This Diyawanna member with dubious educational qualifications was hand-picked by the former strongman to oversee a key Ministry, which was in the charge of a learned professor. The overseer contributed liberally towards making the previous regime unpopular.


The lavish lifestyle led by this member at public expense while being a blue-eyed sycophant of the former royal family is a main topic in political circles these days.

This one-time high flier was a leading member of the entourage that accompanied the deposed strongman to the annual UN sessions last year.
The bills on wining and dining he ran during his stay in an exclusive hotel in New York would put to shame even a king used to an extravagant lifestyle, they say. According to the hotel bills submitted to account for his expenses, this worthy had helped himself to meals priced in the range of US$ 90.57 to US$292.20.

 The expensive meals and wine alone could not make the man happy. He had wanted expensive adult’s only films too to keep himself entertained, they say. 
It is a strange twist of fate, this Diyawanna member who once enjoyed life to his heart’s content in expensive hotel suites, of course at public expense, is today languishing in a state-run lodge.