Return of ex-Prez, and third woman PM in UK

The buzz during the week was the return of ex-Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Cass missed seeing news clips that showed his arrival at the Katunayaka airport and the many eager Pohottuwa politicians who were gathered to welcome him back. She wonders how many of these with garlands and bulath ath and a showing of

teeth/dentures were genuinely welcoming a disgraced President who unnecessarily ran away from the country and was not welcome in the three countries he took refuge in. Imagine being told to confine yourself to your hotel room! Of course, in Gotabaya R’s case it would have been a most expensive suite of rooms and he could translate the request as solely for his safety. We think otherwise. A runaway leader of a country is suspect, justifiably or otherwise.

Cass asked the question whether the Katunayaka reception committee was sincere in their welcome of the ex-Prez. Difficult to believe in these corrupt times of self-seeking and self-protection being of the highest priority. Were they merely saving their skins by exhibiting false allegiance? Cass hopes not. The ex-Prez deserves better. He destroyed the agriculture of the country; reduced taxes from the rich who were cronies and allowed scams, to mention but two – making huge money on the import of sugar, etc., and let down a nation that was promised spendour and prosperity. But though stubborn, part of the blame must lie with his ill advisors and also sycophantic yes men. Further, Cass believes he caught the infection from two brethren and a nephew of thinking he was almighty and could pass any rule, brooking no dissent.

We welcome you back, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This is your second home: the US was your first and your wife and family are US citizens. You have every right to return to Sri Lanka. We are sure you will be safe; Ranil W R will ensure that. Our people, in the vast majority, are not so cruel or insensitive they hound an injured animal, least of all a human. But DO NOT consider returning to politics of this land. This we ask, nay demand, not through spite, revenge et al. But with sensibility and wisdom. Cass heard a crazy supposition of you returning to power, climbing to highest so a nephew can be PM. Your family of brothers and nephews was rejected by the people so will they tolerate a return of these to power? Cass well knows it is the pipe dream of some young of the family. But the majority Sri Lankans do not want it, just as they voted in the vast majority for you to be President of this country which was doing fairly OK then. So refuse to be tempted by ever loyal, most generous Dr Seetha Arambepola and such like.

New PM of Britain

So, Liz Truss is the new Prime Minister of Britain and remain thus for two years plus. You know all about the election and how this British woman won over Rishi Sunak, who by every measure is more suited to the highest post than Truss. Cassandra is admittedly biased to women and swears they serve better in positions of authority which call for commitment, integrity and non-swerving from the straight and narrow. But in the case of the British election for the Head of the Tories, and PM to replace Boris Johnson, Cass placed all her bets on Sunak, known as Dishy Rishi expressive his alluring personality, yes, charm and absolute ability. Tax evasion by his multimillionaire wife was perhaps the major negative he carried to the campaign for top job, but of course not admitted, but definitely present, is British underlying racism and them not still ready for a coloured Head of Government. More’s the pity! Here was a fine candidate who would surely have pulled Britain, struggling as it is with inflation and an energy crisis, out of the woods, most likely better and faster than Liz Truss with her thrice promised, “We will deliver.”

Watching the BBC telecast of the meeting when the announcement of winner was made, Cass was thoroughly shocked that as Truss was named winner, she grabbed the text of her speech from the person beside her, did not even glance at Sunak seated one seat away, and rushed to the podium. Cass expected her to at least speak a word or two with him, leave aside shake hands or commiserate. Cass also noted that there were hardly any brown faces among the Conservative gathering and not one black. So, how not expect racism at crucial points.

Cass is however admiring of the positives exhibited. The meeting of the Conservatives had much clapping but not a trace of excessive jubilation. The entire process of transfer of power worked smoothly. Johnson made his final speech standing on the road in front of 10 Downing Street and then a plane took off for Norfolk where the Queen is at Sandringham, with him and Truss on board. Johnson presented his resignation to Her Majesty and a few minutes later, Ms Truss was ushered into the state room and invited by the Queen to be Prime Minister and form a government. The commentator over BBC said the meeting will last about 20 to 30 minutes. Later BBC news broadcasts showed the Queen receiving Liz and her husband, High O’Leary. The new PM will then move to 10 Downing Street, address the public from outside her future home and by Tuesday night the Cabinet will be known.

Such smoothness with dignity; age old traditions followed; the Queen given her due place as Head of State. She continues meeting her PM weekly though one knows not whether it continued that way with Johnson. The BBC political correspondent commented that Johnson’s last speech was typical of the man – cheerful with not one regret or even a glance back to the immediate past expressed.

And so to the contrast with how things happen in this land of ours. Time was when decency, tradition and lack of contention were present in Parliament and outside. Cass need not mention how it is now, with the MPs that garner votes and get in, in many cases, being unsuitable to the core.

She adds an aside. As she was writing this a friend from London rang her. Her comment: “Things are corrupt over here too; money making on the sidelines is rife. England is a third world democracy now.” Sri Lanka is not there – not even a third world democracy – but a failed state, made bankrupt by selfish horrors in politics and administration, and thus not even a derided banana republic, but worse. A further dismal prognosis: Ranil W R is concentrating on his given second name. However, he has the ability to pull us out of the morass we have been thrust into.

Mere baseless rhetoric

Such is what the Secretary of the SLPP Party – Sagara Kariyawasam – announced at a recent press gathering he held. He said the country wants the Rajapaksas reinstated in positions of power. We know full well how they turn these powers to absolute power to do as they like. He further stated that the 6.9 million who voted for Gota and the party at the last elections are still with them, still supportive. Perhaps he did not hear any of the shouting at the Aragalaya and so many former supporters saying they are utterly sick of those they voted in. Is he deaf? He certainly is not dumb, judging by his recent statements.

Heard Ex-Agriculture Minister whose effigy was burnt on so many tracts of paddy fields destroyed by the veto of chemical fertilizers: Aluthgamage, exonerated himself completely from guilt for the massive damage done to Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. This was when he spoke in Parliament on Tuesday September 6. This denial of culpability like corruption is a fostered and nurtured inbuilt character trait in most MPs, especially of the Pohottuwa types, though there are others in opposition ranks too. It is the devious dishonesty of passing the blame buck. Never are mea culpas forthcoming, every crime committed by them is by others, they remain lily white. This to Cass is even more heinous than being dishonest about money; both of which show lack of integrity, taking responsibility, and utter shame.

And, now there is denial by bods of the Health Dept who deny malnutrition is rife among children in SL as pointed out by UNICEF. Such organisations cannot be accused of lying.

Electric shock

That’s what Cass got when she peered into her strip of a CEB bill for September. She is charged more than treble what she paid previously. Her last bill was 700 odd, new bill is very near Rs. 3,000. So a trebling and more. Pop goes the money! At least she has meager earnings. What about more than 60% of our population struggling below the poverty line?