12th November 2000

By Alia

Worst case scenario

A lesser known intelligence arm of the State delivered a rather unusual warning to defence establishments ahead of last Thursday's ceremonial opening of Parliament.

The LTTE planned to take hostage some residents living alongside the "State Drive" route from the City to Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte.

Thereafter, they planned to launch RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) attacks on VIP convoys heading for the ceremonies.

Many a resident along the route, who was forced to remain indoors that day, would have heaved a sigh of relief.

Although they felt they were hostages at home, there were no Tiger guerrillas holding guns at them.

Surprise transfers

A string of surprise transfers is the talking point at Army Headquarters.

Major General Susil Chandrapala, General Officer Commanding the Army's 23 Division headquartered in Minneriya has been transferred.

He will take over as Deputy GOC of the Security Force Headquarters, Jaffna.

The present incumbent there, Major General Nihal Marambe, will take over as Commandant of the Army's Staff College at Batalanda.

Taking over as GOC of the 23 Division is Major General Nanda Mallawaratchchi, presently Commandant of the Kotelawala Defence Academy.

Insiders say the Army vacancy at KDA will not be filled for the time being.

This is because it would be the turn of the Air Force to nominate a Commandant in a few weeks.

Tragic mistake

It was an unusual case of blue on blue, the military parlance for action by own troops on their colleagues.

A soldier manning the FDLs in the Wanni, where toilet facilities are hardly adequate, went to answer a call of nature in a nearby shrub.

A colleague who saw movements in the shrub suspected it to be a Tiger guerrilla infiltrator. He opened fire killing his soldier buddy on the spot.

A Satellite station

Multi billion rupee military procurements appear to be reaching dizzy heights.

In one security establishment, tall trees are being cut down and the environs are being doubly secured in a new project.

Insiders say one enthusiastic big boss has chosen to instal satellite communications. That is the latest addition to the conduct of the separatist war.

Who knows. There may be orbital stations very soon, says someone in the know of what is going on.

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/ Opinion Contents