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| Sunday, 6 January 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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A mix of jubilation and sorrow by FACTOTUM Security concerns eased considerably. This was most manifest in the mood and tempo that prevailed on New Year's eve when the high and mighty mixed jubilantly with the meek and lowly at that lively musical show which had a localised timbre about it heralding the dawn of a new awakening to the need for all and sundry to join in the fun and frolic that is generally associated with the privileged few who would cough out green backs for this night at five star hotels awaiting the bewitching moment to yell 'Auld Lang Syne', hugging their partners and stepping on to the floor to the rhythm of some jazzy music. This Colombo centric practice no doubt is a relic of the colonial past but why side step such innovative doings that would help to enliven the lives of the suffering young who need to wish away their troubles in the company of Ministers (Cabinet and the not so favoured non-Cabinet ones) and above all with the fun loving Captain himself who ranks as the first among a dozen of them in a long line since Independence who felt free to shed qualms about doing the 'in thing' in public, setting the stage and the pace to usher in the green society that he has envisioned. These moments of carefree relaxation could not be denied to a team bracing to launch the ambitious 100-day development programme that would seek to redress the host of burdens heaped on the people over the years by a wicked regime now booted out of the seats of power. Already the sand bagged check points and the multi-barrelled barricades have been eased off to make way for the people to travel freely without let or hindrance in the big city. This we are told (in that strangely familiar strain) is a precursor of a number of other people friendly measures to follow. The scheduled camaraderie on the Day of Brotherhood when friend and foe, victor and vanquished were to down their missiles and partake in traditional sweetmeats came under the shadow of grief when the shocking news of the sudden demise in his sleep of the third in command went over the waves jolting the people to the reality of the impermanence of all things. Recent rivals came together not in jubilation but in sorrow in an ironic quirk of fate. The deadline to restore power and energy has been self imposed for better or worse. We hope treacherous winds and dry spells will not thwart the projected plans. However, in an unusual display of sincerity of purpose we have it on record that a rare event of a Minister's resignation is on the cards if darkness is not dispelled not in 100, but in an extended 180 days. So, all in all, there is much to look forward to in the year that has just dawned. The credibility of the powers-that-be will be judged by events within time frames that have seldom been adhered to in the past. The best laid plans of mice and men have not always been realised. Time and tide and newspapers wait for no man. Come, come masters let us get afloat then in the wake of planned jubilation and unexpected sorrow. |
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