He was more interested in watching the match!

A high-powered delegation from an oil-rich West-Asian country was on an official visit here quite recently. Apart from being a major aid-giver to us, this country has provided employment to several thousands of our people.

The political authority warmly welcomed the foreign delegation. However, his eye turned to the television set again and again and appeared more interested in watching the match than speaking to his visitors. The delegates had come for a serious discussion. So, they sought the bigwig’s views on some issues. However, the replies to their queries were brief ones like ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

The delegates thereafter called on the former strongman at his Wijerama official residence.

The former strongman, now the opposition chief warmly welcomed the delegation and held a round of talks with them.  The delegates who were visibly happy expressed their deep pleasure at the outcome of talks at their conclusion.

Later commenting on their talks earlier in the day with the political authority here, one delegate told the former strongman most replies given to them by the former during the discussion were mere ayes and noes.  The leader of the delegation interposed at this stage to add: “He showed no interest in our visit at all… By the way, when do you hope to return to power …? Because then only we hope to visit your country again!”

The former strongman had greeted this question with a loud guffaw!