No-smoking warning for Maheepala

Sabaragamuwa's Chief Minister Maheepala Herath's experience as a youngster would be good news for the anti-tobacco lobby.

One day at home, he saw a close relative who came there smoking a cigar. Days after he left, Mr. Herath had obtained some tobacco, rolled a cigar and was smoking. He got caught red handed to his father who had returned home after work earlier than usual.

He received a few painful slaps. If that was bad enough, the partly burnt cigar he had wrapped was hung on the wall as a warning. He said that was a reminder every day that he should not smoke.