5th Column

My dear Navin,

I thought I should write to you, even in these busy days of campaigning, when I heard that you had suddenly offered to lead the Green party with the ‘elephant’ symbol. You also said that its leader should be elected through a secret ballot. I must say that was quite surprising for several reasons.

Navin, you must have heard what the Green Man said at the time he offered Sajith the Green party nomination at the last big election. Sajith was given the candidacy on the condition that the Green Man would lead the party until 2025, when the Green Man would be 76 years ‘young’.

If I remember correctly, we didn’t hear anyone, including you, dispute that at the time. So, it is surprising to hear you say now that you should be the next leader. It was even more surprising to hear you say that one person should not be allowed to lead the Greens for 26 years at a stretch.

A few months ago, when Sajith was struggling to get the Green party candidacy for the big election – because the Green Man wanted that too – you supported him. Then, you remained with the Green Man when Sajith formed his own ‘telephone’ outfit. Now, it seems as if you want the Green Man replaced.

What is even more intriguing is why anyone – other than the Green Man – would want to lead the Green party at this time. It has been badly split, not right down the middle, but with three fourths opting to leave with Sajith. What is left is a rag-tag band of people with little or no hope for the future.

Navin, you must know that you are not the only one who has grand designs for what was once the Grand Old Party. Ravi of the big bank bonds fame also has similar aspirations. He said so publicly. So, it would be very interesting to see how he responds to your wish of becoming the Green leader.

If there was one person who could be considered responsible for the ‘yahapaalanaya’ regime’s downfall, it was Bond Ravi. People who booted out the Medamulana crowd because they were corrupt got a government that proved to be even more corrupt. So, they were disgusted.

Bond Ravi still roams free despite the many charges against him. Some say that he has not been dealt with because his help may be needed if the ‘pohottuwa’ chaps fall short of a two-thirds majority. He is still the ‘Assistant Leader’ of the Greens. So, he sees himself as the successor to the Green Man.

Don’t dismiss the idea of Sajith as the next Green leader either. If the Greens win only a few seats and Sajith’s ‘telephone’ team does much better, I will bet my ‘manaapey’ that there will be a clamour for him to return to the Greens. Besides, they have only been suspended from the Greens, not expelled.

Similar events have happened before in the Green camp. You, of all people, will know about them. Why, your late father was annoyed that he was not given his due place in the Greens by Preme (Snr), and formed the Eagle party with Lalith, but later returned to the lead Green Opposition, didn’t he?

Your father may have also told you the story from the mid-70s when EL from Kandy claimed to be the No2 in the Green party and caused a stir. JR promptly called for a secret vote and Preme (Snr) pipped your father to the post. He went on to become PM. Is that why you too want a secret vote?

It is ironical that 30 years ago, your father, Sajith’s father and Ravi’s mentor were fighting for the top job among the Greens. Preme (Snr) won that battle. The Greens never recovered from that clash and have been mostly in the opposition since then. So, do you really want history to repeat itself?

We also heard you say that there was a ‘leadership struggle’ in the ‘telephone’ outfit between Sajith and Champika. Given the pathetic state the Green party and its leadership now finds itself in, it is funny that you choose to comment on the so-called disputes in the ‘telephone’ outfit, don’t you think?

It is a pity that your father-in-law, the much respected Karu has chosen to retire at a time the Greens sorely need someone who thinks of the party rather than only of himself. Unfortunately, he probably is the best leader the Greens never had in recent times but surely, you could still get his advice.

It is not that we love the Greens more or that we believe in the ‘pohottuwa’ less, but that we need a strong opposition to ensure that the Medamulana boys do not take the law in to their own hands like they did. For that, all the Greens should be united. Think about that, will you, Navin?

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS: While you are sniping at the ‘telephone’ chaps more than at the ‘pohottuwa’ fellows, did you not realise that Mayantha malli is in the ‘telephone’ camp? Or is it that, like brothers Prasanna and Arjuna in the Ranatunga household, the Dissanayake family is also happy, no matter who wins the poll?