DROP THE MASK, BURST THE BUBBLE, UNLOCK THE MIND

The re-opening of wine stores caused quite a stir. Memes of what’s now been called ‘bar pokura (wine store cluster) have done the rounds.

- Malinda Seneviratne

Naturally, much of the ridicule has emanated from those who are part of the ongoing union action by school teachers and principals as well as from those who support them. The political history of the leaders and their backers make dismal reading and as such the self-righteous chest-beating is rather nauseating. The reverse is also valid. A question would suffice to put things in the right perspective: ‘why are those who talked of the ‘guru pokura (‘Teachers’ Cluster)’ silent on the ‘bar pokura’ and vice versa?’ The answer: political humbuggery.

The humbuggery doesn’t stop there though. Consider the following comment from a long-time activist against tobacco, alcohol and drugs on ‘reaction’ to the opening of liquor stores: ‘Such good fun, watching many of our powerful medical people caught in a dilemma. Those normally inclined to attack any restriction of alcohol sales or promotion, suddenly having to support it, in order to attack Basil Rajapaksa! The urge to criticize Basil won over their usual, equally political, reflex support for the alcohol trade. So the mainstream medical establishment is quietly acknowledging that alcohol is not so good for our health. Painful, no doubt - but no worries, it will pass. We can [expect] to revert to [the] usual soon.’