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Most people are once bitten twice shy
My Dear Bala,
I thought of writing to you after you made what has now been described as a "historic" statement in Bangkok where you said that the Tigers "did not operate within the concept of a separate state" or some such words to that effect.

Now, pardon me if I am wrong, Bala, but you are confusing a lot of people by this statement. Also, don't look surprised and hurt and ask why so many people are doubting your sincerity when you made these remarks.

After all, Bala if it were only as simple as that, then surely you could have uttered these magic words many years ago and spared us the anguish of a terrible war that cost so many lives on both sides. You chose not to do that and there must have been a very good reason for that!

So, Bala, you must excuse most of us when we ask what has changed now for you to suddenly undergo such a transformation in your attitude. And of course, always there are those who ask whether you are just playing to the international gallery-and you can't blame them either.

Really, this is not the first time you have been accorded five-star treatment and welcomed for talks. Somebody tried to talk to you in five-star comfort in Colombo once before and ended up only being killed on the streets. And, this is not the first time we tried talking to you on foreign soil with third party mediation either. But even that didn't work, did it?

Of course, what you wouldn't want to say-but what might be closer to the truth-is that you have realised that with Uncle Sam chasing terrorists wherever they may be you may not stand any chance of realising your dream of a separate state. And being the smart chap that you are, you may have decided that it is good to quit while you can still have half a chance.

If that were indeed the case, Bala, I'm sure most people in the South wouldn't mind handing over to you many of the powers that you are asking for. It would be a small price to pay to ensure that this new found peace continues, so that they can still watch their cricket matches and talk about how corrupt their politicians are.

But then, it is never that simple, is it Bala? Then comes the hardest part. Who would be the leader of your "region"-or whatever else you would like to call it? And what about distributing portfolios and positions in that region? And what would happen when you would have to go before the people to get their "manaapey?"

After all, Bala, it is no easy task. If you have any doubts, just look at the reds and the mess they are making in the South. They too gave up arms to enter the democratic stream of politics and have since then been swimming against the tide and are no nearer to real power than they ever were, though they did take the Lady for a ride trying to form an alliance with her!

So, Bala, we do understand your problem. Even if you do want to end the war, there would be a million little things you would want settled before anything practical can be worked out. But for the moment, most people are once bitten, twice shy. So, maybe you could make yourself a little bit more clearer when you next go to Bangkok. Until then, most people are reluctant to give you the benefit of the doubt!

Yours truly,
Punchi Putha.

PS- And from where exactly did you find the "magic words" which have been interpreted in so many words and have meant many things to many people? The reality is, no one understands what they really mean. You didn't borrow them from your good friend the professor, did you?

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