In what appeared to be a consolidation of the charm that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is renowned for, while dismissing questions posed by Channel-4 journalist when he was about to board the car after the opening of the Commonwealth Business Forum, invited them “for a cup of tea”.
During a brief rendezvous with the journalist who is currently in Sri Lanka to cover the CHOGM, Rajapaksa said that he was not concerned about alleged war crimes in the country.
“No we are not,” the President responded loudly among the gathering of a host of journalists, security personal and his usually large entourage.
When asked by the Channel 4 Journalist Jonathan Miller, if they could meet the President responded affirmatively.
“Why not? Let’s meet for tea,” he said.
Earlier Miller raised his voice and identified himself as a journalist from Channel-4 just as the President was walking out in an apparent bid to sway the security personnel guarding the head of state.
The President then extended his hand to Miller who walked up to him.
“We will meet again,” he told Miller while walking together with him.
The journalist thereafter thanked the President for the assurance of the meeting, after which he shouted out his second question regarding the boycott by Indian Premier Manmohan Singh, while Rajapaksa was getting in to his vehicle.
Rajapaksa did not respond but was heard saying that he intended on meeting the journalists.
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ela!
