Here
a battle, there a battle, everywhere a battle, battle
"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "why is everything
important in the country being divided?""Why do you say
that?" Bindu's father Percy asked, puzzled.
"Why, thaaththa, two factions are fighting to gain control
of almost every important institution in the country…"
"And
where is that happening?" Percy wanted to know.
"Why, thaaththa, it started with the Cricket Board…"
Bindu explained.
"Ah, yes," Percy said, "but that battle has been
going on for so many years now…"
"But thaaththa, now it has reached a stage where the national
team is having to suffer…" Bindu pointed out.
"That
may be so," Percy conceded, "but where else is this happening?"
"Why, thaaththa, in our schools…"
"What about the schools?" Percy wanted to know, "There
is no problem at all there…"
"Why, thaaththa, the Education Ministry and the Public Services
Commission are fighting over the interdiction of Principals…"
"But
that only shows that there is discussion and debate on important
issues…"
"But isn't there a lot of mud-slinging going on with allegations
against the Principals and even officials of the Public Services
Commission that we can do without?" Bindu queried.
"That
may be true…" Percy agreed, "but where else are
two groups of people quarrelling to take control?"
"Why, in the North and East Velu are Karuna are battling it
out to take control of that region..."
"But we can do precious little about that conflict from over
here..." Percy pointed out.
"But
thaaththa," Bindu pointed out, "then there is also the
Western Provincial Council where there are allegations against the
Chief Minister…"
"But that is a purely political battle between the greens and
the blues…" Percy observed, "and that can only be
good for democracy…"
"But
thaaththa," Bindu persisted, "I don't think you could
say the same about the unions and the government trying to take
control of the Electricity Board…"
"But I thought the Prime Minister has solved that problem by
striking a deal with the unions…"
"He may appear to have done so," Bindu pointed out, "but
it remains to be seen what Tilvin and Wimal have to say about it…"
"But
Bindu," Percy argued, "that is essentially a battle between
the unions and the government which again is a sign of healthy democracy…"
"What is not so healthy is that a part of the government itself
is supporting the unions…" Bindu said.
"Differences of opinion in a government is also a sign of democracy,
Bindu…" Percy noted.
"Or
it could mean that there are two factions in the government itself
each trying to take control…" Bindu argued.
"Where else are factions fighting against each other?"
Percy asked.
"Why, thaaththa now even the administration of the Dalada Maligawa
has become a bone of contention…"
"Now, that is indeed a sign of every important institution
being divided into two factions…" Percy agreed.
"Every
important institution except one…" Bindu said.
"Why, what institution is not divided, Bindu?" Percy wanted
to know.
"Why, thaaththa, the main Opposition, the Greens are still
very much united..."
"Ah," Percy said, "that is because it is not important
anymore…"
Bindu didn't disagree. |
