Mahinda Rajapaksa's ears must have been burning yesterday, as ministers took turns to confess their gratitude to the President during the parliamentary session.

"We must be grateful to him" urged UPFA member VK Indika, lauding the "numerous benefits" Rajapaksa is said to have been bestowed upon the fisheries sector.

"We must thank President Rajapaksa for eliminating terrorism" echoed UPFA's Suriapperuma.

Meanwhile UPFA MP Azwer took things one step further - Rajapaksa deserves a peace prize.

Lamenting what he described as the West's misguided view of a peace, Azwer urged the Norwegian Nobel Committee to present the next prize to the Sri Lankan President.

"Eradication of terrorism was a formidable feat no head of state in the world had achieved, except President Mahinda Rajapaksa."

"Therefore, looking at the attainment of peace in its proper perspective, the President rightfully deserves to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize."

"President Obama was subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. May I ask for what? The Norwegian Nobel Committee made this award to President Obama ‘for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of work and work for a world without nuclear weapons."

"That is how the West understands or rather misunderstands – the concept of real peace."