Minister Karunanayake had earlier accused President Chandrika Kumaratunge of spying. She is alleged to have brought a handbag to Cabinet meetings, which really was a sophisticated eaves-dropping device containing photographic and recording equipment. The government has ordered a police investigation into the handbag affair.
Government members are also accusing the President of corruption. Galle MP Gayantha Karunathileke alleges that Rs 4.9 billion ($50.9 million) allocated to the President for projects is missing. A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Finance minister KN Choksy, says that President Chandrika had imported 48 luxury armoured vehicles at a cost of Rs 2 billion ($20.8 million) without Parliament or Cabinet approval.
The main opposition PA and its ally JVP tabled a no-confidence motion in the legislature against Interior minister John Amaratunge in July. Both parties say that the law and order situation in the country has deteriorated since the ceasefire agreement between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was signed in February. On 1 August, the opposition also submitted a no-confidence motion against Defence minister Tilak Marapane.
Despite the show of force, there are visible cracks in the opposition. The Colombo District Court issued an interim order on 16 July, to prevent the suspension of former Transport minister AHM Fowsie from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The SLFP is the main constituent of the PA, whose leader is President Chandrika Kumaratunge.
Earlier, Ms Chandrika had sent a letter to Mr Fowsie asking him to show cause for advocating the formation of a national government in which the PA would participate along with the ruling United National Front (UNF). Mr Fowsie points out that the President herself had initiated talks in March 2000 for the establishment of a national government.
The problem stems from suspicion within the PA that Mr Fowsie is planning to defect and support the government’s proposed amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution to remove some powers of the President. The President retains the power to dissolve parliament after one year from the date of a general election and the government believes that she will exercise that power after 5 December. Observers say that these events, showing the lack of commitment to bipartisanship, have introduced an element of uncertainty to the peace process.
In early July, President Chandrika urged the government and the LTTE to begin talks without delay. She accused the LTTE of levying taxes, stressing that only the government is authorized to raise taxes throughout Sri Lanka. The President also continued to express concern about the harassment of the Muslim community by the LTTE.
Addressing the press on 11 July in the Vanni, LTTE’s political leader SP Thamilchelvan attempted to allay fears over Tamil hegemony in the north-east. He claimed that a solution to the conflict would be based on equality and the rights of the Muslims and the Sinhalese would be respected. LTTE supporters claim that deputy leader Karikalan, alleged to be the main figure behind the harassment of the Muslims, has been removed from his responsibilities in the east.
The government faced its own problems in July. On 5 July, petitions filed by Sinhalese nationalist organisations against the ceasefire agreement were taken up for inquiry in the Supreme Court. The decision was postponed to 19 September. PA spokesman Sarath Amunugama condemned the government for lack of progress in the peace process. LTTE Advisor Anton Balasingham had apparently been avoiding meetings with Norwegian and Sri Lankan representatives, blaming the government of failing to implement the ceasefire agreement.
A meeting between Mr Balasingham and and Economic Reform minister Milinda Moragoda on 27 July in London came as a relief. Norwegian Deputy Foreign minister Vidar Helgesen’s discussions with Mr Balasingham in London on 17 July had paved the way for the first meeting between a government minister and the LTTE.
While local struggles continued in July, Pakistan President Pervez Musharaff and Indian Foreign Affairs minister Yashwant Sinha visited Sri Lanka. Both assured that their countries would support a peaceful solution that ensures the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the island. US President George W. Bush also pledged support for peace efforts and economic development when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe visited Washington in late July. Some observers say that an agreement may have been reached for military facilities in Sri Lanka for the US during any armed conflict, in exchange for pressure on the LTTE.