The Fifth Column

31st October 1999

Satellite following you to the letter

I thought of writing to you now even though you are not among us anymore because, these days, we are constantly reminded of you.

Now, don't for a moment imagine it is because of your third death anniversary which falls tomorrow. No, it has not been declared a public holiday and there are no ceremonies telecast live to commemorate the event. In fact, to tell you the truth, most people may have forgotten that the anniversary falls tomorrow.

But then, we have not forgotten you altogether. And that is because we are always being reminded of what you did because Satellite is following you to the letter, or so it seems.

Of course, you may be surprised because Satellite said she was against all that you stood for and called your Constitution a 'bahubootha viyawasthawa'. But now, Seeya, her very existence depends on that 'bahubootha viyawasthawa' and she is doing everything to protect it!

As you may know, she has called for early election- just like you did after five years in power. If memory serves you well, Seeya, you will recall that at that first election, there were six contestants- Hector, Rohana, Colvin, Vasu and Kumar and of course, you. Ironically four are not with us today and the surviving two- Vasu and Kumar- may contest the forthcoming elections again, seventeen years later- and lose their deposits again!

Seeya, you will recall that even you informed your Cabinet before you called for elections. But not so with Satellite: she tells only a couple of fellows who are engaged in speech writing these days and the rest of the Cabinet learn of the poll just like everybody else!

Then, Satellite has done many things that you too did: she has held on to the open economy, failed to solve the ethnic crisis, continued the war, appointed a Chief Justice despite widespread criticism and looked away while thugs assaulted democratic protestors.

Then, remember, Seeya how your people manipulated the Referendum with stuffed ballot boxes. Well, don't think that you are the only person capable of presiding over such tactics- Satellite's people have already tried that with great success at Wayamba. Of course you will argue Seeya that despite all this you were re-elected so can you blame Satellite if she thinks she too will be re-elected?

Like you Satellite also knows the value of Thondaman and the old chap as always sides with the winner so at present he is with her. Of course we all know, don't we, that if by any chance Ranil wins he will be back with the greens giving some feeble excuse! But unlike you Satellite has to deal with this Ashraff chap also and I must say he is second only to Thonda in his dealings but Satellite does handle him well, even if it means annoying a few cabinet colleagues.

Then, Seeya, do you remember how you amended your own Constitution so many times just so you could remain in that office? Well, Satellite also realises how important this is, so despite all the pledges to scrap the Constitution she has continued with it so she can stay in office for another six years.

Well, Satellite hasn't still asked for undated letters of resignation from her MPs but then even you did that after the election. So, who knows, what's in store for the MPs now!

Now I'm not blaming you for all this, Seeya. It is just that at the end of your rule the people were really tired of you and wanted you out and there is already a similar feeling directed towards her, I feel. So, when she says that she did in five years what the greens did in seventeen years she is absolutely correct!

So, you can rest assured that even though you are not among us now and even though no one makes a noise about your anniversary, we still remember you. And you have only to thank Satellite for that!

Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,

Punchi Putha.

PS- I think the greatest mistake you did in your time was in not grooming a definite successor. We know someone took over but there was opposition to him and that eventually led to rifts that have yet to heal, as young Ranil is learning the hard way. Well, Seeya, if it is of any consolation to you, Satellite has made the same mistake and there is absolutely no one in the blue horizon to take over if and when she leaves!

The Jungle Telegraph

Editorial/ Opinion Contents