5th Column

My dear Green Man, Sajith and Karu,

I thought of writing to you because your names are being suggested as possible candidates for the next big election. Everyone is talking about which one amongst you would be the best candidate for the Greens. Different people in your party are proposing different candidates and that is not a good sign.

You seem to be the only party having this problem. Aiyo Sirisena thinks he is an automatic choice for the Blue party, though he may be the only person who thinks he should contest. Then, the ‘pohottuwa’ chaps have more or less already selected Gota, despite the many legal hurdles he will have to clear.

Green Man, at first you seemed to be the only choice of the Greens. Last year your popularity rose when you stood up to Aiyo Sirisena when he sacked you and appointed Mahinda maama instead. At that time, we thought you would have realised that you, and the way you govern, needed to change.

Green Man, we have seen nothing of that sort. It is true that Aiyo Sirisena makes life difficult for you but you have done nothing special to generate the kind of support that wins elections. If anything, some of your decisions – like reappointing Bond Ravi to the Cabinet – have only added insult to injury.

Green Man, you must realise that what happened on Easter Sunday will not help your prospects. The economy is lagging behind, people are living in fear, and at least some voters now prefer the stability and safety they enjoyed previously – even if it came at the price of one family ruling the country.

Green Man, it might be a cruel twist of fate that you, the person who had the good fortune to become the PM of Paradise the most number of times – never had the luck to get the top job. But you running against Gota makes the outcome of the contest as predictable as a game between Sri Lanka and India!

Sajith, after years of waiting, people are now mentioning your name as a possible candidate. Others – like Bond Ravi – are saying that the next candidate should have passed his ‘O’ Levels in this country, and should be selected on merit and not because they are the son of someone, clearly hinting at you.

Sajith, it is said that you have done nothing special and you are mentioned as a potential candidate only because of whose son you are. However, others such as Dudley and Satellite who had initially done nothing special got the top job just because they were someone’s son or daughter, didn’t they?

Sajith, people like Thalatha have always backed you. Now those like Mangala are endorsing you too. Mangala has the knack of picking a winner. He chose Satellite, Mahinda maama and Aiyo Sirisena at the correct time but you must be careful because he speaks his mind – and that can cost you votes.

Sajith, you must remember that being your father’s son might be a handicap as much as it can be a blessing. When he left us, he wasn’t the most loved person in the country, though everyone agreed that he got the job done. If you contest, your rivals will remind us of those dark days. So, be prepared.

Sajith, if you are indeed chosen to run, I hope you learn a lesson from what happened to your father. Because your father mistrusted Lalith and Gamini, he paid a heavy price. You should therefore learn to work with Lalith’s protégé, Ravi, and Gamini’s progeny, Navin, and not repeat the same mistake.

Karu, somehow your name is also being mentioned as a potential candidate. Your popularity was certainly high during last year’s constitutional crisis when you held the fort for the Opposition, and didn’t flinch in the face of physical threats and verbal abuse, and we all appreciated what you did.

Karu, you have the added bonus of having no allegations of corruption against you despite being in public life for 25 years. We cannot say that about many of our politicians. Whether you are the calming, mature influence that this country needs is what the Greens will have to decide.

Karu, we have heard certain Buddhist monks saying that you should be the Green candidate. We do believe you will be able to rally not only the majority community, but all races and religions, but if I were you, I will be careful when people like Long John also say that you are fit to lead the country.

Green Man, Sajith and Karu, the Greens must get their act together now if they are to win the next election. It is a difficult task, but not an impossible one. Why, even the less fancied New Zealand beat mighty India with careful planning, attention to detail – and a very good captain leading them!

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS: Green Man, after the no confidence motion against the government was defeated, you said it meant that people still have confidence in the government. That is similar to saying that Sri Lanka are world champions if England beat New Zealand tonight – because we beat England in one game!