7th January 2001

By Alia

Money for jam

This is a story about the acquisition of jamming equipment for a security arm of the State. It was urgently needed to jam Tiger guerrilla radio communications and inquiries were initiated by an officer in 1998.

It was not until a few years later, when he rose in the ranks and costs of the equipment rose much higher, that a deal was put in place. That was a long winding process, initiated through a local agent via a foreign supplier who in turn had to obtain the equipment from a foreign manufacturer.

It is only when the delivery date-December 15, 2000-neared that the top officials began to worry. They queried the local agent and the foreign supplier. The product was not ready or so they said. They wanted 150 more days.

Furious officials did not agree and pursued the matter further. It was only then it transpired that neither the agent nor the supplier had placed the order with the manufacturer.

If that was not bad enough, the supplier had been paid 30 per cent of the cost many moons ago.

When officials raised queries, the same officer wrote to the local agent to request the supplier to channel the money to the manufacturer. It is only now the top bosses have got wind of the story.

A full report is now on its way to the Ministry of Defence. With the manufacturer insisting there is no order, who will now obtain a refund of the 30 per cent payment, running into millions of rupees, has become the crucial question.

Lucky man

The modest house on a ten perch block of land in a way out corner of the City outskirts was built after the then leader gave the plot of land. That was following a fervent appeal by the applicant. He pleaded he would have no home for him and his family to live when he gave up his uniform and retired.

But things have changed. Recent weeks saw workmen rip off the inner structure of the house. It has now been transformed into a palace, fit enough not for paupers but for kings.

Among the modern comforts-central air-conditioning, electronic doors and gates, glittering crystal chandeliers, luxury carpets and exquisite furniture. They all arrived in crates from abroad. Who could ask for more ?

The lucky owner was there every day to see how the renovation work was carried out. No, he did not come in a Jeep. The vehicles changed day by day -BMWs, Ferraris, Prados and Pajeros !!

Whilst ordinary citizens have to cope with price increases every day, there are still a handful of lucky men for whom life is a super luxury. Little wonder they oppose cease-fires and peace talks.

Soft farewell

Unlike his predeces sors, Admiral Cecil Tissera, who retired as Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy last week, could not make farewell calls on his Army and Air Force colleagues.

A former aide explained there was hardly any time since the change over came so suddenly. He said Admiral Tissera now hopes to make informal calls. That, of course, will be sans the colourful trappings that included an honour guard.

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/ Opinion Contents