Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was seen yelling at his Private Secretary Uditha Lokubandara yesterday in the presence of TV cameras.

The incident took place outside the former President's personal residence in Colombo.

"Moda Yakek," Rajapaksa told one of his aides, referring to his own Private Secretary Lokubandara. At the time the remark was made, Lokubamdara was flanking the former President. 

It looked as if Rajapaksa for a moment forgot that there were TV cameras around him.

Then he smiled at the cameras and ordered Lokubandara to clear out immediately. 

A former Parliamentarian and the son of former Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara, Uditha Lokubandara seemed flummoxed due to the unexpected response he received from the former President.