Too bad how people in high places talk about each other

As a public servant of yesteryear, working in what was once hailed as the best administrative service in Asia, I am saddened by the way responsible people in high places talk about each other. Minister Wimal Weerawansa – who is often portrayed in cartoons as “carrying the bucket” and frequently referred to as “kuliyata kahinawa”, someone hired by the Government to cough – has described the Secretary to the Treasury and his staff as “thakkadiyas”. The English equivalent of “thakkadiya” is “scoundrel.”

In the old days, if someone had a problem with a senior Government servant such as a Secretary to a Ministry, he would make represen- tations to the Head of State. All Secretaries to Ministries are appointed by and directly answerable to the Head of State. If no action was taken, but there was some truth in the allegations, these honourable officers holding responsible positions would step down without hesitation.

Whether we have such honourable officials of that calibre these days is a different matter. Minister Wimal Weerawansa has, as the Sinhala saying goes, “Vidde havata, vadune pandurata” – aimed at the Rabbit, the Secretary to the Treasury and staff, but hit the bush, the Government or the Minister in charge.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa may overlook the actions of Mervyn Silva, who has challenged the President by saying no one can oust him from Kelaniya,. But Wimal Weerawansa is different. He is ambitious and bent on achieving his goal. It reminds me of that old story about Yasa and Kusa: The king and the courtier look alike. They decide to have some fun. The king requested the courtier to dress as the king, and the king dressed as the courtier. The day this took place, the courtier, now seated on the king’s throne, commanded the other courtiers to take away the real king, as he had laughed in court. “Tranquil” Nilambe

Galaha