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Lot to learn
The two Brits smartly clad in camouflage looked as if they were ready for battle when they drove in past the gates of Army Headquarters last Friday morning in a Mitsubishi Montero.

The silver grey luxury vehicle itself looked like a battle tank with its tall communications antenna swaying in the air, side by side with the radio aerial.

One man in fatigues was the outgoing Defence Advisor of the British High Commission Lt. Col. Mark Weldon who was saying his farewell and the other was the new incumbent, Lt. Col. C.P.G. (Colin) Martin.

That was how they made calls on some top men at AHQ - Director Operations Brigadier Nimal Jayasuriya, Director Training Brigadier Srinath Rajapakse and Director, Military Intelligence Brigadier Kapila Hendavitharana, among others.

Having concluded a three year stint and due for a posting in Germany, his last, Mark and his wife Cathie seem to have become very much Sri Lankan. So much so, they have decided to settle down here upon retirement.

Lt. Col. Weldon has already purchased a property on the banks of the Bolgoda Lake and is making preparations to develop it. He is set for a peaceful stay in Lanka after retirement next year. So much for his love of the people and what Sri Lanka offers

His successor, Lt. Col. Martin from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers has arrived in Colombo after a stint as New College Commander at Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst and a five week tour in Iraq to help set up a Military Academy in one time Saddam Hussein's land.

Unlike his predecessors, Col. Martin, despite his Sandhurst reputation, seems not well prepared for his Colombo posting. Into his first week in the job he began his calls on some personalities with rude and haughty outbursts unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman.

Needless to say he has a lot to learn in the three years to come and should keep reminding himself that Sri Lanka, unlike Ceylon 56 years ago, is no more a British colony. Otherwise he will, with his boorish behaviour, tread on many boots and end up as a colossal embarrassment. That is not only to the British Ministry of Defence or the Royal Welsh Fusiliers but also to the amiable Steven Evans, the British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, a one time soldier himself.

Sri Lanka being neither a one large Sandhurst nor a war torn occupied Iraq are two things Lt. Col. Martin will soon learn.

Pain but no gain
Remember the previous United National Front Government's ambitious and controversial defence reforms?

One of the principal architects of these reforms, which among other matters, sought to deprive the President of powers conferred under the Constitution to deal with matters defence, was a one time Army Commander, retired Lt. Gen. Denis Perera.

He declared publicly that he was serving in the Defence Reforms Committee (DRC) without receiving any remuneration because this was a national effort. Understandably he claimed expenses including foreign travel.

The reports on defence reforms have gone to the dustbin after President Kumaratunga, who took over the defence portfolio, chose to order a halt to the Committee's activities.

Now there is a post script to the episode. Lt. Gen. Perera, the director of a number of blue chip companies in Sri Lanka, has written to Defence Secretary Cyril Herath demanding that he be remunerated. That is for the work he did in the name of defence reforms.

Defence Ministry insiders say Lt. Gen. Perera's bill runs into a few lakhs of rupees. They ask how what was termed a national sacrifice is now accompanied by the demand for payment. Is it because the reforms did not become a reality and all the efforts were in vain?

Talking of defence reforms, another one time soldier, a high flying type, who played the unpaid hack to argue all was well with the reforms, is now in the news.

A few weeks ago, he drove into the Army's holiday resort at Wadduwa, checked into a room and enjoyed all the comforts offered - the best of food and drinks. The problems for the staff came only when the visitor chose to check out.

A one time chief himself, the visitor told the management to give him a cut rate bill - that is on cheap terms. He told the staff to check with the Commander who would allow him that privilege. But the boss was not happy.

The boss was not aware that the flyer had invited himself and expected the Army to foot the bill. He told his staff "nothing doing". Little wonder they call such types dirty….who?

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