Who's patriotic and who's not? That's the question…

By Rypvanwinkle

"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what is all this fuss about the peace talks?"

"Why," Bindu's father Percy asked, "what is the fuss about the talks?"

"Why, thaaththa, I thought both sides were insisting on various pre-conditions…"

"But both sides are also saying they will attend the talks, no matter what…" Percy pointed out.

"Thaaththa, what about all this fighting?" Bindu wanted to know.

"But Bindu," Percy said, "even with all the fighting, suicide bomb attacks and trying to attack ports, the Tigers say they also want to attend the peace talks…"

"And why is that, thaaththa?" Bindu queried.

"Well, it is a bit like the talks between the Blues and the Greens…" Percy suggested.

"Why do you say that?" Bindu asked.

"Why, they are also talking, no matter what…" Percy pointed out.

"I thought they were talking to try and bring about a consensus on some key issues…" Bindu said.

"That is what they all say, just like the Tigers and the government…" Percy observed.

"But thaaththa," Bindu argued, "they are even about to sign an agreement…"

"But isn't the agreement all about some disagreements?" Percy asked.

"Why do you say that?" Bindu was puzzled.

"Why, some in the Green camp want to become cabinet ministers…"

"There is nothing wrong with that if they are supporting the government and Mahinda maama…" Bindu suggested.

"But there are others in the Green camp who say they will only support the government but not accept cabinet posts…"

"That seems to be quite honourable too…" Bindu observed.

"But there is also another group in the Green camp who say they should not support Mahinda maama at all…"

"I suppose they think that they should always play the role of the Opposition…" Bindu said.

"But that goes to show how much of disagreement there is about this so-called agreement between the Blues and the Greens…" Percy said.

"Then, how can the Greens still sign an agreement with the Blues if there is so much disagreement?" Bindu wanted to know.

"Well, the Green Man is going through the motions of trying to please everyone in his party…" Percy suggested.

"But if they are still signing the agreement, what does that mean?" Bindu asked.

"All it means is that both sides want to appear as if they have noble intentions and are doing their best for the sake of the country…" Percy explained.

"But thaaththa," Bindu said, "how is all this similar to the peace talks with the Tigers…"

"Why," Percy said, "with the talks with Tigers, we all know that the Tigers are not sincere, so one party is not interested in the success of the talks…"

"But how could you say the same of the talks between the Greens and Mahinda maama?" Bindu wondered, "because we know that at least some of the Greens are sincere and want some kind of deal…"

"Why, we also know about Mahinda maama's intentions…" Percy declared.

"Why, what makes you think he is not sincere in inviting the Greens to join the government?" Bindu wanted to know.

"If you have any doubts about that, just ask the Mayor of Colombo …" Percy suggested.

Bindu didn't quite know what to say to that.