Features
Things done very well and things not done, but still done
Cassandra is totally in favour of the newly-appointed Cabinet of Ministers, particularly approving the continuation of Dr Harini A as PM and Minister of Education in its various levels, and appointing Vijitha Herath as Foreign Affairs Minister and Dr Nalinda Jayatissa in charge of Health and Mass Media. Especially joyful is the appointment of Saroja Savithri Paulraj as Minister of Women and Child Affairs. She has made history by being the first Tamil to be elected to Parliament from the Matara District and thus the Southern Province. This fact is highlighted with hope for the future of our country and shares honour with the Jaffna election results of electing majority Sinhalese.
Cass is an impressionable dame, emotional and easily carried away. In her vulnerable late teen years, she was in love for just a day or two, ignited via her auditory and visual senses, and confined within her for persons who were absolutely far removed. She bares her heart and exposes her stupidity by admitting she was mad over a Sinhala singer just listening to his songs. This was just for a day or two. With admiration she gazed at and adored Tenzing Norgay’s grinning face in newspapers in 1952. Enraged she was that bee keeper Edmund Hillary bagged honour claiming he was the first to step on the summit of Mount Everest and even derided the Sherpa by telling reporters he had to haul him up. This was the reverse of what actually happened, as Tenzing was unable to converse in English. Once the Indian reporters got cracking the truth was out.
Things done well
Cass as usual digressed. Who cares about her fascinations? What she meant to say was that being impressionable, she may have gone overboard in her admiration of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Dr Harini Amarasuriya. But no. Others are as delighted as she is. However, we have the wise ole owls who caution and propound: “Let us wait and see. Judge judiciously.” One such is the Editor of The Island. He has been wisely cautious. But Cass is certain he and other careful treaders excuse exuberance of admirers and full confidence in the new government. Most believe that those holding major posts in governing us, will correct many glaring misdemeanours, nay, corrupt practices of parliamentarians. Better still is that they will forgo most of the perks that set them apart from us Ordinaries and gave them elevation economically, luxury-wise and encouraged swollen heads, most of which were empty of brains. That, mercifully, is of the past. Cass and others are certain AKD, Harini and some others will stick to what they have promised and continue to act as they have, so far. AKD will continue opening the door of the car he is driven in and Harini will prevent little ones from going down on their knees paying respect to her. They are truly national minded, concerned with the welfare of Sri Lankans and will keep promises made. Some younger others may have to be kept under surveillance! It is said strict discipline is maintained in the JVP.
There was a steady stream of cars proceeding to the Prez’s office for those within to be sworn in as cabinet ministers. The cars were mostly medium sized, not at all the huge luxury vehicles of the last governments. We hope car pools will be arranged for such gatherings. We strongly expect no tax-free licences will be given to MPS. Ideal if only the Prez and PM are given cars for their use and others made to use their own vehicles or public transport. Too much to hope for, though we are certain the stupendous spending on vehicles to the Minister and even MPs will cease. So, also far too generous perks. This great divide between the ordinary citizen and the MP has to be diminished if not closed. Some of those heads we saw may get swollen, but we are sure not of the three who formed the interim Cabinet since 21 Sept.
Things not done
Cass refers to a glaring act of cheating. Ravi Karunanayake got himself selected to enter Parliament on the National List of the gas cylinder party, I forget its name among all the various permutations of the words ‘democratic’, ‘national, ‘united’ et al. The Secretary of the party – I got its name – New Democratic Front – known previously to Ravi K connived with him. The cheating was that this was enacted without the leader of the NDF, Ranil Wickremesinghe, having not an inkling of the connivance and act. To compound matters, former Chairman, Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapariya, declares the appointment cannot be cancelled or reversed, not even challenged in court.
The NDF secured two NL slots. Thus, with popular promotion and approval, Kanchana Wijesekera will be the second to be nominated as a National List MP among the gas cylinders. Wonder how Ravi K will be received in Parliament. Probably no boos, since the NPP government promises correct behaviour in the House, but he will be made to share the feelings of a pariah. Shame!
The second instance of doing something that should not have been done in Cass’ opinion, is the ex-Commissioner of the EC pontificating and throwing clout he does not have when he went to the polling booth to cast his vote. We read Mahinda Deshapriya reprimanded a police officer who was sitting within the booth and told him roundly that he had no business being inside, and had him leave. He had also faulted the overseeing officer of that particular voting station over some minor remiss of the girls marking fingers and calling out names. Cass thrusts aside her fear, and cries out; “How dare he? He is retired.”
And, so fellow Sri Lankans of this beautiful isle in the Indian Ocean, are we on a path of redemption and recovery? Will there be continuing fellowship and respect among the races and religions of the land? And will the potential that is always associated with Sri Lanka be gradually and steadily realised? Cass bets it all will! Bye for this week with hope and anticipation, thanks mostly to the Prez, PM and Minister of External Affairs. We have an educated Cabinet of Ministers for a start.