Despite the winds of adversity raging within the precincts of Parliament over the shocking allegations made by United National Party (UNP) member and State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake that some parliamentarians including ministers are known to be using cocaine, Sri Lankans, nevertheless have good reasons to rejoice in the wake of Sri Lanka’s Cricket Team beating South Africa in the Two Test Matches played on its home grounds. This time of plenty came after a prolonged time of drought and in the aftermath of the debacle in New Zealand and Australia.   

In the First Test played in Durban, South Africa scored 235 runs in the first innings and 259 in the second, while Sri Lanka scored 191 in the first innings and 304 for 9 in the second beating South Africa by one wicket   

In the Second Test played at Port Elizabeth, South Africa scored 222 runs in the first innings and 128 in the second while Sri Lanka scored 154 runs in the first innings and 197 for two wickets in the second convincingly beating South Africa by eight wickets and winning the series 2-0 in outstanding fashion, thus proving the glorious uncertainties of cricket. Sri Lanka becomes the first country from the Asian region to win a Test series in South Africa and joined England and Australia, the only other teams to win a Test series in South Africa.   
“This victory is dedicated to the Sri Lankan fans, who have continued to support us even when we were losing,” Sri Lanka’s cricket captain Dimuth Karunaratne said.”It’s not easy when you come to South Africa and so to win the series 2-0 was a brilliant effort.”   

We make this an opportunity to congratulate our Test Squad,Captained by Dimuth Karunaratne and comprising Niroshan Dickwella (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Dhananjaya de Silva, Lasith Embuldeniya, Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Kusal Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Mohamed Shiraz, Kaushal Silva, Milinda Siriwardana and Lahiru Thirimanne-- for their dazzling series victory having in the process overcome several challenges, hurdles and obstacles. While wishing them more such successes in the future, we also hope that our Test Squad will in its future encounters, whether they be Test Matches or One Day Internationals, continue to display a similar level of commitment, motivation, grit and determination.   

The state minister opening another can of worms said he would reveal the names of eight sons of prominent politicians, involved in smuggling narcotics and addicted to them

Meanwhile, from the glorious uncertainties of cricket we take a slight detour to return to parliament or the legislature, which is one of the three pillars of governance and take a look at the statement made by State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake that he was privy to the names of 24 parliamentarians including ministers, who are known to use cocaine. He said he handed over the list of names to the CID, the Speaker and the committee appointed by the Prime Minister to inquire into the cocaine allegations.   

The state minister opening another can of worms said he would reveal the names of eight sons of prominent politicians, involved in smuggling narcotics and addicted to them.   
It is no secret that the brains behind drug smuggling and trafficking, illicit liquor peddlers, illicit sand miners, armed gunmen and other underworld gangsters have often been found to operate under the patronage of politicians whose election campaigns are in turn funded by them. Did not the president himself say at a public gathering that ‘politicians and officials posing as businessmen are dealing in drugs’. 

When considering the unbecoming,unacceptable and unruly manner in which some parliamentarians behave in parliament, can we blame the public for believing that the allegations levelled by the state minister may contain more than a modicum of truth? Come to think of it, they are the legislators whom we voted to office to legislate on our behalf?   

Against this background what needs to be done in the first place is to reveal the names of the cocaine-using MPs if there is sufficient evidence to underpin the allegations because, as we have repeatedly underscored the fact that innuendos and insinuations will not take us anywhere.   

It is needless to say that the government owes it to the people, especially in this election year to let them know who the culprits are so that the voters will be able to make an informed choice when selecting their representatives at voting time.   

O tempora! O mores!