The Government had to deal with a series of domestic matters this week which generated controversy, some of them more symbolic in nature rather than being of great political significance. Countering such issues will test its resolve to chart its future programmes while being under close public scrutiny.
However, this would have been offset to some extent at least by the announcement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it had reached a staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan Government approving the third tranche of its Extended Fund Facility (EFF), worth US$ 333 million.
The funds are likely to be available early next year, subject to approval by the executive board of the IMF. This followed a visit by a team of IMF officials led by Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka. The team held a series of discussions and met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Reform momentum
“The new Government’s commitment to the programme objectives has enhanced confidence and ensures policy continuity. Sustaining the reform momentum is critical to safeguarding the gains under the programme thus far and putting the economy on a path towards recovery,” an IMF statement said.
There were critics of this development as well. Some opposition political parties have accused the Government of claiming, when it was campaigning for the Presidential and General Elections, that a Government led by the Jathika Jana Balavegaya (JJB) would amend any agreement with the IMF.
However, in an interview with a television network, President Dissanayake was to clarify the position of the Government. When he assumed duties, agreements had been reached with the IMF on many aspects following deliberations between Colombo and the Fund for over two years, he explained.
If the new Government were to amend or scrap those agreements, it would result in economic reforms being delayed for about one to two years, President Dissanayake noted. At this critical juncture, the country can ill-afford such delays which would impose more hardships on people, the President said.
Another major issue that the Government was occupied with last week were the floods that ravaged the country. Several lives were lost in these floods which also affected some urban areas. Relief measures were initiated promptly. At the time of writing, the inclement weather has begun to improve.
It is clear the NPP Government is being intensely examined for its actions, both by the opposition and by sections of the public, particularly on social media. It appears as if the ‘honeymoon’ period usually extended to a new Government where criticism is muted is not being extended to this Government.
Look-alike tribute
For instance, there was much discussion in social media after photos appeared of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Minister Vijitha Herath and General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Tilvin Silva at an event featuring a look-alike tribute band to the Swedish pop group ABBA.
Many were the criticisms levelled against them for attending the concert, accusing them of participating in an event where tickets cost thousands of rupees. Others argued that this was not in keeping with the spartan life-style that was promised by JJB politicians when they sought office.
The furore reached such an extent that both Minister Herath and General Secretary Silva responded. “The event was organised to promote tourism. We were invited to the event although tickets were priced at different amounts. We are also people with a taste for enjoyment,” Silva said.
“In my capacity as the Minister of Tourism, I stepped in to promote the event on behalf of the country. I have also been listening to ABBA since I was young, I like their music. Seeing us at a concert may surprise some people but we also have a taste for good music,” Minister Herath explained.
There was a similar controversy over excavations done at Veyangoda to determine whether there was a ‘treasure’ located at a site there. This followed a Court order after the Court observed that there were several attempts to excavate the site by different groups, believing there was a ‘treasure’ buried there.
Section of the opposition, social media and mainstream media criticised the Government for this. The off-the-cuff jocular remarks made in public by Minister Sunil Handunneththi, where he said, “Even treasures are now being found due to the merits of rulers” may have contributed to the criticism.
Post-Cabinet press briefing
Nevertheless, questions were raised as to whether the Government was embarking on a plan to unearth treasures. This compelled Cabinet spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to respond at the post-Cabinet press briefing, clarifying that the Government had no role whatsoever in the excavation.
Another controversy that has been lingering for some time relates to allowances provided for former Presidents and Members of Parliament. Streamlining these allowances was a key campaign theme for President Dissanayake when he was a candidate at the Presidential Election in September.
The opposition claims that this has not been done. The Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera revealed that a MP’s salary is Rs. 54,000. In addition an attendance allowance of Rs.2500 per sitting, a fuel allowances calculated based on distance and office expenses are also paid.
Rohanadeera clarified that none of these allowances have been curtailed as yet. She also said arrangements will be made to provide housing at the Madiwela complex for parliamentarians. Eighty houses will for Government MPs and twenty-eight will be for opposition parliamentarians, she said.
The Government is however in the process of reviewing the duty-free vehicle permit granted to MPs as well as their entitlement for a pension after a period of five years. Also undergoing review will be the privileges accorded to former Presidents. Revising these may require changes to the relevant laws.
The report of a committee chaired by former Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chitrasiri, tasked with reviewing the allowances and entitlements of Members of Parliament, Ministers, and ex-Presidents was submitted to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday.
There was another controversy over the commemoration of those who died in the North and East in the war against terrorism in that region. These commemorations are usually held in November, which coincides with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s birthday.
Previous Governments clamped down on such commemorations, saying they amounted to endorsing terrorism. This Government adopted a different stance. While clearly stating that any commemoration should not depict LTTE symbols, families were not barred from remembering their loved ones.
Social media activity
Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Government will not stop those who wanted to commemorate the dead noting that they have the right to do so. Events were held throughout the North and East, but without any references to the LTTE.
This saw opposition in the South, with some taking to social media to warn against the resurgence of terrorism. It is alleged that some social media posts depicted photographs from previous events when the LTTE was active, to give the impression that recent commemorations endorsed that organisation.
Several individuals who have been involved in this type of social media activity have been detained. They are due to be dealt with according to the relevant laws and through judicial proceedings but there has been criticism from some quarters that the Government is stifling freedom of expression.
The collective criticism in all these issues suggests that the opposition is on the lookout for avenues to embarrass the Government. However its own travails are yet to be resolved with both the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and the New Democratic Front (NDF) yet to nominate their National List MPs.
The NDF nominated Ravi Karunanayake in a move that has been severely criticised. The remaining seat is yet to be decided upon with several parties making claims. The nomination of one individual is likely to antagonise several others, so there is a possibility the seat may remain vacant for some time.
A similar scenario exists in the SJB. Only General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara has been nominated on the National List. The SJB is likely to nominate at least two or three MPs to the four slots on the National List. Again, there is a possibility of one seat being kept vacant for some time.
What has been a low-key week has been enlivened by these issues. As the new Parliament meets for its first real deliberations, political momentum will increase. The festive season may see a lull but the New Year will also see plenty of activity, especially with Local Government polls on the horizon.
