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Whilst Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is away on official foreign jaunts, ministry officials tasked for responsible jobs seem to be lost. An embarrassing incident for both the Government and the country took place last week. That was when staff at Hotel Taj Samudra delivered bills to be paid by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s delegation for their five-day official visit to Sri Lanka.

The New Zealand Government’s embarrassed entourage had to make a string of calls from the hotel lobby to have the matter sorted out. They explained that they were on an official visit and hence it was standard practice that the host Government accommodated them.

In fact, a list of those accompanying Premier Key had been provided to the Foreign Ministry which made the bookings at Hotel Taj Samudra. A hotel staffer claimed that while the Presidential Suite had been given to Premier Key, others had been booked for deluxe rooms. However, at their request some were given suites. He insisted that this was brought to the notice of Foreign Ministry officials. Evidently, none of them took steps to regularise the bookings or ensure the visitors were not billed.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was livid when he heard the embarrassing story. He hurriedly ensured that the hotel bills would be settled by the Foreign Ministry. An official had conveyed this to Premier Key’s entourage and the hotel staffers said they could now leave without making any payment.

Premier Wickremesinghe, a source at ‘Temple Trees’ said, will raise this issue when he meets Mr. Samaraweera. The Foreign Minister accompanied President Sirisena on official visits to Germany and Austria. Thereafter, he flew to Washington DC for the Sri Lanka-United States partnership dialogue. At the end of this event, he took time off for a private visit to Texas. On Wednesday he arrived in Bern (Switzerland) for a luncheon meeting with Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.

The source at ‘Temple Trees’ said the Premier had earlier sought changes in some important positions since those occupying them were staunch backers of the previous Government. Whilst this has not been carried out, the source added, new policies of the Government were also not being properly projected.

The source added, “the state of affairs in the Foreign Ministry was one of the reasons why the help of the Singapore Government was being sought to re-structure it.” The move comes as Foreign Secretary Chitranganee Wagiswara is to be named the new Ambassador to Germany. She will replace Karunatilleke Amunugama, who is retiring in April. Mr. Amunugama also served a stint as Foreign Secretary. The search is now on for a replacement Foreign Secretary with senior career officers being overlooked for the job. So much for good governance.

Doctor-mate for young politico
A ‘flowery’ young politico, now at the centre of many a controversy, is to enter into wedlock.
The young lady, they say, will be able to take good care of him since she comes from the medical profession.
It comes at a time when he has to surmount many an obstacle.

Three in line for IGP’s post
The Constitutional Council has recommended to President Maithripala Sirisena the names of three Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) for consideration as the next Inspector General.
They are S.M. Wickremesinghe, Pujith Jayasundera and Chandana Wickremeratne.
The current Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon retires next month.

Bitter truth about economy
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was overheard telling ministerial colleagues about a story he had heard.
He had been told that former Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundera had told then President Rajapaksa that the economy would collapse before the end of the year.

He related the story as he laughed. So it was not just the soothsayer’s predictions that resulted in an early presidential election last year, it seems.

Lacille’s term not extended
President Maithripala Sirisena told ministers at their weekly meeting on Wednesday that Lacille de Silva (Secretary to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges) has not been sacked.

He said his one year term, which came to a close this month, has not been extended. Instead, H.M. Gunadasa, Secretary to the Disappearances Commission has been appointed.

He also said he had received complaints that Mr. de Silva’s work at the Commission was slow. Minister Rauff Hakeem faulted Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva for making a reported announcement that he (the Minister) was being summoned before the Commission even before he was officially intimated.

Cabinet applause for Fonseka
Ministers at their weekly meeting on Wednesday clapped and cheered when Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka attended the first Cabinet meeting since becoming Minister of Regional Development.

US to expand military ties with Sri Lanka
Admiral Harry B. Harris, the four-star Navy Admiral is Commander of the United States’ Pacific Command where he leads 370,000 troops.

Last week, he appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee. This is what he said of Sri Lanka:
“President Sirisena, elected in January, is serious about addressing Sri Lanka’s human rights issues. We have an opportunity to expand U.S. interests with Sri Lanka — Asia’s oldest democracy — and will proceed deliberately as progress is made. Given Sri Lanka’s strategic location, it is in America’s interest to increase military collaboration and cooperation. As conditions permit, USPACOM will expand military leadership discussions, increase naval engagement, and focus on defence institution building in areas such as demobilising and military professionalism.”