Outside Politics

22nd March 1998

Lend me your ears

It is not always that a nation hears when the Presidential Secretariat wants to reach a Cabinet Minister on the telephone.

It happened last Thursday. Sports Minister, S.B. Dissanayake, was on a live radio programme with TNL radio.

He was talking about LTTE threats to the Sri Lanka cricket team that was touring South Africa.

If their security was endangered, he would have no hesitation in bringing the team back to Colombo, exhorted Mr. Dissanayake. Then came the operator's voice from the Colombo Telephone Exchange. "There is a call from the Presidential Secretariat. Please replace the receiver," the lady said.

Mr. Dissanayake was not happy to be disturbed when his voice was being heard countrywide. "Please call back in five minutes," he exclaimed. He said he was giving an "interview" to a radio station.

But the operator interrupted once more. That was within 30 seconds. This time she said "The Secretary to HE the President wants to speak to you. Please replace the receiver."

Mr. Dissanayake asked (vena number eyak neththda). Isn't there another telephone number for the operator to call.

But TNL's friendly anchorman Chamuditha Samarawickrema sensed the Minister's embarrassment. "Ehema nang Bohoma Isthoothie Emathi Thuma (then, thank you very much Mr. Minister), he said. And thus ended the live interview.

Of course Mr. Dissanayake was most pleased. It was only weeks ago he had withdrawn a law suit against TNL. Why should phone calls stand in the way when he has something to tell his countrymen !

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Little joker

This Chennai wallah is a queer man indeed. This wag who represents a well known journal has assumed to himself the role of playing Viceroy in Sri Lanka.

Last week he was passing judgements on news reports which he thought were bizarre.

Well and good for him. But when he makes out that he talks for sovereign governments, our pan wallah's slip is showing. Even if he carries a sun god's name, its high time the fool realised he is in Sri Lanka.

Even the boys of Kasturi fame will be amused at this little joker's behaviour.

He would be better advised to confine himself to call of duty and serve mother India.

Jungle Telegraph

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