Crossover drama couched in words on betel leaf

By Rypvanwinkle

My Dear Karu and the other Tharus and Horus,

I thought I must write to you when I heard that you will be joining Mahinda maama and his merry men and women this week and to be honest, I really do not know whether we should be happy or sad about what you have decided to do.

Of course, Karu, we all agree that you have your fair share of problems with the Green Man who seems to be able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at election after election. We also agree that the Green party appears to be run by a clique of his friends from the comfort of their air-conditioned rooms in Colombo.

But the big question, Karu, is whether the answer to all that is to rush into the waiting arms of Mahinda maama with only a cabinet portfolio to show for it, now that even the premiership has been withdrawn from the original offer that was made to you and your group.

And remember, Karu, that most of whom you are taking with you are either turncoats like GL or too-old-to-wait veterans like MH. So, people with an ounce of political brains, like SB and Sajith are remaining with the Green Man because they know that once you and the gang leave, their way to the top is that much shorter!

Don't forget, Karu, that most of your group were shouting themselves hoarse in support of the Green Man during his presidential election campaign just over a year ago and criticising the 'Mahinda Chinthana' as something that would be the root of all evil. So, when you suddenly have a change of heart almost overnight and sing the praises of 'Mahinda Chinthana' as if it is the panacea for all ills, we have to question whether your motives are sincere, after all. And remember, even if you have a sense of collective amnesia about all this, most people in this country don't!

Then, Karu, you don't have to be a genius to realise that Mahinda maama wants you on his side just to split the Greens and ensure that his reign continues for a long, long time to come. If you look back at what has happened over the past fifteen months, you would recall that he used the rathu sahodarayas very cleverly for his campaign work but he is now disowning them as if they were his arch enemies. Now, Karu, what is the guarantee that he wouldn't do that to you too?

There are of course other little issues like who would foot the bill for the jumbo-sized and jumbo-packed cabinet, but then I am sure that is of no concern to you although it would mean that every ordinary Sri Lankan would have to tighten their already tight belts a little bit more, so that you and your clan can enjoy the perks and privileges of power.

And do us all a favour will you, Dear Karu, and spare us the sermons about joining Mahinda maama because you want to serve the country. The plight of the country is now such that we could have made use of a strong opposition and that is precisely what you are depriving us of! So keep that one for your grandchildren and make sure that you don't rub that chap Basil on the wrong side-or else, you may end up as Minister without portfolio before long!

Yours truly,
Punchi Putha

PS-And here's something to ponder while you iron your national and trim your hair for the swearing-in: why does Mahinda maama use the betel leaf as his symbol? Because he chews it, gets the gist of it and then spits it out and that is something worth remembering, my dear Karu!!