Opp. activist admits govt. commands over 150 members

SLPP project to secure 2/3 for 20A: Wimal alleges bid to ‘bribe’ his group

By Shamindra Ferdinando

An unexpected crisis has erupted in the ruling coalition with the National Freedom Front (NFF) accusing SLPP National List MP Jayantha Ketagoda of making an attempt to bribe some of its members, ahead of the vote on proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution scheduled for today (22).

Ketagoda previously entered Parliament on the JVP-led Democratic National Alliance (DNA) ticket in March 2011 after the then General Sarath Fonseka, MP, was disqualified after being jailed by a Military Court.

NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa has brought the alleged attempt to the notice of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (21) in Parliament.

A spokesperson for the party told The Island that Minister Weerawansa had named MP Ketagoda as the culprit when Premier Rajapaksa inquired who made the alleged attempt.

The spokesperson claimed that those members of parliament present there thwarted a clash between lawmakers Weerawansa and Ketagoda after the Premier left the meeting.

According to Minister Weerawansa, his members had been offered a range of perks and privileges if they give up their campaign against the proposed move to pave the way for dual citizens to enter parliament.

The NFF parliamentary group consists of six lawmakers, including one National List MP. It comprises Wimal Weerawansa, Jayantha Samaraweera, Mohammed Muzammil, Nimal Piyatissa, Gamini Waleboda and Uddika Premaratne.

In addition to the NFF, several others elected on the SLPP ticket and appointed through the National List, Udaya Gammanpila (Pivithuru Hela Urumaya), Vasudeva Nanayakkara (Democratic Left Front), Prof. Tissa Vitharana (Lanka Samasamaja Pakshaya), Weerasumana Weerasinha (Community Party), Gevindu Cumaratunga and Anupa Pasquel et al expressed concerns over the proposed 20th Amendment. However, they were able to reach consensus on several contentious issues including limit on the number of ministers and non-cabinet ministers and state auditing process, sources said. But, the SLPP remained divided over the move to accommodate dual citizens in parliament.

Following consultations between the NFF and the CP represented by former minister Dew Gunasekera at Rajagiriya on Tuesday (20), Minister Weerawansa said that exclusion of dual citizens from parliament should be extended to Secretaries to the Ministries, Ambassadors/High Commissioners and Governor of the Central Bank and other important appointments.

Meanwhile, civil society activist Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon spearheading a campaign to protect the 19th Amendment told media briefing at Narahenpita yesterday (21) the likes of Wimal Weerawansa was trying play the role of the Opposition while being in the government. Tennakoon, who readily gave up the post of Executive Director of polls monitoring group CaFFE without any qualms to receive appointment as a Governor under President Maithripala Sirisena’s administration, however questioned the NFF’s strategy. Tennakoon alleged that the NFF only opposed Basil Rajapaksa’s re-entry to parliament though the outfit questioned several clauses in the proposed 20th Amendment.

Alleging that NFF leader pursued personal agenda, Tennakoon said that regardless of his opposition, the party would vote for the 20th Amendment. Tennakoon acknowledged that the SLPP could comfortably secure 2/3 majority for the 20th Amendment. Tennakoon said that 23 lawmakers who had previously voted for 17th, 18th and 19 would support the 20th Amendment, too.

The SLPP parliamentary group comprises 145 members. The remaining members represent the SJB (54), ITAK (10), JJB (3), AITC (2), EPDP (2), UNP (1), SLFP (1), OPPP (1), TMVP (1), MNA (1), TMTK (1), ACMC (1), NC (1), and SLMC (1).

Asserting that the government could receive over 155 votes in support of the 20th Amendment, Tennakoon revealed that those who represented the Opposition in Batticaloa, Badulla and Ratnapura were likely to switch their allegiance.

Declaring that those amendments placed before the Supreme Court by Attorney General Dappula de Livera on behalf of the government was nothing but eyewash; Tennakoon said that some of those who protested against the 20th Amendment today backed it.

Tennakoon alleged that Weerawansa was seeking to play the role of the Opposition Leader.