Polls time politricks

As 35 candidates vie to become Sri Lanka’s president, the pre- occupation, particularly for those backing the close rivals, has become two-fold, fund raising and bargaining to win over rivals.

In corporate establishments in Colombo, top bosses have become vary of answering their telephones. There are often calls from persons claiming to be close aides of candidates seeking contributions for the campaign. The password among them is “Eya dada Gahanna enney” he is trying to impose a fine on you.

In one instance, a former intelligence boss who had close religious links, went around the village areas raising money. According to a complaint received by Pohottuwa big bosses, he had explained that the money was needed for an outfit that was collecting information for their candidate. The onetime top cop was immediately warned to stop his activities. He is now being monitored.

Polls time, as one wag remarked, is when “worms become crows” and there are plethora of politicians projecting themselves as “saviours of the nation and of democracy.”

One instance which could easily find a place in Ripley’s Believe it or Not is about a top southern politician. With political uncertainty he is facing, a millionaire exporter approached him to assure a better future in another party. “How much will I get,” he asked bluntly. The deal, however, did not proceed very far. He has been compelled to do his task free of charge.