First, it was Ranwala and his qualification saga. That hasn’t ended. The latest is your award drama. Wasantha entertains us with his periodic comedy sketches. We are even confused about ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ when Chathuranga says it hasn’t begun; what was launched was only an awareness campaign!

Remember, Harshana, as Justice Minister, your job is to take the lead in implementing key pledges of the ‘maalimaawa’ government, that of bringing the criminals and the corrupt to justice. That is why it looks odd when your priorities are your ‘Dr’ title and giving awards to controversial people.

As the minister handling the subject of Justice, your focus should also be on keeping your promises, such as changing the PTA and the Online Safety Act. We haven’t heard a word about these from you. People are beginning to wonder whether, once in government, your thinking has changed.

As an experienced lawyer, you know my learned friend that the Justice Minister must be like Caeser’s wife, above all suspicion. I know you are familiar with the words, ‘Justice must not only done, Justice must also be seen to be done”. This time however, the Justice Minister was seen to be done!

It is early days of this government, so it is not too late to redeem yourself. Instead of saying ‘I didn’t know’ and offering explanations, you can apologise and say you made a mistake. We know you make mistakes. You called the Speaker ‘Swamini’ (‘Your Honour’) in Parliament. We forgave you for that!

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS- Harshana, now is the time to draw on all the resources available. You can ask Vasudeva maama for advice. Then, few people remember that you were once a young heartthrob prancing about the bushes in a movie. Now is the time to harness those acting skills. Isn’t politics all about acting?