A story that has gone viral in political circles says that a leading political authority had to remain bed-ridden for seven days at a stretch with a ‘pattuwa’ – a herbal semi-solid paste applied on his back as Ayurvedic treatment for a severe attack of lumbago, they say. 

This top politico, given to traditional ways, had not been able to attend the Diyawanna council in the recent past even to register his vote.

He had not got the expected relief from pain though he had the ‘pattuwa’ plastered on his back for seven days in a row. 

“One becomes utterly helpless in times of illness no matter how one is  high and mighty,” he wants to tell all and sundry these days, they say.