On beginning governance

Those who advised the President, and advised her correctly in this impasse ( transition it was ) should also receive some credit for the good work done. The Prime Minister for his part showed great restraint and composure, and this for him is a good start. The President eventually did the right thing, and nothing should take away the credit on that count either.

Ranil Wickremesinghe seems to have shown great political dexterity and acumen in picking a Cabinet, in a situation in which he had to please several party seniors as well as defectors to the party who contributed to the UNP's ascension. In spite of these constraints, he picked men with a solid reputation for the important tasks. The "yuppies'' — young and upwardly mobile — who seemed to have entered politics for personal aggrandisement, have been left out of the Cabinet, and this is clear signal to politicians on the make. If the cap fits, they may wear it.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was, not too long ago, at the receiving end of some very negative comments from his own trusted men, men whom he selected to build, but in hindsight it's not surprising that all this came from these same people who sprung a coup on him six months back – and are now calling him our great leader.

Mr. Wickremesinghe seems to be a little too hard-boiled to fall for that sort of excessive politeness.

But the Cabinet is still bloated, and that is the reality. With the project Ministers it is a cabinet of 53.

Everybody wants to be in the Cabinet, and this seems to have been rubbed in, what with people having to witness the spectacle of new Cabinet Ministers taking up their positions with smiles, hangers- on and garlands. This, while the Prime Minister got to work without any trumpeting to speak of.

If there had to be a welcome party, at least now the Ministers should think about getting to work. It's curious why the Ministry of Education was not accorded Cabinet rank. The people still seem to be unaware of how Cabinet Government will function in this somewhat bifurcated fashion.

The Cabinet is where policy is forged and the country gets direction. It's a place that needs some vision. But, to the contrary, it is today a forum which essentially takes care of the chores of governance, for instance, of granting extensions to individual public servants. Not that Ministers are bothered about these extensions anyway, because as a routine they are granted by mutual agreement between the Ministers in a policy that essentially says "you vote for my man and I vote for yours.'' Cabinet deliberations should be streamlined, and it's work cut out for vital policy and decision making. That's a sine qua non for good governance.

If there is a national government of sorts that is formed, at least by default, it will be a blessing in disguise, even though that might sound a trifle trite. At least there will be a sentiment among the masses that this is truly their government. While a strong opposition in parliament, providing constructive criticism is a necessity, together with an independent press, a national government affords an opportunity of putting a stop to the now practised routine of one half of the country engaged in governance while the other half tries to bring them down.