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British military personnel taking part in a joint military exercise in Japan. Pic courtesy Kyodo

Sri Lankan troops will join their British counterparts in ‘Operation Spear’, a joint military exercise from October 27 to November 4. For Britain, it will come as a trial exercise should any terrorism-related incidents warrant the evacuation of its nationals.  For the Sri Lankan troops, it will be more learning on providing humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and related matters.

The theme of the exercise a “post-terror attack” scenario and is to be followed by a “table top” battle by the both sides.

Sea and airports in Sri Lanka will be used during ‘Operation Spear’ besides hospitals.  The British troops will impart their knowledge in reconnaissance and casualty evacuation from their wide experience in other theatres of conflict. The interaction, a Defence Ministry source said, would also help British troops learn how their Sri Lankan counterparts militarily defeated a deadly enemy, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

This joint training exercise has been arranged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Britain with the Government of Sri Lanka.

Drug addicts’ last nail in his father’s coffin

The bizarre story comes from a funeral house in Wattala. It was crowded with neighbours visiting the popular old man who was dead.

And suddenly, the visitors were hurriedly dispersing. There was only a handful in the family who were left. They saw the son, a drug addict, walking in whilst thumping his chest with both hands over the death of his father.

The young man had evidently had an overdose. He lifted the coffin where his father lay. It broke and the corpse fell to the floor.

A relative called the Police. They arrived in quick time and took the person into custody. As he was about to leave in a Police Jeep, he remarked “Thaaththa Yanney Sohonata. Mama yanney hira gedarata” or my father is going to the cemetery and I am going to jail.

Deputy minister in doghouse

Protests or demonstrations, as is well known, are usually aimed at drawing public attention. What better way of doing it than becoming the cynosure of the media.

There was one such event just a stone’s throw away from Police Headquarters to protest the haughty utterances of actor turned politician, Ranjan Ramanayake.

The protestors had a dog on a leash. Placed around the neck was a small board which says Balu Weda Karanna Epaa or do not do doggish things. It was to suggest that it was the canine breed that was protesting against politicians for demeaning them.

They were alluding to insulting remarks actor and MP Ramanayake had made against the Buddhist clergy. However, animal rights activists were not amused.

Spat with Ganesan: TNA boycotts presidential meeting

Does the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) feel threatened by a possible new player in the electoral politics of the northern areas?

The talk is doing the rounds after TNA Parliamentarians showed no interest in attending a meeting called on the initiative of National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister Mano Ganesan over some political issues.

The meeting was held on Thursday at the Presidential Secretariat under the Chairmanship of President Maithripala Sirisena. The talks centred on a recent dispute involving a proposed building near the hot-well springs in Kanniya off Trincomalee.

The meeting was delayed by half an hour awaiting the arrival of the TNA delegation and the President, too, made inquiries about the delay.

TNA insiders say there could be another reason why the TNA boycotted the meeting organised by the Minister.

They believe that Minister Ganesan is planning to contest in the Vanni area of the TNA stronghold of Northern Province.

He is to contest on the ticket of his political party, the Tamil Peoples’ Alliance (TPA), in the upcoming elections and is preparing for it by engaging in political issues of the area.

A day after the failed meeting, a disappointed Mr Ganesan said he would no longer get himself involved in northern political issues.

Governor’s photo on pandals; political leaders angry

A Provincial Governor has earned the ire of his political leaders.

The reason: at public functions he attended, there were large pandals across the road leading to the events. In the middle of the arch that connected the two pillars was a large photograph of the Governor. There were no other photos.

Another Governor, one of two who were forced to resign, is now staking his claim to return. He is repeatedly telephoning those who persuaded him to resign and reminding them “you said you will get me re-appointed. Nothing has happened.”

When told about the demand, the boss was not so pleased. “Let him wait,” he declared.

SLFPers in back channel dialogues with UNP, SLPP

With the prospect of an early Provincial Council elections now out, speculation is mounting over candidates for this year’s presidential elections.

The guessing game is over the two main contenders from the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). The third, the once strong Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), has publicly declared President Maithripala Sirisena would be its candidate. However, the prospects have faded away. Most SLFPers are busy with back channel dialogues to either join the UNP or the SLPP.

The latest development is on the UNP front. There are moves to form a broader alliance where the UNP will be the principal partner. One proposal is to field a candidate under the name of that alliance with a new symbol with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya as its leader.

This move will mean Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will remain the UNP leader. A UNP source admitted yesterday that “several measures” are being considered but insisted no “firm decision has still been taken”. For one, the party constitution says the President of the country will always be the party leader.

UNP sources also say that the emergence of onetime presidential candidate, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, as a presidential candidate, cannot be ruled out. However, it is not clear how he would contest if he does enter the fray.