The Gampaha district located in western SL covers an area of approx 1387 SQKMs. The Biyagama Divisional Secretariat of Gampaha is approx 59 sqkm. It was part of Kelaniya electorate since 1947 till 1977. President JRJ was its first Member of Parliament (MP). In 1956 R.G. Senanayake who signed the Rubber Rice Pact with China (RGS) defeated JRJ at Kelaniya. After the defeat, JRJ never contested Kelaniya & entered Parliament from ‘Colombo-West’ co-representing with Socialist MP Bernard Soysa. JRJ-Bernard bond is still remembered by many who cherish true democracy. In 1977 Kelaniya was divided creating Biyagama. Ranil Wickremasinghe (RW) (great grandson of Helena Wijewardena who renovated Kelaniya Viharaya after being destroyed by the Portuguese) became the first MP for Biyagama. During 1977 – 88 UNP government, RW initiated many development projects for Biyagama including the Fertilizer factory & the Export Processing Zone.  During the 1987 uprising, fertilizer factory’s staff housing (at Batalanda in Biyagama) were assigned to the armed forces battling the uprising. Thus it’s the ‘Batalanda’ camp. The primary responsibility of a democratically elected government is ensuring the safety of its citizens (especially the unarmed). It’s a topic discussed more widely in the west after September 11^th attacks & it can be discussed in detail quoting many case studies.

Batalanda in London.

Batalanda discussed ‘N’ times since 1987 was again discussed in London when RW visited an event connected to Electronic media. As it was indicated that the ‘Batalanda Commission Report’ wasn’t tabled in Parliament during the past 3 decades, it was tabled recently. From their London maters Sri Lankans first flavored democratic elections in 1931 & are still having a democratically elected government after nearly 100 years. Some Sri Lankans may remember how conflicts surfaced whenever they elected strong governments which had the ability to rule with confidence. 1971, 1983, 1987, 2013 & 2022 are notable. Did those conflicts prevent development & created space for competitors? OR was there another agenda behind these conflicts?

Batalanda at night.

Sri Lankans elected a President & a very strong government in 2024. Respecting democracy, the government is planning to hold local government elections (LG polls) soon. At such a time, the people who wish progress may ask themselves…

1. Is economic restructuring necessary?
2. Should there be a strong government for that?
3. Why defeated Ranil W is targeted?
4. Did someone made government hit RW by creating a guilty feeling as its on track with the IMF?
5. Will opponents tell people at LG polls that government is passing pressing issues with Batalanda?
6. Will that weaken the government at grass roots?
7. If the government pulls out of the financial management track what will be fate of the economy?
8. Is someone worried about RW working with Socialists like JRJ & Bernard creating synergy?
9. Will such unions help reap more benefits from the Belt & Road Initiative & the Indian Economy?
10. Where will the country end if conflicts continue?

The Defence Services Command and Staff College is located at the Batalanda hosing scheme at present. The Owl in its logo requests Sri Lankans to manage conflicts with wisdom & knowledge (Views expressed are personal).