A big tip for billing for coffee!

The former strongman accompanied by a group of loyal Diyawanna members left for South Korea the other day in response to an invitation.

He has bounced back to win a contract

This character is a member of a well-known political family in Gampaha. He had never contested an election to enter the Diyawanna council though his other siblings had done so from different political parties. However, in the recent past he contested an election of a different type and lost. 

He wants his ‘other woman’ kept out of the scene

An employee at the august assembly whose main job is to wait on a leading politico has now doubled his role as a messenger between his master and a former purohita, now a JO stalwart.

Crybaby says he is powerless!

There is a cry baby among purohitas eternally blaming his bad luck.

She blames lover for her predicament!

The course of true love has stopped running smooth for a Diyawanna lover as his ladylove, a comely artiste has begun quarrelling with him with no end in sight. 

Scapegoats found for VAT fiasco?

A story going viral in political circles says that the axe is about to fall on two secretarial bigwigs for failing in their responsibility in regard to observing the due process in presenting the VAT (Amendment) Bill in terms of the relevant Constitutional provisions and Standing orders.  

Wining and dining an unwelcome visitor!

There is a Police Division close to the city, where the OICs in this division are said to be discussing in whispers a ‘curse’ that is plaguing them these days. 

They have coined a new nickname for him

A senior Betel leaf purohita at Diyawanna council has earned a new nickname. This purohita often enjoying a nap at public functions hails from a faraway district, but most of his time is 

Lay-aide of deity on an ungodly venture

This character – a Nilame, the lay custodian of a devalaya in Ruhuna dedicated to an imperious deity commanding much power over the humans has become a law unto himself, 

‘Paadayathra’ has lowered his cholesterol level

Many politicians these days are coming out with the findings of the post-mortems they had 

Floundering ‘monera’ about to crash-land?

This state-owned undertaking called the pride of the island nation has been carrying the national flag of the country high in the air throughout the globe for several decades. Due to 

Cook functions as a lecturer at this seat of learning

Bizarre happenings have been reported in the recent past from a great seat of learning in the country. 

He goes out unbowed

The white-collar one heading the department controlling everything connected with liquor has been given a sudden punishment transfer.  

Fishing in troubled waters

Several purohitas had pressed the authorities in the highest echelons to take stern action 

Bickering among JO bigwigs over Paadayathra blunders

As the din of public debate over the paadayathra appears trailing off, recriminations among JO stalwarts have begun over the failure to pull their weight to make the event a success, they 

He thinks he is the best of the best performers

There is a certain Diyawanna member from the South highly dejected over not being picked to head the list of the best performing members. 

She was too good-looking to fill the bill

This fair Diyawanna member from the central hills had a young comely girl as her security officer. This girl was quite efficient and duty-conscious as well. But the Diyawanna member had to have this girl replaced by another female not so good looking.

They had a good time at public expense

High-ups of a state body controlling internal air traffic were having a good time wining at a series of cocktail parties in high-end hotels in the city held on the sidelines of an international conference hosted by them.

Mum over scam

Government audit has revealed that a fair chairperson, of a state-owned establishment, has embezzled a record Rs.13.8 million. 

He did not want to sit behind others

Religious dignitaries from all denominations, purohitas of all ranks, Ministry secretaries, departmental heads and top brass of the security forces were among 

Pushing it under the carpet?

A powerful purohita from Rajarata has made a financial crime allegation against another colleague – a big-mouthed one hailing from the same province.   

Is he playing a double game?

A surprise was in store for those who thought that tensions would run high at the meeting between the Big Boss and the JO group held on the eve of the 

Marking time until better times come

A former purohita, this vociferous Diyawanna member was found highly excited and buoyant over the big event – Paada yathra, when a chief purohita met him in a town in the West the other day.   

They got only a clue to make a guess

Several senior purohitas of yahapalanaya were having a good time together. They 

Pressing for action against former bigwig

A tug-o-war over a proposal that deterrent action be taken against a powerful person of the previous regime is underway, they say.  

Nationalist monk assured no harm will come to country or religion

The country’s Big Boss is said to have had a rendezvous with a prominent 

Bashing it in public and courting it in secret

This prominent JO group member hailing from the upcountry rode high and mighty in the media scene during the previous regime.   

Staffers shy away from the workshop!

The authorities had had a hard time in getting the members of the Diyawanna council staff to attend a US-sponsored workshop held exclusively for them recently.

Foreign tour plan for kinsman foiled!

An attempt made by a yahapalanaya purohita, once a close friend of the former strongman, to arrange a foreign tour under state patronage for a kinsman has failed due to an objection raised by a senior colleague, they say. This kinsman is an artiste in the field of dancing.  

A dispute over a mug on a poster

An objection made to the display of the mug of a certain politico on an SLTB poster has led to the printing of a new set of posters at a huge additional cost.