News - Odds and Ends

Coat minus tie!
A Plantations Ministry official came to Parliament last week to sit in the ‘Officials Box’ as a debate on the tea industry was scheduled for the day. When he arrived at the reception of the Legislature clad in shirt and tie, he was told that he could not be given access to the ‘Officials Box’ in that attire and would need a coat as well. Minus the coat, he was only entitled to sit in the Gallery.

The man had no option but to abide by the rule. Strangely it was the Government which last month announced it was issuing a circular giving state officials a choice whether to wear a tie to work or not. Maybe the rule is to discard the tie but keep the coat.

Revealing lady
Talking of visitors to the Parliament Gallery, the visit of a lady from a foreign land caused quite a stir in the House, particularly her colourful and revealing choice of clothes.

The lady who visited the House on two separate days last week was picked up in a BMW and dropped off at the entrance to the Legislature and then escorted to the Gallery. Her attire of shocking pink and bright orange bared quite a few of her assets and drew the attention of many of the visitors to the Legislature, particularly a group of journalism students who were visiting the place. The students had been told the previous day to dress formally for the visit. So when they encountered the lady, they were rather surprised.

Inquiries were made as to who the mysterious visitor was and it was revealed she was the guest of a senior minister who has had quite a few trysts with ladies in the past.

Sign of things to come
A news reader on a station known for playing songs from the ‘golden era’ was reading an item on the SAARC tourism conference being held in Colombo.

She inadvertently went on to report that the Ministry of Terrorism had organized the event but apologized for her blunder quickly.

Given the fast deteriorating situation in the country, the news reader may not have been far from the truth. Very soon what we may need is a Terrorism Ministry and not a Tourism Ministry.

Personal experience!
Indigenous Medicine Minister Tissa Karaliyadde made an impassioned speech in Parliament last Thursday, particularly regarding the plight of people living in villages bordering areas controlled by the LTTE. He argued that LTTE leader Prabhakaran would not say ‘yes’ to any devolution package whichever government brings it or whatever concessions were given.

He is more difficult to satisfy than even a woman, the minister went on to say. Must be talking from personal experience!