With the Local Government Elections a near certainty in 2023, new political alignments are being fast-tracked by all concerned parties.
The rejuvenated Pohottuwa with Basil at the helm is working overtime at Nelum Mawatha to pull back its rural supporters who were alienated by GR’s reckless decisions, particularly about fertiliser use and other agricultural inputs.
Thanks to those decisions, we had the lowest paddy yields for Maha in decades. Paddy purchases were chaotic and the farming community, which is the largest segment of voters in the country, abandoned their favourite leaders – the Rajapaksas – as shown in nationwide farmers’ struggles and the results of latest statistical surveys.
Provincial leaders have been summoned to Colombo for pep talks and finalising lists of candidates. It is conceded by all that Basil has the best digitised electoral machine and a professional attempt will be made to stem the tide of discontent, but their press conferences show that party seniors are reluctant to meet the media. They have to depend on ‘work horses’ like SB, Sagara, and Sanjeewa.
Many of the seniors in Cabinet are afraid that their portfolios will be taken away. Some, who have had their houses burnt down, are threatening to join the Opposition if their powers are reduced. One such voluble minister has stopped going back to his hill country electorate because his showpiece house was burnt to cinders.
All are awaiting Basil’s negotiations with Ranil regarding new appointments. However, the latter has said that a delay is necessary since the IMF will not approve of a jumbo cabinet. Is this the reason why many MPs have started to vilify the IMF and the Governor of the Central Bank? While contrary views are leaked to the media about IMF funding, it is clear now that the earlier projections about relief coming in December are way out.
Recently the heads of the IMF and the World Bank were in Beijing to fast-track arrangements about debt relief for Zambia, Ghana, and Sri Lanka. Unless the Chinese finalise their relief measures, other favourable developments like those of the Paris Club – which includes Japan, our second largest bilateral creditor – cannot come into play.
The Central Bank is now putting up feelers about loans from friendly countries as ‘bridging finance,’ which is an indication that talks are unexpectedly delayed. The Government, and particularly the President, needs success on the IMF front before the 2023 elections. ……
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/mRHKsAmQsmTAprHVusfk
