ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday September 23, 2007
Vol. 42 - No 17
Columns - 5th Column  

Oops! he does it again, it's one more branch growing on family tree

By Rypvanwinkle

My Dear Uncle Basil,

I thought I must write to you even if it is only to congratulate you on your latest appointment. After all, even though the propagandists said that you had over 40 years experience in politics, it seems this is the first time you have entered Parliament although you have helped your brothers to do so, so many times!

But dear Uncle Basil, I am sure you didn't quite expect the reception you got when you were sworn in as an MP. We were all puzzled as to why opposition MPs were holding up placards that merely said '10%'! I myself thought that must be the rate of inflation and they must be blaming you for that. But then someone tells me that inflation is much, much higher than that so can you tell us what that figure was all about?

Anyway, I do admire Mahinda maama, Uncle Basil. Here we are, with the entire country blaming him for the rising cost of living and many other issues and Uncle Ranil is running around saying it is all Mahinda maama's fault for using his 'sahodara samaagama' and what does he do? He promptly appoints yet another brother to Parliament!

Of course, Uncle Basil, I can understand Mahinda maama's reasoning. There are already a hundred ministers, so what difference does one more MP make? And who on earth would notice one more branch growing on the family tree when there are so many 'R's holding so many top jobs?

And it is not as if you were the first person from a ruling family to join active politics-we have been seeing that for the past 50 years. The father of the nation wanted his son to succeed him which he did and even after SWRD passed away, control of his party went first to his wife and then to his daughter although the son, your good friend, missed out!

And they tell me you are to be a minister soon too. I guess some ministers must be quite worried these days about losing their portfolios, especially the Foreign one who crossed over from the Greens, who spends millions on overseas travel, staying at the most expensive hotels. Now, if you are appointed to his job, I wouldn't mind that at all, if you can save at least a percentage of what he spends on his jaunts!

But Uncle Basil, I am sure you are in for some exciting times in the House by the Diyawanna lake. After all, there is Mangala and Sripathi claiming that you were instrumental in striking a deal with the Tigers and there you are, denying every word of it. I am sure Velu in his bunker in Kilinochchi must be dying of laughter at all these antics between you lot...

Then, Uncle Basil, there is all this talk about you being groomed for the succession after you-know-who. Previously many would have dismissed it as just another jealous rumour spread by Satellite, but most are not so sure now...

Therefore, Uncle Basil, if I were you, I would be cautious in what you would say and do. After all, it has been a long and hard journey from Medamulana to the United States and then back to the Diyawanna Oya, so you need to be careful of the enemies within as well as those from outside from your own camp!

Yours truly,
Punchi Putha

PS- If you had the choice of choosing a cabinet portfolio, couldn't you ask for the portfolio that Aachaarya Mervyn holds? I wouldn't mind having another 'R' appointed to the Cabinet, if we can get rid of that chap-it is a fair price to pay!

 
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