FM Bogolls blasted by President, Chief Govt. whip appointed FM for a day

By Namini Wijedasa

Despite widespread speculation, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama’s head stopped just short of rolling yesterday. However, authoritative sources confirmed that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had “blown a fuse” on Friday over alleged delaying by the Minister of three fresh diplomatic appointments.
“He was summoned to Temple Trees to a meeting with President Rajapaksa today and arrived nearly two hours late for a meeting he had called, with foreign ministry staff to discuss the forthcoming SAARC summit in Kandy,” said one of these sources yesterday. The meeting, which was scheduled to start at 11 am, finally kicked off around 12.40 pm.
“The minister entered the Ministry looking rather morose,” said another Foreign Ministry source. “I think he must have got an earful.” It is learnt that Foreign Secretary, Palitha Kohona, who had come to the Ministry at 10.30 am for the meeting, later informed the Minister that he will not be attending due to the inordinate delay and because he had a previously scheduled luncheon engagement.