She refused to move from the middle of the road, adding to the blockage caused by my vehicle and preventing the convoy from leaving, until an apology was received.
It seems to us, that there is no difference between these Sri Lankan politicians. They are quite happy or may I say ignorant in trespassing onto clearly marked private road with an entry barrier, which has a restrictive legal covenant and block the lawful residents from leaving their homes, but when it comes to them wanting to leave, everyone is shoved aside.
Some of the political entourage were being apologetic and called for that gentleman of quality who had been abusive to return and apologise, but he had got into a vehicle and fled the scene.
The politician hiding inside the BMW did not get down or try to address the issue, while his confused security personnel were blowing hot and cold. It was amusing that we saw several instances of people being abusive and apologetic at the same time.
I saw and heard another gentleman of quality commenting in Sinhalese that it would be the last time we travelled down this road, insinuating in a very Sinhalese rural manner that we would be killed or disposed of. Intimidation seems to come naturally to these champions of democracy. I found the comments and behaviour amusing, making me wonder if there was any difference between the mindsets of rural Hambanthota and rural Polonnaruwa.
I inquired loudly if this was the new Sri Lanka that Sirisena was aspiring to?
While we abhor the rampant corruption in this society that we live in, devoid of any respect for women’s rights, minority rights, human rights, respect for judicial independence and good governance, a society that I would not want to bring up my children in, it would be a serious mistake to get carried away with Sirisena as the panacea to our problems.
For me the only attraction of Sirisena is that unlike the Hambanthota incumbent, the Polonnaruwa aspirant will be far more vulnerable in Parliament. Other than that it would be a mistake to have faith that Polonnaruwa will deliver on its promises any better or worse than Hambanthota.