Hoppers, pol sambol, Swiss chocolates and Ambassador Regazzoni

Ambassador: A few years ago at a United Nations Day in Colombo, a cheerful foreigner reached out to me. He gave me his card with only his name printed on it. I wondered for a moment and he introduced himself as the new ambassador to Switzerland in Sri Lanka.

That's how I first met Bernidino Regazzoni. He was even more delighted when I said I was from 'The Island' newspapers. He said "That's interesting and we have a lot to discuss". He wanted to discuss some matters regarding a news item the paper had published. 'The Island' direct as always, and the new Ambassador had felt the pinches and the punches already, in my Sri Lanka.

Regazzoni was unusually friendly and I told him "You cannot be a typical Swiss". "No. no I am Swiss" Only then I realized he was Swiss Italian. Though I have met some very interesting Swiss people lately many know about the typical Swiss and how they hide things in 'pig skin' briefcases, so tightly. No wonder the politicians and others hide their money in Swiss Banks. But, here was a different Swiss, I realized.

Regazzoni was a Swiss who was reaching out. "I want to understand this country and its people better. I need to meet more journalists since I used to work with journalists back home. I am also a journalist in a way", he said. That was the beginning of a good friendship with an interesting Ambassador who made friends with many journalists and others.

He reached out to us as a friend and even the so-called 'hardcore' journalists became his good friends. I remember his choice of journalists who were sent to Switzerland to study the Federal system or let me say how the Swiss system worked. He selected among them few journalists the Norwegians wouldn't have dared to send to Oslo.

At the time Norway was sending hordes of journalists on Peace Tours. Regazzoni told the group that they could write anything and be critical of the Swiss and it did not matter to him. He did not try to poke his nose to our affairs. Yes. We wrote and everything was not favourable to the Swiss. But, he did not mind and the Swiss builder continued to build dams and bridges in Sri Lanka. Of course there were chocolates in plenty.

I think he found the time for everything and for everyone from music, literature and politics to ordinary people, journalists, activists, politicians and academics. I remember a TV journalist speaking of Regazzoni's musical interests with enthusiasm once.

He was keen to find out how things worked in Sri Lanka and about the college ties and connections. Once he wanted to know about the Royal, S. Thomas', Trinity and other college ties and mafias in Sri Lanka and how those connections worked in our society. He actually noted them down and also had a hearty laugh. I think he went deep into it and later made connections on how some things worked here. He could easily find out the college connections thereafter.

We had several background discussions and arguments. We agreed to disagree and I accused his country which the world expects to be ultra neutral of being biased towards the LTTE at times. He denied it. But, we still have to fight it out. However, I always felt that he had genuine feelings towards Sri Lanka.

I know he would always remember this country for so many reasons including his tsunami experience. He and his family got caught to the tsunami. But, they were saved though his car was submerged in the tsunami. He did not want to speak about it to the media here. But, I still think it's time he speaks to the Sri Lankan press about that experience since it is his farewell time and he does not have to keep it as a diplomatic secret anymore.

He never failed to surprise his friends and he was fast becoming a good Sri Lankan. Regazzoni enjoyed the typical Sri Lankan meals at his home and his cooks even had to prepare hoppers for lunch. So, he beat us Sri Lankans by having hoppers for lunch while we have hoppers either for breakfast or dinner.

He enjoyed halmesso (sprats) and papadam, katta sambol, pol sambol and many other Sri Lankan dishes hot and spicy of course. Once he told me "I have learned things fast. I know the Buddhist way, the Hindu way, the Sinhalese way and the Tamil way and I will even learn to chant Pirith very soon". Hope he had learned some pirith by now because he was very interested.

Having dealt with so many people with diverse views at a time we don't know who our real friends are while some people are selling this island of ours for dollars, euros and kroners. Ambassador Regazzoni always told me "Bandula, it is a noble thing to love your country." I may forget everything else but I will remember the Swiss diplomat for those words. Good Bye Mr. Ambassador.

My hope is that those who sell this country also would learn to love Sri Lanka. It is not only mine it's theirs too, only if they treat Sri Lanka that way.