The Fifth Column

11th October 1998

Heavy toll of dead

" Thaaththa" Bindu Udagedara asked, "what is this fuss about the war?"

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

"Why, thaaththa, the war in the north and east.."

"There's hardly any war there. Bindu.."

"But thaaththa, some say that hundreds of soldiers are dying there.."

"That is Tiger propaganda, Bindu.."

"How can you be so sure, thaaththa....."

"Why, Bindu, the general has told us that ninety-six percent of the war is over..."

"But, thaaththa..." Bindu protested.

"There is nothing to doubt, Bindu" Percy said, "if the General says that ninety-six percent of the war is over, then that means that only four percent of the war is left. And that means the war, or what is left of it will be over very soon.."

"But some people argue that when the Army lost control of Kilinochchi that cost us another thirty percent.."

"That is all enemy propaganda, Bindu" Percy admonished.

"Then why are the hospitals full of casualties? And why have they imposed a censorship?" Bindu wanted to know.

"The casualties must have been from Mankulam, the General's latest victory, Bindu.."

"And the censorship?"

"That is to protect people like you from Tiger propaganda.."

"Then, everything is settled.."

"Well, there's the balance four percent" Percy conceded.

"And when do we get that four percent?"

"Whenever the General wants..."

"Why do you say that..?"

"Why, Bindu, don't you remember that the general promised to end the war before the Sinhala New Year.."

"And?"

"And then he promised to shake hands with Prabhakaran before the fourth of February this year.."

"Yes, of course, he did say that.."

"And none of those promises have been kept, Bindu.."

"Which means?"

"Which means the last four percent of the war could take four weeks, four months or four years, Bindu.." "Or else, the General is very weak in his maths", "Bindu said.

Percy didn't disagree.

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