31st December 2000

By Alia

Will he swallow his pride?

At least one top man in uniform declared he would not serve a day if there were leadership changes in a particular service arm. The day arrived and the changes have now taken place. The man in question has been given a fresh posting, one that he did not wish to have. The question that is being asked is whether he will now swallow his pride and continue or say goodbye. Many seem to think he will do the former since his own efforts to push himself during a political campaign has failed.

Changes in postings

Some of Sri Lanka's top level intelligence postings in Europe are to be changed. Insiders say the move follows orders at the highest levels. This came after a review of work performance in some key world centres. One top man in South East Asia is to get a plum European posting.

Baffling new find

Troops engaged in "Operation Kiniheera VII) made a new find after re-capturing nearly 30 square kilometres of territory seized earlier by Tiger guerrillas. They discovered a new Automatic Grenade Launcher used by the guerrillas. It uses belt fed grenades. Was it smuggled into the country when two ship loads of military hardware were brought in ? This is baffling the authorities.

Peace promoters block arms

More than half of the military procurements ordered by the Government for the military as part of the further modernisation programme have arrived. The rest are due. Some major components are expected from an Eastern European country. Now comes the news that intelligence agencies, including those from nations promoting peace talks, tried to block the shipments from arriving in Sri Lanka. After much haggling, the authorities have managed to overcome difficulties over one particular deal. The supplies are now due.

Out of court settlement

Army Headquarters has agreed for out of Court arbitration over the controversial deal with a British supplier who provided allegedly unsuitable body armour. An enthusiastic Army official even sought a guarantee from the local agent that compensation would be paid to soldiers who use the Body Armour if they die or sustain injuries. This was one of his conditions for acceptance. But a superior officer over-ruled it. It later transpired that Army Headquarters had remitted a part of the money though they rejected the consignment. Hence arbitration may help at least to prevent the loss of money already paid.

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/ Opinion Contents