What the bodyguards saw

The young entrepreneurs were happy at the victory of the United National Front at last December's elections but gave time to its leaders to settle down before choosing to felicitate them.

The event came last Friday at a five star hotel in the City. Ministers, modern day business tycoons, bureaucrats and their friends came in large numbers for the gala dinner by the Chamber.

As visitors descended the staircase to the banquet hall, they heard the wife of a Minister berating her husband very harshly. The embarrassed man remained silent but all hell broke loose when they neared the entrance to the banquet hall.

Watched by the bodyguards of several VIPs, the lady extended her hand and slapped the Minister husband.

Then she began kicking him. The panic stricken Minister continued to remain silent throughout the assault and hurriedly moved to take a seat.

This was one assault where the bodyguards could not intervene. No one still knows what caused the five star furor.

CBK's luck

When the United Nations draws up its schedule for summit meetings of world leaders in New York, there is always a mad scramble for the choicest speaking slots.

Everyone's preference is to speak on opening day when political heavyweights like the US President is given priority because he comes from the host country.

Others have to contend with the traditional lottery system. Last week, the luck of the draw favoured President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who will be the first speaker on the first day of the UN Special Session on Children scheduled to take place from May 8 to 10.

With such a winning streak, one wag wrote to Alia, she should try her hand in the national lottery.

Never mind her political setbacks.

Now a supplier

Aformer Sri Lanka Air Force top runger, one who fought against many a controversial procurement deal and later opted for a short lived assignment in airfields, was in the news last week.

The man was at the annual Singapore Air Show where the Sri Lankan presence was conspicuous.

Among those present were Defence Minister Tilak Marapana, Defence Secretary Austin Fernando and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody.

All visitors had to carry name tags on their coats.

The former flyer had his one prominently displayed below the pocket of his blue blazer. It bore the name of a company owned by an arms supplier, one that has been embroiled in many a controversy over multi million dollar deals from aircraft to mortars.

Interestingly, he raised queries over supplies by the firm in question when he held sway. But now, roles appear to have changed.