This scion of the Dambulla political family of the 1956 origin was in hospital when Police arrested him in connection with a killing that had taken place way back in 1999.
A group of party colleagues visited him in hospital the other day and they were engrossed in small talk for some time. The Dambulla politico grew sentimental when their conversation turned to the topic of cut-throat politics among the party colleagues. With tears in his eyes he said: “I had no involvement in this case. I have been framed. My rival in the district is the author of all my troubles. Whenever, our former boss visited Matale, he would make it a point to call on him as his lunch or dinner guest.” He continued after a pause: “Our former Boss sent 100 ‘pirikara’ as offerings at a Sanghika Dana held at my rival’s residence as a gesture of his goodwill. My father slaved for the party until his death. But our former Boss didn’t send even a yard of fabric as an offering at the Pinkama held to mark his death anniversary…”
A call that came on his mobile interrupted his tale of woe. It was a call from the new Big Boss who is also the current party leader.
The new Boss had called the unhappy Dambulla politico to console him with some encouraging words, they say.