NZ Premier turns down MR invitation

28 March 2011 02:16 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 114 Bookmark

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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has declined an invitation from Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend the cricket World Cup semifinal between the two countries in Colombo, New Zealand media reports said.

New Zealand play Sri Lanka in Colombo tomorrow for a place in the finals after beating South Africa by 49 runs on Friday.

A spokesman from Mr Key's office said he had to decline the invitation, the 3news agency reported.

However, he has not given any reasons for the turning down the invitation.

President Rajapaksa yesterday extended an invitation to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to witness the world cup cricket semi-final encounter between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, the President’s Office said. (3news)

Related Links - HC will represent PM – SL

Comments - 114

Calistus Jayatilleke Monday, 28 March 2011 02:29 AM

As expected - it is not possible to copy other leaders and try to outshine always. Maybe MR forgot that the New Zealand Prime Minister has to look after his own people who suffered a major earth quake recently.

47 458

Darwin Monday, 28 March 2011 02:29 AM

Now was that a surprise? No

33 297

sam Monday, 28 March 2011 02:33 AM

If RW would have called NZ PM instead of MR, he would say YES... Who cares MR except Iran, Libya and Myanmar :)

153 389

Wimal_Modawansa Monday, 28 March 2011 02:23 AM

Jaya Wewa

64 251

citizen1 Monday, 28 March 2011 02:36 AM

The NZ premier obviously has a head on his shoulders.

17 116

Nimesh Jay Monday, 28 March 2011 02:43 AM

Reason is He can't watch he team's "Mara Parajaya"......ha ha ha ha

39 94

indika Monday, 28 March 2011 02:47 AM

so true...

22 187

immysl Monday, 28 March 2011 03:02 AM

So true.

49 161

unl Monday, 28 March 2011 03:06 AM

We Sri Lankan Cares.

193 78

Peter Monday, 28 March 2011 03:07 AM

Very good move by N.Z Premier.

34 113

citizen1 Monday, 28 March 2011 03:12 AM

NZ Prime Minister has got his priorities right,

15 178

Cyril E Monday, 28 March 2011 03:20 AM

Poooh !

44 56

Godaya Monday, 28 March 2011 03:21 AM

This can be taken as a snub or a genuine 'inability' to attend. Now where does MR stand?

6 75

AF Monday, 28 March 2011 03:23 AM

Another episode of Oxford Union

8 102

Guru2 Monday, 28 March 2011 03:25 AM

Politics aside, I think it was the polite and correct thing to do.

12 72

Pissa Monday, 28 March 2011 03:23 AM

How about Col. Gaddafi ?He is not doing anything these days!!!!!! or the fellow from Iran or Burma ?
Worthwhile contacts ........

21 133

Mr Retort Monday, 28 March 2011 03:36 AM

A statesman like figures have more important matters to attend to than getting family in a bandwaggon and flying around the world

8 91

samaw Monday, 28 March 2011 03:38 AM

ha ha ha very funny......

26 81

Mohan Prasad Monday, 28 March 2011 03:42 AM

Why couldn't he be polite to give a reason? After all, it was a cordial invitation. Sri Lanka win the Cup that cheers

45 33

siril Monday, 28 March 2011 03:44 AM

who wants to see their team lossing...he he..

50 32

Crishantha Monday, 28 March 2011 03:36 AM

Big headed west..

101 22

Upul Monday, 28 March 2011 03:48 AM

Who cares RW in SL except for a few keyboard supporters

111 77

sltk2004 Monday, 28 March 2011 03:39 AM

May be PM John Key is a Western conspirator against Sri Lanka or may be he has a hidden agenda against us?

72 28

siri Monday, 28 March 2011 03:42 AM

Unlike ours, NZ leaders have got their priorities in order. Hasn't MR got graver things to worry about - like food prices, election deceits, govt. thuggery, etc?

13 86

Uglytruth Monday, 28 March 2011 03:43 AM

To dear Wimal W., shall we organize a protest against NZ ?

14 143

Ozzman Monday, 28 March 2011 04:05 AM

Pwned!!

9 18

helaya Monday, 28 March 2011 04:06 AM

We Sri Lankans care about him.

117 54

Upset mood Monday, 28 March 2011 04:09 AM

MR gone mad...

12 90

ravi .s Monday, 28 March 2011 03:58 AM

what ??? how dare you decline the invitation ??
ban the match immediatly.

22 65

Cynic Monday, 28 March 2011 04:12 AM

Other heads of state have work to do.

7 75

Ajantha Dissanayake Monday, 28 March 2011 04:11 AM

Response is not surprising. Unlike in our country, leaders of western counties don’t wastes tax payers' money for useless ventures.

12 130

Nakandala Monday, 28 March 2011 04:14 AM

Now our state media will call the NZ PM as Unpatriotic .

5 125

Tony Monday, 28 March 2011 04:17 AM

Good gesture by HE The President !!!

28 32

Ceylonese Monday, 28 March 2011 04:06 AM

MR didn't even send a massage to John Key when earth quake struck Chistchurch.

12 91

haramanis Monday, 28 March 2011 04:19 AM

hmm....but people of Sri Lanka don't call RW...

57 63

Gz Monday, 28 March 2011 04:19 AM

That shows how strong MR's foreign policy (specially country's which respects human rights).

17 65

Dinesh Monday, 28 March 2011 04:19 AM

True,Our president copied this from India ...lol

28 228

Manawa Monday, 28 March 2011 04:20 AM

Why? NZ premier too is that type?

51 40

Hemantha Monday, 28 March 2011 04:12 AM

May be he has better things to do than watching cricket.

6 72

Upset mood Monday, 28 March 2011 04:31 AM

MR -you can't make freinds just like this...

12 68

Upset mood Monday, 28 March 2011 04:35 AM

NZ - do not know even there is a mach... this funny

8 48

whatA Disgrace Monday, 28 March 2011 04:47 AM

Country like nowhere. World knows that where our country leader stands. what a disgrace? he he....Now MR knows from this

10 48

Nina Kamal Monday, 28 March 2011 04:52 AM

Paw diyenne!!!! after careful thought... NZ declines the invitation, as there is plenty to clean up than to cheer up!!!

6 45

ROSHAIA Monday, 28 March 2011 04:54 AM

Our country leader become joke to westerner,they think about their people,our leaders are thinking about family and thamasa

13 60

Gamarala Monday, 28 March 2011 04:53 AM

and Maldives and Nepal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

21 39

kuhan Monday, 28 March 2011 04:57 AM

He think as a prime minister rather than politician

10 54

malkanthi Monday, 28 March 2011 04:57 AM

Gesture is good provided foreign relation principles also good!

8 42

ind Monday, 28 March 2011 04:59 AM

Yes, MR should go to Ranil's Western Tune Dancing class first !!

39 31

Surprised Monday, 28 March 2011 04:50 AM

Declined even without giving a reason...? What an insult to the country!!

10 56

commonsense Monday, 28 March 2011 05:02 AM

Sure..Sri Lanka will win the Cricket world cup 2011!!!

19 26

Guru Monday, 28 March 2011 05:03 AM

Weldone Mr. John Key. You are a gentleman.

17 58

Brenan Monday, 28 March 2011 05:06 AM

Then you are the only sri lankan..lolz no one cares but you..village boy

69 138

Brenan Monday, 28 March 2011 05:08 AM

Everybody do, expt our president. ...

16 85

Brenan Monday, 28 March 2011 05:10 AM

They should be, coz they are west and we are in the side where poverty breeds...

12 41

MTM Monday, 28 March 2011 05:20 AM

He..heee...may be he know the result ....

35 14

ind Monday, 28 March 2011 05:21 AM

What do you mean by thamasa ? Is it countries development ??

31 11

Dinesh Monday, 28 March 2011 05:37 AM

Iran president is not intrested in cricket other wise he might come visit Mr to share a drink.

11 92

Ranger Monday, 28 March 2011 05:40 AM

Try to understand that the NZ Premier has more important things to do.

7 47

DUWI Monday, 28 March 2011 05:41 AM

Mr. Key probably knows the outcome of the match already.

39 9

Top Sri Lankan Monday, 28 March 2011 05:55 AM

If he had accepted the invitation,in which language both could associate?

7 34

rickshow Monday, 28 March 2011 06:04 AM

MR Showed that he is a gentlemen, but it would have been much better if he (NZ Prim) could make a reason rather than putting it down

41 14

enlightened Monday, 28 March 2011 06:06 AM

Well said sir. That is true. NZ Prime Minister won't waste his time and won't worry about world cup either. Cricket is just a Sport. There are so many things to make a country proud. Not only cricket.

20 178

jayasiri Monday, 28 March 2011 06:09 AM

Look what happens when you copy cat others.

7 41

Gayan Monday, 28 March 2011 06:25 AM

I think the NZ PM knows that they are gonna lose the match already!

30 19

Nihal Fernando Monday, 28 March 2011 06:39 AM

There is nothing to be surprised. An invitee can accept or decline any invitation. He would have got the premonition that Sri Lanka will win over NZ and does not want to come and watch it.

24 11

Decker Monday, 28 March 2011 06:30 AM

Last moment invite?

2 21

Dias Monday, 28 March 2011 06:47 AM

Pl will you all stop talking and watch the game

14 12

immysl Monday, 28 March 2011 06:37 AM

I wonder why you got so many down votes. Maybe people dunno what "sarcasm" is. So next time, better put sarcasm in brackets. :P

4 43

w.g.l Monday, 28 March 2011 06:55 AM

what you saw you will reap

5 22

Gemunu Monday, 28 March 2011 06:57 AM

Unlike our leaders, New Zealand PM knows his priorities.

6 41

Nihal Monday, 28 March 2011 07:02 AM

pl explain the meaning of "Gentlemen" Is it someone like Wimal weerawamsa or Dr. Mervin and so on?

6 41

Nishan Monday, 28 March 2011 06:57 AM

NZ PM is not ready for 'Haka Dance'

8 8

mayu Monday, 28 March 2011 07:43 AM

The reason was that the invitation was sent by a war criminal.

14 32

mayu Monday, 28 March 2011 07:46 AM

No the inviter need to clean himself from the war crime.

14 24

Red Monday, 28 March 2011 07:34 AM

cos new zealand is in the west right?

6 21

mayu Monday, 28 March 2011 07:47 AM

NZ PM showed even better gesture on the face for the person who hide war crime.

16 27

Frank Nanhimi Monday, 28 March 2011 07:50 AM

Thank you Prime minister, you have saved some tax payers money.
Frank

6 36

ALEX Monday, 28 March 2011 07:54 AM

Please invite Ahmedinejad of iran.
Surely he will not decline the invitation of our great leader.

6 30

mahe Monday, 28 March 2011 07:47 AM

NZ PM don't play politics over Crickets. Good lessen.

4 29

Steven Miller Monday, 28 March 2011 07:59 AM

hahahahah you want politeness? you are not even worthy of it, including MR

15 18

Steven Miller Monday, 28 March 2011 08:04 AM

WW another MR, where did his JVP style go?

4 17

TMA Monday, 28 March 2011 08:03 AM

For China tune dancing, no need of classes

4 27

Lord Monday, 28 March 2011 07:53 AM

You mean priority? Our MR puts the cart before the horse.

5 45

TMA Monday, 28 March 2011 08:03 AM

Haka's 4 Rugby

2 15

TMA Monday, 28 March 2011 08:04 AM

Iran doesn't waste their time on Cricket. They're the Football & Basketball power houses in Asia

15 9

Steven Miller Monday, 28 March 2011 08:04 AM

I think he didn't, didn't see it in the news. But gave some money to Japan hahahhaaha

5 24

NAGU Monday, 28 March 2011 08:09 AM

DEFINITELY YOU MUST BE A DREAM SHATTERED LTTE SUPPOTER.... SORRY FOR U

22 14

PUKI Monday, 28 March 2011 08:12 AM

ERADICATING A SET OF BUTCHERS IS NOT A WAR CRIME..it's a maha punyakarma.....

19 19

namal Monday, 28 March 2011 08:13 AM

Srilankan Pres. should resolve countries problems first before playing games. that's NZ PMs message.

6 41

Mervin Silva Monday, 28 March 2011 08:02 AM

Oh! What a nice invitation yar, what about other countries Prime Minister not invited (Fox is trying to eat Grapes)

1 17

Sam Monday, 28 March 2011 08:12 AM

Yeah becuase RW doesnt have a back bone and will do whatever the west says,

44 19

surangani Monday, 28 March 2011 08:14 AM

MR should have invited Gaddafi instead!

9 48

nagu Monday, 28 March 2011 08:21 AM

RW has only Foreign support only but looses every local elections....

28 29

nagu Monday, 28 March 2011 08:24 AM

he didint come becoz he dont want to see his team loose....

24 9

channna Monday, 28 March 2011 08:25 AM

Good point....

18 8

channna Monday, 28 March 2011 08:28 AM

What war crimes?...

18 11

Sean Monday, 28 March 2011 08:16 AM

New Zealand is EAST of Sri Lanka....

4 33

channna Monday, 28 March 2011 08:29 AM

NZ is going to loose anyway....

23 10

Chandra Monday, 28 March 2011 08:41 AM

Mayu you are LTTE supporter then. There was no war other than terrorist attack.why don't you talk about crime committed by LTTE

22 12

Lion King Monday, 28 March 2011 09:00 AM

tnx to Computers of course!

10 32

ind Monday, 28 March 2011 09:03 AM

What to do, once we selected for Semi only, we can invite.

9 8

Ruzaick Monday, 28 March 2011 09:37 AM

Disgrace for the entire country.

11 30

Mr Cricket Monday, 28 March 2011 10:08 AM

MR should have invite Aussie PM to beat up a bit of rivalry

14 3

Manil Monday, 28 March 2011 04:04 PM

This is a repeat of the Oxford union snub.

2 7

jaya Monday, 28 March 2011 04:13 PM

He knows the result but you don't and cricket alegy!

17 4

rj Monday, 28 March 2011 04:45 PM

no wander you go in a suddha name ,

4 5

Amal Tuesday, 29 March 2011 12:54 AM

A big mistake by John Key. He could have learnt all the tricks from "you know who" to remian in power forever.

1 1

Yehiya-Doha Tuesday, 29 March 2011 01:11 AM

They are working with agenda.

1 3

kayci Tuesday, 29 March 2011 03:08 AM

Don't underestimate the Kiwis..they are in good form

0 1

mohamed asfar Tuesday, 29 March 2011 03:19 AM

we have invited him to witness the match. it is up to him to take it or leave it. it is our hospitality. no harm to sri lanka. we are always gentlemen.

1 2

banda de alwis Tuesday, 29 March 2011 03:33 AM

chattter

0 1

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