles. Crowds had gathered near roads leading to the airport as well. Clashes were reported between two groups in Negombo that left four people injured amidst reports of communal tensions in the coastal city.
In a bid to restore normality, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appealed for calm. In a message on social media, he urged that acts of political violence should be stopped, assuring that efforts will be made to restore stability through consensus, within the Constitutional mandate and to resolve the economic crisis.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has also requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to summon Parliament as soon as possible to discuss the current situation. No date has been set for Parliament to meet as yet but this could occur at short notice this week or early next week, officials said.
At the time of writing, with the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Cabinet stands dissolved under the terms of the Constitution. The process of forming a new Cabinet under a new Prime Minister will now be triggered and is expected to take place over the next few days.
This week saw weeks of political and economic turmoil boil over. While the violence that ensued is condemned, it is hoped that the worst is over and the country’s leaders are now able to arrive at a practical and reasonable resolution to this crisis through consultation, compromise and consensus.
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