Throw out the HSBC!

COLOMBO: "I say Silva, I think this guy Ranil is not too bad after all. True, there are lots of people who say nasty things about him. But I think they just misunderstand his natural shyness", Fernando said putting down the newspaper he was reading.

Silva was intrigued by Fernando's unusually generous attitude towards the famous politician.

"Fernando, I am surprised to hear this from you. You are generally so critical of these politicians."

" Yes I agree. Our politicians are a bunch of hypocrites and rogues. But some times their actions are really in our interest"

" Can you be more specific please?" asked Silva now intrigued.

Fernando took time to answer. " I really like this threat made by Ranil to surround the HSBC and eventually throw it out of the country. We must show them who the boss is."

" This is very strange. I thought you had no respect for this kind of mob behaviour" " There are times when national pride takes precedence over so-called sensible postures.

By surrounding a local branch of a colossal multinational Bank and shouting ourselves hoarse we can send a message to the rest of the world that they should not mess around with these islanders any more."

Gunasekera who had listened neutrally to this conversation thus far now ventured. " Fernando, didn't you tell me that you recently took a loan from the HSBC?"

This unexpected interruption changed Fernando's aggressive tone. Addressing Gunasekera almost apologetically he explained

" My friend, she who must be obeyed has been insisting on renovating the house. Now our eldest girl is reaching that age when we have to think of settling her down. She gets so many telephone calls from admirers.

I hear some of these chaps are even suggesting daring things to her. It is time we got her married.

But before we think of doing that wife wanted the house done up. That is why I took a housing loan from HSBC and is paying 30,000 every month, interest plus principal."

" But if they gave you a loan why do you want the Bank thrown out?" Silva asked naively. Fernando looking at Silva in a superior way " Aren't the reasons obvious? If the lender is thrown out, so would be my loan"

At this the office assistant Sirisena jumped in " That bloody money lender Gamini is always harassing me. Sir, can't we stop him from entering the office premises?"

" You just shut up Sirisena.We can only throw out foreign Banks. Go and do some useful work" Fernando said reprimanding the dim-witted peon.

Silva " What will be the international reaction if we throw out a Bank like HSBC from this land?"

"Who cares what the world thinks! We can easily resurrect Banks like Pramuka to take its place.

They are really good national enterprises." Fernando said defiantly. Silva challenged " But surely, if the people thought Ranil has a better judgment on these things they would have voted him in"

" My friend, if he cares for what the people think would he continue to be the leader of the party? Come on, it is all to do with trying to win power. Just like my wish to have the HSBC out, these are all personal matters."

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