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This is a story that will shock Sri Lankans who believe in good governance or yaha palanaya with the advent of the present Government.

Sri Lanka joined China as a “Country Partner” in its Silk Road International Tourism Expo 2016 from August 26 to 28. The event was part of “One belt, One Road” project initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping. It was being held in Xian, an ancient capital to 14 dynasties. The “One Belt, One Road” 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative encompasses more than 50 countries including Sri Lanka. Last week we published a photograph in our front page under the headline “The Art of Diplomacy,” an exhibition held at the BMICH as part of this Chinese initiative.

Since Sri Lanka is a “country partner” one would have thought that tourism industry and government experts would attend. Alas, it was not so. Other than Tourism Authority Chairman, Paddy Withana, there was a Ms Anu Rasiah, daughter of Tourism Minister, John Amaratunga participating. She has no title or designation, official or unofficial except being the daughter of the Minister.
When the question of who was to pay for her air fare came up, Tourism Ministry Secretary, P.H.J.B. Sugathadasa, refused to place his signature on documents confirming that she was a member of the Sri Lanka delegation nor authorise foreign exchange for the trip. State officers are now more conscious that they would be running the risk of facing investigation from the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the police if they do so.

However, “dada boy” did the needful. She not only received the requirements but also the foreign exchange for the trip. It did not however go from the Ministry funds as the alert Secretary refused to oblige.

Off she flew to the Chinese city of Xian, as part of the official Sri Lanka delegation, but soon thereafter, Ms Rasiah found to her dismay that she had lost her handbag and with it, her passport. Panic telephone calls were made. The conference had ended but she could not leave China without proving that she had entered the country legitimately. It came to light that her father Minister Amaratunga was not in Sri Lanka. He was attending a seminar together with his son-in-law Dinesh Weerakkody in South Korea.
Ms. Rasiah kicked her heels in Xian. Soon, an official of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing flew into Xian with an emergency certificate. Ms Rasiah is now due in Colombo today.

For Minister Ameratunga, doing the unusual is nothing new. When the United National Party (UNP) was in the opposition, he joined President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his foreign tours. Despite pressure for disciplinary action, he said he had obtained prior permission. His party leader said that he will pay back the air fare the Rajapaksa Government had paid for his ticket.
At least the Minister has proved that he is a faithful family man.

Police Chief Pujitha Jayasundera gesturing with his finger to Minister Sagala Ratnayake after his order for 4,000 five-star sandwiches was cancelled by the Minister.

Five-star sandwich for Rs 1, 250: Minister makes Police eat humble pie
Law and Order Minister, Sagala Ratnayake directed that an order placed by the Police with a popular star class hotel in Colombo for as many as 4,000 sandwiches be cancelled forthwith.

The sandwiches were to be served at an event connected with Police Day celebrations yesterday, to mark the 150th anniversary of the law enforcement body. A Police source said the Minister wanted to curb extravagant expenditure by the Police particularly when there is public discontent about them. The 4,000 sandwiches were to cost Rs. 5 million which works out to Rs. 1,250 for a sandwich. Five-star prices, for five-star service. No wonder the Minister saw stars.

Refugee speaks out : “I’ll build a Singapore”
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera was on a private visit to Jaffna last week.
He took the opportunity to visit refugee camps and to speak with the inmates there. Most demanded that their lands be handed back to them and complained that they had been living in camps for long years.

There was one inmate who spoke out. “Give back my land. I don’t need any help. I guarantee I will make the place a Singapore,” he exhorted. It evoked laughter from Minister Samaraweera and members of his entourage. The land, however, is yet to be given back.

Rajapaksa’s ‘dead rope’ men going to UN with Sirisena
Civil society group leaders were invited by President Maithripala Sirisena to be members of his delegation to the United Nations General Assembly sessions later this month.

They politely declined the request. One of them was to point out that among those in the proposed delegation were staunch supporters of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. They said they were the ones who gave ‘dead ropes’ to the former President and were doing so to the incumbent.

An official source said the President’s delegation to the UNGA would comprise 66 members. This will include 11 from the Presidential Media Division.

Two economic centres in the North
The Government has granted approval for two ‘Economic Centres’ in Mankulam town Mullaitivu District and Mathavaithalaventhu in Vavuniya District.
They will function on the same lines as the ‘Economic Centre’ in Dambulla where all produce including vegetables is sold both wholesale and retail.

Courtmartialled officer speaks at Defence seminar
Army Commander Chrisanthe de Silva was asked at a news conference ahead of their annual defence seminar why the name of an officer, who was once courtmartialled, has been included as a speaker.

The reference was to a helicopter pilot officer who made a hard landing outside the forward defence lines in Vavuniya during the separatist war. On board was then Deputy Defence Minister, Anuruddha Ratwatte.

The Army Chief replied that the officer in question had been recommended by his Commander. Another participant at the seminar was a one-time cameramen who made occasional visits with a lady journalist to cover the war. He has now turned into a university don.

Protocol mishap for Ban at BIA
Did differences between the United Nations Secretary General’s Secretariat and the Foreign Ministry lead to a low key welcome for Ban Ki-moon?

Insiders at the Foreign Office point out that there were inconsistencies in the practices followed in welcoming dignitaries.
Mr. Ban was received by a Deputy Minister at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). There was also some confusion whether the UN SG is considered a Head of State. During the 1976 Non Aligned Summit in Colombo, the same issue arose and then SG Kurt Waldheim was not afforded such status, but things have changed since and the issue is beyond doubt. When the UN General Assembly is in session in New York, most Heads of State and heads of Government pay him courtesy call at his office.

The Chinese Foreign Minister was welcomed at the BIA recently by the Ministry Secretary and by the Minister only in Colombo. However, Nisha Biswal, an Assistant Secretary of State of the United States had been received by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera himself at the airport – with Kandyan drummers and the works.

Another instance, they say, is the visit to Sri Lanka by Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg. She was on holiday in Sri Lanka. The last two days of her visit were turned into an official visit. Ms Solberg received a red carpet welcome outside the precincts of the Presidential Secretariat with mounted horses and a gun salute by the Sri Lanka Air Force. However, she is not a Head of State. It is the Norwegian King who holds that position.

Secretary General Ban is ranked as a Head of State. This, insiders say, has raised questions over Sri Lanka’s protocol policies.
President J.R. Jayewardene tried to put some order into receiving and sending off visiting VIPs by having the official welcome opposite President’s House in Colombo Fort. The most (in)famous incident there was the ‘parting shot’ given to Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi by a naval rating soon after he had signed the (in)famous Indo-Lanka Agreement of 1987.