5th Column

Mahinda has avoided many thorny issues
My Dear Mahinda,
I thought I must write to you to congratulate you on completing four months in office and continuing to be the PM because Satellite had said you would be replaced by then!

It is no wonder Mahinda that we see you so much these days on TV and the newspapers with what seems to be a permanent smile on your face for you have every reason to be very happy, even though the rest of us are reeling under the burden of the ever rising cost of living.

But it must be a tough job, isn't it to walk in to a ceremony expecting to be just another guest when you are suddenly told that Satellite won't be turning up and requested to do the honours as the Chief Guest? I am told this happens to you ever so often, though you are not the type to complain because you do intend to take her seat one day, regardless of what Anura says, don't you?

Were you disappointed, Mahinda, that you were not given the leadership of the Alliance as well? We all know that the job was given to Ratne because they feared you would build your support base even more if you were made the leader but you could at least be satisfied that it was not given to Anura!

But you must also be careful in what you say and what you do, Mahinda because the enemy within is much more dangerous than the enemies on the other side. So, do be careful about rushing to the assistance of the Reds whenever they have a problem with the Blues because as you may remember they were vehemently opposed to you not so long ago…

Do also be careful about what you say about the Crown Prince in public because as we all know blood is thicker than water and Satellite could make life really hard for you as she once did, giving you the dreadful portfolios of Labour and Fisheries. For the moment though, you can be happy that she has only said she doesn't care for bearded politicians who wear red bands-and has not included those with moustaches and kurakkan coloured shawls among them!

Of course, Mahinda, we have noticed that you have studiously avoided making any noises about issues such as the peace process or the rising cost of living and we agree that is a wise decision. There is nothing much anyone in your government could do about them, so there is no point in you entering the fray and ruining your popularity, is there?

So far, Mahinda you have done an excellent job, smiling for the cameras and being everybody's darling. Let's just hope that your good luck continues and that you will still be at the PM's desk in another four months time…

Yours truly,
Punchi Putha
PS-Your only failure so far was in trying to convince Susie to run at the Olympics when she said that not even George Bush could make her run. If only you had asked me, Mahinda, I would have told you what should have been done-if you took your old cabinet pal SB with you to Athens, Susie would have run not only the 100 and 200 metres but the marathon as well!

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