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A celebrity affair
The swearing in of Dallas Alahapperuma to fill the National List seat that fell vacant with the assassination of former Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was quite a celebrity affair. There were several leading singers present along with some well known state media high ups on Monday morning to witness the occasion.

And once he took his oaths, there was loud clapping form the public gallery. Maybe none of them bothered to read the notice pasted on the door at the entrance to the Chambers which strictly prohibits clapping. Or maybe given their closeness to the powers that be, the security personnel on duty also conveniently ignored their actions and failed to remind them to act in a more orderly manner. After all school children who visit the Legislature are often told how to behave once inside the Gallery.

Keeping things lively
The last day of the Budget saw another starry eyed actress who had been appointed the Public Relations Officer of a leading Government minister. And she was keeping things lively up there in the public gallery with their cheery “hi’s” as the Ministry officials walked into the Gallery.

Fine explanation
Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle had a fine explanation for why President Mahinda Rajapakse had to appoint so many Ministers, Non-Cabinet ministers and Deputy Ministers.

He said it was because the former President had done the same and almost very UPFA MP under her had also been holding some portfolio and if they were now relegated to the position of being a MP, they would certainly be angry.
And all this time we thought the new President was talking of building a “new Sri Lanka ” and not follow in the footsteps of his predecessor.

Locked out
As Parliament adjourned at 5.30 p.m.on Wednesday, two hours before the scheduled time, several MPs who had left their files and bags inside the Chamber found the doors locked when they arrived. Many Government members were among those caught unawares. They were coming close to voting time wanting to be there in case a vote was taken on the extension of the emergency.

They were not taking any chances because when TNA MPs asked for a vote on the Defence Ministry allocations on Tuesday; those not present at voting time were asked for explanation by President Mahinda Rajapakse.

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