23rd July 2000

Some people have all the luck!

I thought of writing to you because you were in the news last week, being discharged from the highest courts after daring to say that those courts should be shut down and the judges sent home so that you and the good lady could introduce your new constitution. I think, Seeni Bola, you should count yourself very, very lucky.

People who are smarter than you have been punished for saying lesser things than that- like, for example saying that some people attended parties at other people's houses! But of course, Seeni Bola, we know that you are smart too.

Who else but you could survive a series of so embarrassing incidents and still be an important cabinet minister who is considered part of the 'inner circle'?

We all remember that incident with that athlete Susie someone. Thankfully she is not here anymore to cause anymore trouble for you during the elections. Knowing who you are, Seeni Bola, I do have a strong suspicion that you may have fixed the Sydney Olympics to coincide with our elections so that she will be busy and away from our little country!

Then, of course, we had all those incidents in cricket, where some people were accused of taking commissions in return for television deals and your poor, innocent name was also dragged into the scandal.

That was followed by a disgraceful election to the Cricket Board where you apparently sided with someone against your boss's uncle! Somehow, though the standard of cricket came to a very low level, you managed to escape unhurt from that too!

Then, Seeni Bola, you had some nasty things to say about the media. You said something to the effect that if you don't like what the media wrote you could destroy their offices if you wanted to but because you are a great democrat you are just allowing them to carry on and sling mud at you.

How generous of you, my dear Seeni Bola! I suppose in your dreams you must be having visions of these media bosses worshipping you- unlike when you were in the Opposition!

And then of course the last incident was when you wanted all the courts closed down if the judges didn't agree with your idea of devolution of power and that was what put you in trouble. There would have been a lot of people who would have liked to see you apologise in court- what a pity Rupavahini didn't give live coverage of the event- it would certainly have been more interesting than some of the matches they are showing these days!

Anyway, Seeni Bola, I think I have at last guessed the secret of your success because after all what you have done I would have thought the good lady would have second thoughts by now. But she hasn't and isn't that because she needs you- and your little army of 'Samurdhi Niyaamaka's to win the next election?

After all, next to Velu's bomb and her injury, that was the other major factor that helped the good lady win the last election wasn't it? So, what have you got in store for us at the general election?

Whatever it is, I can't help thinking that you will figure prominently in the election petition! So, take care!

Yours truly, Punchi Putha.

PS- Someone said 'maaluwa nahinneth kata hindalu' about your having to apologise to the courts. However, I think it is more a case of 'naduth haamuduruwange, baduth haamuduruwange.!"

The Jungle Telegraph

Editorial/ Opinion Contents