Rising star
US Ambassador, Peter Burleigh, is cutting short his tour of duty in Sri Lanka prematurely. It may be as early as June, this year.
The envoy, well known for his disarming smile and the colourful bow tie is going on promotion.
Mr. Burleigh is to be the Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States at the United Nations.
The talk in the corridors of the State Department in Washington D.C., according to reports reaching Colombo, is that Mr. Burleigh, a fluent Sinhala speaker, will not only hold Ambassadorial rank but also Cabinet rank.
Together with Mr. Burleigh some of the other top rungers in the US Embassy are also leaving. That includes his amiable deputy, John Boardman and Political Officer, Scot Delisi.
Interestingly these changes are coming when Sri Lanka-US relations are at its zenith, particularly in the field of counter terrorism.
Good luck to you Mr. Burleigh! For you too, Mr. Boardman and Mr. Delisi.
Roger, over, out
Remember the SLAF Antonov 32 crash on February 27 after it overshot the runway?
A Court of Inquiry ruled that it was caused by a misunderstanding in communications between the Pilot and the Co-pilot.
The Pilot, a Sri Lankan veteran with more than 13,000 flying hours to his credit, had handed over controls of that ill-fated flight to his Ukranian Co-pilot. What happened is now history.
Now comes the news about the Flight Engineer, who was an Ukranian himself.
Insiders say that the man was a regular operating in an airline in Ukraine. He had come here to earn extra money during a month long holiday. The man is back to his original job.
Gem of a palace
The palace in the ten acre setting is magnificient with imported fittings, granite and even marble. The flood-lit man made lake takes well over half an acre and the drive ways are paved and lined with trees. Practically every flowering plant and shady tree has found a place in the sprawling garden.
Those in Hollywood may not have still heard about the place. Otherwise, it will certainly become a film location of repute. It is located just ten minutes away from the City of Colombo. The place gives true meaning to the word extravaganza.
Who owns it? Well, who else except those who come from gem pits?
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