The Fifth Column

29th March 1998

Discede Perpetua

"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what do you think of the Royal-Thomian?"

"Why," asked Percy Udagedera, Bindu's father, "I thought that match ended last week in a draw...."

"No, Thaaththa, "Bindu said, "the match has only started...."

"No Bindu," Percy argued, "I'm sure the 'Battle of the Blues' ended last week...."

"No Thaaththa," Bindu said, "I'm talking of the Royal-Thomian 'Battle of the Greens'...."

"Ah! that," Percy said, "yes, it seems that the match has only started...."

"It's a pity isn't it , that they had to come to the greens and then start fighting all over again."

"Well," Percy recalled, "they never got on well together...."

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, the way that Ronnie kept jumping from side to side, who wouldn't be angry with him?"

"For political somersaults he's hard to beat?"

So, he's probably the best opportunist next to Thondaman"

"But what about Anura, Thaaththa?" "Poor chap, always in the Opposition, despite being the son of two Prime Ministers...."

"But Thaaththa," Bindu argued, "the son of a former UNP boss has given him a good character certificate....That's the funniest part of it all...." Percy observed.

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, Bindu, we all remember the fights the former UNP boss had with Anura in the House...."

"And yet, the boss's son now finds him to be a good party man...."

"But you think young Anura will take it in his stride?"

"Well, Bindu, he's no longer very young, anyway he's quite used to these insults. Remember, in seventy seven, JR compared Madam and Anura to Indira and Sanjay and called them the cow and calf. And, more recently, his own uncle, the General, had some reservations about him...."

"What about old Ronnie?"

"He's only used to boasting about being the longest serving Finance Minister in the Commonwealth. Remember, he's used to being the hunter, not the hunted...."

"So, who do you think will win this Royal-Thomian Thaaththa?"

"I don't know about that," Percy said, "but I think the Royalist should adhere to the Thomian motto and the Thomian should adhere to the Royal motto....And what's that, Thaaththa?" "The Royal motto is Disce Aut Discede and the Thomian is Esto Perpetua."

"And what do they mean, Thaaththa?" "The Royal motto means 'Learn or Depart' and the Thomian motto means 'Be Thou Forever...."

"And you think Anura should keep to the Thomian motto and Ronnie should stick to the Royal motto...."

"Yes," Percy said.

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