Wimal's ban: What about green card and US citizenship?

Minister Wimal Weerawansa and controversy seem inseparable twins. One does not leave the other come what may.

In July 2010, he staged a "fast unto death" to urge the United Nations Secretary General to disband an Advisory Panel that had been appointed to probe alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka. Barely 24 hours later, Weerawansa called off his fast. The three member panel, however, went ahead and formulated its report.

Later, Weerawansa called for the setting up of another United Nations, one where super powers like the United States would not be present. However, that task was much heavier than just building houses and did not materialise.

This week, Weerawansa asked the people to boycott US products including KFC, Mcdonalds, Coca Cola and stop using Google Search engine and G-mail.

His appeal came at a rally organized by the national Freedom Front at Hyde Park in Colombo. The media were also invited for the event.

While Weerawansa was tonguelashing on US products, the journalists covering the event were served a drink. That was Coca Cola, a popular beverage in the United States.

Moreover, UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara charged the next day that Weerawansa was using an IPad, a US product. The minister has not yet denied the MP'S claim. He could perhaps have given that up.

Cabinet spokesperson and Minister Laksman Yapa also distanced the government from Weerawansa's statement. He made clear that what Weerawansa said was his personal view and not that of the government. Minister Weerawansa was a notable absentee at the weekly cabinet meeting last Wednesday.

Sections of the government heaved a sigh of relief over the Cabinet spokesman's official clarification. A wag commented, "If Wimal's decree is to be heeded, many in the government would have had to give up their Green Card or US citizenship."

The call by Weerawansa to boy-