5th Column

Peace talks: Mahinda maama's success was Ranil's unmaking
"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what is all this fuss about the peace talks?"
"Well," Bindu's father Percy said, "the talks were supposed to be a success…"
"But thaaththa," Bindu protested, "I am very confused about what has happened…"

"Why is that?" Percy wanted to know.
"Why, thaaththa, the two sides are saying different things about what really happened…"
"I don't see any difference," Percy said, "the ceasefire continues and even the peace talks will continue in April…"
"So, there will be no war?" Bindu queried.

"No, of course not," Percy assured, "although some were saying not so long ago that Mahinda maama's win at the election meant a certain return to war."
"That's strange, isn't it?" Bindu asked.
"Why do you say that?" Percy wanted to know.

"Why, thaaththa, when claymore mines were killing dozens of soldiers almost every day, the Tigers were saying they were not responsible and that civilians were staging those attacks but now, the attacks have strangely stopped when the Tigers are talking peace."

"The important thing is that the attacks have stopped," Percy observed.
"But thaaththa, what really happened at the talks then?" Bindu appeared puzzled.
"Well, they met, they talked for two days and they came away although most of the Tigers are still enjoying a joy ride in Switzerland."

"Yes, but," Bindu persisted, "there are conflicting views about the outcome."
"And what are these conflicting views?" Percy wanted to know.
"Why, thaaththa, the government is saying that the ceasefire was amended and the Tigers are saying that nothing was changed."
"Well, the government has to say that, hasn't it?"
"Why is that, thaaththa?" Bindu asked.

"Why, Mahinda maama faithfully promised everyone that he will amend the ceasefire because the Tigers were gaining too many advantages from it."
"Yes," Bindu recalled, "and the Reds and the Buddhist monks supported him only because of that."

"The Buddhist monks are now making unkind comments about what happened in Geneva but the Reds are strangely silent," Percy said.
"Yes," Bindu said, "just imagine what Wimal sahodaraya would have done if Uncle Ranil went to Geneva and did the same thing."
"Of course we would have been treated to several 'udgoshanas," Percy agreed.

"And even the Buddhist monks would have staged their 'upawaasa' to save the nation," Bindu pointed out.
"And we too would have blamed Uncle Ranil for dividing the country and handing it over to Prabhakaran."
"So, Mahinda maama has done it again," Bindu said.
"What do you mean by that?" Percy asked.

"Why, thaaththa, he won the election promising everyone that the ceasefire will be re-negotiated and that the Tigers will be taught a lesson but he then does exactly what Ranil Uncle promised to do which is to retain the ceasefire as it is," Bindu observed.
"So, are you suggesting that he didn't keep his promise?" Percy wanted to know.

"That's how it appears to be," Bindu said, "at least that is what the Greens, the Reds, the Buddhist monks and even the Tigers themselves are saying…"
"No, Bindu," Percy disagreed, "he kept his promise very well…"
"How could that be?" Bindu was puzzled.

"Why, Bindu, Mahinda maama only promised to amend the ceasefire and he has done just that, although the amendments were in favour of the Tigers," Percy explained.
Bindu knew he couldn't disagree with that.

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