Good word from wrong party was to their disadvantage

None of the Blue party’s Diyawanna ones --  either the backbenchers or purohitas at state or deputy level --  got a promotion to top team status at the latest reshuffle of the pack.  According to reports, there were several Blue ones who were eagerly looking forward to a kick upstairs and conspicuous among them were grey-haired and bearded senior from Colombo, Lucky from Mahiyanagana and the business tycoon from Negombo. 

Operating from home after portfolio swap

It is well known that several politicos who had their portfolios changed at the latest reshuffle are not happy with their present portfolios. 

He is a loner now

The Green one from Puttalam going for the jugular of the Green leader was taking swipes at him almost daily for some time and he suddenly went abroad on the eve of the no-confidence motion. 

He has an axe to grind

aA newcomer to Diyawanna, this young Green member from the gem-rich district came into limelight when he appeared at the forefront of the battle for radical reforms in the party. 

Hardcore 7 waiting for opportune moment

The sensational news in the recent past that a 20-member rebel group in the Green party was poised for a do-or-die battle to bring about a radical change in the party hierarchy kept even the party members and sympathizers at the grassroots level on their toes. In fact, it was welcome news for them for they were eagerly looking forward to a revival of the party with the old set giving way to new young blood.

A story behind a tender extension

A rumour making rounds in political circles says that a certain political high authority has turned over 70 duty-free shops at an airport into a veritable gold mine!

They ran helter-skelter for safety in nightwear

A group of politicos from the West on a visit to the North recently had to suffer a terrible scare when they got an alarm over the phone in the midnight that a fire was raging on the 5th floor of the hotel they had checked in to.

His plan goes awry

A close buddy of a high political authority, this white collar one handling planning work in a government establishment, is said to be a typical Romeo.

Sibling made a fortune out of the bungalow tender

A story gone viral in the education sector about a bungalow for a school principal put up at a cost of Rs.20 million in the backwoods of the   paradise is said to be raising many an eyebrow. 

Her fall follows that of her political mentor

This lady was promoted to a zonal high office in the education department over and above the heads of several persons much more qualified seniority and merit-wise thanks to her close connection to a powerful provincial political authority. 

High authority is shielding two fraudsters

Government audit has revealed that two white-collar high-ups of a state-run undertaking had pocketed Rs.113 million of public money from the sale of a certain product essential for the transport sector. But no disciplinary action has been taken against the errant duo due to the intervention of a powerful politico. 

Suffering setbacks in political battles

The politico-turned-general despite the happy turn of fortune since yahapalanaya taking office had not been happy with his lot thereafter too. His complaint had always been that he had not been assigned a subject he was best suited for.

He had to play hide and seek

Mariks of Kolonnawa was a guest at the opening of the Vesak Zone organized by his former workplace. Number One was the Chief Guest at the event. 

Was he in a coma?

Green party’s businessman-politico from Digamadulla was among the top team members sworn in, the other day.

There was no cause for thanksgiving

A Green party Diyawanna politico representing a constituency north of the city renowned for pearls in ancient times, had been seen carrying a tray of flowers inside the most sacred Buddhist shrine in the hill country almost daily in the recent past.

Failed mission of an enterprising politico

The political sibling of the Giruwapattu family who has been given the credit for leading Pohottuwa to victory at the last mini-polls, held a bash the other day to mark his birthday. His elder sibling, the former strongman too had attended the event.  Gabby Rattaran had brought the birthday cake.

Right combination is about to come right

Purohita Mangie had wanted to make a certain request to Number One ever since taking over the Finance portfolio and he was patiently biding his time.  And the opportunity had come in his way quite recently and he had told Number One that he, as the person handling Finance wished to deal with the closely allied subject of Banks as well.

A selfless offer with a romantic undertone

A big row over the question of a toilet is said to be brewing these days at a key government office located at a very high level at a high rise building the city, they say.

Dansala or a publicity stunt

A Vesak dansala held by a leading politico in the central hills seen as typical publicity stunt has become a main joking point for the people in the area these days.

Mining parapet walls for geuda stones

A powerful politico in an area North of the hill city had got a Bodhi Praakara – a parapet wall around a Bodhi – torn down to recover a large haul of geuda stones buried in it, they say.

Making hey while the Sun shines

The head of a state-owned establishment is said to be illegally drawing a hefty monthly pay of Rs.800,000. 

Parapet wall goes higher as tenure grows shorter

A certain provincial political chief has taken action to put up a very high parapet wall around his official bungalow after demolishing the five-foot parapet wall which was already there. 

A benefactor’s unseen hand

A high white-collar authority of the main state-run lodge said to be responsible for turning another lodge high-up into an inmate of the same lodge has been transferred out with immediate effect, they say.

Why he turned hostile no more a puzzle

This pro-left university academic with close ties to Pohottuwa has suddenly become a virulent critic of the 16-member group which crossed over to the opposition to the puzzlement of his political associates, they say.

Costly bash that raised eyebrows

A prominent opposition politico who started his career as a revolutionary Marxist recently is said to have thrown a grand party at a high-end hotel to celebrate his daughter’s high performance at a national level examination for students.

Lamborghini shrouded in mystery

The former strongman had occasion to visit Nuwara Eliya the other day to attend a function there. He was to be hosted to lunch at a ‘grand’ hotel in the city. 

Ruffled over coming of an interloper

There was a rumour swirling in political circles in the recent past that a Blue big gun from Rajarata was getting set to join the Green party. Some Greens ruling the roost in that part of the country went long-faced when they first heard this rumour, they say.

They are to function as an independent group

The Cabal of 16 now set to sit in the opposition held a decisive powwow in the Gentlemen’s Game House the other day.  While discussing their political future, they considered the question of teaming up with Pohottuwa.

It was their meditation time

A former senior white-collar bigwig who once held high office in the country’s public administration phoned the headquarters of a department responsible for maintaining law and order about 8.40 in the morning. 

Heads to roll at Gentlemen’s Game

Captain Cool is said to have received an invitation to run for the main chair of the Gentlemen’s game this time round.