Outside Politics

11th October 1998

Kilinochchi: Latest rumour

Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was in Washington when news of the Kilinochchi debacle reached him. That was just ahead of a meeting scheduled with State Department officials.

As he met one of them, he shook hands and broke the hot news. "Over a thousand soldiers have died in the latest incident," he declared.

"Where did you get that latest rumour from", queried the official. The first few minutes of the conversation was spent with Mr. Wickremesinghe convincing the US official that what he said was not a rumour.

It seemed the news of the Kilinochchi debacle reached the State Department late from the US Embassy in Colombo.

Sorry to miss event

Those colour photographs in the Daily News of cabaret artistes in their all revealing bikinis at UNP's fund raiser in Los Angeles was the talking point in the Parliament lobby last Friday.

Some PA Ministers and MPs, armed with Friday's Daily News thought they could either titillate or irritate their opposition colleagues.

One Cabinet Minister thrust the newspaper before former Foreign Minister, Shahul Hameed and asked "What have you to say to this ?"

An unruffled Mr. Hameed, who has acquired the fine art of diplomacy and repartee during his 15 years in office, retorted "I am only sorry I was not invited for the event !!"

Star wars

It was star wars Sri Lankan style. It was fought on the front pages of newspapers in Colombo though the dramas were being enacted in American capitals.

The busy schedules they kept and the rapidity of the news releases their own media boys sent to Colombo made one wonder who held what portfolio. This even distracted US officials who were more tuned into the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Constitutional Affairs and Justice Minister, Professor G.L. Peiris, called on UN Special Envoy, Olara Otunnu, and a long press release about the induction of children in war landed in the front pages of Colombo newspapers.

Mr. Otunnu was invited to Sri Lanka by Mr. Kadirgamar and had a lengthy stay to study children being deployed in conflict situations.

Though unwittingly, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Washington, Warnasena Rasaputra, asked Mr. Kadirgamar whether he could line up a meeting with the World Bank President for him, the Foreign Minister politely declined the offer.

The way ministerial visits are generating news in foreign capitals may endanger some of the world's rain forests.

It takes a lot of newsprint to print them no matter whether all readers would take the propaganda seriously or not.

Silence, better policy

After a hurried return to Sri Lanka on Wednesday, Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, met UNP Parliamentarians to discuss matters relating to Friday's debate on the extension of the State of Emergency. They were formulating strategy to raise issues relating to the Kilinochchi military debacle.

The lukewarm response prompted the leader to ask who was not in favour of criticising the Government.

Some explained their apprehensions. They feared that would lead to the removal of their personal security personnel.

The moral – when in opposition, remain silent and do not criticise the government in power. That is if you need more bodyguards to protect you.

Teen tunes

The convent was 96 years young. Gathered were 'teens" ranging from the barely mobile to the nubile, with partners past, present and future. Felicitations from old girls, one and two, tables laden with grape and grain and music with the original "Signore".

Loads of balloons fell on merry-makers at the stroke of twelve. As they burst some one at a "top" table asked of a minister more acting than deputy whether his security would mistakenly rush in! I didn't bring any", was the response. Typical, said others. The legal eagle couple are indeed a rarity. Charming, urbane and above all modest, they treat political office for what it is - temporary phenomena.

Across the table, in similar mould, another. Visibly enjoying herself in the company of true friends. But for convictions, sincerely held, the plums of high office would still be hers. Today she sees lesser beings, personify ingratitude, in their scramble for position.

Jungle Telegraph

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