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Kala Korner - by Dee Cee

Reminiscing about the politics of the nineties
The practice of columnists publishing their contributions to the newspapers in book form is gathering momentum in Sri Lanka. The latest is the release of three books by seasoned journalist Bandula Padmakumara.

When he was the Editor in the formative years of 'Lakbima', the Sumathi Sinhala newspaper, he wrote a column on Sundays titled 'Sameepa Rupa' (Close up). He touched on many topics covering the political and social scenario. He was also a keen observer of the media scene serving as an active member and official of the Free Media Movement. Trends in the media scene were the subject matter of his column on many occasions.

Bandula's publications have catchy titles. 'Anibal & Amden Saamaya Soya Yema (Search for Peace), as the name suggests, is a collection of his writings on different aspects of the ethnic crisis, the war and the peace effort. (Anibal & Amden were two characters in a political satire, 'Always Breakdown' aired by a private TV channel). With the need for lasting peace as the underlying theme, he examined these aspects from different perspectives.

In April 1995, Bandula insisted that there is no solution for the North East problem through war and that "whether we like it or not discussions should be held with the LTTE."

Of particular interest is a series of columns he wrote based on interviews with Lionel Fernando on his stint as Government Agent, Jaffna from 1978. He also commented on Lionel's sudden exit from government service. He was then Secretary to the Ministry of Media, Tourism & Aviation, Chairman of Lake House and Director of AirLanka.

In 'Natath Rajayak Sura Mathin', Bandula claims that both the UNP and SLFP governments should take responsibility for making Sri Lanka "a country of drunkards." He links what he calls "the arrack culture" with the deterioration of the country's different fields - economic, social, cultural and political. He attempts to illustrate this tragedy during the period 1994 to 1999. He talks about "the rise of the Pajero culture while the masses hit the drain", questions the government's transparency in relation to the Galle harbour tender, exposes the corrupt practices of Customs officials, and blames the government for the callous attitude shown at President J.R. Jayewardene's funeral.

Touching on sports and politics, he outlines the lessons that politicians could learn from Arjuna's cricket team that won the World Cup, and finds fault with minister Mangala Samarawera for his comments on Susanthika in Parliament defending Cabinet colleague S.B. Dissanayake. Bandula exposes the trials and tribulations of a film director by exposing an inside story to the making of 'Purahanda Kaluwara', Prasanna Vithanage's award winning film.

Media freedom has bee debated for many years in Sri Lanka. It seems to be a never-ending topic and it forms the theme of Bandula's third book, 'Loku Aiyalage Madya Nidahasa'. Recalling the inaugural meeting of the Free Media Movement in June 1991 at the New Town Hall and the top SLFP politicians who attended it, he questions the practice of Lake House newspaper pages being brought to Temple Trees for scrutiny prior to publication. Lake House figures prominently in the columns he wrote on media freedom.

New role in 'Mul Pituva'
While the columns covered in the three books show Bandula Padmakumara in a fighting mood, he has sobered down in his new role as presenter of the popular 'Mul Pituva' (Page One) programme over Swarnavahini every morning.

Taking an objective view, he does a good job summing up not only the headlines in the newspapers but also quoting from editorials and interesting feature material. His presentation of the cartoons of all the newspapers to wind up the programme daily gives everyone a chance to have a good laugh to begin the day enjoying the cartoons which invariably have a political bias.

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