5th Column
The three sisters of the South
View(s):Dear Geetha, Anarkali and Nadeesha,
I thought I must write to you when I heard that all three of you were planning to contest the Southern provincial council elections that are to be held soon. I was told that two of you would be running for the Blues while the other would be contesting from the Greens-and what exciting news this is.
Of course, some may find it strange that the elections haven’t even been formally announced; someone has only hinted that they will be held soon. Yet, here all of you are, offering yourselves as candidates. Now, if that isn’t a sign of a healthy democracy at work, nothing is!
It is not as if your announcements should surprise anyone. We already have Malani, that ‘Paba’ girl and ‘One Shot” Ranjan in Parliament-although Paba got herself elected from the Greens beating even Uncle Karu with the number of mannapeys she got-but she changed her mind and joined the Blues!
And we have had plenty of film stars who became politicians like Gamini who went on to become a Deputy Speaker and of course Vijaya whose political career was brutally cut short. Who knows, had Vijaya lived, our history may have been quite different, for what would Satellite have done then?
Then, we have had politicians who became film stars too. Although you may not know it, none other than Mahinda maama is one of them. I am told he acted as an Army officer in one of Gamini’s later movies and that his performance-even then was quite convincing!
And now, of course, we also have Mervyn acting in movies. That though is hardly surprising because whenever he is in public it looks as if he is performing for the cameras but it is difficult to decide whether what is unfolding is a comedy or a horror movie!
Despite all this, Geetha, Anarkali and Nadeesha, what you are doing is quite different because I believe this will be the first instance when voters will have a choice of three actresses. Why, it will be like one of those ‘most popular actress’ contests run by some newspapers!
Geetha, I am told that you want to be the Chief Minister in the South. I see nothing wrong with that too because we have known you mostly as a leading lady in memorable performances in movies such as ‘Karumakkarayo’ and ‘Paalama Yata’-and never as a supporting actress.
I am sure other seasoned campaigners in the Blue camp will not take very kindly to your intentions because they probably see you as just a pretty face but then if Dayasiri can parachute from the Greens and be made Chief Minister, why can’t you do the same after parachuting from the world of cinema?
And anyway, Geetha, Anarkali and Nadeesha, judging by what has been happening in our political scene lately, I think you should not have any difficulty, not only in winning at the elections but also performing well in your new roles after that-and I will tell you why.
You must know by now that when you are performing as an actress, you try really hard to sound as if you mean what you are saying and convince those who are watching you that this is so-but really, you are only acting and this is not so. Isn’t that what politicians do all the time?
Then, in movies there is often a good storyline with plenty of suspense and intrigue-and this is what you get in politics too. If you are in doubt, think about what has been happening to the General, the Chief Justice or for that matter even to the Prime Minister of late and you will see what I mean.
Now, any good movie will also have plenty of ‘action’ and in politics too we have had plenty of that recently. The Nalanda vs. Susantha battle ended only this week, the Duminda vs. Bharatha tussle is still going on but I believe the fight between Ranil and Sajith will top them all.
Being beautiful ladies, Geetha, Anarkali and Nadeesha, I suspect you would all want a bit of romance too and there is plenty of that in politics too. If you are in doubt, just ask that chap Lakshman who was recently sacked from his job as a director of a media centre!
Now, no movie will be complete without a little bit of comedy and politics provides that too. Just have a look at what Bandula is doing with education or how Mahindananda is dealing with sports. And if you are looking for a long running comedy, take a look at the Greens destroying themselves!
So, Geetha, Anarkali and Nadeesha, I think all three of you would be successful when elections are held in the South because these days, there is little difference between what you see in the movies and what happens in politics-but we do hope that the election, like most movies, will have a happy ending!
Yours truly,
Punchi Putha
PS-I would like to offer you one word of advice though, after witnessing what has been happening in politics over the past few years: please remember that while all successful politicians are good actors, not all successful actors make good politicians!