They want to know the Oil Price Formula !

Some junior Diyawanna Greens are said to be in an ugly mood, they say.

Picking the horse for the big race sets a poser !

Informal high-level talks are said to be going on behind the scene these days to bring about a rapprochement between the two Diyawanna factions of the Blue Party.  

He has yet to quit the official residence !

The sporty Diyawanna politico from Wayamba, who had to quit yahapalanaya along with 15 other colleagues, is yet to quit the official residence assigned to him when he was a purohita. He continues to stay put in this residence disregarding several ‘quit notices’ already served on him, they say.

Were the varsity students incited ?

When a group of cinema lovers and artistes from the South took the initiative to hold an international film festival in Jaffna they had to face opposition from several quarters. In fact, they had been much dismayed when a certain group from the Jaffna University vowed they would not allow the event to take place.

Bargaining has begun !

King Rooster from the upcountry plantations domain had recently called on Number One in yahapalanaya.

A chat with father’s critic !

The sons of the former strongman along with several buddies visited the book fair in the city the other day.  The first stall the Diyawanna son was to visit was that of his Sinhala language teacher. And he bought a book and got it autographed by the teacher. He spent some time at this stall recalling humorous incidents dating back to his school days and sharing jokes with his buddies.

He didn’t want to be the co-chief guest !

A group of civil society leaders including some prominent academics and intellectuals had recently organized a commemorative ceremony in honour of the revered Indian national leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Jealousy or sheer cussedness?

The young fair ones at the august assembly recording the proceedings when it is in session had recently found more to their surprise than annoyance that the entrance to the corridor they used to come into their section or go out was blocked and instead a new entry and exit point opened for them.

Winning good will and incurring ill-will!

A senior top team member has lately stopped inviting his deputy to the Ministry functions or conferences.

Price of their ‘ayes’ was a holiday abroad!

A provincial chief had managed to get the council’s annual budget passed thanks to the support he got from a group of Opposition members promising them an all-expenses-paid foreign tour. However, the chief, who never meant to fulfil the promise, is said to be avoiding any contact with these members these days.

A good angler quick to see an easy catch!

The political sibling who is the livewire of Pohottuwa has set his eye on a Green stalwart, who is said to be nursing a grouse against the party leadership.

A brief dialogue that tells a long story!

A young dainty fair Diyawanna member of the Colombo District had reportedly created a scene at a key Ministry by berating a security guard on duty there.

Partying to mark the parting of the ways!

They have reportedly had their last supper in style.

A maniac on the loose!

This officer whose job is to look after the health of the public has become a nuisance to young female minor employees working under his supervision, they say.

Flowers to her feet to find the way to her heart!

A female high-up who got her political appointment to Sabaragamuwa recently had occasion to take a brief walk to a public place while she was on an official tour in the area.

The one for the road went awry!

A rush bid by a powerful provincial politico of a council which is at the fag-end of its term to award several tenders to a select few was thwarted by a white-collar high -up who intervened on time, they say.

He’s not aware of what goes right under his nose!

This story is about the doings of a former local politico who is now functioning as the coordinating secretary of a high political authority.  

A radical change in the political scene in the offing?

The political sibling -aka Master Brain behind Pohottuwa-who had just begun a three-month holiday in the land of Uncle Sam had taken the party men by surprise when he suddenly returned home last Tuesday.

A deadline timed with the Annual Budget!

The Green party burly one sulking over the loss of the prestigious portfolio, made calculated moves one after another from time to time to make a comeback to the former glory without success.

Bodhi poojas to bless rogues!

A group of JO front liners led by the former strongman had recently participated in a Bodhi Pooja held at a temple in the Kurunegala area to invoke blessings on their gabby colleague Johnny cooling his heels in a State-run lodge these days.

Rebels under close watch!

The former Green party secretarial one, reduced to a nonentity following his miscalculated somersault, however, is not a politico prepared to go into oblivion.

Reluctant support from seniors!

The JO group is set to embark on a new political venture: to expose the doings of the khaki top brass and the legal wing of the State. The young one of the leading political dynasty who gave leadership to the recent Janabalaya has been invited to lead the proposed new venture as well, they say.

A summary dismissal!

The King Rooster from the estate domain had recently taken several prospective investors from the neighbouring country to a white-collar bigwig at a key Ministry. Introductory civilities over, he had explained that the visitors were interested in undertaking a multi-million-dollar project in this country.

A compromise to have their clothes on!

A group of Green backbenchers had met recently and their discussion had mainly centred on the doings of the khaki chief.

Romance in the House!

A budding romance between a dashing Romeo and a fair and lovely one, both Diyawanna members hailing from Sabaragamuwa lends a poetic quality to the grim and sombre atmosphere in the august assembly on some days, they say.

The imperious lady is a source of humour for them!

The arrogant conduct of a tall lady holding secretarial status in a Diyawanna committee has become a source of good humour for the employees of the august assembly, they say.

Greeting with a bearhug and a kiss!

There is a zonal head in the education sector known to be a buddy of an influential politico, who has made it a habit to greet young female teachers with a bearhug and a kiss, they say.

Jubilation over seven-day crown!

A provincial purohita who was appointed to act for the Chief for mere seven days reportedly celebrated the event with a noisy street parade.

Jumbo-sized delegation to UN raises eyebrows

The jumbo-sized delegation that has been accompanying the country’s Number One on his yearly visit to New York to attend the UNGA annual general sessions has been a hot topic from the days of the previous regime.

Never stingy with taxpayers’ money!

Some 700 air fresheners have reportedly been purchased for use inside the main council which moved into a brand-new building complex recently.