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| Sunday, 21 March 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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President wins hearts in Kandy walkabout by Jiffry Abdeen Kandy South Corr. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga gave the residents of the hill capital a pleasant surprise when she walked into the Central Market in Kandy yesterday on Saturday (March 20th) around 3 p.m. in the Company of Wijeya Wickremaratne and several others. She came unannounced and those present around the area could not believe that the President had walked into the market just like any other member of the public to make her purchases. Those around the place cheered her silently and some even pinched their hands check to whether this was all a dream as this no ordinary visit. Kandy's Central Market was one of the last few official functions that her late father S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike attended and this market was declared open by him in 1957. President Kumaratunga went into the market stalls and spoke to the people present. She even made purchases from a fruit stall and she looked around the place before leaving the place about 15 minutes later. Some said that this was the first time according to living memory that a State Head had made a casual visit to the Central Market. What won the hearts of the residents were her simplicity and charm mingling with the simple folks in the same manner as any other member of the public. There were no crackers, banners or pandals to welcome her visit. She came unannounced and went the same way but he won the hearts of many by her impromptu visit which many state heads may not dare to do due to security reasons but not this gracious lady. |
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