FAREWELL RECEPTION
The outgoing High Commissioner for India Taranjit Singh Sandhu hosted two receptions before his departure for his new posting as India's Ambassador to Washington, the plum post in the foreign service. I predict that the next step for him will be foreign secretary. He is a good friend, affectionate and warm, and has crossed political boundaries in his friendships here. He loves our country, having served two terms here and lived here for 7 years. On republic day, the gathering included guests from all avenues of life, politics, art, culture and friends. Speeches were made by the High Commissioner and our Foreign Mnister Dinesh Gunawardene.
The next day was smaller and was mostly friends of whom there were many, gathered through the years in both his postings here. Sandra Perera and I went together for both receptions. President Gotabaya Rajapakse was there briefly, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse with Shiranthi, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Former President Chandrika Kumaratunge, Foreign Minister Dinesh with his son Yadamuni, Namal and Yoshitha Rajapakase with their pretty wives, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Former Ministers John Amaratunge, Sagala Ratnayake, Ravi Karunanayake, Sarath Amunugama, Lalin and Sriyani Fernando, Nimal and Mali Cooke, Rohan and Dr Mala Tudawe, Shyamali Tudawe, Rapti Chitty nee Gundevia - her father was a former Indian High Commissioner here and Rapti and I thought nostalgically of our youth and the wonderful evenings we had enjoyed in this beautiful house. I was moved to tears by Taranjit's farewell words to me. ‘Look after yourself and look after your pupil' meaning Ranil, making it quite clear that he has deep affection and respect for the latter.