By Alia

India's Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis, is a lover of outdoor activities like gliding, sailing and riding. A one time operational pilot in several frontline fighter squadron, ACM Tipnis have flown many sorties with Hunters and MiG-21s.

During his recent visit to Sri Lanka a few weeks ago, he showed how curious he was to learn things. He saw an airman carrying an Uzi sub machine gun. He walked up to him and wanted to know where it was made and how it worked. He was told it was one of the best weapons Israel had produced.

Within hours, ACM Tipnis was at the firing range at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base at Katunayake, blasting away with an Uzi.

He did get a few bulls eyes much to the delight of his Sri Lankan counterpart, Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakoddy, an old friend.

World watch on Lanka

The note, widely circulated via e-mail by Sri Lankans abroad, was headlined "Sri Lanka and the International Community". What it says makes interesting reading:

"It seems that a quietly orchestrated wave of international opinion, which could be very damaging in the current context to Sri Lanka, is becoming visible on the horizon. The Human Rights Watch (Washington), the European Union, UNICEF and MSF have all issued statements on the situation in Sri Lanka in terms obliquely or even directly critical of the Sri Lanka Government.

"As usual the Sri Lanka Government reacts in public but the damage is already done. The world stage was not meant for heart warming statements and schoolboyish debates. Little Sri Lanka's furious responses are lost in the wind. It would have been much easier and more effective if through quiet diplomacy and persuasion, the government's position was fed to these entities before hand and the outcomes shaped in advance. The LTTE appears to be showing its mastery of the diplomatic plane in the same way it is demonstrating its military savvy."

Abrupt end to arms talks

The foursome in their uniforms dug into chunks of chocolate cake as they discussed a multi million dollar deal with a millionaire arms dealer at a five star hotel.

But their conversation was interrupted when someone seated in a chair close by responded when his cell phone rang. He began introducing his name.

Hearing this, the five men left their cakes and made a hasty retreat.

It turned out that the man with the cellphone was himself a big time dealer many moons ago. 

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column 

Editorial/ Opinion Contents