by Shan Wijetunga
As the youngest of the family, Anura Bandaranaike was everybody's pet, called 'Mallo' not only by the two sisters, but also by Mrs. Bandaranaike herself. However, disputes between him and Chandrika ultimately led him to abandon the SLFP for the UNP.

The differences of opinion between brother and sister have a long history dating back to 1982 when Chandrika and Vijaya Kumaratunga supported Kobbekaduwa's candidature for the presidency while Anura kept aloof.

There was a temporary rapport between the two after the death of Vijaya Kumaratunga, but a series of party squabbles again cooled relations. A faction fight within the party eventually drove Anura into the UNP.

Brother and sister avoided each other scrupulously even at parties and at social events. Attempts at reconciliation by the mother did not produce any results. Their last meeting was when Anura formally congratulated his sister on her election as president.

Scoffed
Recent rumours that there was a meeting between the two were scoffed by the president. However, the brother and the sister definitely met each other at the bedside of Minister Fowzie at Navaloka Hospital. The President had gone there on her way to Katunayake en route to South Africa and Anura arrived there. He told the security officer that there is nothing to prevent him from seeing his sister and walked into the room.

Warm mutual greetings were exchanged and both talked about the patient. The president told Anura that she planned to visit England after the non-aligned conference to attend to educational matters of her daughter who had done very well at her GCE 'A' level. Anura wanted his warm congratulations to be conveyed to his niece. It was a brief meeting because the President had only 15 minutes more to catch her plane.

Warm up
The meeting between Anura and the President sent a few warm ripples in the political arena. The person who was the happiest was Mrs. Bandaranaike. She told Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who was sworn as acting minister before her that it would be a great relief if the brother and the sister maintain cordial relations at least at family level.

"Some people do not like to see peace in the family. They prevent even a chance meeting between the two" she commented with feeling.

"The UNP wants to use Anura to attack Chandrika. If the two reconcile at least on a family level, such attacks will stop" she said.

Ashraff meets Fowzie
Fowzie's hospitalisation also seems to have led to an improvement of personal relations between himself and minister Ashraff. For sometime the two were not on good terms mainly due to the SLMC demand for a separate Muslim sector in the Eastern Province. Fowzie believes that such a step would result in the erosion of age old good relations between the Muslim and the Sinhala communities.

Fowzie went as far as attacking both Ashraff and the SLMC openly. Things had become bitter to the extent of their not being on speaking terms.

On his return from USA Ashraff telephoned Fowzie at the hospital, sent him flowers and wished him a speedy recovery. Next he visited the hospital and the two were absorbed in cordial conversation.

Fowzie had a stream of VIP visitors. Among them were all ministers except those who were abroad. Other callers included Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa.

J.V.P. saddles the horses
Last Sunday and Monday were busy days for the JVP. The party's political committee met at their headquarters at Attidiya to discuss a range of subjects. Except Nandana Gunatillake, who had been entrusted with the task of preparation of the law suit against the government regarding the postponement of provincial council elections with lawyers, R. K. W. Gunasekara and C. J. Weliamuna all other members were there.

The topic centred round party Chief Somavansa Amarasinghe's visit to Japan and Italy and the strengthening of relations with JVP committees.

The committee believes that the government will hold the elections before a legal decision is taken on the postponement of elections.

The MEP response to the JVP proposal for a common left candidate at the next presidential election did not find favour. It was agreed to consult the parties on this subject.

Thondaman's birthday
Minister Thondaman's birthday fell on last Sunday. To commemorate the event, a health camp was held on the previous day at Kotagala. Doctors from India too participated in the camp. Two important visitors, Mangala Samaraweera and the Indian High Commissioner spent the previous day at Nuwara Eliya where there was a party in their honour attended by Arumugam Thondaman and S. Sathasivam. Minister Mangala Samaraweera and other invitees visited Thondaman's estate for the birthday party.

All Party PoW Wow
The UNP is very busy with preparations for the All Party conference scheduled for 14th of next month. Aimed at pressuring the government to appoint an independent Police Commission, Elections Commission and a Public Services Commission and to protest against the postponement of elections. On Monday, Ranil Wickramasinghe summoned a conference of UNP leaders M/s Karu Jayasuriya, Mahinda Kumarasinghe, Tyronne Fernando, Jayalath Jayawardane, Rahuman and Daya Pelpola, K. H. J. Wijedasa were present.

The main subject related to the format of the invitation - Four committees were appointed to be in charge of the task. Invitees are to include not only political parties but also organisations such as N.G.O.s and diplomats minorities etc.

Talks with the LTTE
An important visitor to the island during last week was Professor Fraser of the International Centre for Ethnic Affairs of Northern Ireland who spoke on how the Irish problem was solved.

Fraser met Ranil Wickramasinghe at his Cambridge Place office. Mr. Wickramasinghe told Mr. Fraser that the government must decide whether to continue fighting or talk to the LTTE. "If talks are to be held, then they should be unconditional". "Conditions are needed only if there is a cessation of hostilities. To Talk while both sides are engaged in military operations is pointless."

I.G.P.'s outgoing and incoming
At the last cabinet meeting the President announced the appointment of Lucky Kodituvakku as the new I.G.P. She also advised the ministers not to harass the new IGP with telephone calls to pressurise him." If there is a problem, tell me. Then we can discuss and solve the problems" she added.

The Mulberry Group is very happy about the new IGP. They criticised the former incumbent and demanded his removal on several occasions. In a letter to the new IGP the group states "you need no further elucidation regarding the attempts made to create a just and a civilised Police Force and through that step into reality to transform Her Excellency's concept of democracy and freedom and the various forces including super Khal Khaki clad men who rose against our attempts....

However, in the last analysis, the name Lucky Kodituvakku will usher in a new beacon of hope among the people's representatives, members of the Police Force and the ordinary citizens of our country...

"Our constant good wishes are with you for courage, wisdom, strength and good health needed for the this task.

"Please accept our trust, hopes and respect."

The letter had been signed by Douglas Alahapperume on behalf of the government back benchers.

A question of interpretation
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle had requested permission from the Speaker to attend the Parliamentary Select Committee On Public Enterprises as an observer and the Speaker had requested the Chief Whip to discuss with the committee chairman, Reggie Ranatunga and arrive at a decision.

A certain broadcasting service had given publicity to this exchange of letters and it had come to the attention of A. H. M. Azwer. When the committee met on Wednesday, Azwer had objected to this development and argued against an observer attending committee meetings. Reggie Ranatunga asked him not to get excited as he had not heard anything from the Speaker's office.

UNP in full swing
A lot of activity was reported from the green camp during last week. There was the massive dinner for UNP supporters of Gampaha and Biyagama regions last Tuesday. Ranil Wickramasinghe and many UNP top brass attended this function.

UNP cells in Colombo were reorganised. There was a scare on Wednesday, when it was rumoured that a group of Cooray supporters intended to stage a protest. Nothing took place. Instead, some supporters of Mr. Cooray expressed their solidarity with the party.

Several committees nominated by the government to lead the election programme held their meetings at Minister S. B. Dissanayake's residence. It was recommended that permanent employment to Samurdhi and Govi Niyamakas be considered.