Politics Boru Shoke – by V. P. Vittachi (Source: “Island” newspaper on 1/12/2002) Boru Shoke (vainglory) was an expression SWRD Bandaranaike often used. It is an exact description of the most destructive flaw in our national character. I was watching a schools’ Do You Know contest on TV the other day and I was struck by the fact that every time a child got the correct answer the compere said ‘pilituruwa nivaradhi’ (not incorrect). What he should have said was ‘hari’ (correct). Why he did not do so is an example of our national penchant for the polysyllabic. Four syllables are better than two. This is pure boru shoke. ...