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Like on the previous occasion there were no lassies in rows, attired in reddai-hettai holding coconut oil lamps and gyrating to the beat of drums at the entrance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera greeting his Indian counterpart before the Sri Lanka-India Joint Commission meeting got underway

Perhaps that ritual, invented by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, is only for VIP visitors from the United States.
In what seemed unusual, India’s visiting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj did not visit the portals of the ministry that overlooks the once famous Gordon Gardens.

Instead, the Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting was held at the hotel where she was staying in Colombo. Foreign Ministry wallahs claimed that it was only because Shrimathi Swaraj was unable to climb stairs to reach the conference room.

But one among them did not agree. She said that there was a ‘well maintained lift’ that could have taken the visitor to the upper floor. Thus, the talking point in the corridors was about the downgrading of the local ministry in recent times.
This is after one higher up in Government remarked that the MFA had done “nothing” for one whole year!

Bonnie to stay in Wanni
Major General Boniface Perera will continue to function as the Security Forces Commander (Wanni).
He was last month named the new Director General – General Staff (DGGS) at Army Headquarters. The transfer order has now been cancelled.

Turkish Airlines may use Mattala
Minister Rauff Hakeem, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s special envoy to Turkey, wants that country’s national airline to use the Mattala Airport as an aviation hub.

Hakeem’s office said Turkish Airlines would soon invite a delegation from SriLankan Airlines to visit Ankara to discuss matters. It is the outcome of Hakeem’s talks with the Turkish Airlines Deputy Chairman and CEO Temel Kotil.
Mr. Hakeem’s original mission was to promote tea sales to Turkey. He held a series of discussions in this regard with Turkish Government officials.

Rebellion grows: SLFP deputy ministers visit Yoshitha
A group of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) deputy ministers visited the remand prison at Welikade to meet Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa. After the visit, different deputies gave voice cuts to television stations condemning his arrest and warning that they would resort to other action. However, what such action would be was not said.

The trip was arranged by Anuruddha Jayaratne, Deputy Minister of Mahaweli and Environment. He is the son of former Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne.  It was at Anuruddha Jayaratne’s office that the deputies gathered before visiting the prison.

The news of the visit was to cause concern for Minister S.B. Dissanayake, now back at the forefront of SLFP activities. He telephoned Mr. Jayaratne and told him to be careful when he arranged such trips because “the top” was not in favour.
Mr Jayaratne asked who “the top?” was. Dissanayake replied “It is President Sirisena.”
Deputy Minister Jayaratne replied, “I am with him (the President). Shall I give the phone to him?” Minister Dissanayake rang off.

Jayantha Jayasuriya tipped to be new AG
Jayantha Jayasuriya, now second in line in the Attorney General’s Department, is strongly tipped to be the new Attorney General.
Suhada Gamlath, the acting Attorney General whose name was originally promoted by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to be the AG is likely to be asked to head a Sri Lanka mission overseas or be appointed to an existing vacancy in the Supreme Court.

The names of the nominees were discussed at a recent Constitutional Council meeting chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. Minister Champika Ranawaka led the opposition to Mr. Gamlath’s appointment. Insiders say a final decision will be made by President Maithripala Sirisena next week before the name is sent to the Constitutional Council for approval. It is almost a month since former Attorney General Yuvanjan Wijeyatilake retired.

Robbed coconuts offered to deities
Perhaps for the first time, the Police are conducting an inquiry into how coconuts were robbed to make offerings to deities.
A Grama Niladhari complained to the Udugama Police that coconuts from 90 trees at Ashraffwatte had been plucked, illegally. They had been transported in a vehicle belonging to the Opposition controlled Pradeshiya Sabha to the Seenigama Devale at Ambalangoda.

There, the ‘joint opposition’ is dashing what one of its spokesmen, Bandula Gunawardena said was 100,000 coconuts against the Government, particularly the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division.

Grateful Wigi pays homage at Naga Vihara
There was an unusual visitor to the Sri Naga Vihara in Jaffna on Thursday.
It was Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran. After watching the National Day ceremonies he drove straight there to offer lotus flowers to Lord Buddha and to light oil lamps.

He told members of the Buddhist clergy that he came because he was highly elated that the national anthem was sung in Tamil at the National Day ceremonies in Colombo.
Speaking in impeccable Sinhala he said if the Sinhala people took one step, the Tamils were willing to take ten.

Former banker, minister to be arrested soon
The arrest and remanding of Lt Yoshitha Rajapaksa and four others have triggered speculation on who else will follow.
Police sourcea said among those on the “waiting line” was a man who was central to banking matters.
Another is a former minister, once loquacious but on “mute” mode now. He and his wife are to face charges.

At last, High Commissioner to Britain
Amari Wijewardene, the owner of Swadeshi Industries, has been named as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Britain.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is awaiting the approval of her agréement before the formal official announcement. The post has remained vacant for more than one year now. There is also no Deputy High Commissioner so far.

Deal in Dubai for Tiger leader to return
A Tiger guerrilla cadre who had close links with the leadership before the LTTE’s military defeat has chosen to return home.
This is notwithstanding the warrants issued by courts for his arrest. The move is the result of private meetings a pro-UNP lawyer held in Dubai with the guerrilla leader. What was on offer in return for disclosures he would make, insiders say, is still not clear.

Former younger VIP waited but FCID did not come
A young one time VIP politician was ready for any eventuality. On Friday he formed his legal team and had a discussion with them.
Yesterday, he was waiting for FCID detectives to come over and arrest him.
Both he and his supporters, who were there to raise protests, were disappointed. No detectives turned up.