Power cuts keep people in the dark

"Why, Bindu," Percy Udagedera, the boy's father explained, "they say they don't have enough water in the hydropower reservoirs."

"So thaaththa," Bindu wanted to know, "does this happen in other countries as well?"

"Not that I have heard of," Percy conceded.

"So, thaaththa, there must be other countries with less rain than us."

"There certainly are." Percy agreed.

"So, how do they cope without rain?"

"Why, Bindu, they have thermal power stations instead of depending on hydropower alone."

"So, why don't we have thermal power stations too?"

"That is supposed to be the fault of the green people." Percy said.

"Why do you say that?"

"That's what the blue people said when they had power cuts six years ago."

"But thaaththa, they have had six years to correct those mistakes."

"But, like everything else the blues say they can't do anything about it because the greens have done all the damage during their seventeen years of rule."

"Why, thaaththa," Bindu asked, "why do you say that?"

"Why, the blues are complaining that it was the greens who started the war; then they are complaining that it was the greens who introduced this constitution."

"But thaaththa, if the blues can't change what the greens have done, why should we have the blues in charge of the country?"

"But Bindu, does it make much of a difference?"

"Probably not, which is why the reds are saying 'unuth ekai, munuth ekai'."

"So, thaaththa, then what will happen to the power cuts now?"

"They will continue until the rains come."

"Even though the blues promised six years ago that there will never be power cuts again?" Bindu queried.

" Yes, of course" Percy assured.

"But what about that promise, thaaththa?"

"That will added on to the long list of broken promises, Bindu." Percy declared.

"Then, what will happen to the cricket matches, thaaththa?" Bindu queried.

"They will continue as scheduled with live telecasts, of course."

"But thaaththa," Bindu protested, "if they play floodlit cricket at night and practically the whole country watches the matches on television, the electricity consumption is likely to be very high and the power cuts will be of no use."

"But, Bindu," Percy observed, "the cricket matches cannot be cancelled nor can their telecasts be stopped."

"Why is that, thaaththa?"

"Why, Bindu, they are played at a very crucial time."

"Why, thaaththa, is it because our cricket team has a good chance of winning the tournament?"

"No, Bindu, it is coming in the middle of the no-confidence motion."

"But how is that linked to cricket?" Bindu asked.

"Why, Bindu, when there is a cricket tournament on, people forget about everything else."

"But thaaththa," Bindu protested, "we still have to remain in the dark for a hour and a half every day."

"That's the job of politicians, Bindu, be they blue or green." Percy said.

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, Bindu, politicians are happiest when they keep the people in the dark." Percy said.

Bindu wanted to protest but just then, the lights went out.

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/ Opinion Contents