5th Column

Madulwave Sobhitha hamuduruwaney,
I felt like writing to you, even though you are no more with us, because of what has happened in recent weeks. I thought I should let you know about what is happening under ‘yahapaalanaya’ in Paradise since you and a few others were instrumental in ushering in that era three years ago.

Hamuduruwaney, do you remember how the majority of the people voted for ‘yahapaalanaya’ because they were sick and tired of one family controlling almost everything that happened in this country? That was when there were stories of many corrupt deals among the high and mighty at that time.

We were promised that those who committed those corrupt deeds would be dealt with according to the letter of the law, no matter who they were. Hamuduruwaney, it may disappoint you to know that, three years later, no one has been dealt with, except two chaps sent to prison for distributing sil redi.

I am aware, hamuduruwaney, that during your last days in Paradise before you fell ill, you too were frustrated at the slow pace of these investigations and inquiries. Well, I thought I should let you know that this has changed – we have concluded one big inquiry and determined who was at fault.

What we have found is a bit surprising, though. While we have confirmed that one family seems to have controlled the entire economy, it is not the family which we all thought was at fault. It is a different family, not of a few brothers and a few sons but a family of a son-in-law and a father-in-law.

Of course, it doesn’t make the other family – the one we all blamed – innocent and there are plenty of investigations still going on against them too. For the moment though, the son-in-law and father-in-law are in the news because they seem to have robbed the country so much in so short a time.

One can hardly blame them. The father-in-law probably took one look at the bank notes of the country and saw his signature on them. Then he looked at the other signature on them. It was of their good friend, whose rented apartment they were paying for. So, they thought the money was all theirs!

Now, I know that may not surprise you but I do think I have some news which may surprise you. Do you remember the time when you were campaigning to abolish the Executive Presidency and you were on the lookout for a so-called ‘common candidate’ to take on the might of Mahinda maama?

You were looking at many options. In fact, some people wanted you to run for the top job. The names of the two Saraths were mentioned. The Green Man was considered as a possibility as was Satellite. In the end, we all thought you made a great choice in convincing Maithri to take on that challenge.

We remember how Maithri took oaths at Independence Square and promised immediately that he will never run for that office again. He made the same pledge two days later at the Dalada Maligawa saying that the election he had won was the first and last such election he would contest.

Just in case we failed to take notice Maithri repeated the same promise as the nation bid its final farewell to you. We felt reassured by that because we thought Maithri held you in high esteem and we didn’t feel that he would betray the trust you placed in him, to finish the task that you had begun.

I don’t know what it is with this job but almost everyone who takes it on, wants to stay in it for longer than they promised. Satellite pledged to abolish the top job but tried to stay for longer than she was entitled to. Mahinda maama, of course, would have stayed in it forever, if you hadn’t sent him home.

I am so sorry to tell you, hamuduruwaney, but if you thought Maithri was any different, he is not. This week he wrote to the courts asking if he could stay in his job for six years, instead of five, after having boasted all this time that he had willingly given up one year of his term for the sake of democracy!

Many people criticise Maithri for that. I won’t. That is because, we now know where we stand. We now know that his promises mean nothing. We now know that the top job will not be abolished by him. We now know that he will run again. In short, we now know that he is just like the rest of them.

Your sudden passing caused grief to all of us. We wish you were with us now because you would then be the first out against Maithri. But I also know that you wouldn’t want to live to see the day where all your hard work is undone, hamuduruwaney. At least we can be happy about that.
Avasarai, hamuduruwaney,

Punchi Putha
PS- Two days before Maithri wrote to the courts asking for an ‘extension’, he opened a flyover at Rajagiriya and wanted it named after you. After what he has done, I wouldn’t think you would want that but I suppose he considers it appropriate. After all, a flyover is used to bypass a block and get to where you want quicker – and that is precisely what he has used you for, hamuduruwaney!