Features
Brother Basil hailed as country saver; snippets; tennis – wonderful graceful sport
Ooh la la! Cheers and mourns Cass sorrowfully. We and our beloved country Sri Lanka (no longer Free) were much in the foreign news this last week. Reason for the sorrow and bitter tears shed by Cass? The news is negative, actually derogatory. Here quoted below is one such beginning of an article on our land which could easily be Paradise if not for some of its leaders, many politicians and most of its citizens.
In Sri Lanka, the Government Looks Increasingly Like a Family Firm
Three brothers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa now hold top posts in his government. Two of his nephews have official positions, too.
by Muib Mashal, The New York Times 11 July 2021
“On Thursday, another brother, Basil, was sworn in as finance minister, a move that one analyst, Bhavani Fonseka, said “consolidated the Rajapaksa family rule.
“’We now have four brothers and several other members of the family holding key positions in government,’ said Ms. Fonseka, a senior researcher with the Center for Policy Alternatives, a research institute based in Colombo, the capital. ‘In the face of a weak opposition and no real checks and balances on the executive, prospects for Sri Lanka’s constitutional democracy are deeply troubling.’”
I suppose these international columnists/reporters/commentators do not know how eminently qualified Basil R is to hold that most important Cabinet post in the government with the Ministry transferred to him from his all mighty elder brother who held it so far. Does the foreign press not know how his advent was anticipated, welcomed and hossanahs sung by so many loud-mouthed MPs who even signed a long petition to get him back, double citizenship notwithstanding and his frequent trips to the US of A – his first home. To whom was the petition handed over? Elder brother the Prime Minister or elder brother President? Totally unnecessary as the brothers would bring him back. Wasn’t one important article in 20 A about eligibility granted to dual citizens to enter our August House by the Diyawanna and be Cabinet ministers. Those who rushed to sign the petition were of course seekers of brownie points and security, for no request was needed to bring Bonnie Basil back over the oceans!
Apart from the magic Basil R possesses or is bequeathed on him by loyalists, he must be holding pre-eminent qualifications in finance, the intricacies of economics: micro macro and all. Cass surmised he was modestly not using professorships and doctorates as they are so common now – a Prof from Rajarata University and Merve the Perve Silva holding a doctorate and using it; bestowed on him by some alternate medicine (read acupuncture) specialist via his institute.
Cassandra, apart from being a seer in the Trojan mould, is also a Curious Cat, whose nine lives however have saved her from death that invariably stalks curious cats. So, she continues prying and forecasting. Curious about higher qualifications she Googled the new Finance Minister; he had his secondary education at Isipathana College and Ananda College, both in Colombo. But a citation precedes the bio: “This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification.” But as mentioned by the ex-Prez of the Bar Association and another PC in the Face the Nation MTV I programme on Monday 12 July night, he has really solid qualifications in the political field. They both quoted his creating the Pohottu Party – SLPP – and having it win provincial, presidential and general elections with such huge majorities even before, as the Sinhala saying goes: ‘the smell of milk left its mouth’.
So, we sit back and relax: all our country troubles will soon be over. As Cass mentioned in her previous article, he may use his skill/magic/organizing power over even natural disasters and send packing the pestilent C19 from our paradisial shores. Good luck to Basil R and a warm welcome back!
Recent headlines
1. (The Island 13/7)
“Rape of teenager: SJB alleges bid to suppress probe as nine suspects get bail”. “Govt insists inquiry on track, urges Opposition not to propagate lies” And “M P Rohini Kaviratne said that among those arrested over the rape of the teenager was a policeman … she intended to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Women Parliamentarions’ Caucus.” Great! All officers etc concerned, must not let the perpetrators of sexually abusing, nay raping an underage girl, go free or be inadequately punished. After all we were promised a saubagya future and our country holds high respect for women and protection of young girls. This poor thing’s mother was an accomplice in the crime. Punish her most severely is Cassandra’s earnest cry.
2. (The Island 13/7)
“Two out of every five of Modi’s ministers have criminal records … nine out of every 10 are multimillionaires.” Modi has a Cabinet of 15 Ministers and 28 Union Ministers and with others 78 total members in his Council of Ministers. In spite of monitoring vigilantes, corruption was rife in India, but seemed to be better controlled and lesser in criminality.
How does dear ole Sri Lanka compare with Big Brother? To Cass’ free lance reckoning, the Pearl Drop/ younger sibling seems to be far outpacing the Eye shedding the tear cum BB. Are our Ministers and State Ministers, even top bureaucrats, lily white? Most of them are donned in white kapati suits but hands are dirty. To get a non-corruptible among our leaders is akin to looking for a needle in a hay stack. Money is The Be-All and End-All, apparently with insatiable desire and limitless accumulation of black money.
3. (The Island 14/7)
“Easter Sunday carnage: Criminal proceedings against Sirisena demanded; PCol faulted for not making specific recommendations against Ranil; Criminal liability of CNI and SIS chief highlighted; Respond within month or face consequences.” This is the diktat of the National Catholic Committee for Justice in a letter to the President to implement recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, reported by Norman Palihawadana and Shamindra Ferdinando.
The ire of the Catholic Bishops led by Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith is justified and understandable and to be commended. They are not giving up seeking justice on behalf of three of their churches and congregations for the carnage on Easter Sunday 2020; and their duty by their flock. One outstanding instance of ‘sticking to guns’ not swayed by wavering and regardless of pitting themselves against political clout.
Bright spot example
How wonderful to see centuries old traditions followed to the letter and fair play and superb sportsmanship. Cass refers to the recently concluded Wimbledon Tennis Championship – July 2021, in its 134th year and the Ladies Championship of 127 years.
The beginning of the game of tennis is traced to medieval times, named ‘jeu de pauma’ since a ball was struck by the palm and the game played indoors; a monastery pastime in France in the 12 th century. It moved to England and was adopted and became so popular that even King Henry VII and VIII became aficionados. Racquets were added in the 16th C. Vulcanised rubber was first used in 1850 and thus the tennis ball’s birth. In 1873 Londoner – Major Walter Wingfield – spread the game to other parts of the UK, and later the game came to the colonies.
Traditions are: players in white; games played in Wimbledon, London, since its start in 1877; on grass courts accused this year of being slippery with poor Novak Djokovic taking many tosses with Cass, an ardent fan, missing heart beats. The ball pickers and line watchers almost militant in precision and the games played so smoothly. Royalty is always present and gives away awards – The Duke of Kent for many years accompanied for many games and the finals this year by the Duchess of Cambridge with Prince William present on more than one day. Kate brought her father Michael Middleton to the men’s finals.
It was touching to see the more senior players place encouraging arms around young players as they met across the net at the completion of many games. Winners, in their interviews at the end of games, invariably praised their opponents and wished them well. Of the Big Three Nadal did not participate, Federer lost to a younger player in the quarter finals and the Serb at 34 won against mighty powerful 24 year old Italian Matteo Berrettini.
In contrast what’s with our cricket team? Going down the pallam not only in the game but in sportsmanship, moral behaviour and conduct – far from gentlemanly.