At all government functions in the country, the master of ceremonies reads out the programme in three languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English. Almost all speeches are translated into the other two languages. Sometimes, the speaker himself/herself volunteers to translate into English while the other language is handled by an expert.
Children — decked up in the traditional garb of different communities to receive guests — are also a common sight. Here is a scene is from a school in Mannar district. The girl in white represents the Muslim community; the boy in the Nehru cap next to her is the Hindu (Tamil) representative. The girl wearing the sari in traditional Sinhala style stands for the majority community.
The latest addition is the boy next to her, dressed like President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa's brother and Economic Development Minister, Basil, too wears the same white dress with a maroon shawl as does the President’s son and MP Namal Rajapaksa.
