After Beijing Olympics where Sri Lanka could not fare too well, or fared badly, the most successful pole vaulting achievement came from Ari who vaulted high over to the government bloc once again last week. From his obscure presence at the Opposition Media Centre office, No.30, Maitland Crescent, that housed him after he crossed over in 2002 when Ranil W became PM, Ari has jumped over to a more high profile senior position at the Presidential Secretariat, he is supposed to have admitted. Quite adept at creating answers and excuses in his favour, the one time Director of Information who was then accused by the UNP for fabricating the now infamous “Ali – Koti givisuma” the PA campaign said was signed between Ranil W and the LTTE during the tenure of President Kumaratunge, claims his high jump to Ranil’s camp was due to his disagreements with President Chandrika BK. The pole-vaulting this time to the Rajapaksa camp therefore is a home coming of a sort he says, as he first cut his teeth in policheating under George R and has a provincial affinity to Rajapaksa with an undisclosed kinship, politics not counted.
Another with provincial kinship is lined up for a promotion this week due to changes that took place last week. With Saliya W who tendered his resignation from the Chairmanship of Ports Authority a few months ago supposedly on personal grounds and had the resignation accepted last Tuesday, the second in command also from Walasmulla is tipped to be recommended by the Minister brother of President Rajapaksa to the now vacant post of Chairman, Ports Authority. So they come happy without asking and go without asking too, to new and happier places.
A lot that was nevertheless unhappy and sick was those 270 odd soldiers in Dehiattakandiya. After a posh meal of rice and fish on Wednesday morning, they were all hospitalised in 04 nearby hospitals, some in IC units too. Contaminated fish they were, as the fish had eaten some rubbish and the men had eaten the fish, it is assumed for now. An inquiry into the meal served would have to be held no doubt, though who ate more rubbish, the fish or the ones in procurement, would not be the issue to investigate.
Another investigation is also in the offing. Media reports said last Friday that an investigation had been ordered to ascertain if there were any lapses in retaliating to the air attack on the Trinco Navy camp by Air Tigers. But for sure again, there seems to be no investigation as to how the tiny contraptions could fly over to any destination in government controlled areas including Colombo and still get away safe and for the fifth time for now.
Fifth time lucky was Sri Lanka, playing the final ODI against India, though SL lost the series. But not so lucky the players were, during the week, with the Inland Revenue men getting a snoop on their contracts and learning how rich or poor they are. The players’ contracts are confidential it is said, but the IR men must be thinking the incomes cannot be. Have the SLC players been given a tax holiday or a waiver by the government, queried Azadek from many know alls, but wasn’t answered in the positive. The Treasury wasn’t in the know, for that matter. But they would surely earn a tax holiday, thinks Azadek, when the angry players meet the President, a very considerate man on such things.
He is very considerate, the President, says Azadek, when it comes to giving away anything that doesn’t cost him a burden. It’s a proven fact now, with the President taking it over as his own responsibility to extend the retirement age of all top public officials, the first being his erstwhile friend who heads the AG’s department. Considerate he is, the President is now said to be planning to extend the retirement age of all public servants to 63 years of age. Health service and life style has increased the life span of the modern Sri Lankan though with more sicknesses than was known a few decades ago. Nevertheless, that would make over a million families privileged with extensions on retirement.
“Hold it” said a friend to Azadek, when he wanted to discuss the issue of retirement. “MPs too are classified as public servants and that is why they are also pensionable. Now what if they also ask for the right to be in service till 63 years?” the friend asked. “Hmmm….” Thought Azadek. “They are not appointed by the President and nor are they appointed by the PSC. So they don’t qualify. But…..” said Azadek. “Those national list MPs nominated by the President could qualify and so would Dr. Mervyn”
Feel jittery? Don’t! It was only a joke. This country is “not that sane” to give those hyperactive Members an extended chance to serve their constituency, what ever that constituency be. So let’s get back to work as usual from Monday at least.
Kusal Perera