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Presidential farewell to Bala
President Chandrika Kumaratunga hosted a farewell dinner for her former Secretary Kusumsiri Balapatabendi at the President's House on Friday night, prior to his departure as Sri Lanka's new High Commissioner to Australia.

A long-time political associate of the President, Mr. Balapatabendi controversially survived scrutiny by the Parliamentary High Posts Committee when his nomination was rushed through, with the UNP complaining they were not permitted to question the envoy-designate on certain documentation they had received from Sri Lankans in Australia protesting his appointment.

The farewell party was held while another of President Kumaratunga's nominees, former Defence Secretary Chandrananda de Silva's appointment had been rejected by the Canadian government on grounds that he would be disentitled to enter Canada under that country's new Immigration Act.

Meanwhile, in Canberra and other Australian cities, the Sri Lankan community was in the process of giving farewell dinners to the outgoing High Commissioner Major General Janaka Perera, who will be taking up duties in Jakarta as Ambassador shortly.

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