The Fifth Column

28th June 1998

What elections?

"Thaaththa" Bindu Udagedara asked, "What is all this talk of elections?"

"What elections?" Percy Udagedara, Bindu's father, wanted to know.

"Why thaaththa, they say they want to have Provincial Council Elections..."

"But that was due for a long time now..."

"But thaaththa, now they say they want to hold a Presidential Election..."

"Don't you worry about that, Bindu"

"Why do you say that?"

"No one holds elections specially Presidential Elections earlier than they should, Bindu..."

"But they say the Opposition challenged Satallite to hold Presidential Elections in November and that she has accepted that challenge.."

"That won't happen, Bindu"

"Why?"

"They say the Presidential elections will be held in November only if the Opposition agrees to postpone Provincial Council Elections.."

"Then, what will happen?"

"As I see it" Percy said," they will first get the Opposition's support to postpone Provincial Council Elections.."

"And, then?"

"And then, when November comes, they will cite some reason and say they are not in a position to hold Presidential elections.."

"But what excuse can they give?"

"Why, security reasons, or we may even suddenly find the Mahanayake Theras issuing a statement saying elections cannot be held..."

"But thaththa, you don't think the government is sincere about all this?"

"Why should this government be sincere, Bindu?"

"Well, it promised to be sincere and transparent and have a human face..."

"It also promised to abolish the Executive Presidency by July 15, three years ago..."

"And we are reaching the three year "anniversary" of that deadline." Bindu conceded.

"Yes, and at that time we believed wrongly that the government was sincere, Bindu.." Percy pointed out.

"But thaaththa, will the opposition be foolish enough to fall into this trap?"

"Ah, said Percy," with this opposition, they could fall into any trap..."

Bindu didn't disagree.

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