"An Official Guest of the Sri Lankan Government"

While I did not have a band greet me or receive a key to the city, I couldn’t have been happier with my arrival. I hadn’t seen David since the day I left Hong Kong over 4 years ago. We had missed each other the last time I came to Asia in 2004 and I had promised that I would come and see him. The desire to visit him and his family in Sri Lanka (along with other friends in Asia) is what prompted this trip, more so than the sight-seeing and adventure. We hopped in his government-issued SUV and he drove me to the government bungalow he had arranged for my visit. It is a nice place and free so I couldn’t be happier. He also took my passport and is having his staff process my Indian visa (saved me a full day at the embassy and $40US). Additionally, I have a personal car and driver at my disposal, the driver is a 3-time former national karate champion and a bit of a celebrity (so it sounds like the car/driver is when he’s not busy at the office, understandable).
After taking a three hour plus nap I awoke at my hotel to shower, type up some blog entries, and prepare for my pickup at 1pm. David ended up sending a man from the branch presidency that was going to meet him at the minister’s office anyway. He took me to McDonalds for lunch, told me about the Church here, and swapped mission stories (he served in the Singapore Mission in the 1990s). When I got to the ministry I sat in the waiting room while David was working with the minister and meeting with citizens. After a while they ushered me in and introduced me to the staff and the minister. He was a nice guy who didn’t speak English but insisted I eat watermelon with him and stay while they conducted business. The group talked for a good half hour or so in Sinhala as I sat oblivious to what was being discussed. Once in a while David would give me a bit of information but he was really busy answering three different phones, discussing issues, and helping his boss. It was kind of crazy to meet and share food with such an important cabinet minister in the circumstances but quite enjoyable. After business was done they discussed what work I would do in the office when I volunteered here and which areas I would be of most help in. They seem to have much higher expectations of me than I expected so I better bring my game face next week (and buy some dress clothes). All I have for nice clothes is one short-sleeve white shirt and a pair of khakis with no shoes. When I met the minister I was wearing flip-flops, the khakis, and my blue/white button down collared shirt. Thankfully, business dress over here isn’t super nice so I didn’t look too shabby and the minister wasn’t even wearing a tie so I felt OK.
I think the rest of the day will be spent in David’s office with him being busy and me blogging and reading. Wednesday is National People’s Day (or something like that) and all the ministers and high-level bureaucrats have to meet with citizens to discuss there concerns. I guess it is a direct order from the president and a big deal, as David said, “You don’t get Wednesday off unless you are out of the country or dead.” David has employed a couple other LDS people in the office here and throughout the government so we joked that Mormons are taking over. His boss doesn’t know tons about the Church but seems cool with it. The minister’s son-in-law is a member although his daughter is not. I couldn’t get a picture with the minister before he had to go (plenty of other opportunities ahead) so I got one of David at his desk, his building (his office is one of the round glass parts on the 4th floor), and David, the minister’s son-in-law, and me in front of pictures of the minister and the president.