‘I was ‘Anura Aiya’ at Vidusara, but ‘Anura Sir’ now!’

 

Wednesday, 12 November 2014 

Secretary to the ministry of commerce and industries, and acting chairman of ITN Anura Siriwardena, has reprimanded a colleague who had worked with him in ‘Vidusara’ newspaper around 20 years ago, for having called him ‘Anura Aiya,’ the journalist has mentioned to several of his colleagues.

The incident occurred when the journalist had gone to Siriwardena’s office to seek a certain favour. As was his old habit, he has called Siriwardena ‘Anura Aiya’, but was sternly told, “Don’t call me ‘Aiya’. If overheard, those in this office too, will start calling me ‘Aiya.’ The other thing is, it is not like during the Vidusara times. Now, I am a person who holds a responsible position in Sri Lanka. Therefore, call me officially. Old friendships are not valid any longer.” After Siriwardena uttered these remarks, the journalist abandoned his idea of seeking the favour and left the office.

In the same evening, the pained journalist related the incident to his colleagues over a round of drinks. Pacifying him, one friend explained as to why Siriwardena is behaving in that manner.

One day, at a meeting attended by MP Namal Rajapaksa, when a matter arose with regard to the president, Siriwardena has said proudly in order to show his close links with the president, “OK. OK, I’ll ask Mahinda Aiya and come back later. Hearing this Namal has asked, “Who is Mahinda Aiya, Mr. Siriwardena? Is it Mahinda Illeperuma?” Siriwardena’s reply was, “No. No. Mr. MP. It is not Mahinda Illeperuma. I was saying that I will ask your father.” Then Namal has said, “Mr. Siriwardena, isn’t it improper to refer to the country’s president at important meetings as ‘Aiya’?” This rendered Siriwardena speechless.

Taking Namal’s advice to heart, Siriwardena has begun telling others not to call him ‘Aiya’ too, the journalist friend explained to everybody present.