Who is carrying out the Rajapaksa legacy better than the Rajapaksas in the absence of the Rajapaksas? It is none other than Ranil Wickremesinghe who is being appropriately described in some circles as ‘Ranil Rajapaksa’.
If any convincing evidence was required to prove this premise, it came last week in the form of the swearing in of state ministers. Their appointment had the Rajapaksa stamp all over it, right down to stark impunity, ignoring common decency and giving a slap in the face of the judiciary. That is what you would come to expect from a Rajapaksa. This time though, the appointments were handed down by none other than Ranil Wickremesinghe.
To begin with, there was the extra-large caboodle of thirty-seven state ministers that shocked the nation. Here was a country on its last legs because of its economic woes and having to scrounge every cent it could, just to make ends meet. Yet, here was the President liberally doling out state ministerial portfolios with even two state ministers each for some portfolios such as Finance!
There were several indications that the mastermind behind this ‘list’ of state ministers was Basil Rajapaksa, still the political ideologue of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) despite his ruined reputation as Finance Minister. The general feeling was that Wickremesinghe was merely rubber stamping the appointments decided by Rajapaksa.
For starters, Shashindra Rajapaksa has been appointed to a state ministerial post. It was only a few weeks ago that the Rajapaksas were fleeing from Colombo and the country and none of them dared to face the public. Now, they are slowly putting their heads above the parapet to ascertain what the reception would be. Gotabaya has returned, Namal is out and about and now Shashindra has been appointed a state minister. The natural sequel would be for Namal to be co-opted into the next Cabinet.
Next, we saw Puttlam district parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha also being bestowed a state ministerial position. This is the man who was in the thick of things on May 9, allegedly instigating SLPP goons to attack protestors at Galle Face. This is also the man who said that judges are releasing criminals on bail and should therefore be responsible for the law and order situation in the country, a statement which is now before court, being scrutinised for alleged contempt of court.
Nishantha, now the ‘honourable’ State Minister of Water Supply, is also the same person who said that the “President we (the SLPP) appointed should do as we ask him to do”. He need not fear. The President is doing exactly that! Nishantha’s appointment sends out several messages, loud and clear. It indicates that the government is not worried about his indiscretions and would protect him. It also suggests that issues such as ethics and good governance are of no concern whatsoever to the government. That is a signature move of the Rajapaksas- although the signature on the letter of appointment given to Nishantha is that of Wickremesinghe.
Another feature of the state ministerial appointments is that six state ministers were appointed from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). This is another instance where the interests of Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Rajapaksas co-incide. They both want the SLFP decimated not only because of their common dislike for Maithripala Sirisena but also because of their fear that, in the absence of popular support for the SLPP, the SLFP will have a resurgence of political fortunes.
The SLFP originally had fourteen MPs under its wing. Now, two are ministers and six others are state ministers. That leaves six SLFPers as MPs. There is already speculation that one of them, Duminda Dissanayake could join the government as a cabinet minister. Therefore, the SLFP could be effectively reduced to just five MPs, a party of virtually no consequence. That would suit the Rajapaksas and Wickremesinghe just fine for different reasons: the Rajapaksas want the SLPP to become the major party at the next national election, Wickremesinghe wants that role for his United National Party (UNP). The co-operation between the two camps is such that a cohabitation or coalition between the two parties is not unthinkable, come 2024.
What adds further insult to injury in the state ministerial appointments was the late entrant, Ratnapura district’s Premalal Jayasekara alias ‘choka malli’ who was sworn in days later. Jayasekara, who was convicted of murdering a UNP activist at Kahawatte who was campaigning for Maithripala Sirisena at the 2015 presidential election, was later acquitted of all charges and released. Now, he received his letter of appointment from none other than the leader of the UNP, Ranil Wickremesinghe!
If President Wickremesinghe had any qualms about making this appointment, he didn’t make them known. It is also unthinkable that, from all the potential aspirants for this state ministerial position, Wickremesinghe would choose the one man who had once been convicted of murdering a UNPer. This appointment therefore, is convincing evidence that what Basil says, Ranil does.
We haven’t seen the last of this saga, though. Basil Rajapaksa has left for the United States but rumour has it that he has indicated to Wickremesinghe which ten SLPP stalwarts he would like elevated to Cabinet status. The likes of Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Johnston Fernando are reportedly among them. This trio are arguably the most unpopular of SLPP stalwarts and Wickremesinghe is reportedly not keen for their inclusion. However, if they make the cut, we will know that Wickremesinghe is still following the script dictated by Basil Rajapaksa.
The current cabinet has eighteen ministers. The Constitution has provision for twelve more. The two remaining slots are likely to be taken up by Vajira Abeywardena and Duminda Dissanayake. If this is what eventuates, we can only say that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
For all the turmoil that Sri Lanka underwent since March, it appears to have achieved just one tangible result: they have replaced Gotabaya Rajapaksa with Ranil Wickremesinghe. Wickremesinghe is doing Rajapaksa’s job better than any Rajapaksa could ever do.
