Guess who came and did not come to dinner!

The Sri Lanka Mission to the UN is perhaps one of the few

key overseas missions which pulled off a double header on national day last week. A splendid cultural show organized by the mission was attended by hundreds of expatriates living in the tri-state area: New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

And three days later, the mission hosted a reception/dinner to the UN diplomatic community where ambassadors, senior UN officials, delegates and UN correspondents relished the Sri Lankan food, including rice, noodles, chicken and fish curries, dhal, brinjals, patties, cutlets and watalapam for dessert. The food was catered by Sigiri restaurant, a popular eatery in New Jersey. The only person conspicuous by his absence was Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon who opted to send his Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar as a substitute.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, our High Commissioner hosted a reception at his residence. It was attended by more than 800 people -foreign diplomats based in Delhi, senior Indian government officials, almost all Joint Secretaries of the Ministry of External Affairs and media personnel. What was interesting (intriguing?) was the presence of the Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai who does not generally attend National/independence Day functions of foreign countries.

It was obviously a considered decision and perhaps a positive sign of ever-improving ties between the two neighbouring countries. Whether this upswing signifies a new found admiration for Sri Lanka or respect and friendship towards the High Commissioner is anybody's guess.