The Nutty Professor

A MEDIA communique issued by the Presidential Secretariat which was published by the Daily News last Saturday very clearly and succinctly explained that what the President said at a meeting was that the international assistance pledged as tsunami aid did not consist of cash and that the cash ones received were only those limited to the President's Fund and the Prime Minister's Fund. Both have accounts with the Central Bank.

This was what the President meant when she said that not even five cents had been received for the tsunami fund from foreign governments or international organisations as aid in the form of cash. This comment made by the President at a meeting at Tangalle could have been comprehended even by the very naive.

Prof. G.L. Peiris in a naked distortion of this Presidential comment, either through an effort to mislead and deceive the public through cunning or through some haemorrhage of the truth through an increasing aberration of the brain. He has tried to twist this very clear statement and bend it stooped as he is.

The former Deputy Minister of Finance is once again, as has recently become his habit, lied through his teeth to gain publicity for his inane utterances which tarnish the truth. We are sure that this was not part of the education he imbibed at the prestigious school by the sea which produced gentlemen and sportsmen who played a straight bat.

He was of course the quiet, silent and thoroughly pampered rich one who was reportedly even fed his lunch by his nanny during the school's lunch interval. As the bard said, 'ambition is made of sterner stuff'. Lean and hungry looks are not the kind of stuff that statesmen or politicians whom we thought as the paragons of virtue and integrity are made of. Unfortunately proffesori but has made truth an easy virtue. It is not late even now to pull himself together or even seek the assistance of a psychiatrist to get over the frustrations, delusions and deceptions which are becoming more and more evident in him. Although we understand that Peiris did not participate in any sport in his alma mater or university we now find that he is quite adept at political poll vaulting, jumping from one party to the other in order to avoid contesting elections, possibly through an acute attack of 'funkitis'.

To return to the tsunami and foreign aid, cash received by the President's Fund and the Prime Minister's Fund have accounts in the Central Bank. These funds have been published and broadcast regularly by the Government, maintaining absolute transparency. They are being used to provide day-to-day requirements such as food, clothing, water, tents, dry rations etc. to tsunami victims.

Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar during his recent visit to the United Kingdom confirmed that pledges have been made by foreign governments and institutions, but not a penny in cash has been received. Pledges are made by foreign governments and institutions, where tenders are called for and contracts awarded by governments and donor organisations conforming with Government plans. The Government will only supervise and examine their activities.

Finally, instead of going around the countryside spreading vile canards against the Government and its President overwhelmingly elected by the people, it would be best for Prof. Peiris and the country, if he lends support to the efforts being made to alleviate the suffering of the tsunami victims and to reconstruct and rehabilitate them.

Possibly he looks so worn and weary that a change of environment would help the Professor see things in their right perspective and play a useful role in the development of the nation instead of the destructive politics that he attempts to engage in.

Above all, the pedestrian professor is no match for President Kumaratunga, politically or intellectually.