Vehicle fitness certificates over the counter for Rs.500

Believe it or not! There is a provincial politico who plays the ‘go-between’ to help vehicle owners to obtain a roadworthiness certificate for a fee of Rs.500.    

Getaway that ended in a poor toddy treat

A group of politicos paid a visit to some close kin of a prominent political leader at the periphery on invitation the other day. 

Turncoat trying to rock the boat

A self-styled opposition leader of a city council is said to be raising a big ruckus demanding an official chauffeur and aide.

A birthday party that went sour

It was the birthday of a provincial bigwig and his staff chief organized a surprise reception to the boss to mark the event. 

Blood is thicker than water

A big row was bedeviling the Pohottuwa in the recent past. It was a stalwart from a political party in Gampaha who had set the ball rolling.

He has decided to enter the race again

Number One in yahapalanaya, who is also the Blue party leader is said to have taken a firm decision to enter the fray at the upcoming big poll.

Pot calling the kettle black

The Green party’s Diyawanna group met last week with the party leader, Number Two in yahapalanaya in the chair.

Wedding bells overseas echoing here

The eligible bachelor of the family at the centre of the bond scam which is still making sensational news in the country recently tied the knot at a prominent hotel in a European country, Diyawanna sources say.

The guest, after all, didn’t turn up

The Group of 16 had recently organized a special meeting with a special guest at the residence of a Group-member in Punchi-Borella. 

King cobra is his guiding spirit

The Cobra has been an object of vivid imagination from very ancient times. It figures in various contexts in Hindu and Egyptian mythology. In fact, there is a reference to a King Cobra named Muchalinda in Buddhist literature as well. 

Coming events cast a shadow

Purohita Diga from the estate domain took the initiative to set up a housing scheme for estate workers in the gem-rich district. 

They vouch for his vim and vigor

Some employees of a research institute in the agricultural sector were up in arms when they heard that the authorities had decided to send their boss home on retirement.

Dress change to suit new status

How a sarong-wearing lorry driver of a department coming under the purview of a certain Ministry had transformed into a tie-coat wearing executive of the same department overnight has become a hot topic in gossip sessions in public service circles these days, they say.

Tea-party snacks lead to a birthday party

There was a move to shift a certain provincial body to a new building and its political chief held a series of staff conferences to work out the shifting arrangements. 

Coast is clear for his dope-fiends

A purohita at state level, handling a subject mainly related to a vital marine resource has got a regiment of youth as his following whenever he goes about in his constituency.

A parasite on peasants

There is a low-lying area surrounded by mountain ranges like Dumbara, Dumbanagala and the Knuckles, home to a small peasant population who eke out a living by farming and Kitul tapping. 

Flying job goes to the favoured one

This worthy was among those who played a prominent role in bringing yahapalanaya to power. He had recently used his influence with powers that be to secure a high-flying job for his offspring over the heads of several much more qualified aspirants. 

Aversion to an unusual perversion

There is a Diyawanna member at deputy level who often mimics film actors. What is more unusual about him is that he has made it his pastime to whisper to the young female members the juicy details from the private life of other Diyawanna ones.

Now he should keep his word

Several Green members were engaged in an animated discussion in the assembly lobby the other day. 

He puts his foot down

The Pohottuwa stalwarts are now embroiled in a big row over the question of their relationship with the Gang of 16, they say

A letter that sent them into a flutter

A document that passed from hand to hand among the Green backbenchers last week left most of them shocked and baffled, they say.

An appeal in vain

It was about three or four weeks ago that the Green party bigwigs had approved the list of six backbenchers for the deputy and state level posts. The party secretary had prepared this list considering the seniority and the overall performance of the aspirants.

A strange tie-up raises eyebrows

A recent rendezvous between a radical Diyawanna member from the North and a prominent public figure having ties with the opposition has raised a big question mark in political circles these days, they say.

Last days of yahapalanaya?

The young politico from Rajarata, who was recently shifted from the Blue party’s general secretarial status to organizing status has become highly disconcerted over being the main target of attack by the Gang of 16.

His problem had nothing to do with politics!

Number One had a meeting with the leaders of the constituent parties of the alliance recently. Their discussion concentrated mainly on strengthening the alliance to face the upcoming polls from a position of greater strength.

Liberal with public funds

A revenue-earning administrative body in the Western Province is to hold a grand celebration shortly with its food bill alone amounting to Rs.5.5 million, they say. 

A way to the heart through the stomach

A contractor who won a tender to put up a four-storey library building hosted a select group of local politicos and white-collar up high-ups and their families to a grand dinner at a high-end hotel in an upcountry city, they say.

Tug o’war holds up road repairs

A tug o’ war between two purohitas has led to the stalling of an important road development project in a city, they say.

Ban with political undertones?

Security camps have now been declared out of bounds for activists of ex-personnel welfare bodies involved in activities such as enlisting new members and setting up new branch offices, they say.

A pub that has become a nuisance hub!

There is a pub run by a sidekick of a powerful politico in a ‘Kandiya’ area in Digamadulla and the disorderly conduct of the tipplers who frequent this pub has become a nuisance to the children of two schools who must walk past this pub daily, they say.