Top minister shut out of home base

Has Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, a leading Badulla District politician and Leader of the House, been side-lined?

UPFA circles were talking in whispers after reports some weeks ago that he had a one-on-one with an opposition leader. Days after this reportedly fell on the ears of the leadership, de Silva's colleague Minister Dilan Perera made a bitter attack on him at a public meeting.

Now, sections of the UPFA say that remarks made by Minister Susil Premajayantha at a news conference at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headquarters in Colombo are adding credence.

Mr. Premajayantha gave the names of the ministers who will oversee the UPFA campaigns in Badulla and Moneragala Districts for the Uva Provincial Council polls. He said Minister Anura Priyadarhsana Yapa will oversee the electorates of Hali Ella, Badulla and Passara while Minister S.B. Dissanayake will be in charge of the campaign in Mahiyangana and Wiyaluwa while he himself will be in charge of the campaign in Bandarawela, Uva Paranagama, Welimada and Haputale electorates.

Mr. Premajayantha said his ministerial colleague John Seneviratne would be in charge of the campaign in the Moneragala District. He made no mention of Minister de Silva.

Last Wednesday, Minister de Silva wanted to officially hand over a booklet illustrating development activities in the Badulla district to the clergy.

He visited the Muthiyangaya Rajamaha Vihara in Badulla and found that the chief incumbent or his deputy were not present. He had to leave a copy behind with a monk.

He could not hand over copies to a Catholic church, Hindu kovil or the mosque. Copies were thereafter distributed in the town area.