'Political' police for 3 divisions
Police Chief Lucky Kodituwakku has assigned a senior police officer to
be in charge of what he calls all "politically motivated" inquiries in
Gampaha, Negombo and Kelaniya divisions.
The task has been placed in the hands of N.B. Wegodapola, SSP, Director,
Parliament Police Division, and one time head of security for General Anuruddha
Ratwatte, Deputy Minister of Defence.
A message conveying the latest appointment was sent out yesterday by
Mr. Kodituwakku to three Senior Superintendents of Police — Lucky Peiris
at Gampaha, Raja Weerakoon at Negombo and P. Ranasinghe at Kelaniya.
The Police Chief's latest order means the Senior Superintendents of
Police in charge of the three divisions around Colombo will have no supervisory
role or responsibility for inquiries into what has been termed "politically
motivated" inquiries. All such inquiries will come under the direction
and control of SSP Wegodapola.
Among such inquiries now under way is one involving a Deputy Minister.
Reggie Ranatunga, Deputy Minister of Ports Development, was remanded
on the orders of the Gampaha Additional Magistrate, Vijitha Seneviratne,
in connection with the killing of Lionel Rodrigo, during a clash at Pethiyagoda,
Udugampola on October 24. Mr. Ranatunga, however, is now warded at the
National Hospital in Colombo under supervision by Prison guards.
On Friday, High Court Judge Ranjit de Silva, put off for November 15,
a bail application made by lawyers for Mr. Ranatunga. On the same date,
the case against Mr. Ranatunga comes up before the Magistrate's Court in
Gampaha.
What the polls say
Two independent research groups have conducted in-depth opinion polls indicating
the trends and thinking patterns of people in the current general election
battle. Please see page 10 for the opinion poll results.
Plain sailing to Jaffna soon
By Chris Kamalendran
In a controversial move that is causing security concerns and political
misgivings, the government is relaxing air travel restrictions to Jaffna
from tomorrow.
The relaxation, being done at the request of EPDP leader Douglas Devananda,
means passengers will not be required to obtain a police certificate or
get security clearance to fly to Jaffna.
Air Force spokesman Ajith Wijesundara said the Defence Ministry had
instructed the Air Force to relax the restrictions from tomorrow and had
directed them to issue air tickets within four days.
He said the relaxation would apply only to Colombo-Jaffna passengers
and not to those coming from the north.
AB for presidency
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle has predicted
that former Speaker Anura Bandaranaike would become the PA's next presidential
candidate.
He told a PA election rally in Negombo that several years ago, when
Mr. Bandaranaike was in the UNP that he would be the party's presidential
candidate. But now he's happy with the PA, he said.
President sacks air base commander, 30 others
By Iqbal Athas
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as Commander in Chief has
ordered the "termination of services and discharge" of 31 Air Force personnel
for various lapses during the July 24 attacks on the country's main airbase
and the adjoining Bandaranaike International Airport.
They include Air Commodore R.A. Ananda, Base Commander of the Katunayake
airbase, now under interdiction, four other officers and 26 other ranks.
Three officers – Air Commodore J.L.C. Salgado, number three in the Air
Force hierarchy, Wing Commander A.M. De Zoysa and Wing Commander B. D.
Abeysooriya, then Commanding Officer of the SLAF Unit at BIA, President
Kumaratunga has directed, should be issued warnings "to be more alert in
the timely discharge of their duties in the future." One increment of their
pay is to be stopped for what are called their "failures and lapses" that
"have indirectly contributed" towards the incident.
Flight Lieutenant M.R.S. Marapperuma, Flying Officer S.S. Dissanayake
and ten other airmen who displayed bravery in the face of the deadly encounters
they faced, she has directed, should be commended and given gallantry awards.
President Kumaratunga's directives follow recommendations made to the
Ministry of Defence by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Jayalath
Weerakkody. They were based on the findings of a five member Court of Inquiry.
Black Tiger guerrillas launched a devastating attack on the airbase
and the international airport on July 24. Eight Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft
– two Israeli built Kfir interceptor jets, a Russian-built MiG 27 ground
attack craft, two Mi-17 helicopters and three brand new Chinese built KT
8 trander – were destroyed. So were two A 330 and one A 340 Airbus aircraft
belonging to SriLankan airlines. The cost of these losses alone was estimated
at US $ 400 million.
See Situation Report
Chandrika's presence over Jaffna: Satellite break
down
By Dilrukshi Handunnetti
In the aftermath of a costly media misadventure in London, a satellite
programme designed for President Chandrika Kumaratunga to address the people
of Jaffna also fell apart yesterday due to technical reasons.
The Rs. 1.5 million project ran into difficulties when the ground link
provided by sophisticated dish antenna connection failed. Attempts at rescheduling
the programme also failed.
The programme was to be aired between 12 noon and 1. 30 pm yesterday.
One hour was to be allocated for the President to address the Jaffna public,
and half an hour for questions.
The Sunday Times learns that the equipment necessary had been airlifted
on Friday afternoon to Palaly, and despite attempts by Rupavahini technicians
to get connected yesterday the ground link provided by the dish antenna
failed. As the President was already prepared to begin the programme on
time, the technicians attempted to reschedule the programme from 3 pm-
4.30 pm.
In Colombo, an angry President had reportedly charged that the breakdown
was an act of sabotage.
The ground work in organising hundreds of Jaffna people for the abortive
programme was done by the PA coalition partner, the EPDP.
The Sunday Times contacted Information Director Ariya Rubesinghe and
Presidential co-ordinating Secretary Sarath Gonagala regarding the breakdown
but they switched the matter to each other.
Police warn Ranil of LTTE threat
Police have warned Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to be wary of
LTTE threats during the ongoing polls campaign.
The Sunday Times learns that the move follows intelligence reports that
both PA and UNP leaders were targets of LTTE suicide bombers.
The warning came amidst a complaint by the UNP hierarchy that members
of a minority political group were being trained at a military base on
the outskirts of the city to cause harm to the opposition leader.
However, the Army Commander Lionel Balagalle has denied that his directorate
of military intelligence together with Army instructors flown down from
the North are co-ordinating training of members of a northern Tamil political
party to carry out attacks on meetings held by the UNP and its Leader's
Campaign bus using Thermobaric Explosives and Claymore Mines.
The move followed representations made yesterday to Lt. General Balagalle
by the UNP chairman Charitha Ratwatte, and signed by Vice Chairman Daya
Pelpola on behalf of Mr. Ratwatte.
A letter from the UNP central office referred to information the party
had received that Thermo Baric explosives have been brought from the operational
areas in the North to the Panaluwa Army Testing Range and that certain
persons alleged to be attached to a Northern Tamil political party are
being trained in its use.
"We have also been informed that they are also being trained in the
use of claymore mines. Our information is that the training is being co-ordinated
by the Directorate of the Military Intelligence together with Army Instructors
specially flown down from the North," the letter said.
"I would like to know whether the information has any substance and
if so what steps will be taken to ensure that these weapons will not be
used and ensure the security of the Leader and the UNP Leadership," Ratwatte's
letter added.
Responding to the UNP letter, General Balagalle has said "in view of
the seriousness of the issue you have raised, I immediately inquired into
the matter and wish to assure you that there is no substance in the information
you have set out in your letter.
"Your reference to the security of meetings by the UNP leadership and
the Leader's campaign bus does not come within the purview of the Army.
In the circumstances, I am referring a copy of your letter and my reply
to you to the IGP today itself for his information and whatever action
he deems necessary." |
