Nonis and the second coming

Seen at Galle Face last week was Chris Nonis who took a tumble off a bar stool in New York last September and lost his perch as high commissioner in London.

What brought him to Colombo after all these months was the Pope's visit, being the devout Catholic Nonis is, though he forgot to turn the other cheek that night in New York.

"It is not just the Pope but hope that brought him here," said a local wag quite acquainted with the way things are done in Sri Lanka, yahapalanaya or no palanaya. Perfect timing, said another pointing to the fact that Nonis turns up just as his tormentor "Sajin the Obnoxious" (as some call him) and his ministry side-kick Kshenuka Seneviratne, the foreign secretary, fall off their self-erected pedestals.

But what has the Sri Lankans in Britain and seasoned diplomats scratching their heads in bewilderment is the story in an overseas-based news site with close connections to a ministerial type that Nonis is to be put back in his seat, hopefully not one as unsteady as a bar stool at the Big Apple.

That is not all. This news story promoting Nonis says he is well versed in matters relating to the Commonwealth and a great asset to the new President.

The fact is, however that Nonis was a head of mission politically appointed by the previous regime and meant to extol it at every turn.

If being slapped is the qualification for diplomatic appointments, then soon Sajin Vass will have plenty of work on his hands from prospective diplomats queuing outside his residence, said another wag.