Jungle Telegraph

14th March 1999

No response

He arrived to a hero's welcome at the VIP Lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport in January, this year, and a top intelligence official was on hand to greet him.

And now, EPRLF's Varatharaja Perumal, moves around like a Cabinet Minister, with armed escorts to guard him.

Fresh after trip he made to Batticaloa, Mr. Perumal last week made a secret visit to Jaffna. There he urged military officials to recommend that arms be issued to his group-to save the civilians and fight the LTTE.' The top brass was not in favour of the suggestion.

He now waits for a meeting with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. An appointment has been sought weeks ago but he has had no response so far.

Did the New Delhi deal he worked out for his return include an 'arms' deal?

Re-instated

A senior Army officer, one of the accused in the Embilipitya student murder case and acquitted by the Ratnapura High Court, has been re-instated.

Brigadier Parry Liyanage has been named as acting Quarter Master General (QMG) - a post designated for a Major General.

Brigadier Liyanage, insiders say, is also expected to be promoted and given a field posting in an important operational area.

Disappeared

The inner precincts of Army Headquarters, like the vaults of the Bank of England, one would say, is a safe and secure place.

But what happened last week has shocked many a senior officer and cast doubts about how secure things could be. A staff car, a Toyota Carina Station Wagon, returned to the parking lot around 9 p.m. after dropping an officer at home.

The next day, it was found much to the chagrin of all and sundry, that the car had disappeared without a trace. Army officials have made a complaint at the Fort Police Station.

To UAE

Sri Lanka is sending three Army officials-Major General Patrick Fernando, Major General Sarath Fonseka and Colonel Rohan Anthonis-for the March 14 to 18 International Defence Exhibition and Conference in the United Arab Emirates.

Touted as the Gateway to Defence Beyond year 2000, IDEX 99 is described as the defence show of the century with live firing demonstrations, naval vessels, submarines, tracked vehicle demos among others. Only time will tell whether more multi million rupee deals will follow.

Nabbed

LTTE's main procurement man from supplies from Chennai has fallen into the hands of the Police 'Q' branch in Tamil Nadu. Intelligence sources say he was tasked to purchase kerosene, medical supplies and move them across the Palk Straits in LTTE boats.

The move has led to Sri Lankans living in southern Tamil Nadu coastal towns to register at Police Stations and carry photo identification. Households have been told they should report to Police the presence of Sri Lankans.

Special Assignment

Editorial/Opinion Contents