What parliamentarians did by coming to Medamulana wedding ... desolating parliament

What parliamentarians did by coming to Medamulana wedding ... desolating parliament

Yesterday (24) was a very special day for Medamulana; it was because the wedding of third son of present Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa was celebrated at Carltonwatta, Medamulana, Weeraketiya situated close to Medamulana Walauwa. Rohitha Rajapaksa too the hand of Tatiyana Jayaratna. 

Though President Maithripala Sirisena was invited for this wedding, as he has left the island on 23rd on a 5 day official visit to Singapore, he had no opportunity to attend this wedding. However, before

departure to Singapore, President Maithripala Sirisena did not forget to meet the would-be married couple and wish them good luck. The President who arrived at the Wijerama House on 23rd greeted the new couple ad then engaged in a chat with the Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

A large crowd including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasingha, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, representatives of the government party, representatives of the Opposition party attended the wedding ceremony of Medamulana. Thus, what was portrayed inside Medamulana Clarltonwatta yesterday took the appearance of the parliament. Together with this wedding occasion, because the daughter of Kalutara District member of parliament Rohitha Abeygoonawardena also took place yesterday (24) itself, the parliament took on an abandoned appearance. Though parliament assembled yesterday (24) under authority of Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri at 10.30 in the morning, only 15 parliamentarians were present. 

Only one such person was seen in the front row of the Opposition and that was Leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. The said function was held in Carltonwatta close to Medamulana Walauwa which happens to be a heritage of Rajapaksa generation. The 'poruwa' was erected at the centre of that garden while decorations of the wedding ceremony was done in a manner which brought out the charm of the environment, giving prominence to the natural surroundings which was a speciality in this instance. 

It was also something special that fathers of both sides were attesting witnesses of the wedding ceremony. n the side of the bridegroom, it was  present Opposition Leader and Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the Executive President. Where the bride's party was concerned, it was an officer connected to Cricket Administration as well as a competent cricketer, Jerome Jayaratna. Jerome Jayaratna in fact was captain of St. Thomas' College cricket team in the year 1983. 

To wish the new couple, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasingha too was present. After wishing them, the Prime Minister had a conversation with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. Speaker of parliament, Karu Jayasuriya too was present to wish the new couple. It is a special feature to note that Finance and mass Communication Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Minister Ravi Karunanayaka, Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara, Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka, Minister Vajira Abeywardena, member of parliament Palitha Range Bandara and crowd attended the occasion by representing the government. 

Leaders of United Public Freedom Alliance and group of members of parliament including chief organiser of the Opposition Mahinda Amaraweera, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Dinesh Goonewardena, Wimal Weervansha, Udaya Gammanpila, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Arumugam Thondaman and Douglas Devananda had jained in the celebrations. 

Former General Secretary of Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Duminda Dissanayaka had been present at the wedding celebrations and became the focus of attention of most people. Dhammika Perera, considered as the number one business magnate together with Kumar Perera, Ravi Wijeyratna and frontline businessmen joined in this wedding ceremony. Army heads  as well as former heads of the Forces active at present including inspector general of police were seen attending the function. Dudley Sirisena, a well-known businessman and a brother of President Maithripala Sirisena too was present to wish the new couple. Apart from them, a large crowd comprising academics of various fields had attended this wedding function. It was a special feature to note that lunch was a vegetarian lunch. 

The welcome speech was given by Chamal Rajapaksa, a former Speaker of parliament. Though a very large crowd was present on this occasion; Opposition Leader did not fail to speak personally to each of the invitees escorted by the new couple. Thus, the Opposition Leader did not forget to speak to former Chief Justice, Sarath N. Silva, former Presidential Chief of Staff, Gamini Senerath, Co-ordinating Secretary of Opposition Leader, Kumarasiri Hettige, former Governor of Central Bank, Willie Gamage and W.D. Ganegala who were chatting to each other by calling over at their table with the new couple being accompanied by him. 

The Opposition Leader quipped, "I saw news last night about you going to courts. You had to go to court because you contested for votes. This is a strange thing". "I have not insulted the judiciary. It I me who has been insulted," the former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva then responded.