On an event that concluded about 4 hours ago
They came from far and wide, transported
in Army or forces provided buses, some having had to leave places like
Kebitigollawa at 2am and others from as close as Battaramulla taking an
expensive 3 wheeler to get to Temple Trees by 1pm, when they should have been
seated. A light refreshment offered till start time of 3pm.
Thousands, perhaps 5,000 perhaps more,
to this Mahinda Rajapakse dansal hall at Temple Trees in hope and expectation.
They were NOT told what they would get, but as they were next of kin of dead
soldiers in battle, mothers, ill with diabetes or pressure, fathers sick with
kidney disease or heart disease, young widows who had to leave their pre-teen kids
at home under someone else’s care, fearing for their safety on this journey amongst
strangers trying to chat them up, they all braved trying conditions to come for
what they believed was, an event they would receive a worthy token of remembrance
in memory of their loved one who perished, and about whom they shed a tear
every night.
What was the reality, they left at 6pm
having sat in those uncomfortable chairs, for 5 hours, EMPTY HANDED. Why did
they come they asked themselves. Who were the TOM FOOLS who persuaded them to
give up their time for a long journey to Colombo and back? the whole trip
taking more than 24hours in some cases, and where are the toilets, when you are
old you gotta go and the people responsible for your journey have not thought
about that!
How can you be so cruel? The peacocks on
display on the front row nere had a care in the world for your suffering, as
they had no clue, that you had suffered so much for so little. They must be
dreaming in Technicolor, if they think you all came, because you wanted to be
present at the event. OH NO, THEY COULD BE SO WRONG in their assumptions.
Only 100 or so received the card, and
what is the card for if they were not compensated for their time too. Maybe
they get the pension of the dead soldier, and powers feel they jolly well turn
up because of that! NO WAY JOSE, that is a facile argument. We are not a
Country bent on taking our people for a ride, but then again maybe not! that is
the role of the Govt. to fool all of the people all of the time!
Perhaps the PM who was inside Temple
Trees did not attend the function, because he was most aware of the waste of
time and money, that the forces are currently good at with no war on, and this
is a good example of why the forces budget needs to be cut considerably as it
is run by idiots thinking all the people are also idiots.
This is a clear example of what is wrong
with Sri Lanka. They just don’t think of the people they are supposed to help.
This mother from even as close as Battaramulla, waiting for the son who was not
killed to pick her up through the chaotic traffic, had some toes removed due to
diabetes, so she was in acute distress, and was exhausted and disappointed,
feeling she had been completely had! She thought she would get something in
recognition of the sacrifice her son made for the Country.
Instead she had to sacrifice a day with
a high cost to attend a useless gathering, with nothing to show for it. For all
his sins, this is where Mahinda Rajapakse scores, as he would have ensured that
they would at least leave well fed, and with drink, and if lucky even with a
Rs5000 note, the least for their troubles. I am not saying that is right. I am
saying we MUST NOT WASTE the time of our citizens in things that only we get
credit for, with much publicity. No reporter using self censorship, will criticize
the forces for organizing such a disastrous and uncaring exercise in futility.
This is what this women asked for, to
tell the world what kind of crap the jonnies on duty, and in charge are doing
for the money the tax payer pays them. They should be sent home, or better sent
to work in the paddy fields to pay for their crime.
You can bet your bottom dollar that
these 5000 families will go back home and relate this travesty to their kith
and kin, and it will create 5,000 more enemies of the Govt. for the
incompetence of the Tri Forces, and the relevant authorities tasked with this
event. The President should know. The PM already knows what a waste of time
these tamashas are, and does not want to add spice to the already hot butter
cuttle fish!
All the forces commanders were present
so they should all hang together.
At least each family member should have
been assigned a duty officer to be their chaperone, to whom all their concerns
would be relayed, and who should have been tasked to take care of their every
need if they were dragged all this way. That way all needs will be met, and an
allowance given to attend. I repeat, the fact they draw a pension is not right
that they are dragged to waste their time. The pension is an entitlement that
the soldier was promised, to serve his country in the knowledge that his family
will be taken care of if God forbid he got himself killed in action.
So where are the apologies, if no one
has complained? The people will not complain for fear of losing benefits, or
being black balled in future, so they return home in silence, but shout they
will to all who wish to hear them, swearing with all the Gods in tow, to
destroy the leaders who make such decisions so they will never rise again.
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