Midweek Politics: Dayasiri’s Defection Drama,The Ranil Factor And The Crucial North

By Dharisha Bastians -July 25, 2013 

Dharisha Bastians

“Harima dukayi (very sad)” muttered a senior Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) legislator, almost to himself inside an elevator at the Parliamentary complex two days ago.

The implication could not be clearer.

After months of speculation and back and forth, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had finally clinched the deal by afternoon on Tuesday (23) to ensure the defection of UNP Kurunegala District MP and popular politicianDayasiri Jayasekara to the ruling coalition. It is the worst kept secret in Parliament and political circles that SLFP stalwarts are disgusted by the move.

With Government ranks filled to the brim, SLFP bigwigs are fast losing relevance, with former UNP strongmen stealing their thunder within the administration and in electoral contests. The task of placating the ruling party seniors was assigned to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who held consultations with the group at the Parliamentary Complex, later that day.

Just 48 hours earlier, this particular outcome was looking very remote. Jayasekera was pledging he would remain with the UNP and the party’s leadership was convinced they had managed to retain the MP. But with customary aplomb, by afternoon on 23 July, the date Jayasekera was initially tipped to quit the UNP, President Rajapaksa made his move.

By wresting Dayasiri from the UNP’s fast dwindling ranks, the President has virtually decided a provincial electoral contest before it begins. In the North Western Province, the wildly popular Jayasekera was to be an integral cog in the UNP wheel. His defection will completely demoralise UNP activists and the party’s base days before campaigns kick off on a series of provincial polls.

Dashed hopes                                        Read More 

Gamini Senarath’s brother gets 29 acres from Maradana

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Created On Wednesday, 24 July 2013 16:49

Category: General

The Cabinet of ministers has approved the allocation of 29 acres of land in Colombo 10 belonging to the railway Department on a 99 year lease to the chief of staff of the President and People’s Bank Chairman, Gamini Senarath’s brother, Lolitha.

Lolitha is a permanent director at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka and he is in-charge of all Gamini Senarath’s investments. The Cabinet has been informed through the project report that the land would be used to set up a special business centre.
Lolitha’s Shelina NGB Lanka (Pvt) Limited is to commence the special project development and financial centre with assistance from Dubai’s national engineering bureau and China’s Syno Hydro Corporation Ltd.
The feasibility study has been carried out by Price Water House Coopers.
The project would see the construction of 490 service apartments, 350 high end hotel rooms and 400 standard hotel rooms. The Cabinet has also been informed that and office complex and a business centre would also be set up under the project. The project proposal notes that an investment of US$ 350 million would be made in the country within a two year period.
It is Lolitha and Deputy Chairman of the Port Development Authority, Sedhara, who handle Gamini Senarath’s investments.