5th Column

My Dear Murali,

I thought I must write to you after hearing that you had played cricket with that British Prime Minister chap, David Cameron during his visit here. Although it didn’t seem like you could get him out-at cricket, of course-we were told that you had given a piece of your mind to him.

We heard you told him that it was not only those in the North who were affected by the war and that thousands in other parts of the country had also died in the conflict-even though Cameron seemed to be interested only in what happened during the last stages of the war.

Of course, knowing you and what you have done to raise the profile of our country over the years, that is hardly surprising but I thought I must still thank you because what you did had a great impact and generated headlines across the world, because of who you are.

As you know, Murali, we have always regarded you as a Sri Lankan and not as someone belonging to one particular community. That is why the nation rallied behind you as one, when you were accused of ‘chucking’ and were assumed to be guilty until proven innocent!

We know that you too have always regarded yourself as a Sri Lankan first and foremost. That is why you were able, during those long years of conflict, to remain friends with everyone. Now, with what you told Cameron, you have justified the confidence we had in you.

In fact, you were able to counter what Cameron was saying effectively without going about it like a bull in a china shop-which is what some of our politicians both in the government and the opposition did-and that is why I thought I should write to you.
There were ministers who were suggesting that Cameron was not welcome in Sri Lanka. Now, at a time when Tiger supporters in his own country were asking Cameron to boycott the Commonwealth meeting, that would be the last thing to say but what all our ministers wanted was to become heroes here!

Then there were other ministers, like the professor who was handling ‘External Affairs’. He should have been dealing with Cameron but the poor professor didn’t appear to know whether he was coming or going, let alone what he was doing with Cameron-and that allowed Cameron to run amok.

Apparently Cameron brushed aside all protocol at the airport, attended only the opening of the Commonwealth meeting, then took off to the North, returned to hold a press conference where he took questions only from his countrymen and left-without even staying for the rest of the meeting!

And it was not as if Cameron didn’t give us a warning. Even before coming here, he said in London that he was going to do some ‘tough talking’ with us, so I think the professor should have taken extra care to deal with him but as it often happens, he was caught napping!

I am not sure whether the learned professor knew about what Cameron had planned-or whether he learnt about Cameron’s agenda after it was all over. Anyway, Murali, now that you are retired, people are suggesting that you would probably make a better External Affairs Minister!

Then we had an even worse performance by our opposition. At a time when we are trying to deal with war crimes allegations, they allowed their party headquarters to be used for protests and exhibitions and invited the Channel 4 television crew-so they could make more documentaries, perhaps!

Apparently, this was Avamangala’s idea. We know that he specialised in tarnishing the image of the Greens and the Green Man when he was Satellite’s right hand man but now I am having suspicions about whether Mahinda maama has secretly sent him to the Green camp for the same reason!

Anyway, Murali, you seemed to have done what none of these people were able to do and that was to give a correct picture of what is happening in Sri Lanka and also to tell the world that what they are doing is not in any way helping the country heal its wounds and make progress.

Of course, neither Cameron nor his Tiger supporters are interested in that. Cameron wants to win votes and the Tiger supporters want the country blacklisted. So, it took enormous courage, being Tamil, to say what you said and that is why we are thankful to you.

Yours truly,
Punchi Putha

PS-I heard that a pradeshiya sabha in Chavakachcheri has passed a resolution against you after your comments. I don’t think you will be too bothered about that but here’s one advice: I don’t think you should ever take to politics. As Arjuna, the captain who stood by you through thick and thin, will tell you, principled people don’t go far in politics but look where it has gotten your other team mate, Sonna Boy!