|
|
 |
  |
| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Kitchen Bajaw on the streets Light Refractions by Lucien Rajakarunanayake The discussion at my regular watering hole where the topic is more often about rugby tackles of various sorts, including the recent tackling by the SLRFU, had suddenly shifted to something totally different. As I ordered my regular spirits from the sap of the coconut flower, I heard many references to kitchens being made. On inquiry, I learnt it was about the latest political gimmick of the UNP or the Kitchen Bajaw. "I think it should be called Kola Kussi Keliya (Green Kitchen Game) said one member, who had seen the UNP's Kitchen Brigade in action earlier that day. "In my view it would be more apt to describe it as the Ali Kussi Kolama (Jumbo Kitchen Farce) said another member who had also seen the performance on the streets of Colombo. "If this is all they can think of to gain popularity, they must be still working with the strategists who tried to win over voters with the promise of chewing gum and jeans in the paddy field", he added. "Coming through the kitchen darling, what will people say" asked Gemunu Bulathsinhala, doing a variation on the words of the oldie baila. "It is a typical attempt at a backdoor creep into political popularity, because they can't make a proper entry from the front," added Gemunu, who did not hide his support for the Betel bandwagon. "Don't say that. Haven't you heard people say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach? Similarly, the best way to reach the people today is through the kitchen entrance, because it is those in the kitchen who feel the cost of living most", said Jagath Alikathandara, who was proud of coming from a family with a green tradition for at least three generations. "This is a typical outdated "kussi amma" and sexist mentality" said Kaavan Janawardhana. "At a time when most homes have both husband and wife earning, the cost of living is felt by both, and not only the wife who does more work in the kitchen". "My question is why blame the government for the rise in the cost of living. Are there no people in the UNP who know that it is mainly caused by the increase in fuel prices internationally, added to by the profiteering actions of local traders?" asked Gemunu Bulathsinhala. "It is possible that the UNP's present expert on economics, Bandula Gunawardene, is not aware of this. However, I think that any protests about the high cost of living should be carried out by the UNP's Kitchen Brigade or any others at different locations that have a real link with the problem," said Vernon Holdenbottle who was enjoying his third bottle of beer. "What are these locations?" asked Jagath Alikathandara, eager to know, and ordering another drink of his favourite premium scotch. "Why it's so simple. They should demonstrate before the US Embassy and the British High Commission, because it was the combination of Bush & Blair that led to the invasion of Iraq. That is the main cause for the sudden and huge hike in fuel prices. What is worse, the price of fuel rises further with the US stocking up for a cold winter and white Christmas", said Holdenbottle. "What is more surprising is that the UNP could not find any lean and hungry looking women for its protest. It looked a real farce to see all those overfed and bulky women protesting about the cost of living. They looked the types that turn up for any UNP demonstration, just for a bajaw and at least two packets of rice, the ""bath gotta" variety of the UNP women's corps," said Gemunu. "Forget the women foot soldiers, even the male leaders showed no sign of having missed a single meal in weeks, or that they had even gone on a diet for this occasion," said Kumara Rakthavansa, who was firm in his belief in socialist and people based solutions to all problems. "Sakala Banda Dahajarava from Hanguranketha, Gamini Aligedera who leads the JSS Storm Troopers, Ravi Hora Gajamuthu and even Hemakumara the Gaalu Alinaana, did not show any sign of any shortages in their kitchens. "It is surprising that Panadol Rosie, the jumbo beauty, who is supposed to lead the Green Women's Corps was nowhere to be seen protesting. It is possible she cooks in a different type of kitchen than those from which those buxom women came for the protest, or she still has enough of food from Malaysia in her larder" said Kaavan Janawardhana. "That was not a kitchen protest. It was a protest against our own national foods. Typical of the UNP wanting to promote Western food habits, even during a crisis," said Kumara Rakthavansa. "Several posters were against another manioc, yam and bathala era. The organisers must be hoping for a cauliflower, broccoli, caviar and Brussels sprouts era to take root in our country. What is wrong in eating more manioc, bathala and the many other yams and locally grown foods that will help develop the country and are good for the health too?" "There was one leader who raised fears that very soon manioc will be sold in supermarkets. If it was good for them to sell liquor in super markets, what is wrong in selling manioc or bathala there? Are supermarkets only meant to sell leeks, carrots and salad leaves for those who have pantries and not kitchens in their homes" asked Kaavan Janawardhana. "Pot and pan protests began in South America, where they used metal utensils to create a huge din. It was ridiculous to see the local "protesters" use clay kitchen utensils, which they dared not strike each other as they would break. All they succeeded in doing was to anger the public trapped in traffic jams at high noon. It proved the thoughts of the UNP strategists are very far away from real kitchens", said Gemunu Bulathsinhala. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
