Back in the saddle as Secretary/PM: Ranil-CBK tensions after 2001 election

A day after the December 5, 2001 general election results were out, I got a call from Ranil Wickremesinghe's private office at Cambridge Terrace.

- (Excerpted from Rendering Unto Caesar, the Bradman Weerakoon autobiography)

It was Dayaratne, Ranil's personal secretary, with a message that the 'boss' wanted to see me urgently.

Ranil was brief and to the point as usual. He wasted no time on the formalities. He returned my congratulatory handshake with his normal perfunctory acknowledgement. He waved me to a chair.

"Brad," he said, "I have a problem.”

I thought I would be flippant; after all it was a moment for celebration.

"Not one, I think you have got quite a few.”

"No, but there is a serious one," said Ranil. "What's that?”

"I don't have a secretary.”

I was relieved. All he wanted were a few good names.

"That's not too difficult, I can suggest a few names," I ventured.

"No, no, I want you.”

That really floored me.

"Me! Do you know how old I am?”" You must be about sixty five.”

"No. I am 71. I don't think I can last the pace." "But you are well, aren't you. You look okay." He looked so earnest. I played for time.

"I can help you out for about three months and then...

"No. Come for about a year and we'll see ..

I knew I'd had it. I tried once more to obtain release. on my 72nd birthday dinner at which he was a special invitee, but I don't think he was listening. Today April 2, 2004, as the country votes again at the general elections that President Chandrika Kumaratunga has called, I would have been with him over two years and three months.

Ranil had won the 2001 December election with a comfortable majority. From the opposition, and with a formidable array of forces against him he had prevailed and brought off a comprehensive victory. The final results showed the following alignment of seats in Parliament:

Party No of Votes UNP 4,086,026 109 PA 3,330,815 77 Seats JVP 518,774 16