-By A Staff writer
(Lanka-e-News -08.Nov.2024, 9.25 pm) In Colombo’s circles of luxury and power, where every other socialite claims they’ve got a personal connection to someone in high places, Milinda Moragoda’s recent tales have sparked a new wave of amusement. The former diplomat and businessman has been telling Colombo’s elite that he has direct communication with none other than U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. No need for the U.S. Ambassador, he insists. No need for embassy staff. With just one call, Milinda can supposedly cut through red tape faster than a hot knife through butter.
“Don’t worry about U.S. bureaucracy,” he allegedly assured a group of distinguished guests at a recent high-society event. “I’m Donald’s man in Sri Lanka. Just give me a ring, and I’ll take it straight to the White House.” Moragoda went on to add that anyone wanting to sort out issues with Washington should stop wasting their time with official channels. “Direct access,” he hinted, was his specialty.
The Colombo rumor mill was already turning when news broke that Moragoda was looking to attend Trump’s inauguration—apparently by convincing the Republican Party that he’s one of the region’s most influential diplomats. “If only the Republicans knew he was merely a part-time High Commissioner in New Delhi,” chuckled one diplomat.
But it doesn’t stop there. The stories keep coming. According to Moragoda, his Pathfinder think tank is a major player in global geopolitics. In reality, however, it’s viewed by some as more of a cash cow, drawing support and donations while mainly providing a platform for Moragoda to showcase his “connections.” At one recent event, a Colombo socialite whispered, “If he spent as much time paying off his billion-rupee bank loan as he does talking about his connections, maybe he wouldn’t owe millions in interest!”
His critics argue that his “influence” doesn’t extend much further than Colombo’s own cocktail circuits. And yet, he persists, with claims that he’s broken bread with Prime Minister Modi, met the Japanese Prime Minister, and even dined with Middle Eastern royalty. One attendee at a recent event could hardly hold back laughter: “If he actually met all these people, he’d be busier than the U.N. Secretary-General!”
In Colombo, it seems, Milinda’s tales are becoming a family tradition. After all, his father was known to boast that he could place a call to the Indian or British Prime Ministers whenever he pleased. Back then, such claims made a splash, but times have changed. “Milinda’s taking it a step further,” said one Colombo insider. “He’s not just a call away from world leaders—he claims to have Trump on speed dial!”
But the story Colombo elites find most amusing? That Moragoda claims he doesn’t need an appointment to meet with Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake , insisting he can simply stroll in and be received as a valued confidant. As one critic pointed out with a smirk, “If he’s that powerful, maybe he could use that influence to make his billion-rupee loan repayment.”
If nothing else, Milinda Moragoda’s tales have become the talk of the town, a source of amusement in circles where stories like these are appreciated as comedy gold. “Maybe if Trump really does call, he’ll be asking why Moragoda still hasn’t repaid his loans,” quipped one observer. After all, Colombo’s elite may love a tall tale, but even they know the difference between fantasy and reality—especially when a one-billion-rupee debt is involved.
So, Milinda, if that hotline to Trump really exists, maybe now’s the time to use it… and perhaps remind him to send you an inauguration invitation while he’s at it.
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by (2024-11-08 16:05:01)
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