The Speaker hosts a dinner for all members of Parliament

One of the highlights of the last day of Parliamentary sittings each year is the traditional dinner hosted by the Speaker to Members of Parliament where government and opposition members put behind all rancour and hostilities displayed during the preceding budget debate and join in merriment.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who freely mingled with the legislators joining in their wisecracks and banter, in the company of Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga while others savour the light moment, when he dropped in at the Speaker’s official residence on the occasion, Saturday night.