Cannot Ban Big Matches Because Boss Is Going: Minister

Minister for Education Akila Kariyawasam said the despite the protestations from Buddhist monks, big matches cannot be banned mainly due to the fact that his boss would be attending one of them.

Speaking to the media the Minister said, “We pulled together a list of pros and cons with regards to big matches and sent it to the PM. He said that he will review after the big match so I guess for this year at least they will be going ahead. However, in order to prevent any outbreak of violence, we have banned any prelates, known for instigating violence, from attending. We also are reducing alcohol tax on day one of the matches. That way we expect most revellers will have passed out for the remainder of the match.”

A member of the Joint Opposition said, “Yahapaalanaya has been one big match for the Government. They don;t know who is in or out, or what the score is. They are just watching from the sidelines, listening to the music and scratching each others backs. Most of them are also talking baila.”