Even in the Land of No Return, they were talking about the strike…
“We managed to do something which you couldn’t do…” Wijeweera told N.M. and Colvin.
“How can you say that?” Colvin asked, “Our strike in 1980 was very successful; this strike wasn’t…”
“Ah,” Wijeweera said, “but after your strike, J.R. made sure that thousands of workers went home without their jobs…”

“I did that only because I wanted to put an end to strikes once and for all…” J.R. said.
“Yes,” Premadasa said, “we had only just begun to revive the economy and we didn’t want a strike crippling work every other day just because N.M. and Colvin wanted something to shout about…”
“Anyway,” N.M. asked, Wijeweera, “how can you say that last week’s strike was such a success?”
“I don’t think you can say it was a success,” Sirima agreed, “most government work places functioned to some degree…”

“That may be so,” Wijeweera said, “but we managed to stage a strike, scare Mahinda’s government a bit and those who struck work weren’t sacked, which means they could stage a bigger strike later on…”
“I am not sure they will do that…” Premadasa said.
“Why do you say that?” Wijeweera wanted to know.

“Why,” Premadasa explained, “since the first strike wasn’t the success they had hoped for, I don’t think Somawansa will attempt another strike for some time now…”
“Don’t count on that,” Colvin said, “remember, they weren’t quite successful with their insurgency in ’71 but they tried the same tactics again, against you in ’89…”

“That is true,” N.M. agreed, “and because they are now split into two factions, they have to show that they are always doing something, otherwise the Weerawansa chap will steal the limelight away from them…”
“But,” cautioned Sirima, “if they stage another strike, I don’t think they will get away this lightly…”
“Why do you say that?” Premadasa wanted to know.

“Well,” Sirima said, “I think that if they do it again, Mahinda will give them the J.R. treatment and those who strike will be sent home without their jobs…”
“I am not sure he can do that,” J.R said, “remember, when I did that I had the backing of five sixth in Parliament; Mahinda could hardly get his budget passed last year…”
“That may be so,” Colvin told J.R., “but don’t you think that Mahinda is becoming more and more like you, now…”

“Why do you say that?” J.R. asked.
“Why,” Colvin said, “you divided the SLFP and he has now divided the UNP. He has even divided the JVP now…”
“I wouldn’t credit him with the division in the JVP ” Wijeweera objected, “it is more due to the foolishness of our own chaps…”

“Whatever the reason, it benefits Mahinda now…” N.M. pointed out.
“Then,” Colvin said, “Mahinda is holding provincial council elections now and trying to win them by hook or by crook, just like what J.R. did with the referendum…”
“But,” Sirima pointed out, “there is one important difference between J.R. and Mahinda…”
“And what is that?” Colvin wanted to know.
“J.R. had the complete support of his own party; Mahinda doesn’t…” Sirima observed, “Chandrika and Mangala will ensure that…”

“I am not sure whether he is becoming like me or not,” J.R. said, “but for his sake, I hope he doesn’t…”
“Why do you say that?” everyone else wanted to know.

“Because”, J.R. said, “if he does, then everyone else will want to get rid of him before the end of his two terms in office…”
The others didn’t quite know what to say to that.