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Witness the disappointment
It was a bad week for the top man in the Police Department. First the President was to be a witness at the wedding of his daughter held at a leading hotel in Colombo. Guests to the reception were frisked and security was tight -- all in anticipation of the arrival of the VVIP. But nearly three hours lapsed since the start of the function and soon the security types dispersed after whispering she would not be arriving after all. A leading businessman had to stand in as the witness. So many delayed arrivals later, it is surprising that the novelty of inviting politicos to be witnesses at weddings is not wearing thin in our society.

More to follow
That was not the end of the police chief's problems. Later in the week, he was to inaugurate an indoor sports complex at the Police Field Headquarters.

The neketh time was early in the morning. Unfortunately the driver was misinformed about the location and he took the lokka to another place. By the time, they realised they were going to the wrong place, the "neketh" time for the opening had lapsed. An angry police chief went back to his official residence and it took the visit of two senior police officers to persuade him to make a delayed appearance at the function. He went there one and half-hours later and by then the auspicious time was long gone.

Political weather
Minister Mangala Samaraweera was asked at last Thursday's Cabinet briefing to state the government stand on possible discussions with the JHU. While he completed his answer, describing any links with the JHU as 'very positive', a scribe chipped in to ask the JVP opinion in this regard. With the JVP Minister Anura Dissanayake remaining silent, a smiling Mr. Samaraweera placidly quipped, "almost the same".

But those on the JHU Supreme Council are saying that the government has not made any serious efforts to talk to them. "Whenever government ministers call on us, they talk about the weather. There has been no talk on any substantial issues," a senior JHU member told a scribe recently.

Maybe the weather is the only non-controversial topic that ministers can think of these days. But then with the ongoing drought, that too may not be a safe subject to talk for long.

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