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A high ranking Defence Ministry official, now under investigation in a high profile case, has left Sri Lanka, raising doubts about her return. Criminal Investigations Department (CID) sources say she is one of those who have been questioned at length in the high-profile case. They were in consultation with the Attorney General’s Department on what action could be taken against her, they say.

However, this official had obtained prior clearance from higher ups before her departure. A source at the Ministry claimed she obtained leave for personal reasons and it has been authorised by a top official. The move comes amidst doubts that the investigations that began with a bang would end up in a whimper. Heavy pressure is being exerted. They say wealthy movers and shakers have overcome their problems by not only wielding influence but buying it too.

President Sirisena chairs the first meeting of his Reconciliation Task Force. Photo credit: Sudath Silva, Presidential Secretariat

CBK heads Presidential Task Force on Reconciliation

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will head a newly set up Presidential Task Force on Reconciliation.

The appointment has already been made by President Maithripala Sirisena. The first meeting of the Task Force took place this week.
Two floors of the Chartered Bank building, opposite the Janadipathi Mandiraya have been allotted to the Reconciliation Secretariat.
So, Ms Kumaratunga will soon initiate a dialogue with Tamil political parties.

Another top-level shuffle in CID
More top level changes are to be made in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Last week Senior Superintendent D.R.S.R. Nagahamulla assumed duties as the new Director.
Senior Superintendent D.S.L. Ranaweera who functioned as Director CID has been transferred as Director of Investigations and Rehabilitation.

Police chief resists changes sought by UNP
The United National Party (UNP) led Government wanted changes in some of the positions held by top Police officers. These included those in charge of divisions and officers in charge of Police Stations.  So the Ministry of Public Order wrote to Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon enclosing a list of the changes sought.

Insiders say the Police Chief found the changes would be too much and apprised President Maithripala Sirisena. Now, they say, the Police Chief had been told to do what he thinks is the right thing.

So none of the changes sought has been made. An irate UNP minister said that under the previous Government, there was no procedure that was followed. They wanted changes and they were made without any hesitation.

Mind you abbreviations
The ITB (Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin) is the world’s biggest travel fair and the centre of tourism industry professionals.
There was some embarrassment for Sri Lanka when a member of the Sri Lankan delegation made his speech. He kept on referring to an IBT when it should have been ITB. It turned out to be a Harvardian slip. The man also spoke about his days at Harvard University which he attended for a summer course.

Global heat over Nasheed’s arrest
United States environmentalists including Robert F. Kennedy and Jose Ramos-Horta, former President of Timor-Leste and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, have launched a campaign to seek the release of former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, who himself is a climate hero. They are joined in the effort by members of the US film industry.

Mr. Nasheed was arrested by the Police and is now under detention.  A statement issued by them from New York says: “Leaders of the environmental community and the film industry have banded together to urge international diplomatic bodies to support the immediate release from prison of climate and democracy hero President Mohamed Nasheed, the first democratically elected leader of the Maldives.”

The statement calls “on the international community, including the U.S., the UK, the EU, India and the Commonwealth, to use all resources at its disposal to pressure the government of the Maldives to free President Mohamed Nasheed and desist in all human rights abuses against him immediately.

“Pro-Democracy and Climate hero Mohamed Nasheed, the first-ever democratically elected President of the Maldives, has been arrested and detained in jail without legal representation by the authoritarian regime of Yameen Gayoom. Yameen is the half-brother of Maumoon Gayoom, a dictator who ruled the Maldives with an iron fist for 30 years. This arrest is part of a broad sweep to wipe out all political opposition in the country. If sentenced, President Nasheed faces 10-15 years in prison. We cannot allow it to happen…….”

Ringing phrase for Telecom
Sri Lanka Telecom’s profit of Rs. 8.2 billion last year, a 12 per cent increase, has come in for praise by its current Chairman P.G. Kumarasinghe Sirisena.
In remarks made on this achievement, according to a news release, Mr. Sirisena has declared that “……He has confidence in the well-educated professional work force, strong market presence coupled with diversified infrastructure, in enhancing the value of stakeholders. He also acknowledges all the individuals who have contributed to bring the company to an outstanding level and emphasised on the fact that the company has achieved this success while also ensuring the highest standards of social responsibility towards Sri Lanka, as the national communication service provider of the country.”

Journalists won’t buy the comeback line
One of the immediate steps taken by the Government upon assuming office was to urge media personnel who fled the country to return.
However, none but one, has responded to this offer so far. The reason, it has come to light, is most of those concerned have applied for asylum in the countries they are living. This is on the grounds that they faced threats in the home country.
Hence, a return would negate their claim for asylum.

Resurrection of Dr. No

President Maithripala Sirisena handing over the appointment letter to Dr. Nonis, who is now his international affairs advisor

Many an eyebrow will be raised in London this week at the sight of Dr. Chris Nonis, the onetime High Commissioner to the UK. He had left with a bang, but is now returning to Old Blighty in his latest avatar as presidential advisor on foreign affairs.

It seems that one-fourth of the world has been handed over to Nonis in the form of the Commonwealth while the adviser appointed earlier Jayantha Dhanapala, a distinguished former diplomat, shares the rest of the globe. Between them, they have carved up the world.

A UK-based website run by persons of Sri Lankan origin was promoting Nonis after he was ditched by his one-time pals in the Rajapaksa regime. It claimed that Dr. Nonis offered to help the new masters as an expert on Commonwealth affairs. Officials at the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation at Marlborough House were pacing the corridors with wry smiles hiding their concerns. Hardly anybody there considered Dr. Nonis an expert on the Commonwealth while many in the Sri Lanka community brushed it off as a marketing gimmick to sell Dr. Nonis to the new administration.

Along with Dr. Nonis in the President’s London delegation will be P.M. Amza, a former deputy high commissioner in London. Dr. Nonis had got rid of him and he is now Chief of Protocol. The diplomatic and administration staff at our High Commission at 13, Hyde Park Gardens are also going to be embarassed. They collectively signed a petition making a series of allegations against Dr. Nonis after he was slapped out of office. Now some of them will meet him head on and will not know where to hide their embarrassment. The worst fears of the Sri Lankan would be if he returns as head of mission, again.