When the President had reached the hotel after attending the funeral, he had met with a group of ministers and MPs who had flown to Mattala airport from Rathmalana on a special flight. Among them were Mahinda Amaraweera and Tourism minister John Amaratunga.

Upon seeing minister Amaratunga, the President had made others laugh by saying, " Ahh minister, you are creating hit news frequently... Pray tell something that will be splashed all over the papers."

However, the President has voiced his displeasure over the FCID's treatment of state officials.