Mahinda’s Party in the Capital on the cold blood of Innocent Sri Lankan

Coutesy of : Sunday Leader 10/02/2008

 

 

As the nation remained steeped in sorrow

That the loss of a life is a time for mourning has been a universally accepted norm. Sri Lankans for that matter, have through history acted with solemnity when it came to mourning the loss of a life.

However, all this was cast aside on February 4, when none other than the Head of State decided to throw a lavish party to commemorate the country’s 60th Independence Day.

 Just the day before Independence Day, the people in the country encountered several tragedies and it is in this context questions have arisen over President Mahinda Rajapakse’s decision to go ahead with a party when not far away from Temple Trees, at D.S. Senanayake College, bodies of the students killed in the Fort Railway blast had just been brought for the people to pay their last respects. Bombs were exploding in various parts of the island – in Buttala, Dambulla, Fort, Weli Oya – increasing the number of people who lost their lives to over 100.

Sombre mood

These deaths, many of them children, moved the whole nation. The whole country was mourning the death of the innocents.

It was in this backdrop that the country celebrated its 60th Independence Day. The people while marking the event on a low key, were in no mood for grand celebrations as evidenced by the deserted roads that day. Thoughts of death and destruction gripped the city.

Taken for granted

Something that President Mahinda Rajapakse seemed to take for granted was the value of human life which the ordinary people held sacred. A man who claims to represent the common man and claims to know their joys and sorrows appeared to be insensitive to their feelings at a time of national tragedy.

Just imagine for a moment, the US president having a party at the White House for whatever reason soon after a spate of bombings in Washington. There is no gainsaying, even if a party was scheduled before the disaster, it would have been cancelled pronto.

But not so Apey Rajapakse. Regardless of the people who lost their lives for no fault of theirs and the mourning of their loved ones, the President decided to proceed with a grand banquet on February 4. So much for understanding the pulse of the common man.

Plans for grand do

While the nation disturbed by the large number of deaths decided to either engage in religious activities or commemorate Independence Day in a sombre mood, the President and his men were finalising plans to have a grand do.

Temple Trees was decorated to the hilt, with fairy lights and the works. Over 700 guests were invited to the event, including ministers, ambassadors and businessmen.

A unique feature that night were three separate sections named Historical, Colonial and Down South, where each section featured delectable cuisine from the relevant period.

Full works

The next feature that caught the guests’ eye were two carts that prepared hot gram and two stalls that made Saruwath.

The atmosphere at Temple Trees was in stark contrast to the sorrow that had befallen the rest of the country due to those who died due to the bomb explosions and the fear that gripped the country.

Apart from the food and beverage, the President and his men had organised entertainment as well. Sahan Ranwala’s music group was in attendance providing lively entertainment.

The President who personally greeted his guests, encouraged them all to savour the fare on offer at the Down South section.

Interestingly however, out of the 700 invited, only 400 actually turned up at the event. Several senior cabinet ministers were also conspicuous by their absence on the occasion.