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Compared to the on-going T-20 cricket series, this extravaganza was unmatched. Some Ministers and Parliamentarians flew by an Air Force helicopter last week. Their mission? A cricket match with the fast vanishing Veddah tribe, now termed as indigenous people.

The helicopter was making its landing approach. Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage spotted his Cabinet colleague Dilan Perera waiting on the ground with a bunch of betel leaves to welcome him and the others. Soon, Aluthgamage changed the order in which the team on the helicopter would exit.

It would be Badulla District MP Uditha Lokubandara who will first set foot. Dilan Perera, who is also a Badulla District MP, shouted as Lokubandara, the son of former Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara, alighted after the helicopter landed. Then he shouted aloud “Umba meheth avilla manapa ekathu karanawada” (Are you collecting preferential votes here too).

Those still on board had a hearty laugh. Parliamentarians won the match by 29 runs. Minister Wimal Weerawansa led the Government team whilst Uruwarige Muthubanda captained the Veddah side.

When the event was over, the Veddahs performed a traditional dance. The event ended with a dinner party.

War-time report in Chapter VI of Mahavamsa

Supplementary funds amounting to five million rupees were allocated by the Treasury for the Department of Culture and Arts to provide for the “Project of Accomplishment of the Chapter VI of the Mahavamsa”. The details of the allocation were revealed in a document submitted to Parliament on Tuesday.

The Government has decided to add an extra chapter to the country’s premier historical text to record important social, political, cultural, religious and other events between 1978 and 2010, according to Cultural Ministry sources.

Media committee had little to say

The Media Ministry seems to have set a record in Parliament.Its Parliamentary Advisory Committee met at a session chaired by Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. It lasted only five minutes.

The only issue to be raised was one by UNP Parliamentarian and spokesperson Gayantha Karunatilleke. He wanted to know the fate of a group of workers at the State Printing Corporation. Rambukwella said the matter would be resolved.
State media representatives were present at the event. But there were no other issues.

Cheers for Afghan cricketers at anti-Islam film protest

Muslims had organised a protest campaign after the weekly Jumma prayers on Friday against the film that denigrated Prophet Muhammed and was condemned worldwide.

The protest began outside the Kollupitiya Mosque near Temple Trees. Caught in the protest was the Afghanistan cricket team now in Colombo for the T-20 cricket series. They also won some cheers but left the mosque no sooner the prayers were over.

Battle within TNA for EPC post

Who will be the leader of the opposition in the Eastern Provincial Council?The question has become a hot debate within the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) or the Tamil National Alliance.

Two members who obtained highest preferential votes in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts wanted to be the opposition leader.
Rasaiyah Thurairatnam who came first in the Batticaloa district from the TNA list is from the EPRLF while Singaravelu Thanyadhiopathi, who became the popular choice of the Trincomalee district on the TNA list is from the ITAK.
The TNA which is an umbrella alliance comprising several Tamil parties is now trying to resolve the matter.

Searching for the gold in elephant dung

Some wealthy Ratnapura businessmen travelled to the Kebelithe Devale in the dense jungles of Block II of the Yala National Park for a special pooja. Trays of fruits and flowers were ready. One of the businessmen removed his gold necklace of four and half sovereigns and placed it on the tray.

The ceremony was in progress when a wild elephant rushed in. Those in the uninhabited temple moved to safety. The pachyderm had eaten all the fruits and flowers. The gold necklace went missing too.

When the businessman returned, he found his gold chain missing. A thorough search was carried out but it could not be found.

They returned to Tissamaharama and sought the help of a group of men to find it. The men moved into the area and began searching the elephant droppings here and there with a fine tooth comb. The search still drew a blank and had to be called off

UNP magnanimous towards Azwer

UPFA National List MP A.H.M.Azwer is often at loggerheads with members of the Opposition. This is particularly with those from the United National Party (UNP) among whose members he once sat.

Last week in Parliament there was an unusual turn of events. The Opposition offered its allocated time for Azwer to speak. This was after the time given by the Government side was quickly exhausted by him.

Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena intervened to reject the offer and asked the Opposition members to continue with the debate.

Prison party for politico’s killer

Did a prisoner serving a sentence at Welikade for the murder of a leading politician celebrate his birthday recently?
Prisons Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera has ordered an immediate inquiry after reports that a lorry transporting food rations contained several bottles of arrack.

MP turns actor: Dayasiri cries again

When he cried during a political rally in Anuradhapura, it was tears of sorrow. He was complaining of being sidelined by his own party. Now Kurunegala District UNP Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera has cried again. This time, it is in the role of a celluloid hero.

He broke down in tears like a heartbroken lover whose love affair had ended sadly. The disc is soon to be out on sale.

If he is a runner up in a reality show in a private television channel, this is perhaps the first time a Parliamentarian is emerging as a singer. Others have been stars as they entered Parliament.

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