Captain Cool's manaape for politics

I thought I must write to you because very soon you may suddenly become out of reach to all of us once you get the required number of manaapes and become Honourable Captain Cool.

So, you finally decided to take the plunge and go into politics after years of saying you will never do it. At least you've got it correct to begin with- though you have put some spin out in explaining to the people why you were forced to do so which is what all politicians do.

Anyway, Captain Cool, most people would feel sad because of your decision. They would have liked to remember you as the man who took Sri Lanka's cricket from being underdogs to World Champions and that would have ensured your place in history. But now that you have decided otherwise, we can only wait and hope for the best.

Of course, we do remember that though you were quite successful in cricket, you were one of those people who were adamant in having things your way while you were at the top- a dictator of sorts, if you like and that perhaps was the secret of your success- as well as the reason for your rather hurried exit from the playing field.

In that respect, you were quite similar to Junius who did much the same thing in politics but tolerated little or no nonsense while he was on the throne. And he too- though he took this country to great heights- had to make a rather hurried exit at a time when everyone was asking why he was not leaving. But then, Captain Cool, we do also remember that you sometimes stood up for what you thought was right- as in the famous case of Murali. If not for you, the lad would not be breaking all those records now. We must hope that you display the same courage of your convictions in your new arena- but many think that it would be too much to ask from you!

And that is partly because of all these controversies surrounding you, Captain Cool. There is that schoolboy incident and now we have Papa Reggie suggesting that this sort of thing appears to run in the family. Sort these things out will you, so that people won't be able to point accusing fingers at you.

But I can assure you, Captain Cool, you will realize that all the dirty sledging the Australians hurled at you in the cricket field will seem like baby talk when you really get going in politics. And there won't be sporting declarations to enable the other side to bat- as Satellite has already indicated to all of us. Everyone fights ferociously until the last box is stuffed and there is more match fixing here than the entire cricketing world put together!

Anyway, Captain Cool, best of luck. And don't run lazily as you did in Test cricket- you are sure to get run out in this deadlier game!

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha.

PS- We have seen some of your posters but if you ever need a slogan, there seems to be one which readily fits you- and Papa as well: "Era okata arrow_!"