“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera asked, “what is all this fuss about university students?”
“Why,” Bindu’s father Percy said, “I thought the fuss was about university lecturers…”
“No, thaaththa,” Bindu said, “there is some controversy about the students too…”
“And what controversy is that?” Percy wanted to know.
“Why, thaaththa,” Bindu said, “Seeni Bola Uncle is trying to get them to undergo what he calls leadership training…”
“So,” Percy asked, “what exactly is this leadership training?”
“Seeni Bola Uncle says that university students should be taught certain skills, or else they will turn out to be what he calls ‘kaalakanni’…” Bindu explained.
“And what are these skills?” Percy was curious.
“Well he wants to teach them punctuality, discipline and even physical fitness…” Bindu said.
“So, what is wrong with that?” Percy wondered.
“Some students are saying compelling them to undergo that type of training is not quite right…” Bindu observed.
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“So, what do they want to do?” Percy asked.
“I believe they have gone to courts to challenge Seeni Bola Uncle’s orders…” Bindu recalled.
“I suppose they would then have to stop this leadership training until the court decides on the matter…” Percy said.
“Of course not, thaaththa,” Bindu said, “the training began last week and Mahinda maama himself inaugurated it…”
“Ah, yes,” Percy said, “with your Seeni Bola Uncle in charge, I wouldn’t be surprised about that…”
“Why do you say that, thaaththa?” Bindu asked.
“Why, Bindu,” Percy said, “Seeni Bola Uncle was never one to take too much notice of what the courts told him and remember, once he had to pay the price for it as well…”
“That is true,” Bindu agreed, “but this time he is saying the courts only requested him to postpone the training; they didn’t really order him to do so…”
“He may be correct,” Percy said, “and anyway, the training has begun now…”
“So, what do you think will happen next, thaaththa?” Bindu inquired.
“I am not so sure about that,” Percy said, “but I wish this leadership training is done not only for university students but for others as well…”
“Why do you say that, thaaththa?’ Bindu asked.
“Why, Bindu,” Percy explained, “just imagine how much we would gain if we can instil qualities like discipline, punctuality and respect for others in the different categories of people working in our country…”
“And how exactly do you propose to do that, thaaththa?” Bindu wanted to know.
“For instance,” Percy suggested, “just like Seeni Bola Uncle declaring that this course is compulsory for all university students, the Minister of Transport could say this should be undertaken by all those applying for a driver’s licence…”
“What will happen then, thaaththa?” Bindu was puzzled.
“Why, Bindu,” Percy observed, “then all the drivers on our roads will be disciplined and we can avoid all these dreadful accidents…”
“I suppose that could happen,” Bindu said, “but who else do you think should undergo this training?”
“Well,” Percy said, “almost anybody can benefit from this training, I suppose…”
“Why do you say that, thaaththa?” Bindu asked.
“Why, Bindu,” Percy explained, “for example, the Minister of Education can say this training is compulsory for all teachers, the Minister of Health can order for it to be made compulsory for all doctors, nurses and others working in hospitals…”
“Who else do you think should undergo this training, thaaththa?” Bindu inquired.
“Well,” Percy said, “maybe we should extend it to our cricketers, boxers and weight-lifters so they don’t get involved in match fixing and drug scandals…”
“Do you think it will work thaaththa?” Bindu was not convinced.
“Well,” Percy said, “if Seeni Bola Uncle can make it compulsory for his university students, I don’t see any reason why other ministers cannot make it compulsory for their employees…”
“Then, thaaththa,” Bindu asked, “don’t you think that we should extend this course to politicians as well?”
“I suppose those in the Green party can certainly benefit from some training in discipline and respect for others in their own party…” Percy agreed.
“And maybe even the Reds will stand to gain if they get physical training, because almost always their members get assaulted and tear gassed at the various protests they organise from time to time…” Bindu proposed.
“And of course,” Percy said, “this type of training could also benefit some ministers like Uncle Mervyn who could learn a thing or two with some lessons on discipline and respect for others…”
“I am not so sure about that, thaaththa,” Bindu said, “I don’t think they have planned a beginner’s training programme yet…”
“And then,” Percy said, “last but not least, there is one other person who must also undergo this training, if it is about discipline and respect for others…”“And who is that, thaaththa?” Bindu asked.
“Why,” Percy said, “it is Seeni Bola Uncle himself…”
Bindu didn’t disagree.
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