In the fifties and sixties, the general public were enthralled with way-side puppet shows staged by famous craftsmen from down South and people of all ages really enjoyed these shows during various carnivals and Vesak celebrations where another type of characters called “Olu Bakkos” too entertained the crowds.
Of late, these shows have gone into decline due to the emergence of another breed of characters called political jokers who have now taken over the entire stage and started entertaining the common people. These characters are indeed versatile in performing monkey dances, acrobatics, long jumps, high jumps etc. in addition to noise pollution with their screaming voices.
Noteworthy among these characters are some Ministers of the government who occupy prominent places in the country due to their versatility in these performances. However, none can beat the antics of one particular minister who claims to be a direct descendant of King Dutugemunu, although he has a Portuguese surname. His antics are well recorded such as the beating and sewerage treatment he got from employees of Rupavahini; his act of tying a government servant to a tree; general hulabaloo he creates whenever he attends a public function such as riding bikes without helmets. He has now assumed a new role for himself – that of making babies for those who were not lucky enough to become parents!
One wonders if there is a head of the government in this country because there seems to be not even a whimper of a warning for this joke of a Minister to stop polluting the atmosphere of the country. Instead, he is also allowed to function in multiple roles as Palace Joker, “Duk Gannna Raala” and chief “Dhobi” to clean dirty linen etc.
It is time to change Shakespeare’s words : “The whole country is a stage and all politicians are actors on it, with the ordinary people being mere spectators”
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