News

News

Baptism by fire
It was a baptism by fire for Media Minister Reginold Cooray when he addressed the media at the Government's first Cabinet briefing last Wednesday.

Mr. Cooray, who came half an hour late stumbled and stuttered over statistics and figures, detailing the new government's decisions.

Journalists who were trying their best to get anything of substance out of the new Media Minister and Cabinet spokesperson were left gaping when he made a hasty exit 'for two minutes' after a long explanation that he had not had his lunch and re-emerged only to 'conclude' the press briefing immediately thereafter.

Meanwhile a baffled foreign journalist was heard to inquire from a local media man: "and this is … ‘Regional Cooray’, right?"
Sure sounds a more appropriate name for him.

Squatting scribes at press briefings
Journalists attending press conferences organised by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) have to get used to taking down their notes seated on the ground.
But putting pen to paper while sitting on the ground is proving to be quite a difficult task.

But there are some journalists who are being offered more comfortable positions. Meanwhile, the new Justice Minister is planning to appoint 500 new JPs and he has encouraged some scribes to apply.
So far there aren't many takers.

Penchant for lobsters?
During his stay in Sri Lanka the LTTE's chief negotiator Anton Balasingham did not fail to enjoy the delicacy of lobsters which he may have missed after being away from the country for more than a year. Soon after he arrived last week a popular restaurant along the A 9 was busy baking lobsters from Mullaitivu for the ‘visitor’.

Top

Back to News