Rain Gods and Politicians play havoc

Rain Gods played havoc in Colombo yesterday. Roads were blocked.

Drains overflowed. Schoolchildren and office workers could not make it on time to schools and offices. Electricity went off in certain areas. Trees fell, Vesak pandals were damaged.

Two women died. All because the Rain Gods played havoc. Cricketers arrived. Rains did not matter and the people greeted them.

They were tired but they accepted the garlands and the greetings of the people. Because they saw the warmth and sincerity in their smiles.

A welcome ceremony was organised.

There were smiles but the cricketers were tired. They wanted their mothers, fathers, wives, girl friends and their kids.

Their faces showed all they wanted was to be with them. Mahela spoke.

He was brief. Short and sweet. He said they were tired. But, he was thankful and appreciative.

Two politicians also spoke. One tried to trace the Sri Lankan history and he took time.

The other took nearly ten minutes of his speech to greet the people who were present at the ceremony and also to mention names of absentees. Those of us who watched it on television were very uncomfortable. We could all see how uncomfortable the cricketers were.

Yes. The rain gods played havoc.

So did the politicians. We tell the politicians lets play cricket. But, understand the people the way a cricketer would understand the pitch.

Bandula Jayasekara