The Fifth Column

25th October 1998

Hats off to actor

My Dear Gamini,

I thought of writing to you because I heard that you have resigned from your post as Governor of the North and East, accusing somebody of interfering with your job.

Firstly, Gamini, I must tell you I was pleasantly surprised because this was the first resignation someone was offering in a long, long time. As you must be aware, others, who were caught in more embarrassing situations never even considered the prospect of resignation. So, it showed that there were still, even in this administration, people with a conscience.

Of course, I also felt sorry that we would be losing a good man doing a difficult job. But then, that was always likely to happen because good men (and women) shouldn't be in politics.

But then, Gamini, you too have had your fair share of ups and downs. We first knew you as an ardent supporter of the greens. You even directed 'Sagarayak Meda', a thinly veiled satire that poked fun at the Queen Bee and her all powerful lieutenant, FDB. That movie did a lot to boost the popularity of the greens at that time.

Then, when the uncommon 'common man' took over the leadership of the greens, you walked into Parliament, deputising for the one who speaks. It is said that you did too good a job of it - being very, very impartial, sometime making even the greens angry. Is that true, Gamini?

Then, of course, the wind started blowing the other way and you too switched sides, because the Lady invited you. At this time some people saw you as just another political opportunist - Like Thonda or Ronnie - and others said you crossed over because you were promised the presiding chair in the House. We still have our doubts about that. Gamini! Anyway, it now appears that you are not happy with Satellite too. Don't worry too much about that, Gamini, because there are a lot of people who feel that way now.

The fact is, my friend, we all know you as the greatest actor in the history of Sinhala cinema. But in politics, you are among people who are acting out every moment of their lives. Their lives are a performance and their audience is the public. The unfortunate thing about it is, if we don't like a movie we can walk out of the theatre but if we don't like a politician, we have to wait six years to get rid of him (or her !).

So, Gamini, in this game you seem to be winning no awards, because your acting is not upto the high standards of those other politicians around you! On the other hand people like Jeevan and Sanath, no great actors in the world of cinema, have shown they are better politicians. Even then, we admire you for saying what you have to say. Few are the people who have the courage to call other favoured people using words like 'lap dog'!

But I'm sure, Gamini, you'd be better off in cinema than in politics. I must tell you that one of the lasting images you left in the movies was parodying FDB in "Sagarayak Meda'', pipe and all, saluting a photograph of the Queen Bee. Though you did that piece of acting brilliantly, it now appears that in real life, you have difficulty in saluting the Queen Bee's daughter. But at least you have the courage to say so!

So, instead of fighting for justice and asking ''Deviyani Oba Koheda?" you might as well return to the cinema and ask ''Uthumaneni'' to go fly a ''Sarungale''! Think about it, Gamini, will you?

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

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