Elections of 1994 and events thereafter

Soon after the results of the 1994 election were announced by the Commissioner of Elections there was a flurry of activity from the UNP camp because though it had lost the plurality of votes cast, the number of MPs in each camp was about even. Gamini thought he had a chance of getting Ashraff's support for the UNP and sent a helicopter to fetch him from Amparai. Ashraff landed in Colombo and went straight to meet CBK and offer his support. Wijetunga's anti-minority chickens were coming home to roost.

- Sarath Amunugama

Sarath Amunugama

Wijetunga was happy about my success (at the election). He was thinking of his future now that the SLFP/PA would form a government. He asked me to negotiate with the PA for him to remain as the titular President and for CBK to be the interim Prime Minister as she had given a pledge to abolish the Executive Presidency. At that point of time the SLFP was all for abolishing the executive Presidency. I telephoned GL Peiris who was the newly appointed Minister of Justice about this proposal and he requested me to meet him in his office in Hulftsdorp.

After listening to me he said that he had asked CBK about it and that it was premature to decide on Wijetunga's request. I did not know then that she had no intention of abolishing the Executive Presidency now that she had ascended the "Gadi". It was rumoured that she had consulted JRJ who had advised her that with her Parliamentary majority of one it would be suicidal to let go of the Presidency which she could soon contest as Wijetunga's term was coming to an end. According to my information JRJ had told CBK that "She would last only five months as PM but would remain for five years if she was the executive President".

CBK apparently thought that it was good advice. There was much hostility in the faction ridden SLFP to her assuming the premiership and there was open lobbying to appoint Mrs. B as the new PM. She was requested to serve as a minister in her mother's Cabinet. This has been confirmed in CBKs recently published biography.

Wijetunga however graciously recognized CBK, made her comfortable in the new environment by serving "Kevum and Kiribath" and thereby earned the respect of the young new leader of the country. CBK was appointed PM by him and she then set her eyes on the Presidency albeit with the pledge that she would later ensure the abolition of JRJ's "Bahubootha" creation as she colourfully described it.