Odds & Ends

Chandrakanthan Chandra Nehru took his oaths as a TNA MP on Wednesday to fill the vacancy created by the death last December of Joseph Pararajasingham.

Soon after the swearing-in, the TNA MPs began their ‘satyagraha’.

So in his new silk national, Mr. Chandrakanthan had to sit on the floor. And sadly for him he continued in this manner for the first three days of his parliamentary life. Not a very pleasant manner to begin a Parliamentary career.

Wednesday was also an exciting day for another MP, Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake. It was the day of his wedding but the groom did not show up in the House in the morning. His would-be father-in-law D.M.Jayaratne was, however, present and was seen walking round the House inviting colleagues to the nuptials.

The scene was the iftar meal hosted by the outgoing and controversially outspoken Indian High Commissioner at India House. But many of the invitees, especially the VIPs, had not turned up at the time of breaking fast. The host and the pretty media attaché in charge of the ceremony looked embarrassed as the empty tables told the story to those who honoured the invitation. After partaking of dates, wadey, faluda and somoosa, prayers were held followed by dinner. Then one by the VIPs appeared. Among them were M.H. Mohamed, Alavi Moulana, Rauff Hakeem, M.L.M. Hisbullah and Azath Sally. Inquiries revealed they had gone to the iftar ceremony hosted by the Saudi ambassador. India may not be as wealthy as Saudi Arabia, but it is more Muslim than Saudi Arabia because, compared to Saudi Arabia's 25 million all-Muslim population, India has more than 150 million Muslims. But money talks, doesn’t it?

Police top brass in the hills expected President Mahinda Rajapaksa to formally declare open the newly built Police Station at Matale. However, a busy schedule prevented him from doing so. He delegated Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake to undertake the task this week. Police top brass were on hand when the colourful event took place. A team of top cops who were returning from the ceremony got a bright idea. There was a junior officer’s mess that was nearing completion in Bogambara. Even the electricity supply had not been provided yet. They thought one of the top cops, soon on his way out, should declare open this one. They felt that way his name would be on a plaque for years even if he retires later this month.

So orders were given to have everything ready. The top cop declared it open and the whole group returned to Colombo thereafter. Unfortunately, the inscription of the man declaring the place open was on a sheet of hardboard. No metal or brass plaque could be made available at short notice. Now the junior cops are asking for a fresh opening ceremony.