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The lid comes off the bid deal
Now that the defence portfolio has changed hands, the story is out. If the procurement deal went through in its entirety, it would have amounted to US$ 130 million or a staggering Rs 12,350 million (or Rs 12.35 billion) - an amount the nation's exchequer cannot afford. Yet, talks over the deal had been going on.

A one time Defence official who was trying hard to secure funds for the deal, at least part of it, wrote a three-page letter to the boss in charge of the exchequer. Whilst details of the entire deal will soon become public, some extracts of the letter do make interesting reading.

Here are some excerpts: "We are very cautious in approaching this offer of procurement as it would be processed, as we understood through commercial credit, which is more expensive than the normal government to government assistance under aid schemes.

"Concurrently we are mindful that the ……(the name of the country is mentioned) Government assistance has been favourable towards Sri Lankan political stances, which is reflected by the proscription of the LTTE…"

Having referred to that country banning Tiger guerrillas, the official makes a case for the deal by saying "We did not want to be called 'ungrateful' and hence keenness was shown on this by this Ministry. I re-iterate that, as for me, it was not for any other reason."

"Evidently the Sri Lankan envoy in the country concerned was also pushing for the deal. This is what the official had to say on that "Lately when the High Commissioner inquired about the process of arranging this procurement, very diplomatically I told him I would take this matter ….."Well, well, more of the deal will soon be big news!!

Spy shuffle
Defence circles are buzzing with reports of possible changes in the intelligence hierarchy. They say some key movers and shakers are to be shifted out from important positions.

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