On the day the French President came to Katunayake, the President’s
Secretary became the gate keeper
French President Emmanuel Macron came and departed from Katunayake.
There he met President Ranil Rajapakse and the meeting was just an
incident. But to the president’s media unit the French President’s
visit to Sri Lanka seems like a great treasure. But despite the French
President wandering into Sri Lanka and had a cup of tea, the country
did not receive any benefit from him.
However, a high-ranking administrative officer told us a strange
incident happened in the Katunayake airport. When a head of state or a
diplomatic official comes to Sri Lanka, he is introduced to the
officials of Sri Lanka, according to the protocol and the introduction
should start from those who are at the top of the hierarchy. However,
in introducing the French President to government officials, the
President has bypassed the tradition of protocol in this country and
introduced the President’s Chief of Staff, Sagala Ratnayake, who is
behind the protocol before the President’s Secretary, Saman Ekanayake.
Perhaps the President has meant that “His beloved Sagala” is above the
President’s Secretary.
At the same time, another wonderful incident happened there. The
President also introduced a young boy who is not related to the
President’s staff to the French President. When we checked who is this
young boy, we came to know that he is not a state official but has
been provided with STF protection.
France is a country that has legalized gay marriages. It is doubtful
whether President Ranil Rajapaksa proudly indicated his sexual desire
to the French President despite the protocol. But we feel sad, at that
time, the highest administrative officer in the country, President
Secretary Saman Ekanayake was the gatekeepe
