 Former United National Party (UNP) deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya seems to have more time on his hands now.
Just last Thursday, he signed as witness for seven different weddings, some for the brides' side and some for the groom. He seems to be getting more social invitations than before.
Last week, he also received a letter from a counsel representing the UNP Disciplinary Committee calling for his explanation for violating discipline and bringing disrepute to the leader. This was by making public comments on an an incident where an inquiry was being conducted.
Jayasuriya says he has handed the matter to his lawyers. His close aides say a response is likely before next week, the deadline for his answers.
Harsha says GL's claim a fabrication
External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris is known for his many gaffes. Only weeks ago, he welcomed the Foreign Minister and the Ambassador of Palestine as those from "the State of Israel."
What he has said in Washington DC is being hotly challenged by a UNP economist. Peiris said: "The most striking developments have really been in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka where the economy is growing by as much as 22 per cent in comparison with the average for the rest of the island, which is about 8 per cent. Now this is the result of an emphasis on the development of infrastructure to a degree that is really without (inaudible) at any other time in the island's history."
United National Party (UNP) MP and economist Harsha de Silva has this to say: "The 22 per cent growth for the Northern Province is the NOMINAL figure which INCLUDES INFLATION in the province (which was certainly very high; but we don't have data). The 8 per cent national average is the REAL figure which is after accounting for INFLATION. Therefore, you CANNOT compare the two figures. NO way! This is PURE MANIPULATION. The Government's "most striking development" is a fabrication."
Bigger chair for fat MP
Sri Lanka Freedom Party started its reorganising programme in Anuradhapura last week.
Many party heavyweights were seen actively involving themselves in the two-day programme. After opening the SLFP district office in Anuradhapura, supporters were asked to take their seats. Galle Parliamentarian Nisahantha Muthuhettigama was seen pulling one of the plastic chairs to sit.
UPFA MP for Kegalle, Kanaka Herath spotted the fatty MP trying to push his plump body into the chair. He walked towards Muthuhettigama. "Manthreethuma poddak inna. oya putuwa obathumata oroththu denne nehe. Inna man wena putuwak genella dennam." (Mr. MP, please wait. That chair doesn't fit you. I will arrange another one), he said. Then Herath asked one of the supporters to bring him a chair from the house of Berty Premalal Dissanayake, the Chief Minister of the North Central Province.
A child's savings for a better country
JVP MP Vijitha Hearth was attending a meeting to raise funds for the party affiliated Socialist Labour Union.
He made a speech recalling the commitments shown by party comrades. Members started to hand over savings they collected through 'keta wyaparaya' or collection money in tills.
The daughter of an employee of Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital also walked towards Herath with a till and handed it over to him."Mamey apita honda ratak hadala denna"(Uncle, build a good country for us).
Diplomat has his way with 117 kilo baggage
The Sri Lankan envoy in an Asian capital went mad when airline officials refused to load his luggage.
Whilst there were fears of the flight to the capital where he was posted getting delayed, the diplomat argued the baggage should go. Otherwise, he said, he would not go.
Helpless airline staff said if it was just ten or twelve kilogrammes overweight, they would allow the baggage. However, it was 117 kilogrammes. Helpless airline officials woke up one of their bosses and told them about their predicament. He said to load the excess baggage free of charge.
Jupiter's move may add more to the jumbo Cabinet
The transition of Jupiter last week has rekindled speculation about a Cabinet re-shuffle once more.
UPFA insiders now say such a ministerial change is likely in June. Naturally that has led to a string of requests from Government Parliamentarians. Whilst some deputy ministers are to be elevated to ministerial rank, they say, at least 14 MPs are likely to succeed them.
President's birthday advice to Tissa
UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake celebrated his 51st birthday last week.
One of the first to wish him on the telephone was President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He spoke to him before UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Rajapaksa's advice to Attanayake: "Tissa oya mona prashnayak awath paksahaya dala yanna epa.oya mawa adharashayata ganna.Oyata loku gamanak thiyenawa." (Tissa, whatever problems you may face, do not leave your party. Take me as an example. You have a long journey to go."
 Three in three-wheeler rule may be changed
The limitation imposed by the Government on number of passengers who could travel in three-wheeler scooter taxis is likely to be changed. Police earlier limited it to three.
The matter was raised in the Cabinet last week. Several ministers pointed out that there are complaints from villagers. They say it was not fair since three-wheeler scooters were the only mode of transport.
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapkasa concurred on the views xpressed.
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