Columns

One of the most notable changes in the Avurudu programme lineup of state television channels this year was the absence of a live telecast from “Carlton House” in Tangalle, the private residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Usually, most of the Rajapaksa family members are present during the traditional Avurudu celebrations with a whole host of hangers-on coming to pay obeisance to the prominent family.  

This year though, not only was there no such telecast from Carlton House, but there was a complete absence of any Rajapaksas. Viewers did not see President Gotabaya Rajapaksa marking the traditional New Year either. There were no pictures of the President and Prime Minister celebrating Avurudu. Only the traditional New Year messages were released to
the media.

It has been the practice that the state run television gives live coverage to the President and the Prime Minister marking the rituals for the new year, especially with the acceptance of betel. This year there was no coverage at all.

However, there were plenty of visuals and images of how protesters who have set up camp at “Gota Go Gama” at Galle Face Green opposite the Presidential Secretariat celebrated the coming of the New Year.

Cabraal goes silent on Twitter

Former Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal resigned from his post in the wake of the whole Cabinet of Ministers resigning early this month due to widespread protests.

It seems the former Governor who was very active on microblog – Twitter has disappeared from the platform all of a sudden. His official Twitter handle is no longer active.

The former Governor came under severe criticism recently by social media users for the irrational policies he adopted and ill-advised the President and for mishandling the country’s economy in general with his so called ‘home grown solution’ instead of reaching out to the International Monetary Fund before things got worse.

Some users stressed that since they have screen shots of critical tweets published by the Governor, they suggested Mr Cabraal should be prosecuted for criminal negligence considering his failure to prevent the country from being dragged to its current level of bankruptcy.

Tooting to the tune of “Kaputu Kaak Kaak Kaak, Basil Basil Basil Basil”

During the past few weeks, the slogan “Kaputu Kaak Kaak Kaak, Basil Basil Basil Basil” has been used widely to mock former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Drivers who pass by the protests toot their vehicle horms to show their solidarity with the protesters. The slogan stems from an interview Mr. Rajapaksa gave online about the kaputas (crows) from a marshy land near the Katunayake international airport hindering aircraft landings and take off.The horn was to imitate the sound of the bird crowing.

The slogan though, has now taken a life of its own outside filling stations.  

Drivers who pass by long lines of vehicles at filling stations are now tooting their horns to the rhythm of the slogan as they pass. This is done in order to show their solidarity and support for motorists who are waiting in line for hours until they can get fuel. It also serves as a mark of protest against the Government’s colossal inefficiency and a voicing of frustration that it has been unable to resolve the prevailing fuel crisis.

Actor turned vocalist late Freddie Silva was also remembered as the emotive words about the black bird found in plenty in Sri Lanka; “Kaputu Kaak” and its accompanying music has been picked from his original song.

Who would be Sri Lanka’s Manmohan Singh to get us out of this mess

With Sri Lanka declaring bankruptcy on Tuesday, the first time in its history, the day before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations, many in the financial market said it was not something unexpected, but inevitable.

To resolve the current crisis, many drew past examples from neighbouring India in 1991 where it undertook solid financial reforms under the guidance of Dr Manmohan Singh as the then Finance Minister rather than heading towards default. Former Indian Prime Minister Narasimha Rao gave a free hand to Dr Manmohan Singh to take decisions independently.

Economist turned politician representing Indian National Congress Dr Jairam Ramesh whose book titled ‘To the Brink & Back’ covered this critical period of Indian economy. The book resurfaced in recent days sharing insights with the Indian experience of introducing strict financial reforms.

The million-dollar question that stares in front of millions of Sri Lankans is who would be Sri Lanka’s Dr Manmohan Singh to carry out this Herculean task of introducing strict financial reforms and lead the country from financial crisis to prosperity. Only time will tell.

The one who flew from Ratmalana: It’s not Basil but 2 British citizens

Two British citizens who departed the Ratmalana International Airport via a Cessna Citation corporate jet yesterday morning sparked feverish rumours that it was former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa fleeing the country.

Airport sources confirmed, however, that the couple had arrived on March 28 on the same private aircraft and that Mr Rajapaksa was not with them when they left.

He was reportedly admitted to a private hospital on Friday with COVID-19 but it was widely speculated that he would be airlifted via air ambulance to another country under the cover of the affliction as a means of leaving Sri Lankan shores safely.

His media officer confirmed however that as of yesterday morning Mr Rajapaksa was still warded.

To be or not to be: Book launch with President as chief guest

The organisers who planned an event to launch a biography of the former Ananda College principal Col. G. W. Rajapakse are in a dilemma as they are unable to get confirmation whether the Chief guest for the event President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be available or not.

The invitations have already gone out and the event has been planned for next Tuesday at the College.

The keynote address is due to be delivered by Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar who is also an old boy of the college.

Singing a different song now; More waiting in the wings to see which way the wind blows

In the wake of countrywide protests demanding that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his Government to step down, a host of artistes who had campaigned for him at the 2019 presidential election and others who have had close relations with the Rajapaksa family have publicly come out and expressed their regret, with some going as far as to join the protests themselves and apologise for supporting the President’s candidature.

During the past few days, artistes such as music composer Dr Rohana Weerasinghe, along with actors Jackson Anthony and Ravindra Randeniya have publicly expressed their regret for supporting the Rajapaksas. After posting a public apology on his official Facebook page, Dr Weerasinghe even visited the site of the “Gota Go Gama” protest at Galle Face Green to lend his support to the protesters.

Actress and singer Sanjeewani Weerasinghe’s attempt to join an anti-Government protest in Los Angeles in the US did not go as well as she had hoped for when she was confronted by protesters who heckled her over her public campaigning for Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the presidential election.

Meanwhile, music producer Pasan Liyanage, who produced “Veda Karana Ape Viruwa,” the hit campaign song of then presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa too apologised recently to anyone who may have become ‘inconvenienced’ by the song. Singer Saheli Gamage, who sang the song “Ayubowewa Maha Rajaneni” dedicated to then President Mahinda Rajapaksa also posted a public apology on social media. All these celebrities have also voiced support for the ongoing protests.

Many others, professionals and businessmen who lined up to support the President’s candidature were watching which way the wind was blowing, in order to bend accordingly.