MR's absence in Embilitpiya causes ruckus

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The absence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa cause a quite a ruckus in Embilipitiya on Saturday (July 28th). The unveiling of the Buddha Statue at the Heendalukhinna Wanawasala Naga Viharaya in Embilipitiya was to take place today under the auspices of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, moments before the event commenced, the Chief Incumbent announced to the crowd that Former President Rajapaksa had taken ill and will not be attending, but Chamal Rajapaksa would be attending the event. At that moment the organizers of the event and several others had voiced their objection. Two youth had climbed to the top of a tree as a mark of protest. When Chamal Rajapaksa had arrived at the location of the event he had tried to convince the people of the village that the former president had found it unable to be present because he had just returned from Singapore after medication and that he is currently in Tangalle. However, the villagers continued to protest. In order to control the situation, Chamal Rajapaksa had contacted Mahinda Rajapaksa over the phone and provided an opportunity to one of the youth to speak with the Former President. The unveiling of the Buddha Statue never took place and Chamal Rajapaksa also left the premises shortly afterward.