Odd Balls

RIGHT 'Royal' loyalist's of golfing are talking about an exclusive course patronised (besides the ones that are actually playing the ball game) by others who want to be seen-around rubbing shoulders; if not with players that are not in the calibre of Tiger Woods at least with the ones who has similar bank accounts.

In fact 'Club Members' of the old order are laughing that this course has a large membership and since recently are selling them off to people on the waiting list (which is also rather long Colombian is told).

But all this swapping is because, according to the ones that are serious on the sport; the place turns into a swimming pool on a bad day with rainy weather. The place turns into a marsh and there are 'Crocks' in the river that flows by and blah, blah. Now the old 'crocks' of the vintage club are having a right 'Royal' laugh.

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Reckoning royalty

COLOMBIAN'S Colombo Cocktail Circle (The 4/C group) is talking about Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth's visit to Australia; stating that an English TV channel (which does not 'C' an eNd to the N) in their reporting stated that this present visit by the Queen might well be her last to the Kangaroo state?

"Horrible No?" one lady was heard saying, suggesting that the channel is anticipating "Very wicked things no?". But according to what Colombian learnt, the Australians are presently divided on the issue of having British Royalty as head of state?

However many years ago when the same debate was presented as a motion in Parliament it was knocked off by 40% in favour and 60% opposing it. But in a recent survey it has been highlighted that many as 57% wants an Australian to become the head of state.

Where did this other 17% suddenly crop-up you may wonder? Well! Colombian thinks since recently the ratio of non-Australians gaining resident status there has increased by five fold in comparison to 10 years ago.

All of them are from formerly held british colonies, if you name it? So! they want Australia to join the band wagon. Nice No?

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Even nicer

IT is high praise for all the 'British Blessings' that we were blessed with; amongst The 4/C Group (Colombian's Colombo Cocktail Circle) saying "Thanks to those colonial masters Aney! we still have the railway service they gave us intact no?".

Intact indeed, thinks Me Colombian, same carriages, same sleepers, operating to the same destinations and what more ladies! same ticket fares too.

In a recent survey it was revealed that we are still charging the same old fares whereas transport charges have increased tenfold even in developed countries.

For example in most European countries a commuter pays a sum equivalent to 59.00 SL/Rupees per kilometre to travel by train. In Sri Lanka where Colombian's Colombo is concerned we still pay 00.43 CENTS per kilometre for a train ride. 'Colonial sentiments die hard, Honey!'

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Privatising those sentiments

IT is fight and furore within 'Union Circles' here in Colombian's Colombo when it comes to privatisation of so called 'State Assets' which Colombian is told is operating on 'Facets of LOSS'. So what is the cure? Well! Colombian thinks 'cure to come, cause have to find?'

The CAUSE one can see is too much subsidising. Each time fuel prices went rising only the private sector took note of it and increased 'more than necessary'. Governments baring with the public sector and the public sector baring with the public, because 'Have to get the votes no Aney?'

Now! all good things not necessary to have a happy ending also no?

So! public interest between the 'Devil and the Deep Blue Sea'. All this, Colombian thinks, because Governments think of 'voters' interest alone'.

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Voters' interest

WITH the National New Year around the corner certain 'characteristics' of the age old 'Santhosam' that are handed out usually during election times have changed, specially amongst youth.

Most of them specially in the up-country bracket is supposed to have sent feelers to their prospective 'Anneys' that high speed bicycles, (the mountain variety will do nicely) as a perk against their vote, because the 'Perunaal' Races are around the corner and most are planning at taking the big bend at winning big prices.

Some of the 'Dayakayas' and 'Sahodarayas' too have different objectives, Colombian has discovered.

They are not looking at avurudu as an annual event like their brethren from the hills. What they want as 'Santhosam' in comparison will bring them eternal avurudu. Rs. 500 and the 'Bath' parcel is becoming hackneyed in these 'Digital' days.

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'Sympathy-tical' santhosam

AMATEURS that were running for Stardom and Stars that are running for Super status have all got themselves, the contestants and their TV programme (copy of Uncle Sam's Idol) all 'HYPED' up to a high extension during recent times; viewers are wandering upon a star that have appeared up above the sky suggesting that lower below in the ocean something fishy is actually cooking.

With a million bucks in the pot as prize money it won't be 'Fish n Chips' on the menu. Colombian thinks it will be more than a 'Chicken feed' because of the bird flu that's going around, for whoever event managed the 'Accident' it will be 'Bada Pirenda Avurudu' this season.

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Bada pirenda kema

SHIFTING from one end of a 'club complex' in Colombians Colombo to the other end over the Beira Lake, very much in Colombian's territory; has not done much good to an out-fit which got thrown out of a Cyclone to sit next to a white horse.

Now finding that all their Irish gimmicks are not pulling-in a crowd they have changed it all into a 'Local Flavour' if you may call it that? A few press people that were invited to 'taste the change' commented that it was more a 'Local Nightmare' that they were sitting at 'That fateful evening' said one of them scribes.

It was all very local. well as for measurements, Colombian is wondering. Cocktails! with alcohol in Thimble quantities and 'ice rocks refusing to drown in it' other spirits 'Wafer Thin' and the scribes needing to be exorcised from the spirits that were demon-izing them.

Food no match to the drinks. Miniature 'Wadeys' supposed to be the 'Masaala' type, 'Kadala' You know Chick-Peas NO? tiny tablespoon service it-seems? Well, well one lady from the fashion scene came to the rescue explaining. "Aiyo they used to serve the best Irish Coffee No?"

So! instead of singing 'When Irish eyes are smiling', 'The Irish purse strings are tightening' will be apt. But Colombian thinks the latter was always the case.