Former Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama may have left the ministry and the political scene, but his shadow still lingers on. His brother-in-law who was posted at the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi (primarily to baby sit the former minister's daughter who is studying there) has completed four years in the chancery -- and is now seeking an extension of his term. If he doesn't get an extension, says an External Affairs ministry source, Bogollagama's daughter will be homeless.
The chances are he may get an extension to continue his baby sitting duties. When Bogollagama kept appointing his in-laws to diplomatic postings overseas (his sister-in-law was appointed our ambassador in Singapore and his intended son-in-law for a diplomatic posting in Washington), one journalist remarked that "Bogols has run out of in-laws for diplomatic jobs -- and is now looking for outlaws."
The External Affairs Ministry, meanwhile, will be advertising for the post of legal officer (in newspapers in all three languages) seeking applicants for the vacant job. But how many of them will realize that his or her boss has already been selected without any advertisement placed. The lucky man picked, Ministry officials say, is an old boy of the minister's alma mater.
People pay for ex-IGP's self-boosting ad
The Police Department had to pay for a quarter page advertisement former Police Chief, Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya, took out in state-run newspapers.
The advertisement, unprecedented in the Police Department, was titled 'RETIREMENT NOTICE BY DR. MAHINDA BALASURIYA, INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE."
In that paid advertisement Dr. Balasuriya who heaped praise on himself for a number of "development projects" that were carried out also castigated his colleagues.
He said, "Due to the unpleasant incidents that occurred at Katunayake EPZ, that is due to Police Officers not being able to carry out orders set by myself at Katunayake on 30.05.2011, I have decided to voluntarily retire despite being able to serve for another 2 years in the capacity of Inspector General of Police. I would like to express my total displeasure with regard to Police action about the incident and I have taken the above decision to set an example to the Police, Public sector and Private sector."
Of course, he also had a good word for the media. "I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all journalists and media personnel for assisting me in carrying out my duties as the 32nd Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka,"he added.
UNP crosses Muthuhettigama's bridge
In his days as a Provincial Councillor, Nishantha Muthuhettigama came into public focus over his antics, which crafty politicians would like to avoid. He was perhaps not crafty enough, at least politically speaking.
Once, after a row with filmstar-turned-parliamentarian Anarkali Akarsha, a Magistrate in Galle directed that Muthuhettigama be medically examined to ascertain whether there was any mental disorder.
There was none. Once, when pressures were mounting on him, he declared he would go abroad. He drove to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) only to be told that he would need an air ticket and a visa to travel to the country he wanted to go. So he returned home.
The controversial Provincial Councillor won the third place in the April 2010 Parliamentary election from the Galle District. Thus, in political terms he has climbed higher in the ladder.
That has not deterred Mutghuhettigama, the Parliamentarian from making news once more. Early this week, he was at the prize giving ceremony of the Baddegama Christian Balika Vidyalaya. Baddegama is located in the Galle District. The meeting was chaired by Minister Bandula Gunawardena.
Muthuhettigama praised President Mahinda Rajapaksa for introducing Mathata Thitha or a stop to alcohol and drugs. The President had also got rid of what he called Nila Nowana thrastavadeeyo and ganang karayo (non state terrorists and village toughies).
Then came Muthuhettigama's latest gaffe. He said there was only one toughie ekama ganang karaya in the country now. That was President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Even some of those seated on the stage broke into laughter.
He wound up his speech with an appeal to the Inspector General of Police. He said he should not send any policemen for a UNP protest campaign in the Galle District on Friday. The UNP had taken up his challenge that no opposition protests would be tolerated "this side of the Bentara (Bentota) river" -- a reference to the divide between the south and the rest of the country.
He declared he would raise 7,000 supporters and make sure the the UNP protest was not held. The UNP, however, held a mass protest at Elpitiya. Acting UNP leader Karu Jayasuriya, who headed a group for the protest was to proudly declare "Api Bentara Gangen Egoda Aawa" or we came across the Bentota river.
Ranjan's Rizana protest in wrong place
 |
| Ramanayake explains to the family members of Rizana, his campaign to get Rizana released
during a visit to their village. |
Saudi Arabia's beheading of an Indonesian housemaid had its reverberations in Colombo this week.
One of those angered was United National Party's actor-turned-politician Ranjan Ramanayake. He thought he could seek the support of the United States to obtain a reprieve for Rizana Nafeek, the Sri Lankan housemaid who is facing the sword for allegedly killing the child of a Saudi citizen.
Mr. Ramanayake was gathering crowds to march towards the US Embassy in Kollupitiya when news reached UNP acting leader Karu Jayasuriya. He hurriedly telephoned the parliamentarian and asked him to call it off. He said that taking crowds outside the US Embassy would send a wrong message.
At first Mr. Ramanayake insisted that he was doing it only as a naluwa (actor) and not as a UNPer. However, upon being reminded that he was a UNP parliamentarian, too, the rally outside the US Embassy to demand support was called off.
Wonder what made the naluwa go to seek help form the Yanks when he ought to have marched to Horton Place where the Saudi mission is housed.
Officer in trouble over labour rights seminar
An official in the Department of Labour may face disciplinary and even legal action for allegedly fomenting trouble at the Export Processing Zone in Katunayake in May.
The officer is said to have conducted a seminar to educate workers on how to continue their protests. This was after incidents in the area led to one death.
Channel 4 flash
in Chennai
A New Delhi-based TV network has hired a group to put up bill boards in the Tamil Nadu capital of Chennai to announce the screening of the Channel 4 video 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields' in India.
The programme is to be telecast on the network on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Feast during fast may end up as farce
At a time when the Sri Lanka embassy in Washington and the Sri Lanka Mission to the United Nations are involved in a political "healing process" among expatriate Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers in the US, there is trouble brewing over the annual Sri Lanka Day to be held in the town of Denville, New Jersey.
The day's events, which include a cricket match and an alfresco lunch with plenty of patties, cutlets and hoppers, are scheduled to take place this year during the month of the Ramadan fast, thereby excluding the participation of Muslims.
The expatriate Muslims have already expressed strong reservations and have asked the organizers to hold it either in July or September (because Ramadan continues throughout August). The event has the blessings of not only the Sri Lanka Association of New York but also the Sri Lanka Mission to the United Nations.
"This is not going to be part of the healing process," says one expatriate Muslim, "this is going to be divisive." A protest note has already been submitted to the Sri Lanka Mission.
|
E-mail