“Thaaththa” Bindu Udagedera asked, “don’t you think it is time for a cabinet reshuffle?”
“Why do you say that, Bindu?” Bindu’s father Percy wanted to know.
“Why, thaaththa, even the courts seem to think so...” Bindu pointed out.
“Why is that?” Percy inquired.
“Why, they have suggested to Mahinda maama that he should take over matters related to Petroleum products...” Bindu observed.
“And why would they say that?” Percy wondered.
“Why, thaaththa, they say that because of the actions of a few people, the entire country is paying high prices for fuel...” Bindu explained.
“How did that happen?” Percy was puzzled, “I thought we were paying high prices for fuel because the price of oil in the world market was high...”
“That was true some time ago,” Bindu agreed, “but those prices have fallen to nearly a quarter of what it was a few months ago...”
“But,” Percy asked, “isn’t that why Mahinda maama reduced the price of fuel in the budget a few weeks ago?”
“Yes, he did,” Bindu said, “but that reduction was less than ten per cent when in fact, it could have been reduced by much, much more...”
“But,” Percy inquired, “if the price of fuel can be reduced some more, why can’t the government go ahead and do it?”
“Ah,” Bindu said, “that is because the government has entered into some agreements and that is why the courts are saying Mahinda maama must take over this subject from Uncle Fowzie...”
“Now that is an encouraging trend...” Percy declared.
“Why do you say that, thaaththa?” Bindu asked.
“Why, I am sure there are other ministers who could therefore be ordered by the courts to hand over their subjects to Mahinda maama...” Percy suggested.
“And who are they, thaaththa?” Bindu wanted to know.
“Why, Bindu,” Percy said, “Uncle Bandula took a long time to reduce gas prices even when prices in the world market fell...”
“So, what are you suggesting?” Bindu asked.
“Why, I suppose he too could be asked to hand over his portfolio to Mahinda maama, if someone petitions the court...” Percy proposed.
“That is an idea,” Bindu agreed, “although I doubt anyone would do so now...”
“Then there is Uncle John who got his calculations wrong and didn’t reduce electricity tariffs...” Percy pointed out.
“And what happened then?” Bindu inquired.
“Why,” Percy recalled, “even then, the courts had to intervene and suggest a new tariff system so maybe Uncle John could hand over his ministry to Mahinda maama too...”
“Then I suppose Uncle Susil too will have to return his subject to Mahinda maama...” Bindu argued.
“Why is that?” Percy asked.
“Why, thaaththa,” Bindu said, “he too couldn’t decide on how to calculate points for school admissions and the courts had to do it for him...”
“Well,” Percy said, “then I suppose he too would have to be relieved of his responsibilities by Mahinda maama...”
“If that is so,” Bindu said, “there is another minister who should be asked to hand over his job back to Mahinda maama, thaaththa...”
“And who is that, Bindu?” Percy asked.
“Why, thaaththa, I think Uncle Nimal too should be asked to change his subject because he also got his calculations wrong...”
“Why do you say that?” Percy demanded.
“Why, thaaththa, he is suggesting that doctors in the North and East be insured for only one million rupees when families of politicians who are being killed by terrorism are being paid five million rupees...” Bindu explained.
“So,” Percy said, “what he is saying is that a politician is worth five doctors and I see nothing wrong with that...”
“Why do you say that, thaaththa?” Bindu was surprised.
“Why, Bindu, it must be because politicians must be having five times the brains of a doctor remaining unused...” Percy said.
“How could that be?” Bindu asked.
“Why,” Percy replied, “that is because the brains of politicians are hardly used these days, or else the courts wouldn’t have to intervene in all these matters...” Bindu wondered what the courts of law would have to say to that argument