5th Column

My dear Mother Lanka,

I thought of writing to you at a time when you are preparing to ‘celebrate’ the 72 Anniversary of your ‘independence’. Many promises have been made about a secure, peaceful and prosperous future, which seems to have eluded us all these years since the British left our shores.

Last year, we were preoccupied with two main issues: the bomb blasts on Easter Day and the elections that followed. It is fair to say that the former influenced the latter in handing Gota maama a decisive victory, although the margin of his win suggested that he would have won anyway.

Mother Lanka, I am sure you must be heaving a sigh of relief that during the last year you were able to get rid of Cheerio Sirisena. He was a man of many parts. At first, he was your self-proclaimed saviour, then a liar and cheat who broke every promise he made. He was like no other leader you saw!

Then, just when we thought we had got rid of him for good, Cheerio Sirisena tells us that he will be returning, quite possibly from Polonnaruwa at the next election. For your sake, Mother Lanka, I hope he stays on the back benches without being given any responsibility with which he can wreak havoc.

This year of ‘independence’ is being ushered with a glimmer of hope. That is because, for the first time since the British left us, we are led by someone who has not been a politician all his life. So, Mother Lanka, we are hopeful that he will think beyond politics and do what is right for you.

Gota maama has taken a few steps in that direction, saying merit will be the criteria for appointments to key government institutions. Indeed, some of the choices seem to have been made on that basis. However, there are still some other appointments that appear to have been favours for old friends.

Many are also asking whether Gota maama will be allowed to do what he wants to in the long run, without being influenced by those around Mahinda maama. As we all know, a significant number of them don’t have a squeaky-clean record, which is the reason why Mahinda maama lost five years ago.

Already, those in Viyath Maga are complaining that they are being elbowed out by political appointees. The real test will come when the pohottuwa chaps sit down to choose the candidates for the election in April, with Gota maama already making it clear that he wants a two-thirds majority.

Gota maama has said he will repeal the 19th Amendment if he gets that majority. Mother Lanka, you will find that a worrying thought. I know that the 19th Amendment has its flaws and has been abused. Still, I feel that having that Amendment is much better than not having it at all.

Mother Lanka, whenever our chaps were given majorities that have allowed them to tinker with the Constitution, it has never resulted in a positive outcome for you. Knowing the pohottuwa chaps and having seen how they meddled with the Constitution a few years ago, this time will be no different.

Most people are saying they want to replace most – if not all – of the 225 in Parliament. After the rowdy scenes during the constitutional crisis two years ago, I’ll be overjoyed if that happens, but I will be satisfied if we can get rid of even a hundred of them, chilli powder and all.

This coming year, you will be saying goodbye to the Blue party as you have known it for the past 70 years. They are now reduced to getting hand-me-downs from the pohottuwa chaps. Even those who are left in the Blue camp, except a few, are sure to turn maroon after the big election.

The story of the Greens is no better. They have reached the sorry state where they choose leaders of alliances in their absence. The Green Man is going nowhere – and so is the Green Party. They are not ‘united’, nor are they a ‘national’ force to be reckoned with, but the party goes on for the Green Man.

So, Mother Lanka, this year of ‘independence’ will also be very eventful for you. I am sure we will survive the coronavirus, having survived an influx of everything that is ‘Made in China’ for many years now. Yet, whether we will survive thereafter will depend on the outcome of the big election!

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS: Even as your ‘independence’ is being celebrated, some say that the national anthem should be sung only in Sinhala and not in Tamil at this event. What Gota maama’s decision about that will tell us which way we are heading – and whether we will prosper or perish, Mother Lanka.