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The former Media Advisor to the President Sanath Gunatilake may be down, but certainly not out.

It is over three years since the one time confidante of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had to quit his high-powered influence wielding post amidst a cloud. But the movie star-turned politician still appears to be calling the shots. If Gunatilake was Presidential Media Advisor then, he is now no less a personage than "Secretary to the President". At least that is what his electricity bill says.

What is more, the bill is for Rs.59,004.74 as at end September. The Bill bearing Account No.0896487016 also shows that Gunatilake had been granted concessionary payment terms against the total outstanding (Rs.69,217.38) by the CEB for the previous month. Payments totalling Rs. 12,432 had been set off against this sum, the bill shows.

Gunatilake had obviously been making a false declaration that he is "Secretary to the President" in order to extract concessions from the CEB which would not hesitate to disconnect the power supply of ordinary citizens if they fail to settle a meagre outstanding amount.

This begs the question. Was the CEB still unaware that Gunatilake holds no office at the President's Office. If the answer is no, why this subservience ? Or is there more to it than meets the eye? According to reports received by the Daily News, Gunatilake had also moved out of his Manning Town flat two weeks ago.

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