5th Column

Samarey, Amarey or one big jaramarey
"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what is happening in the election?"
"Well," Percy, Bindu's father said, "we are being treated to a lot of promises by both sides, aren't we?" "But thaaththa," Bindu said, "the Blue and Red side have not even released their manifesto yet…"

"That is true," Percy agreed, "but we do know what their position is with regard to the North and East and the economy…"
"But thaaththa, can Mahinda maama do what he promises?"
"What do you mean by that?" Percy wanted to know.

"Why, thaaththa, he is rejecting a federal solution to the North and East and he also wants to re-negotiate the ceasefire agreement…"
"And he also wants to have some controls over the open economy…" Percy observed.

"But thaaththa," Bindu wanted to know, "can he deliver on these promises if he comes to power?"
"He says he will…," Percy said, "but he has also told Arumugam and Rauf that if he comes to power it doesn't necessarily mean that he has to fulfill all these promises…"

"That is quite a problem, isn't it?"
"That would be a problem for the Reds and the Buddhist monks and maybe even for the people who vote for him expecting him to fulfill these promises…" Percy agreed.

"No, thaaththa," Bindu observed, "it would be a problem for the Blues as well…"
"Why would they have a problem?" Percy asked, "if Mahinda wins, they would be in power and he could do as he pleases…"
"That is exactly the problem…" Bindu said.
"Why do you say that?" Percy was puzzled.

"Why, thaaththa," Bindu pointed out, "hasn't Mahinda maama also promised to make the Crown Prince his Prime Minister?"
"Yes, he has," Percy said, "and I believe it was a decision of the high command of the blue party…"

"But thaaththa," Bindu argued, "the constitution of Sri Lanka does not say anything about the high command of the Blue party…"
"What does it say, then?" Percy wanted to know.

"It only says that 'the President shall appoint as Prime Minster the Member of Parliament who in his opinion is most likely to command the confidence of Parliament'…" Bindu pointed out.
"So, are you suggesting that if he wins, Mahinda will appoint someone other than the Crown Prince?" Percy asked.

"That maybe why the Crown Prince is now asking for a written assurance from Mahinda maama…" Bindu said.
"In that case, all Mahinda has to do is provide the written assurance and then if he wins the election go ahead and appoint whoever he wants…" Percy said.
"We all know something similar happened in the Green camp when Dearly Beloved was appointed and Lalith and Gamini were overlooked…" Bindu recalled.

"And look what happened..." Percy said, "the Green party was split, it lost the elections and is still trying to recover from that…"
"But thaaththa," Bindu said, "Mahinda maama keeps on saying the country's leadership or the Blue party doesn't belong to any particular family…"
"So, who do you think he wants to be his Prime Minister?" Percy asked.
"It is between Samarey and Amarey…" Bindu suggested.
"Whoever it is, it will be a real jaramarey..." Percy said.

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