Though our lives be crumbling- they shower us with promises!

By Rypvanwinkle

“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera asked, “will the war be over soon?”
“How can it be over?” Bindu’s father Percy asked, “I thought it had only just begun...”
“Why do you say that, thaaththa?” Bindu asked.
“Why, Bindu,” Percy said, “the ceasefire ended only last week...”

“But thaaththa,” Bindu argued, “the ceasefire didn’t mean much because the war was going on even when the ceasefire was on...”
“That is true,” Percy agreed, “but now war has been officially declared...”
“Is that why the Tigers attacked a bus at Buttala last week, thaaththa?” Bindu wanted to know.
“Some may say it was because the ceasefire was called off,” Percy said, “but similar attacks have taken place even when the ceasefire was on, so that is not quite correct...”

“But surely, thaaththa,” Bindu said, “now the attacks will be more because there is no ceasefire...”
“That maybe so,” Percy said, “but that also means the military can attack more...”
“What is the difference, thaaththa?” Bindu was puzzled, “didn’t they attack before?”
“Of course, they did...” Percy recalled.

“Then, why is it that not having a ceasefire makes it easier for the military to attack?”
“Why, Bindu, with the ceasefire, whenever the military staged an operation, there was somebody condemning it and calling for a truce...” Percy explained.
“But wouldn’t it be the same for the Tigers too?” Bindu asked, “wouldn’t they too find it easier to stage their attacks now that the ceasefire is off?”
“They probably will,” Percy said, “but the fact is that they staged devastating attacks even when the truce was on...”
“But thaaththa,” Bindu said, “I think the war will come to an end soon...”
“What makes you say that?” Percy asked, surprised.

“Why, thaaththa, everyone is saying that they would end the war soon...” Bindu said.
“Who are they?” Percy wanted to know.
“Why, the Prime Minister has said that the war will be over this year...” Bindu recalled.
“Who else has promised to end the war?” Percy queried.
“The Army Commander has said he would not leave the problem of terrorism for his successor...” Bindu observed.
“I am sure he doesn’t want to...” Percy said.

“And the President has promised to eradicate terrorism from the country as soon as possible...”
“I am not sure whether that is very good news...” Percy declared.

“Why, thaaththa,” Bindu said, “I thought the eradication of terrorism will be very good news, probably the best news we have had in a long, long time...”
“It will be good news for you and me, Bindu...” Percy said, “but, I am not so sure it will be good news for Mahinda maama and his government...”
“Why, thaaththa?” Bindu asked, “if Mahinda maama is able to eradicate terrorism, people will want him to lead the country forever...”
“No, Bindu,” Percy said, “that won’t happen because then all the people will start talking about the prices of rice, milk powder, gas and petrol which we have been told is increasing in price only because of the war...”

“So,” Bindu said, “are you saying that if Mahinda maama wins the war he will lose the next election?”
“I am not saying that,” Percy said, “but I am sure that he will win the election if the war is still going on when those elections are held...”
Bindu knew he couldn’t argue with that.