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What will be will be!
Impending punitive action against those in the Army and Police on whom strictures have been made by the one man Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Police raid on the Military Intelligence Safe House at Millennium City in Athurugiriya has caused a furore.

Some against whom references have been made have sought leave to travel abroad. Others have approached various channels to plead their innocence and obtain a reprieve. Yet others claim they kept their superiors informed of what was going on.

Only when the punitive action is made public will the role of each individual be known. Insiders say it is now a matter of a couple of weeks.

Former DIG re-designated
Former DIG Merril Gunaratne, who was Defence Advisor when the UNF held the defence portfolio has now been re-designated. With President Kumaratunga now the de facto Minister of Defence, Mr. Gunaratne will be Intelligence Advisor.

He will not only co-ordinate all activity within state intelligence agencies but has been empowered to even re-organise all activities in this powerful slot.

Come, come Mr. Hussain!
Namique Hussain, Co-ordinating Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs, has some harsh words to say about what he calls the "News Item" under the caption "Its all for Tyronne" in these columns last week.

He says "I am amazed by the irresponsible journalism demonstrated in this case where facts are twisted to communicate wrong information and to create a negative impression about the Foreign Ministry and the Minister." "Please refer to the Foreign Ministry's New web address www.slmfa.gov.lk which contains information on both the Ministry and the Minister," he says.

Mr Hussain seems amazed by his own judgement over what he calls "irresponsible journalism" over what he terms a "news item." So much so, he has copied his letter to the President, Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Communication, Press Complaints Commission and last, but not the least, the "Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs." So Much bravado. Alas, there are many who are not only amazed but aghast about the Foreign Ministry's bloated pride regarding Mr. Tyronne Fernando's self-declared achievements and how it is juggling with two web pages - and at tax payer's expense.

Mr Hussain refers to the Foreign Ministry's new web address (www.slmfa.gov.lk) but conveniently (if not irresponsibly) ignores one that glorifies the Minister (www.formin.gov.lk). Which of the two is the real McCoy? Since all e-mail addresses in the Foreign Ministry, including that of the Minister, end with the suffix formin.gov.lk, the Minister's web address sounds and quacks like the official Ministry web page.

But that official-sounding web page has nothing to do with the Ministry: it is a first class, all-expenses paid ego trip for the Minister. The web page not only lists his speeches, CV and a picture gallery with world leaders, but also runs a highly-conceited moving blurb which reads: "Visit and Watch the newest information about this famous politician and diplomatic leader."

Judging by the Minister's lofty ambition, is the blurb part of a CV for a future United Nations Secretary-General or like Mr. Hussain's judgement on journalism, a recipe for diplomatic disaster? Come, come Mr. Hussain. More will be amazed at this joke now !!

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