Karu Jayasuriya assessed that Rajapaksa is trying to garner majority support in parliament, which means courting the UNP, the second largest political party.
By Colombo Telegraph-
“In a discussion with pol FSN, senior UNP official Karu Jayasuriya assessed that Rajapaksa is trying to garner majority support in parliament, which means courting the UNP, the second largest political party.” the US Ambassador Robert O. Blake informed Washington, ten days before Karu Jayasuriya joined Mahinda Rajapaksa government with a group of UNP parliamentarians.
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeak database. The cable is classified as “CONFIDENTIAL” and written on January 10, 2007 by the US Ambassador to Colombo Robert O. Blake.
The Ambassador wrote “Rajapaksa’s willingness to discuss his plans with Wickremesinghe is a positive sign cooperation between the two major parties might continue. However, to date, the MoU has yielded no solid results, other than UNP parliamentary support for the president’s budget. When Wickremesinghe signed an MoU with the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), many analysts believed he did so in large part to stop UNP members jumping ship to join the government.”
“On January 9, in regular monthly meeting with news media, President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced an imminent cabinet reshuffle. A number of opposition United National Party (UNP) members have been angling for some time for ministerial posts. It appears likely Rajapaksa will accommodate UNP constitutional scholar G.L. Peiris and party heavyweight Milinda Moragoda, both of whom would be willing to switch party allegiances, UNP contacts told us. UNP members also speculated that parliamentarians Navin Dissanayake, Gamini Lokuge, Mano Wijeratne, and Hemakumara Nannayakara would accept ministerial posts, though they would be unlikely to change parties. A source in the president’s secretariat told pol FSN that Rajapaksa is considering offering UNP members cabinet posts while permitting them to retain their current party affiliation.” Ambassador Blake further wrote.
Read the cable below for further details;
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000046 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/10/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: CABINET RESHUFFLE IMMINENT; PRESIDENT MAY APPOINT OPPOSITION MEMBERS Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT O. BLAKE, JR. FOR REASONS 1.4(b) and ( d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa told media representatives on January 9 that he will reshuffle his cabinet. A source in the presidential secretariat told pol FSN Rajapaksa may offer ministerial posts to opposition United National Party (UNP) members while allowing them to retain their present party affiliation. Our contact said UNP stalwart Milinda Moragoda may gain the post of Foreign Minister, leaving current Minister Samaraweera with only the ports and civil aviation portfolio. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly signed the MoU with the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) largely in order to prevent party "cross-overs," but it seems Rajapaksa plans to co-opt UNP members, regardless of whether they formally switch parties. UNP sources reported Rajapaksa is due to meet with Wickremesinghe January 11, so it appears the president has waited to discuss the make-up of his new cabinet with the opposition leader before announcing his final decision. The Ambassador will see Wickremesinghe as well on January 11 to get his report. End summary. ¶2. (C) On January 9, in regular monthly meeting with news media, President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced an imminent cabinet reshuffle. A number of opposition United National Party (UNP) members have been angling for some time for ministerial posts. It appears likely Rajapaksa will accommodate UNP constitutional scholar G.L. Peiris and party heavyweight Milinda Moragoda, both of whom would be willing to switch party allegiances, UNP contacts told us. UNP members also speculated that parliamentarians Navin Dissanayake, Gamini Lokuge, Mano Wijeratne, and Hemakumara Nannayakara would accept ministerial posts, though they would be unlikely to change parties. A source in the president's secretariat told pol FSN that Rajapaksa is considering SIPDIS offering UNP members cabinet posts while permitting them to retain their current party affiliation. ¶3. (C) Our contact in the president's office also said Rajapaksa may appoint Moragoda to replace current Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who would then retain only the ministry for ports and civil aviation. The president is also considering Rohitha Bogollagama, currently the Industries Minister, for the Foreign Minister post. The MFA may be renamed the Ministry of External Affairs, the source said. He added that current Peace Secretariat head Palitha Kohona will likely be named Foreign Secretary with the backing of most ministers, Samaraweera's objections notwithstanding. ¶4. (C) UNP contacts reported that the president plans to meet UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe January 11 and will likely discuss the make-up of his new cabinet. In a discussion with pol FSN, senior UNP official Karu Jayasuriya assessed that Rajapaksa is trying to garner majority support in parliament, which means courting the UNP, the second largest political party. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Until now, the Foreign Secretary position has always gone to a career diplomat. Samaraweera sought to maintain this practice, recommending that current Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Romesh Jayasinghe get the job. Rajapaksa is breaking with tradition to select a political appointee. We will report septel on Samaraweera's rift with Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa's willingness to discuss his plans with Wickremesinghe is a positive sign cooperation between the two major parties might continue. However, to date, the MoU has yielded no solid results, other than UNP parliamentary support for the president's budget. When Wickremesinghe signed an MoU with the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), many analysts believed he did so in large part to stop UNP members jumping ship to join the government. Now, it seems, Rajapaksa may co-opt opposition members whether or not they formally switch political parties. However, if the president actually names Moragoda, formerly Wickremesinghe's COLOMBO 00000046 002 OF 002 closest ally, Foreign Minister, this may well complicate UNP cooperation with the SLFP on the peace process. The Ambassador will meet with Wickremesinghe on January 11 to hear his perspective. BLAKE
DG US / December 19, 2011
Karu is history in a few hours. So is Sajith and his freaking Golayas.
Ravi will be the Deputy Leader. Gamini the Chairman, Michael Perera the Deputy Chairman, and John Amaratunge the Chief Whip and some other position. Daya Gamage will be the National Organizer .
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Kalu Albert / December 19, 2011
Ranil should win . Paba is better than karu. we in gampaha select paba over karu
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Dharme / December 19, 2011
all seems to be ok from both sides except sajith premadasa,srilanka dont need a pupet like sajith!his father thaught a good lesson to Srilanka!
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Gamma W Nawala / December 19, 2011
How could anyone think Ranil is a LLTE supporter? If it was so by now this government would have been grilling him and he may have been ousted long ago. He is clean and that is why no body can point a finger at him. MAy be he is not a good statesmen, but his experience super-seed every one, and he is a leader that Sri Lanka needed but lost due to the shortsightedness of the supporters. Whatever happens it will be the say of the supporters. And no one can challenge it. So whatever it is lets see at the results.. Soon if the UNP do not iron out the differences it will be the loosers, because all this pranks by the members has confused the supporters. So there should be a settlement and it should stop……
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Harsha - Japan / December 19, 2011
End of the day it’s our motherland and ppls.UNP pls act responsibly. It’s durty come this way. But hope this will change something for good. God Bless Sri Lanka.
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rama / December 19, 2011
Ranil is indeed a “qualified” politian. But, he is not a “successfull” politian. Karu is now a “successfull” politian (mainly because Sirasa has slung mud at Ranil). But, Karu is not that “qualified”.
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Opatha - Ragama / December 19, 2011
Ranil is a Gentleman but he is not suitable for a Statesman still most sri lankans believe Ranil is LTTE supporter if he continues as a leader of UNP we will never ever come to power please try to understand the reality..neither sajith is suitable
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Dharme / December 19, 2011
Here is the chance for people who wanted the real change in the UNP. Ranil is a gentlemen but history proves he was taken by ride by the MR. His image has been abused in such an extent that in an election he would be defeated in media with no ability to recover. This is what we experienced over the last decade. it is obvious that you can not change the attitude of mass overnight and Ranil could not changed it for last period of time. Ranil should be the vision of new Sri Lanka, but what is important at this moment is coming in to power. i think this is the best chance for that. MR would be the most worried man of a new change.
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Lak W / December 19, 2011
The leader can select the Secretary and tearsurer of the party. So Mr Jayasuriya could appoint Mr Madduma Bandara for one of these. Mr Madduma Bandara is a genuine suporter of Mr Premadasa so I don’t he is after positions. It’s more important to keep a guy like Mr Jayasekara who was a little uncertain. This is a very good move by Mr Premadasa and Mr Jayasuriya. Anyway, who is Ravi Karunayake and Daya Gamage. These two are just supporters of Ranil and never been loyal UNPers. I was voting for UNP over 40yrs (my entire life) will not do the same if Ravi and Daya become Deputy leader and National Oragnaizer.
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Upul Abe / December 19, 2011
Ranil you had so many chances and it is very clear you cannot provide the leadership the UNP needs to win elections. We definitely need a change in leadership before it is too late
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Lalani Basnayake / December 19, 2011
Karu has experience in the Private Sector as well as Govt Sector (Sri Lanka Army). It is a good blend. Let him be the winner.
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