|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
From the Kraal Mahout Gamini Lakshman Peiris, better known as 'G.L.' in academic and political circles, is now playing a different role in UNP politics. G.L., a very sober man from his school days, always preferred to avoid tense situations. But, of late, he seems to have realised that in the game of politics, backyard roles do not pay much dividends. Hailing from Moratuwa, this man was committed to widening his knowledge through reading. When he was at the school by the sea, even during intervals, he preferred to read a book under the 'Kottan Tree' near the main block or stay inside the class rather than join others playing in the hot sun. During lunch time in school, his domestic aides helped him into the huge car he came in, tied an apron round his neck and fed him. Moratuwa is a city which brought forth famous characters like Veera Puran Appu, a warrior in the battle field, and lately, Moratu Saman, a different type of a warrior in the underworld. Gone are the days of battles of the type Puran Appu fought; Sri Lanka has now reached the age of hide and seek fighting with Moratu Saman types emerging time and again. Pushed into the Opposition for the first time since his entry to parliament a decade ago, the learned professor has now realised that coming from Moratuwa, he has a different role to play to prove himself to the people. So...G.L. Peiris has decided to live up to the meaning of his name 'Gamini' to display bravery like the historic Dutugemunu who always led from the front. G.L. made his maiden appearance in the role of a hero last week opposite Lake House. He joined Ravi Karunanayake and a batch of older men and women numbering a few hundred to stage a demonstration on behalf of the Free Media Movement. Ravi Karunanayake is a veteran in organising unsuccessful demonstrations and protests with a handful of people that could be given an exact head count. G.L. joined Ravi this time to lead the Free Media protest against Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera at noon on Tuesday. This Gamini Lakshman Peiris, who was looked after like a "rose" by his mother from his school days with no exposure to the hot sun, was seen standing on the middle of the road at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, covering his head with his hands to prevent the direct exposure of his 'brilliant brain' to the sun. If his dear mother was alive to witness the new role her dear son was playing under the burning sun, she would have surely fainted. But, G.L. in the lead braved the hot sun and stood there for nearly an hour before he boarded his air-conditioned vehicle that gave him the usual comfort. On Wednesday, the police raided the residence of Ravi Karunanayake to arrest him over a reported scandal involving State funds. Here again, who was seen in the lead at that place? Yes...it was G.L. Peiris all the way again. Standing right in front with folded arms with UNP heavyweights like Rajitha Senaratne, S.B. Dissanayake and Gamini Lokuge, it brought back nostalgic memories of the role Chutte, played by veteran actor Gamini Fonseka in the popular film "Chandiya". G.L. backed by his heavyweights succeeded in preventing the arrest of his colleague Ravi and gained much television coverage in the day's news bulletins. So...G.L. the actor was seen in the lead again. G.L. Peiris is aware that his present entry to Parliament could be his last chance on the National List from any party. The late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike first brought him in on the List in 1994. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga got him to contest Colombo in 2000 to enter the Parliament through the People's Alliance. He crossed over to the UNP and secured a place on the National List in 2001. In 2004, the UNP leader requested him to contest in Colombo. But, G.L.'s excuse was that he was not ready for the election. Therefore, Wickremesinghe was forced to accommodate him on the National List for which there was stiff competition. At a future election, G.L. will have to go before the people to get elected. With that view in mind, he seems to be playing a new role in politics to lead from the front with the backing of the heavyweights. The present climatic conditions suit G.L. in his new role. But, he should be careful when he leads during bad weather that bring lashing winds. The question then would be whether he could brave such stormy winds. G.L. before lashing winds brings to mind the box office English film 'Gone with the Wind' screened at the Majestic during his school days. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
