“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedara asked, “why did they arrest Sirisena Cooray?”
“If we are to believe some newspapers and TV stations, he wanted to assassinate the President....”
“But then Thaaththa,” Bindu asked, “why is the UNP reacting to that by boycotting the Premadasa ceremony?”
“The problem with Cooray’s arrest,” Percy said, “is that everybody has a theory about it, just like the Premadasa assassination....”
“Why do you say that?”
“Why, remember, when Premadasa died, there were many who said that the President himself wanted Babu to explode a small bomb, but the plan misfired....”
“So what about Cooray?”
“Well, the first theory is that the government arrested him on the evidence found at the Athulathmudali Commission....”
“Then?”
“Another theory is that the government tried to split the UNP using Cooray and when that failed, they arrested him....”
“But the UNP seems to be splitting on all sides now....”
“Another theory is that the President is doing Ranil a favour by arresting Cooray, because Ranil did the President a favour by entering into that agreement....”
“And,” said Bindu, “Chandrananda is saying the official reason for arresting him is because he is a ‘threat to the state’ whatever that means....”
“But,” Percy said, “Anuruddha thinks they arrested Cooray for his own safety....”
“Why is that, Thaaththa?”
“Anuruddha probably thinks that if Cooray is left by himself, he will commit suicide....”
“Any other theories?”
“Of course,” Percy said, “Srimani’s supporters say Sira was arrested to take away attention from the Cabinet reshuffle where Srimani was dumped....”
“Any more?”
“Why not? Another theory is that Sanath, who is also Sira’s good friend had him arrested to split the UNP and make Sira its new leader....”
“Then, what about this Impeachment theory?”
“Yes, there is also a story that Sira was collecting signatures to impeach Satellite which is why he was arrested....”
“What else?” ”And finally,” Percy said, “There is a theory that Sira got himself arrested. So he could become a hero and return to the UNP to challenge Ranil....”
“But, Thaaththa,” Bindu said, “Ranil seems to be doing what the government wants him to do....”
“What’s that?”
“He is presiding over a UNP which is dividing into factions very rapidly....”
“So, Sirisena Cooray has done in one month, what Satellite couldn’t do in three years....” Percy observed.
“What’s that?” Bindu wanted to know.
“Dividing the UNP....”
Bindu didn’t disagree.
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