MR unhappy with limited tickets?

By Sunil

6 April 2011 04:59 am - 59 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Foreign officials from Sri Lanka are not happy with the level of courtesy extended to their President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his trip to Mumbai to watch the World Cup final.

Though no official complaint has been lodged with the Indian government, they have informally conveyed their displeasure at limited tickets made available to Rajapaksa’s entourage, and at the refusal let him meet the teams before the start of the match.

President Pratibha Patil greets her Sri Lankan counterpart in Mumbai

“The tickets for the Sri Lankan president were being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). We would have been more happy if we had more tickets for the entourage,” the Sri Lankan Consul-General in Mumbai, Upekkha Samaratunga, told Mumbai Mirror.
Rajapaksa had decided to come to India for the final after Sri Lanka’s semi-final victory over New Zealand in Colombo.
A request for 40 tickets was made to the BCCI through the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka.

Around the same time, the cricket board got another request for 36 passes from Rashtrapati Bhawan for Indian President Pratibha Patil and her group.

“Since it was not possible for us to accommodate everybody at such short notice, we made 10 passes available to both the leaders in President’s Box at the stadium,” BCCI’s Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.

“Since the Indian President is from Mumbai, we made another 20 passes available to her at the Garware pavilion. As for the Sri Lankan President, we could offer him only 10 additional passes in the Garware stand.”

Board officials said that since they were aware that Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister CB Rathnayake had purchased 40 tickets for the Garware stand a few weeks ago, they advised the Presidential entourage to use some of the seats blocked by him.

“In addition to that, I believe the Sri Lankan board president bought 10-15 more seats in the Vithal Divecha stand. But there was no problem,” Shetty said.

A senior official of the Maharashtra government said the Lankans were also upset because Rajapaksa’s request to meet the Sri Lankan players before the start of the match was denied at the last minute.

In the India vs Pakistan semi-final in Mohali, both Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Indian PM Manmohan Singh had the teams before the match began.

Consul-General Samaratunga said that a meeting with the players was scheduled in the President’s programme, but was later changed by Indian authorities.

Further, Rajapaksa was not allowed a picture opportunity with the winning Indian after the final.
When contacted, an MEA official in New Delhi said that Rajapaksa had not been invited by India, he had himself asked to come over.

In Mohali, Gilani was our guest. That’s why he was taken on the field to meet the players. "If there was no on-the-field interaction in Mumbai, it could be because of protocol issues.”

When contacted, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Prasad Kariyawasam, confirmed that no complaint had been lodged with the Indian government on the issue. (Mumbai Mirror)

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Comments - 59

TMA Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:25 AM

But he sure buys dump from India. Remember the power sets ;)

Tsunami Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:24 AM

Should not be a leader only for the Gallery. World stage you have to maintain some leadership qualities. WW or Maravin type is good only for loyalists

Imran Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:26 AM

this is a perfect plan of india, whats going to happen if they let MR to visit the players for few minutes before the match begin. Atleast it would have been an more encouragement for the players.

Dinesh Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:28 AM

THIS IS WHAT WE CALLED ASKING FOR DHALL

anaya Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:29 AM

iththawage geta giyama katu annenawa.

tasi Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:30 AM

Why MEA raising these issue with media now? otherwise nobody knows what happened there. Is someone in the MEA working against MR?

citizen1 Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:57 AM

Not unlike his self-invite to Oxford! Needs to feed ego.

Critic Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:58 AM

Rajapakse and family

Rasika Alwis Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:57 AM

India might not happy with MR as he is not bow down to pressure from India both in economics and political aspects

Mojo Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:05 AM

Well, here we go again..
Wimal has a job to do now in front of the Indian High commission.

geraldine Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:05 AM

hahaaaaaaaaaaaa

Kumar Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:11 AM

MR has to understand other are not like his cabinet. Initially president media announced MR will be going on India's invitation This is good lesson for him and media unit.

Tsunami Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:13 AM

Nice try

bigsam Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:25 AM

Kudos. This time no one to evict from the country (like it is his personal property) like was done with Peter Hill!

enlightened Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:24 AM

In first place why did MR go there and spend the tax payer's money? Did New Zealand Prime Minister come here to watch Cricket? MR performed special pooja for Sri Lankan's victory in just a sport. Has he ever done this to the welfare of his citizens? .

Aanjaley Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:21 AM

Well Said. the whole world knows what he is.

confucious Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:28 AM

Dear Indians, we are very sorry to hear that our president made a complaint of this nature. Rest assured all Sri Lankans are not like this so please take this witha pinch of salt.

Neil Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:31 AM

Yes, Modawansa is going to organise one.

Aruna Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:33 AM

Yes for sure... If he was not invited he should have wait here without destroying country's image.

Common Man Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:32 AM

Parting with barrowed money (FromLibya, Iran, China, HSBC)?

AJA Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:36 AM

Guys....... M.R is the Head of State of our country. The way he was treated in India is not just insulting to him but to all Sri Lankans. The Indians did everything to accommodate the Prime Minister of Pakistan but treated our Head of State like a poor relatively. As a Sri Lankan I don't like it and am disappointed in the fact that we did not lodge and official complaint.

surangani Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:38 AM

You were not invited, gate crasher!

Jerome Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:37 AM

asking for an Invitation is the same as barging in. It is not new for MR and his family

Gomis Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:48 AM

Amen, Alleluia.

Doha Boy Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:55 AM

Why should he expect all that, if he was not officially invited.. This is like going for an uninvited wedding and demanding for the Wedding meal...

Thora Maalu Wednesday, 06 April 2011 08:29 AM

He may be a SMALL 'haal massa', but he is an IMPORTANT 'haal massa'. This is why so many 'fishermen' like Blake Mama are trying their best to catch him :))

gamekolla Wednesday, 06 April 2011 08:36 AM

India is not a colony of sri lanka.

Podi Lamaya Wednesday, 06 April 2011 08:47 AM

Parting like others, e.g. Ranil, Chandirika, DB, Preme, JR

Nuwan Wednesday, 06 April 2011 08:58 AM

Ohhhh It too much, lets say Gate keeper

SADARUWAN Wednesday, 06 April 2011 09:34 AM

MR NOW CRICKET IS OVER API WAWAMU DAN

I Hussein Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:39 AM

Well another SRILANKAN (Airline) more appropriate.

I Hussein Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:13 AM

So what next? Kicking the BCCI out and make it an authority?
King's previladges could be enjoyed only here not elsewhere. Besides its not a state banquet or state invitation. By the way why 40? and who were those 40?

Abilin Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:16 AM

India knows about the useles entourage MR carries with him. So no wonder

Godaya Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:16 AM

This is what happens when you "invite yourself" instead of being invited for an event. Illang Kewa wage!

Manil Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:18 AM

Whose money would have been spent to buy tickets? Can somebody explain pl.

lloyds Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:21 AM

sometimes MR doesnt know how to keep his status in front of trouble makers like indians. He shouldnt have asked for an invitation in the first place.

malkanthi Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:20 AM

Protocol issue is due to ignorance of what exactly 'protocol' means? My car my petrol law does not apply to other countries. We are losing the crdibility due to this very reason.

nostradamus Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:24 AM

Another Oxford?

Tharaka Chanaka Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:23 AM

MR you are "MR" not Prince Charles

Wimal_Modawansa Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:32 AM

MR unhappy with limited tickets?
But , happy with the level of courtesy extended to President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his trip to Thiruphpathyi to watch Others shaving their heads.
Further, Rajapaksa was not allowed a picture opportunity with the winning Indian after the final instead the photos were taken in Thiruppathy with devoties with have shaved their heads.

If Rajapaksa’s request to meet the Sri Lankan players before the start of the match was granted and if he had offered his valuable advice ,India wpould have lost the finals.

Nishan Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:33 AM

Head of State got ignored in overseas, doesn't matter who ever he is or to what ever party he belongs to. because most of Indians believes SL is another state of India

kaputakukula Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:36 AM

Come on man! What R U talking? Even babies can answer this!!!!!!

Nihal Amarasekera Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:36 AM

What a shame; I am Sri Lanka.

chryshan Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:37 AM

This is second time he went for finals and made us loosers. Hope this hoodoo will not last until next worldcup.

Harsha de Silva Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:37 AM

MR should have welcomed with more attitude. Anyway WHO CARES INDIANS. MR is our President. Even though some SRI LANKANS (Are they really !!!) hates him.

cracko Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:10 AM

MR cannot have his ways in other countries!

Dony Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:41 AM

This is what happened when you go without formal invitation by the host country. He was invited only by ICC, not by India. So this is what India can do. And who will pay for this extra tickets, and for their flights, accommodation, etc. They want to take a huge group as they do when they visit other countries.

MagodisThuma Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:50 AM

It's kings Money !.

shehan jayawardene Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:52 AM

Rajapaksa might be a BIG fish in the SMALL pond called Sri Lanka...but when he goes abroad he is just a very SMALL 'haal massa' in a very BIG pond called the world. That's reality.

Lanka Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:54 AM

why we defeated not enough? what else more to talk

TMA Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:53 AM

Haha! they can't just give away 40 tickets. So is there gonna B a protest near Indian High Commision

MagodisThuma Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:56 AM

Game Sellam Gamthotede bahe !

a baby Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:57 AM

my future fund!

Tsunami Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:56 AM

One does not ask for an invitation. A respectable leader would have got invited. Because of him Indian PM could not watch their team performance live

Lional Alwis Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:03 AM

We as people are unhappy about the sudden increase in prices.

siripala Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:06 AM

I guess @lloyds means beg for an invitation

wicks123 Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:10 AM

it becos of World cup "victory" increase of prices?..Superb...!!...Superb!!

Victor Doki & Ruwan Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:11 AM

Alternative set of rules in order or otherwise would have been used to please, for sake of courtesy. Brave enough to introduce innovative protocols like us which will be wine in the CUP, dear Indians.

Maidan Wednesday, 06 April 2011 06:14 AM

Api sokko. Un lokko. But at least there should have been a courtesy to country leader

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MR unhappy with limited tickets?

Comments - 59

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