Yuddeta nethi kaduwa kos kotannada?

English translation:

Yudde (n): war
Nethi (prep): without/ not available
Kaduwa (n): sword
Kos (n): jack fruit
Kotanawa (v): slice

Literal meaning:

Should the sword slice jack fruit if it is not used for war?

Idiomatic meaning:

What is the use if the implement is not used for its intended purpose?

Atheesareta amude gasanawa wage

English translation:

Atheesare (n): dysentery
amude (n): loincloth
gasanawa (v): wear
wage (prep): like

Literal meaning:

Wear a loincloth to control dysentery

Idiomatic meaning:

Use a futile method to solve a grave problem

Lella nethi kesel gediya wage

English translation:

lella (n): skin of a fruit

nethi (prep): without

kesel (n): banana

gediya (n): fruit

wage (prep): like

Literal meaning:

a banana without the skin

Idiomatic meaning:

without any protection against attack

Kahi ganee deela hotu ganee ganeema

English translation:

kahi (adj) = coughing

ganee (n) = a woman

deela (v) = give 

hotu (adj) =  with a runny nose

ganeema (v) = accept

Literal meaning: 
 

Choosing a woman with a cold in place of another with a cold

Idiomatic meaning:

Opting for an equally bad solution for want a better alternative