When you add a portlet to a page with multiple columns, when you add a portlet it is automatically added to column 1. If you move the portlet to another column, then add another portlet, on return to the edit page screen, all portlets that have been moved in this screen are back to column 1.
This is because when the item is added, it is saved as part of column 1, the move to another column is not saved till OK is selected. When another portlet is added, upon return, the screen is refreshed and the metadata is re-read (which still has the first portlet in column 1).
the workaround is to add all portlets first, they will all show up in the first column, then organize them into the columns you want and save the page edits.
When you add a portlet to a page with multiple columns, when you add a portlet it is automatically added to column 1. If you move the portlet to another column, then add another portlet, on return to the edit page screen, all portlets that have been moved in this screen are back to column 1.
This is because when the item is added, it is saved as part of column 1, the move to another column is not saved till OK is selected. When another portlet is added, upon return, the screen is refreshed and the metadata is re-read (which still has the first portlet in column 1).