Behind Closed Doors

Sooththara Puncha's death fast and Chathurika's ambitions

by Rasputin

Portfolio foibles

Although the national unity government is about 'good governance', some of the ministers of the good governance government were seen grumbling about the Ministerial portfolios they have 'lost' under the new government.

One of them was a certain D-ssanayake from the hill country who held two powerful ministries under the 100-day government. He had to shed both his ministries as there was a need to accommodate fresh members in the Cabinet. However, the hill country politico, who hails from a highly reputed political family, was a given a Cabinet portfolio relevant to his electorate.

Whispers behind closed doors, say the Minister was disheartened when he realized that he had to let go of his previous ministries. His worries were clearly visible as he walked into the Presidential Secretariat on Friday to take oaths as a minister before President Maithripala Sirisena.

Dozer poser

The former Opposition bigwig, who is notorious for dozing off during public events, had an interesting time when he attended the SLFP anniversary celebrations in Polonnaruwa.

The photographers at the rally were waiting for an opportunity to capture his 'sleeping - mode'. He was seated next to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the hawk-eyed photographers knew it would make a perfect picture.

Surprisingly, the former Opposition bigwig did not fall asleep this time and was seen listening to all the speeches at the rally, quite carefully. At one point, he was seen eavesdropping on conversations between President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Rajapaksa. It was common knowledge that the former President's re-entry into SLFP politics threatened the sleeping politico's position in the party.

Chathurika's ambition

President Maithripala Sirisena's daughter, Chathurika Sirisena, has already given strong indications that she is keen on entering active politics.

Last week, she visited the Mahawelithenna village, a remote village in Polonnaruwa, to look into the problems faced by villagers. Although she did not explicitly say that she would enter active politics one day, her body language gave strong signs that she was ready to take up the challenge.

President Sirisena has made it clear that he will not seek a second term in office and will enjoy retirement after his first term in the Presidency. Probably that will set the platform for the daughter's entry into politics, following the father's footsteps.

Chathurika Sirisena told the villagers of Mahawelithenna that her intention was to take their problems to the President and find solutions. She stressed the need for finding lasting solutions to problems faced by the poorest of the poor.

The President's daughter was also accompanied by a group of State officials in the Polonnaruwa district who promised to give their fullest cooperation to support the villagers of Mahawelithenna.

Death fast

'Sooththara Puncha' in Matara is no stranger to political circles in the country as this time too he found his way in to Diyawanna House without much difficulty.

In an interesting turn of events, Sooththara Puncha's supporters planned to stage a fast-to-death campaign in Matara demanding a Cabinet portfolio for their boss. The event was given wide publicity in the social media space and the UNP voters were invited to Matara to witness this unprecedented death fast campaign demanding a Cabinet position.

The campaign, however, did not draw much support from the social media community and many dubbed it as a frivolous attempt. As a result, the fast-to-death campaign did not see the light of day.

Unfortunately, Sooththara Puncha was overlooked this time too when appointing Cabinet ministers. He was also among one of the few green party MPs who did not receive any position under the 100-day government.