Sitting in the dark in enforced idleness, tormented by hordes of the goddamned mosquitoes, mind full of bitterness, silently cursing all our leaders for what we have to go through during these power cuts.

We need to have leaders who will have the courage to make decisions in the best interest of the country and not in their personal interest or that of the political party they belong to. Cost of decisions can be evaluated and will be shown up in a balance sheet. But the cost of not making decisions can be disastrous.

Take the case of Norochoholai coal power plant. We were told that after spending over Rs. 400 million in feasibility studies etc. and repeated public assurances given by experts in relevant disciplines that no harm or damage would take place to any buildings whether Churches, Temples or Kovils or homes from this proposed power plant, it was abandoned. Why? Obviously because a minority of Christians objected and to win their votes of this less than 5% of the people of this country. They little realised that by appeasing a small minority, they lost the votes of the vast majority of the people and lost control of the government too! That was the cost of decisions made to promote self interest.

I have no doubt that these objectors would have now realised the folly of their actions when they have to sit in the darkness tormented by the mosquitoes. Hon. Minister Karu Jayasuriya, a really honourable and efficient proven administrator has put his neck on the chopping block which he need not have to do as he was not responsible for this debacle. Offering to sacrifice himself is not going to solve the problem nor motivate his officers. But he can now certainly look at all the facts and if Norochoholai is the place most economical and suitable and could contribute power to the grid much earlier than any newly identified projects then he must give the go ahead despite objections from any quarter. If he is prevented from doing so, then that is the time to quit on a principle that would be endorsed by the people. He should stand by his engineers and officers who has worked hard for several years to plan this whole project. This will naturally build their morale and make them more determined to complete this project as planned and when they know that their bosses have placed their faith in them, they will work still harder.

More importantly, when they know that their bosses are men who are not prepared to sell themselves for money, those working for such people will do the same. I have a little personal experience of how hard these corporation engineers and officers work when they are properly motivated and directed. Experts and consultants are OK, but they excel on drawing boards and expounding theory and excuses in the comfort of air conditioned rooms.

Our voters are really very intelligent. Look back to see how they changed governments in 1970,1977,1994 and in 2001. Our people cannot be fooled by offering excuses. You can’t make omelette without breaking eggs.

P. S. Mahawatte
Colombo 5.