5th Column

Democracy works in many mysterious ways in Lanka!
"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what will happen now?"
"About what ?" Bindu's father Percy was puzzled.
"Why, about the elections…" Bindu said.

"Well, the courts have decided, haven't they?" Percy pointed out.
"But do you agree with the decision of the court?" Bindu wanted to know.
"Whatever verdict the Courts decided on, there would have been people who agree with it and there would have also been other people who disagree with it…" Percy explained.

"Why do you say that?"
"Well, because the verdict is for 2005, Satellite will be unhappy and if it was for 2006 instead, Mahinda and Ranil would have been unhappy…"
"That is true," Bindu agreed, "but what happens next?"
"Well," Percy said, "what is important is not when the elections are or who wins it…"

"I thought those were the most important issues, judging by the way they were squabbling about it…" Bindu said.
"When the election was to be held was thought to be important because the Greens thought they were entitled to an election this year…"
"But thaaththa," Bindu pointed out, "even uncle Mahinda wanted the elections to be held this year didn't he?"

"That is because he was worried that if the elections were held next year, the government will become more unpopular and his chances will fade away…"
"Thaaththa you also said that who wins the elections was not important," Bindu reminded, "but how could that be? That is what everyone is fighting about and will no doubt fight over the next few months…"
"I thought what is important was what whoever wins does for the country…" Percy observed.

"But that is exactly why who wins is such an important factor…" Bindu persisted. "So, is there any difference in what the two of them will do?" Percy wanted to know. "We must wait and see," Bindu said, "Uncle Mahinda is yet to tell us what he plans to do…"

"But will he, for instance, act boldly against the Tigers when they violate the ceasefire agreement?" "Well," Bindu said, "Uncle Ranil may not do that either…"
"And that is exactly why I am saying that there is hardly any difference between the two of them except of course their party colours and who will sit in the Cabinet alongside them…"

"But thaaththa," Bindu suggested, "now that the date of the election has been decided maybe we can stop arguing and listen to what the different candidates are saying and then decide whom to vote for…"
"Don't be so optimistic…" Percy cautioned.

"Why do you say that?"
"Because," Percy said, "democracy works in mysterious ways in Sri Lanka…"
"What do you mean by that, thaaththa?" Bindu wanted to know.
"Well, the basis of going to courts for an election this year was to ensure democracy is alive and well, isn't it?"
"Yes, that is what they all said…"

"Well, then what better way to ensure that even more by having a general election as well, perhaps even before the presidential election…"
"But thaaththa," Bindu argued, "we have had general elections in 2000, 2001 and 2004 and that is three general elections within four years…"
"Ah, more the merrier, isn't it?" Percy asked.

"But thaaththa, neither Uncle Ranil nor Uncle Mahinda will want a general election at this stage…" "And Satellite didn't want a presidential elections either," Percy said, "so, while the courts decide on the presidential election, it is the lady's decision that matters when it comes to the general election…"
Bindu couldn't disagree with that verdict.

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