For better for worse… so long until the next 10 years pass

By Rypvanwinkle

"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what has happened to the Budget?"

"Why," Bindu's father Percy asked, "Mahinda maama presented the Budget this week, didn't he?"

"Yes, thaaththa," Bindu agreed, "but there was hardly anything exciting in it…"

"Don't you worry about that," Percy advised, "there will be plenty of people who will find something to criticise about in the Budget…"

"Why do you say that, thaaththa?" Bindu wanted to know.

"Why, Bindu," Percy said, "that is always how it is; the Opposition will always criticise the Budget…"

"Not anymore, thaaththa…" Bindu argued.

"How can you be so sure about that?" Percy queried.

"Why, thaaththa, don't you remember how Uncle Ranil promised to support the Budget?" Bindu recalled.

"Ah, yes," Percy said, "He did do that, didn't he?"

"Yes," Bindu said, "and those in his own party were asking how he could support the Budget then when he was not even aware of what the Budget proposals were…"

"But I am sure the question whether to support the Budget or not is the last thing on Uncle Ranil's mind these days…" Percy observed.

"Why do you say that, thaaththa?" Bindu asked.

"Why, Bindu, what is more important to him these days is whether he can hold on to his job as the leader of the Greens…" Percy explained.

"But I am sure he can count on the support of at least one important person…" Bindu suggested.

"And who is that?" Percy queried.

"Why, thaaththa, that would be Mahinda maama…" Bindu declared.

"And why would Mahinda maama want Uncle Ranil to continue as the leader of the Greens?" Percy was puzzled.

"Why, thaaththa, that would be the best assurance that Mahinda maama can get of winning the next elections…" Bindu explained.

"What makes you so sure about that?" Percy was not convinced.

"Why, thaaththa, the Budget that Mahinda maama presented seems to suggest that…" Bindu said.

"Why do you say that?" Percy demanded.

"Why, thaaththa, Mahinda maama said that although the Budget did not have any major surprises, it was aimed at development over the next ten years…"

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Percy asked.

"Why," Bindu said, "doesn't it mean that Mahinda maama hopes to be in power for the next ten years at least?"

"I hadn't thought about that…" Percy admitted.

"So, maybe that is why this Budget was not so exciting after all…" Bindu argued.

"But I am sure there are others with different ideas…" Percy said.

"Yes," Bindu agreed, "I am sure even Satellite would not want Mahinda maama to continue for another ten years…"

"You can bet on that" Percy said, "even if Uncle Ranil agrees for Mahinda maama to carry on for another ten years, Satellite will not…"

"But thaaththa," Bindu said, "what puzzles me is that the Budget was so dull that even the customary price increases on cigarettes and alcohol were missing…"

"Ah," Percy said, "some say that is because this Cabinet of Ministers is also like cigarettes and alcohol…"

"Why do you say that, thaaththa?" Bindu was curious.

"They use up a lot of money and ultimately do no good…" Percy declared.

Bindu didn't disagree.