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| Sunday, 5 September 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Shedding tears for lost diplomacy Light Refractions by Lucien Rajakarunanayake The "Plum Book", is the list of political postings available to an incoming president in the U. S. Most who made claims for those plums of office had made large campaign contributions, helped in many important ways in the campaign to elect the new president, and were those who lead important pressure groups of industry and commerce, and of late Christian fundamentalism, too.
In recent years these plums of office have included diplomatic postings. What was corrected with difficulty after 17 years of the UNP's cronyism when Lakshman Kadirgamar took over as Foreign Minister in 1994, was completely reversed in the past two years of revived UNP rule. In all but for a few key postings, the new appointees to most diplomatic postings were those who had contributed to the party coffers, the UNP's polls campaign, and were bargaining chips in the forming of the UNF coalition. They had little or no understanding of diplomacy. Suddenly we see an end to this cronyism and political favouritism in the new appointments to the diplomatic service. It is reported that President Kumaratunga has given the nod to 11 new diplomatic postings, all to career diplomats with many years of experience. Although this is certainly a good second beginning by Minister Kadirgamar, in making the Foreign Office and diplomatic service professional, it is reported to have caused much weeping and gnashing of teeth, among those who were hopeful of getting these plums. "What happened to your two way betting?" asked Aasaavanthi, wife of Thaanaapathi Balaporoththu. Ever since the election in April, he had been boasting to his wife that he was certain of a good diplomatic posting, as he had made huge contributions to both major rivals. "They simply can't ignore me. I placed bets on both sides, just in case, and I'm sure the winnings will be known soon," he used to tell his wife and family whenever they asked him about his DPL expectations. However with the announcement of the new postings of career diplomats, with more expected to follow, all his hopes were dashed, along with some of the costly china in the house. "Damn it," he was cursing to himself, "neither side thought my money was worth a posting abroad. It is more than just a few millions down the drain, it is also loss of opportunity to recoup what I spent by some extra-diplomatic work abroad," said the businessman who was not used to losing at the casino. Aasaavanthi calmed him down, and kept some of his hopes alive. She said, "Don't take it too much to heart. The next time give a huge donation only to the JVP, and forget your two way betting. Who knows with their getting used to our parliamentary democracy they may at least realize the need to reciprocate a favour. I hear that elections cannot be very far away too". Ranganee Vilaasitha, although not having won any major beauty competition, was one who moved with the trendy crowd. During the polls campaign she made it known that all her support was for the UPFA. She somehow got into the picture whenever an important politician of the Alliance was campaigning. Some say she had even influenced people to have her on the platform when the President addressed rallies, and saw to it that she was seen close to the President. "If the UNP could make a diplomat of Rosie Senanayake, who is a retired beauty queen, why could the UPFA not select me an aspiring queen of beauty? Not only did I contribute to the party funds, my unisex salon was offered free to all Alliance candidates when they wanted to be made up for photographs and seen at publicity events. This is most unfair," she told her friends. "What can these career diplomats do better than people like us. I could have really shown the world the strength of Sri Lankan women, and their capabilities. It is no easy task running such a profitable salon. I think such experience should be considered in making diplomatic appointments. Had I got a posting abroad I would have definitely opened a string of salons in that country, and got down Sri Lankan youth to work there as beauticians." Septua Plus is an organisation especially for those over 70 years of age, with money and good political connections. They were discussing the new diplomatic postings. "This is a most upsetting trend" said Samson Kavadathyovun, who could not remember when he had left the public service, after several extensions. "We really had cause to celebrate when the previous government appointed an octogenarian, with no diplomatic experience for a DPL posting. That was a very good trend, in putting our experience to best use. We should protest against the change of such policies, because of a change of government." One member proposed that they pass a resolution that at least 10% of all diplomatic postings be reserved for those closer to 80 years or beyond with no career experience. "How can we call ourselves a society that respects our elders, if we discard them when it comes to DPL postings" he asked, to the nodding assent of all present. At another place the Organisation of Political in-laws was having its own meeting, to seek ways of ensuring that the fathers, mothers, uncles and aunts in-law of ministers, especially of possible coalition partners, be assured of diplomatic postings. Now that the problem of the unemployed graduates was being solved, there were murmurs of discontent among some UPFA backbenchers who were worried that the new policy trends in the Foreign Office, will prevent them from sending a driver or cook from their areas to work at embassies abroad. "That last minister sent every one of the office staff and minor employees in our embassies from his electorate. With our Foreign Minister having no electorate to please, he should at least ask us to nominate people for such posts", said one MP from a rural electorate. "We will have to request him not to insist on qualified or experienced career drivers, cooks or clerks to fill such vacancies abroad," said another MP also from a rural electorate. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
We are not lacking in our own plum book choices following elections
that change governments. There are many who eye specific positions, for
which they make plans from the time the election campaign begins, make
large donations and do many other favours to the party that wins at the
polls. Often some people have seen the plums they sought virtually robbed
from them, with other blue or green eyed favourites getting those places.
Many are the astrologers and light-foretellers proved wrong, and deities
who have not had a strong enough influence in the struggle for these plums
of profitable office.
