Sunday 22 April 2012
Strange bedfellows, still bedfellows



On 20 April 2008 I said in this column “I participated at the Avurudu festival at Mangalagama, Yatinuwara. It was well attended. I felt that all those present were well-dressed and reasonably happy. Piyadasa, the chairman of the village cooperative store, explained to me that the wages of electricians, masons, carpenters etc, had all risen beyond Rs.700 per day, and that there was work. In addition, several youth had joined the security forces and their families were getting a substantial income. This village consists of traditional technical workers, with the tradition going back to ancient times. They however do not own much land. I can’t take what Piyadasa says that seriously, as he was and still is, a loyal SLFP man! But I did not see the desperate looks in people that I witness in the suburbs of Colombo. The war industry is a complete menace to the cosmopolitan suburbs, but it is an income generator for the Sinhala villager. Already around half a million are employed directly or indirectly in war-related activities.” This year too I was invited to the Mangalagama Avurudu festival. I saw the same crowd, with a few additions from the new generations and those outsiders who have come to settle down in the village. But I did not notice the happiness I mentioned last time. Even Piyadasa appeared despondent. Of course the access road is developed with concrete slabs while more houses are reconstructed and modified. But the pressure of rising prices and the jump in interest rates could be seen on all faces. I saw that there was more unity in expressing their anger. They told me that they did not bother to invite any local politician to the event. I was an exception as I am considered to be a villager in the area in spite of my heavy presence in Dehiwela!
 
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