After the launch, kariyawasam hosted refreshments and as he was speaking with the chief guest, someone came from behind and patted him on the back. It was Kodikara, who said, “Kari, I have to go now. I cannot wait for tea. I have to speak at six or seven meetings. I cannot be late.” An organizer who was nearby told him, “We didn’t invite you. Therefore, don’t play the fool and leave.”
That embarrassed not Kodikara, but Rajapaksa, who said, “This fellow comes everywhere I go. He has nothing else to do. If not for me, no one else would have given him a provincial minister position.”
When Kodikara was the transport minister of the western province, he had renowned song writer Sunil R. Gamage as his secretary. He wrote the song ‘Ayubo Wewa Maha Rajanane’ for Rajapaksa.
At the first meeting after he appointed Gamage as his secretary, Kodikara gave a speech, where he said, “From today, Sri Lanka’s well-known song writer Sunil Ariyaratne assumes duties as my secretary.” Everybody present looked for Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne. Someone in the head table told Kodikara, “No, Mr. minister, this is not Sunil Ariyaratne. This is Sunil R. Gamage.” Then, Kodikara blurted out, “I got it a bit wrong. This is not Sunil Ariyaratne, but Sunil Ariyagamage.” No one tried to correct him again.
These days, SLFP supporters in Maharagama electorate are quite a relieved lot, as the appeal court dismissed the SLPP election petition. Not only Basil, but also SLPP chairman G.L. Peiris too, are happy with that rejection.
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