5th Column

My dear Ramesh,

I thought I must write to you when I heard that you had been appointed the new Minister of Health. However, I am not sure whether I should congratulate you on your new appointment, or extend my sympathies to you because you are taking over a thankless job that can only ruin your political career.

Not so long ago, we thought the change would never happen. That is because, when the ‘telephone’ chaps brought a motion of ‘no confidence’ against your predecessor, Uncle Ranil was keen to ensure that it was defeated, giving everyone the impression that he backed your predecessor to the hilt.

Keheliya survived the vote. He was confident he would see it to the end of his term. At least, he was behaving that way, giving undertakers who run businesses in front of hospitals a lot of hope. We were almost resigned to that instead of Keheliya himself resigning. Suddenly, Uncle Ranil appointed you.

Since your appointment, Ramesh, there has been a lot of talk. Some people from your own party are upset. They say they are not annoyed with you but they are angry with Uncle Ranil for handing over some ministries that were assigned to the ‘pohottuwa’ chaps to those from the ‘Blue’ party.

Secretary Sagara reminds us it was the ‘pohottuwa’ who elected Uncle Ranil, implying that he should follow their dictates. Of course, he conveniently forgets to tell us that they had no choice, really. He also suggests that the ‘pohottuwa’ can withdraw its support to him, but he doesn’t do that, does he?

Then there is Namal baby who tries to lecture Uncle Ranil on how to engage in coalition politics, saying he should have consulted all parties concerned. Ah, the political wisdom that comes from a chap who was just seven years old and still in his ‘jungee’ when Uncle Ranil became Prime Minister!

Then there is that Lanza chap who was visited by Mahinda maama when his home was raided by the Police. He is singing a different tune saying Namal baby was like a kitten when Gota maama was President but is barking loudly now. He challenges the ‘pohottuwa’ to vote against the budget.

I hope, Ramesh, all this noise does not distract you from your job. Honestly, the people of this country have bigger problems than worrying about which party has which ministry. They are worried more about making a living and putting food on the table. Yet, you chaps are squabbling about ministries!

In appointing you, Uncle Ranil must have noted that you are a medical doctor. The only other medical doctor to hold that post was the late Ranjith from Beliatta. He was also the only person to defeat Mahinda maama at a parliamentary election. He did a good job as minister. You are in good company.

Hopefully, you have enough common sense to know that just because you are a doctor you are not a know-it-all, like Padeniya was, leading Gota maama up the garden path by going ‘organic’ overnight. Padeniya’s whereabouts are not known now, but you still have to deal with his union, the GMOA.

From what we have heard over the past few months, Ramesh, your job won’t be easy. You are entering a den of thieves with a drug mafia and officials who are on their payroll. Doctors are leaving out shores by the dozen every day. Medicines are in short supply. Low quality substitutes are affecting patients.

The GMOA remains more a hindrance than a help to our healthcare system. The Medical Council, we hear, is also in turmoil. We churn out hundreds of doctors every year who refuse even an internship and want to go overseas. Yet they also oppose setting up local medical schools. In short, it is a big mess.

If you didn’t want this job, I don’t blame you. You haven’t been tainted with the type of accusations that Keheliya was, so it was probably not attractive for you. Few realise that, in the last one and half years you held four key portfolios: Education, Plantations, Industries and now, Health.

This job can make or break your career. For inspiration, you can look at your predecessors – S W R D, Dudley who had the job very briefly and Aiyo Sirisena – who went on to lead the country. That list also includes honourable men like Gamani J, who resigned instead of compromising on his principles.

Rajitha – for whom it must be sour grapes now – has said ‘anyone’ is better than Keheliya. We can at least be safe knowing you don’t fall off balconies. You must succeed because our health sector needs change. The situation is desperate. So, regardless of your politics, we wish you well in your new job.

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS: Most of our politicians are someone’s son, daughter or wife. For now, you are also recognised as the son of Richard, who was one of eight MPs from the Blue party in the ‘80s, taking on the might of JR’s UNP. The day we talk of Richard as ‘Ramesh’s father’, you would have done your job, Ramesh.