Responding to the press release issued by the Secretary General of the Liberal Party, Kamal Nissanka, Prof. Rajiva Wijesingha says “the Secretary General has no powers to make such rulings.” He has written to the Elections Commissioner as well as to the Liberal Party Secretary General. We publish below the two letters in full;
Letter to Commissioner of Elections
Wijesinha
Dear Commissioner
I have had a letter from the General Secretary of the Liberal Party claiming to declare that I have ceased to be a member of the Party. There is no basis for this decision at all, and the Secretary General has no powers to make such rulings.
I have replied as in the attached. I should also note that he casts doubt on my position as Leader of the Party, on the grounds that the meeting of the Committee that took place immediately after the National Congress last December was invalid. This again is a nonsensical position, since the first Committee meeting always takes place after the Congress. The Leader has been elected on that occasion ever since we changed the constitution to have the Leader elected by the Committee.
Unfortunately the General Secretary did not produce typed minutes of that meeting at the next Committee meeting in January. He has since refused to give us copies of what I believe was a hand-written document he read out, which recorded what had occurred.
I should note that he did give me a letter in January making it clear that I was the Leader of the Party. A copy of this is enclosed. However a couple of months later he decided otherwise.
I would be grateful if, in view of his arbitrary and almost lunatic behavior, you do not take cognizance of communications from him, but instead await a formal decision from the Committee as to the status of party officials.
Yours sincerely
Rajiva Wijesinha
Letter to Secretary General of the Liberal Party
Dear Kamal
Thanks for your letter dated July 15th, which I received yesterday by Registered Post. I am bemused by the contents, and the constant shifts in your position. It is also totally unacceptable that you should interpret Section 21 of the Liberal Party Constitution as allowing you to do whatever you want. All it says is that the Secretary General ‘shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Liberal Party.
The Secretary General shall be responsible for the office and staff of the party’. I cannot understand how you interpret that to mean you can declare that I have ceased to be a member of the Liberal Party by Operation of Law.
The Minutes of the last meeting, which you yourself drafted, though deeply flawed, do not at any stage indicate that the Party wanted lists of its own to be put in for the current election. They indicate that you had followed up on the party decision for an alliance with the UPFA by writing to the President. In accordance with the reply received, three members, including yourself and the Deputy Secretary General, had sent in applications for nomination for the coming election.
You and the DSG indicated that you no longer wished to be considered but it was noted that ‘committee did not want to sabotage if any member of the party further negotiate with President regarding nominations’.
Your draft claims I volunteered (in fact I checked if I had a mandate from the committee) ‘to discuss with President Maithripala Sirisena regarding a national list seat nomination and a district nomination for Kurunagala’.
Despite this you arbitrarily decided to put forward four lists and only informed the committee subsequent to nominations having closed. Having done this without authority from the committee, you purport to dismiss me from the party on the grounds that my National List nomination, made in accordance with our requests and the MoU that you signed, ‘causes much political hardships to the candidates of the Liberal Party’.
This is an illogical position. Under the circumstances I continue to see myself as a Member of the Liberal Party, and will act as such.
I note that the meeting of the National Committee scheduled for August 19th at the previous meeting has been suddenly cancelled by you. This has happened with regard to previous meetings this year. This time, after I was invited, you sent a note indicating that I was not welcome, and therefore did not inform me of the cancellation.
Yours sincerely
Rajiva Wijesinha
Related posts;
Rajiva Wijesinha Should Resign From UPFA National List: Liberal Party
thumpane gamaya / July 23, 2015
Looks like this guy in a complete mess. These days people are confused as to which party he is supporting MY3 or MARA? Now it appears he has been thrown out of his party itself?
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Leelawathie / July 23, 2015
Yes indeed. I really dont kno wthe man has a good family life. All karma seems to be boomerang on him now.
If he cant digest his secretary – so how can he think of doing good politics.
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Ajith / July 23, 2015
Yes, It proves undoubtedly that even educated, socialist individuals like Rajiva, Dayan, Vitharane, Vasudeva can be bought by criminals & rascists & fundamentalists for money and power.
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Grmberg / July 28, 2015
H, Ha, don’t I know about Dayan!
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Hinnibanda / July 24, 2015
At the beginning I respected Prof. Wijesinghe, but his close ties and not being able to call a spade as a spade when it goes with MR regime – I thought there I am wrong to consider Rajeewa as a pure blood politician. He may be bright in his academic carrier, but for sure not at all he is appropriate to lanken politics. These personalities could do lot more if they could see them
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Dhammika Heenpella / July 23, 2015
Although we had certain respect for Prof. Wijesinghe as a person who has some sort of an integrity, unfortunately, he himself has destroyed that image during the last 6-7 months.
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Supun Jayawardhane / July 23, 2015
His ego is above his rediness to work with goodies.
Once he attacked MR, now stay gummed to him – but not doing anything tangible with his knowledge to move forward. Tihs kind of profs could render a great service if they are humble enough. Some colombites behave such. They feel as if they are Kalu or Puka suddas just because they use queen s langauge. But these men shold see them in mirror before behaving so. I think there is none among the profs in active politics – to consider as doing good to the nation s sake. Most abusive GLP is intoxicated by MR syndrome. He does nt care what half of vote eligible have to say- being anti to MR poltics, GLP is pasted to MR bunch as nothing can move him any further.
If GLP is a good politician, he shold be able to pave the way most abusive president brining him to sense, at the time, MR politics did all harm to the nation. GLP as former law professor has become a stinky number to this date. We are ashamed to name him seeing in the MR bunch.
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MrRetort / July 24, 2015
GLP knows he has no future and no Ministries with RANIL. So he has to glue to somebody and does not matter what sort of rouge for that matter. Force him to retirement is the best one can do for him.
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Samuel Jayaweera / July 24, 2015
I have no idea. I only know abou me. If I would go wrong, there I ask myself, how can I face it next. Why the personalities with higher academic achievements like GLP to be stuck with the wrong bunch is a greater question to me that may have no answers. I really dont know why.
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Sylvia Haik / July 23, 2015
Prof Rajiva Wijesinghe is fast becoming the thinking man’s Mervyn Silva. He has flipped flopped so many times like a frog intent on mating with as many females as possible, puts Mervyn Maama in the shade.
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Hinnibanda / July 23, 2015
This says everyting about the professor that did not hold his Dpty ministerial position not even 4 weeks of the current govt. Just listning to that Interview in which the so called pundit attacked to then UGC head was beyond all ethics and morals. He thought as if he was sent their to behave montisoir teacher level. The wording and the manner he behaved was beyond all respectlessness. I wish all these professors could do a better service to the lanken universities.
Give me one example please where a prof has done good politics in lanken history ? They are just blackboard pundits – cant move beyond their theories. This man in the picture is idiosyncratic to his nature. Very special. Snob by all means. Putting everyone down whereever he is given chances
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Thummullewimale / July 23, 2015
This English Master has done nothing to this nation. He only enjoyed his perks being a MP. That is it. Tell us any of you, what this man has done to the nation please please please
I as Thummulle buruwanse, have done a lot by paving the way Rajapakshe to return to politics. I though have not Alevels, I have the ability to creat whirls wtihin th enation for our survivial only. I dont have any kind of maxistic views remained to this day.
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Nari-bana / July 23, 2015
What is the worth of this man if he gets under the banner of Rajapakse? Has this guy no conscience? Has he not seen the massive corruption under the previous regime? Has he not seen the absolute waste of public funds like building an international airport in the middle of nowhere and where no planes land at massive cost to the people of the country? Did he not see how Rajapakse’s son being groomed to takeover when the old man retired, making this country into something like North Korea? Where was his liberal credentials when he voted for the 18th Amendment? Where was he when plane loads of hangers on went on joy rides (Cabraal included) to the Caribbeans to lobby for the Commonwealth Games in Hambantota costing millions and millions of dollars of public money?
Yes, sure, Rajiva Wijesinghe will get some votes. But then, bigger culprits get voted to power too!
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Samuel Jayaweera / July 23, 2015
There are therories among the researchers of the day- when getting older, they cant see by themselves where to they ve been moving. This man and his buddy DJ would do anything to please MR – even to date, none of both dare to attack MR blunt manner. For them both, their posts if by any chance MR would be elected, are more important than anything else. THey both feel they are the most interllectuals that know almost everything about the lanken politics. But them both being isolated from MR s regime during the last 2 years, I really dont know why the very same men are still leeched to MR. Selfishness has no margins – when looking at the both charactors. Anyways, UNP rule will never chose these men to represent them in outside world.
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Nilame / July 23, 2015
Apart from Rajiva Wijeysingha and Kamal Nissanka, how many members are there in the Liberal party for the public to attach any importance to the so called Liberal Party? 25, 50, 100? certainly not more than that.
Nilame
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Selyna / July 23, 2015
Kamal Nissanka has developed a tendancy towards dictatorship. Tries to take decisions for the party all by himself, uses delaying tactics to sabotage progress…. he can tell you more.
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winiwida / July 23, 2015
It seems there is a concerted effort to destroy Rajiva. Just look at the comments against the great man – same style and language. One or two people are writing non stop comments to discredit Rajiva – a gentleman par excellence
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Jabberwocky / July 24, 2015
winiwida – No one needs to exercise “effort” to destroy Rajiva. His hypocrisy and petulance have sufficed to do it himself.
This guy is history and the sooner he realizes it the better for us all.
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wilson / July 23, 2015
Rajiva is brilliant. His English is the best – speaks better than Cameron. An Oxford Scholor – Rajiva – we are with you.
Rajiva comprehend well the heartbeat of the nation.
He should become the next Higher Education or Foreign Minister
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Seelawathi / July 23, 2015
Wilso,
were you born yesterday ?
Once upon a time, I also felt that he should be our Minister of Higher Education. But immediately after the current govt appointed him as a minister, the manner he behaves in UGC sessions made me very clear, he is not a diplomatic person – nor is he a team player. May be his academic achievements are brilliant but what brings if the man cant outreach masses. I think he has to work on his profile. He is no way fit to lanken politics. Perhaps advisable him to return to the UK.
We may have golden wishes- but capablities of a person denpend not only Education but also various other factors. He is no go to lanken potlics.
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Raj / July 23, 2015
If I am not mistaken, Rajiva Wijesingha could not hold on to the job as Sub Warden of St Thomas’s some years ago. If that is so, I don’t think he would be fit to be the Minister of Education. Unless he read a relevant Degree such as Political Science or Economics at Oxford, speaking the Queen’s English & having some obscure Degree doesn’t make him any better.
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K.sandirasegaram / July 23, 2015
Unfortunately this Proffesor is a one man band and not a team player. He doesn’t represent any Liberal values other than his own self interest. He single handerdly prevents the growth of the Liberal party. The decision to sack him is the best for the party and politics. He is a self opinionated and is rather grandiose in his views about himself. Politics and the Liberal party is a broad church We need to encourage its growth with proper Liberal values and transparency. He uses the party for his own political gains. Thanks for his termination from the party.
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Rodney / July 23, 2015
Liberal party and its liberal policies not one man’s property
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Wilson / July 24, 2015
Rajiva could not tolerate corruption and family bandism in the previous government. So he risked his MP post and left the then government for the greater good of the country. A man with extraordinary vision, he thought he could do some solid work. Yahapaalana nade gave him a junior minister post (not a senior minister) and blocked his progressive work. Rajiva realized he was in the wrong place at the right time. So Rajiva left Yahapaalanaya and joined Mahinda group, while still being loyal to MY3. He realized that the known devil is better than the unknown angel. A man with exceptional principles, Sri Lanka may not the place for him to do his style of honourable politics. A thoroughly unassuming man, Rajiva should be given a National List slot and a senior Minister post in the next government
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Jabberwocky / July 24, 2015
Wilson, you can’t be serious! This guy is a serial ‘jumper’ (in more ways than one!). If he was so concerned about “family bandyism” (not to mention corruption, crime and all the other ills they were guilty of) why did he hang around until he was virtually discarded?
“A man with exceptional principles”???? I almost fell off my chair laughing….
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MrRetort / July 24, 2015
Why, can’t you find a better joker than him for National list MP.
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Rohan / July 28, 2015
They have Minnal Ranga of Shakthi TV, the mate of Namal for that!!!!
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Supun Jayawardhane / July 24, 2015
what kind of principles you resound as execeptional in his person ?
Actually, for me, if a guy would not respect the colleagues (former UGC prof), we cant talk about his or her good further. Regardless of the mistakes being done by UGC chairman, RW could still treat her well. In that TV interview, we noticed the very manner RW reacted.. as if he was respectless. Was that right ? Sure, that was a poltical appoinment and former UGC chairman should be close confidiant of Rajapakshe. But with all respect, we need to handle these issues with SOME LEVEL of respect and dignity.
No doubt that Rajiva should become a minister in the educational sector, but he should also be ready to see his mistakes. Nobody is perfect. Even profs make mistakes since we are all human beings. I wish future rulers could appoint highly educated personalities to the ministry of education, since we dont want to see people like SBs or Bandulas
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Off The Wall / July 24, 2015
When there are only two guys in the Liberal Party – Kamal & Rajiva – I don’t know what national congress/committee they are talking about. Both are quite liberal in their madness.
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Jesudasan / July 24, 2015
Rajiva left the then government because it had not gone ahead with pledged reforms, and it seemed that corruption and authoritarianism were increasing. A man with unique commitment to systemic change, he thought he could do good work in a government that pledged reform.
Contrary to implied promises made, he was not given a Cabinet Ministry, but a State Ministry which was then put under a UNP Cabinet Minister. Despite this he worked energetically, and within quick time produced a draft new Higher Education Act (first draft) and Cabinet Papers that addressed current grave problems in education.
However the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Minister, contrary to pledges, interfered in a manner that made it impossible for him to work. He had no other alternative but to resign.
Being a cultured, refined man, he acted according to his conscience – did the right thing (albeit difficult) and resigned; by doing that he forgoed the State Ministry that was given to him. Something other politicians would never do – we know everyone hold on to power by hook or crook; but not Rajiva. This is why it is difficult for such a man to do politics in corrupt Sri Lanka, but, I am sure, being a hard nut to crack, he will do well
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ranjan b / July 24, 2015
A desporate and pathetic opportunist who just wants a seat in parliament. He is the first cousin of Ranil and even today lives in Esmond Wickremesinghe’s house. All this gas is about his inability to ever match up to Ranil. He has always been the ugly fart of the family and he knows it. Quite tragic actually.
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Vanguard / July 24, 2015
Dear Professor
Hope you make it into the next parliament, we need fair minded intellectuals like yourself, and the invaluable contribution you made to making sure the 19th amendment was made in the best interests of the nation.
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dcn / July 24, 2015
Looks like this professor is hungry for power and do anything to get same. What a shame all these people clamour for political power.after all what did they do when they were in power?
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CountryFirst / July 27, 2015
We need knowledgeable and articulate young people in Parliament and hopefully Prof. Wijesinha will get an opportunity to serve the country in the Education sector which is his area of interest and expertise.
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Sylvia Haik / July 27, 2015
I once had the greatest respect for Rajiva Wijesingha when he was eloquently defending our integrity with substance over the hurtful Channel 4 documentaries. But now that I’ve understood his mindset, siding with Mahinda Rajapakse after being aware of his corruption as an insider, makes him a collaborator and even guilty by association.
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Rohan / July 28, 2015
//eloquently defending our integrity with substance over the hurtful Channel 4 documentaries. //
absolutely wrong! He lied and made a lot of things up on his way. In a debate with Suren Surendrand, Rajiva said his government punished Bharathy. he meant Inya Bharathy, who was Karuna’s crony and the SLFP organiser of Ampara, who was felicitated by Mahinda Government with a Deshamanya Award.
Reference – https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/exclusive-photographic-evidence-of-sl-government-whitevanning-child-soldier-recruitments-and-deshamanya-iniyapaarathi/
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Spring Koha / July 28, 2015
Rajiva W
To be screwed by your own party on the even of an election is the ultimate comeuppance.
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