5th Column
Chandadaayakaya: One-day king
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My Dear Chandadaayakaya,
I thought it is only fitting to write to you this week because, for a brief moment on Thursday, you will be kingmakers in this country. It is not an opportunity that comes often. For most part of the next five or six years, you will have to do as you are told, instead of telling our rulers what they should do.
My first advice is to cast your vote, instead of saying ‘unuth ekai, munuth ekai’ and staying at home. That is because, in this democratic country of ours, your vote may still be cast even if you haven’t done so yourself. Also, if you don’t vote, you are not entitled to complain for the next few years!
Chandadaayakaya, the choice before you at this election is a bit different from previous elections. I know most of you are used to deciding between the Blues and the Greens, and alternating between the two parties. That wasn’t the case at the last elections, but even then, it was the Blues against the rest.
This time though, you have a ‘Battle of the Blues’ between the leader of the Blues and its general secretary who left the Blue camp only a few weeks ago. What’s more, the election will be held on the birthday of SWRD, the founder of the Blues. Had he been around, he would have been a proud man!
Chandadaayakaya, the choice before you is tricky. First, there is Mahinda maama asking for your vote, based on his track record. He has been in the job for ten years and he wants to spend six more years in it, by which time he would be seventy five years old — and Namal would have come of age.
Of course, we are all very grateful to him for providing the political leadership towards winning the war, which is why most of us chose him at the last election, even preferring him over the General who led the real war on the battlefield. No one can deny that the country has developed since then, either.
Then there is Maithri, who is arguing that peace and development has come at a price and what we have had to pay is absolute obedience to Mahinda maama and those near and dear to him. He claims that we are almost a monarchy now, being subjected to the whims and fancies of the Royal family.
Maithri is not alone in saying this. The Greens, Reds, the Saffron robed and even some of the Blues are with him. He is promising us a change for the better where institutions such as the Police and the Judiciary will be independent and no one-not even Mervyn or Muthuhetti-will be above the law.
Chandadaayakaya, by now you must be annoyed to see and hear of so many previously unheard of MPs, provincial councillors and pradeshiya sabha members crossing over from one side to another, whenever you read a newspaper or switch on the TV. Sadly, that might continue even after Thursday!
I am sure you are also not impressed by the antics of Tissa and Udaya. Crossovers are very much a part and parcel of democracy and indeed the Blues were formed when SWRD crossed over from the Greens but what Tissa and Udaya did said more about them than the policies they claim to stand for.
There are those who do not agree with what Satellite is doing as well. She had her chances and she didn’t do much for the country then. She should have taken a leaf out of JR’s book and spent her time enjoying her retirement. In fact, most people think that when she speaks, Maithri loses a few votes!
I am sure, Chandadaayakaya, you must have also been amused to see Salman Khan suddenly arriving in Colombo-and Wimal who sees a ‘kumanthranaya’ in everything didn’t call it an Indian conspiracy! Thankfully, Maithri didn’t invite that other Indian film star, Jayalalithaa, to criticise Mahinda maama!
There are still people who maintained their dignity and integrity in the middle of all this. Champika and Anura Kumara sahodaraya are two of them. Unlike, for instance SB or Wimal, they use facts and figures instead of personal insults to convince us. That is why we should listen more to what they say.
If you are still undecided about your vote, Chandadaayakaya, here’s a tip: you could either hold your nose and vote for one side because they stink so much or you could close your eyes and vote for the other side because you are not sure where they will lead you to. I hope you will choose wisely.
Yours truly,
Punchi Putha
PS: Chandadaayakaya, spare a thought for ‘Maco’ as well. The last one we had made a mess of it, complaining of ‘aathathiya’. The present chap, however, is always smiling and enjoying the limelight. We can only hope that he will be fair and live up to his name, his last name, that is, not his first name!