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| Thursday, 2 December 2004 |
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'Cool down chum, this is for public consumption only'
Those were the days of newly laid out tea plantations with Sri Lanka making her debut in the international market in her newly adorned mercantilist economy, shedding to some extent, her tightly closetted traditional economy. Those were times that saw white men treading neatly pruned tea estates; British civil servants were gradually finding local replacements. The staunch anti-British feeling was quite hot in the air. The fresh breath of that newly found independence was, ironically, the yearning of all ethnic groups and self rule was all too alluring. Now, getting back to our Leftist, such a majoritarian centred nation state setting was all the more in the favour of politicoes of his ilk, for a jolly good bounce to a political hot seat and what better way to get there than proclaim the "anti-Suddha" cry. One in the audience that ran uphill to inform the white planter of the Leftist's utterances was taken aback when he - the white man - looking rather shocked shouted; "What? Did he really say that type of thing? Surprising!! "Why should it surprise you?" asked the informant. Replied the planter: "Well he is coming here for lunch now." When the Leftist politico turned up at the planter's bungalow with his angry planter friend ready to relieve him of his ribs, collarbone teeth and all, there was this stunning reply coming off the politico that should not surprise anyone for its commonality among politicians: "Well, don't take these things seriously. That was only for public consumption, you old fool." The politico embraced his white friend who had apparently overcome the shock and led the politico to the sumptuous table lay out. This incident if you remember is all old hat in Ringside but differently dimensioned. These days the whole exercise of "public consumption" pronouncements, seemingly catching on like bush fire, are quite a common occurrence. Within their own exclusive clubs, whatever that may be religious, racial, regional or anything outside these three 'Rs' - the ones resorting to "public consumption" pronouncements remain tight lipped. All too suddenly, come public seminar, work shop and talk shop, these guys turn out to be Hoorah Henries! They go to town or even megapolis in criticizing their respective fellow members of clubs to an audience quite non-plussed and aghast at all this personality conflict, role change and role differentiation, to use Sociology terminology which in ordinary jargon is a display of Jekyll and Hyde or to use a hackneyed phrase, "running with the hare and hunting with the hound." While giving newsmen meat for their daily bread, such folk take the public for tasty chicken by their cunning. Yet another emerging trend is to praise the opponent. As someone said someday; "If you want to convince the listener into believing all what you say, first say at least two good words about your enemy." Whatever it is, one thing is crystal clear. Power elites choose different paths in being at the helm and working out personal agendas. What appears contradictory is, on indepth analysis, perfect agreement. |
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Produced by Lake House |
Addressing a voter gathering long years back in some upcountry terrain,
a well known Leftist politico pronouncing an election assurance, is
reported to have said that his first task after winning the poll is to
dislodge the white planter atop the opposite hill.
