“Prime Minister told the Ambassador January 10 that it was up to the President to make a new offer on how to deal with the Defense portfolio. In the meantime, he is offering power-sharing at the Provincial level. It appears both sides are waiting to gauge their strength in the April 10 Provincial Elections.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
Ranil and CBK
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The “Confidential” cable was signed by the US Ambassador to Colombo Jeffrey J. Lunstead on January 12, 2004.
The US Embassy wrote; “The Ambassador was called in to see Prime Minister Wickremesinghe on the afternoon of Saturday, January 10. Milinda Moragoda was also present. The meeting began with the participants exchanging thoughts on the books they had read over the Christmas/New Year’s lull, with the PM noting in particular a biography of Franklin Roosevelt. The PM then turned to the purpose of the meeting, saying that he was at an impasse with the President. He had decided, therefore, to try to deal with the broader issue of cooperation, and leave Defense and the Peace Process for later. He would make a proposal to her that for the upcoming Provincial Elections (now proposed to be held simultaneously in all provinces on April 10), the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) agree that the losing party would be offered two provincial ministries, perhaps even including the Chief Ministership. Of course, the PM said, this meant that the SLFP would have to give up its plans for an electoral alliance with the Sinhalese-radical Janantha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). If the two sides could work together like this in the Provinces, then they could do so in the Center also. Some SLFP politicians could become Central Ministers, but with at least 40 SLFP’ers remaining as the official Opposition, so that the JVP could not claim that role. If all of this worked, then they could find a way to handle Defense.”
Related stories to this cable;
Ben Hurling / December 27, 2013
What a constitutional mess Sri Lanka had become already then. Imagine how bad things will get in this country after infamous, idiotic 18th amendment. MPs who voted for 18th amendment despite overwhelming reasons to nip it in the bud, will go down in history of Sri Lanka as true traitiros. Cheers!
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Thondamanaru / December 27, 2013
What does one do if there are no Leaders left to lead the country?
better continue with the known devil.
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mike / December 28, 2013
Of the known devil, CBK is the best of all the rest!
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The Truth / December 28, 2013
When Chadrika was the president, at the time of LTTE playing havoc all over the country, Muslim MPs crossed the floor leaving Chadrika’s government at the brink of collapse. Ranil took this opportunity to bring a “NO Confidence” motion to defeat the government and have an election. Intelligent people advised him to join the government at this time of a national crisis, at least until the war is won. Ranil told the house that he will first become the president and then invite Chandika to help to form a National government. Now he wants to defeat MR and seeking her help to do so!!”Anay kalay vanay vasay”
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dharmapala / January 2, 2014
ms chandaraka when she was president he is undercutting thr mr Ranil. both of them joined and settle the miniroty problem,today country should be in a democratic country,today country belong to china, Russia, what a shame,no development begging for money,chandranaka time the plate of Rice 25rs today 250RS how people of country live,corruption is very high, enculding bribery commissioner,please joined and fight for better government,
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Raju / January 2, 2014
Some comments are not written with any merit. They only wants to slander the government. What credibility the UNP and Ranil have in ruling the country any more. They do not care about the country or anything else, only wants to come to power. The statements made by idiotic Sarath Fonseka ably supported by Ranil made a mockery of our reconciliation efforts. One guy is commenting on the 18th amendment without knowing the proper facts. Does he wants a President to be lame duck on his second term. Remember what JRJ became on his second term. It should be only vested with the people to remove or elect a president, not an administrative clause. If Rajapaksa did away with elections, yes then we have a cause to comment like that. After all this constitution is part and parcel of UNP from the beginning enacted for them to be in power for ever. There are some pundits who always pained that this constitution is only good for the UNP. However, using what ever power it has only MR was able to eradicate terrorism. Now every one has a country to left to fight an election
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