The Fifth Column

20th September 1998

Raising hell over Mahanama

Sunday - I heard that Mallo had some nice things about me. He has said that I looked very pretty in South Africa and that my speech was brilliant. Well, Nelson also told me the same thing.

So I guess it must be true. But I do get this feeling that Mallo is trying to come back to our side, what with Amma also favouring the idea and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Really, I don't mind and he's much better than some of the people I have to work with in the Cabinet. But what would people like SB and Mangala say?

Anyway, I hear he has gone to meet the Holy Man in Bangalore, so I guess he would be influenced by what he's told there...

Monday - The newspapers say that we want Presidential Elections in March, Ah, let them believe that! Who would ever want to leave this chair even a day earlier if one can help it? But I'm sure this story will get Ranil all excited. Serves him right!

Tuesday - Ranil's APC is a flop, they all say. He couldn't fill that small hall with people, I hear. It's a good thing we didn't participate because if we did, it would have embarrassed us also. Anyway, Ranil should know by now that all APCs are a mere publicity stunt to show that we want to do something about the War, when we really don't!

Even this package business is an extension of the same principle and G.L seems to learn that very quickly. Anyway, with Opposition leaders like Ranil, why worry?

Wednesday - I got rid of 'Guru' and replaced him with Lucky thinking the khakied people will not give me any more headaches, but he seems to have started in style, arresting a Judge! And, it seems that whenever the name 'Mahanama' is involved, there is a controversy where I have to intervene!

Anyway, Sarath is also confusing me. One day he says a judge can be arrested and justifies the police action. The next day, when the lawyers start breathing down his neck, he says the proper procedure has not been followed.

What can I do except transfer the Policeman involved. The last thing we want is Mahanama to become another Liyanaarachchi...

Thursday - It's JR's birthday but no one seems to care, not even Ranil. That's the way it is, I suppose: when you are out of power no one cares about you, even though you may have once ruled the country for over a decade. I guess they won't remember my birthday either when I'm out of power. But then there are eight more years for that to happen...

Friday - I feel so sorry for my friend Bill. Why should he suffer so much for so little.If only he had asked Seeni Bola for some advice he would be a happy man today...

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/Opinion Contents