This is Defence Ministry Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne seventh book. It is based on information unearthed by his investigations as Defence Ministry Secretary into the denizens of the underworld or œpathalayoâ as he calls them. The right of Sri Lankan citizens to live in freedom is somewhat threatened by shortcomings in the law and in those that implement it. It is clear that narcotics-related rackets, organised crime, protection rackets and land-grabbing are the primary reasons for this. All of this happens according to the will of the leaders of underworld gangs and their followers. This book looks at how an ordinary citizen becomes an underworld figure, rises to be an underworld king, establishes his own kingdom, is deposed by a rival underworld king and how their widows suffer after the fall of the kingdom. Based on true incidents, this novel provides readers with an insight into the workings of the underworld and the unfortunate fate that awaits all of its denizens – the Pathalayo.