Former military officer seeking asylum?

Sri Lanka's Intelligence Officer in Jakarta, Capt. Mohamed Nilam has gone missing after he completed his tour of duty. Both the Foreign Ministry, and the Directorate of Foreign Intelligence (DFI) are now trying to ascertain whether he secretly negotiated asylum and fled to a foreign country after failing to persuade the Government to grant him a new posting.

Captain Nilam, who figured in the mistaken Police raid on the Army's intelligence cell at Athurugiriya was regarded as a high profile LTTE target and was posted to Jakarta. Captain Nilam worked with the Army's Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) and his private house was used as an intellgence cell for operations in the East. When the Police conducted a raid, a large variety of military hardware including clay more mines were found. Intelligence sources told The Sunday Times Captain Nilam had sought an extended term of three months. "It was granted. During that period his replacement had arrived in Jakarta and he was expected to brief him and remain at the station until the extended period was over. Without anyone’s knowledge he had disappeared with his family," the source said. Lieutenant Commander Tuan Putra Halaldeen has already assumed duties at the Embassy in Jakarta.

Whilst in Jakarta, Captain Nilam was reporting to the Directorate of Foreign Intelligence though he belonged to the Directorate of Military Intelligence.

The assistance of Indonesian authorities has been sought to ascertain flight details of Captain Nilam and his family. Sources close to his family said he was worried to return to Colombo because he was a high profile target for the LTTE. Hence, he had appealed several times to his immediate superiors to use their good offices to get the Government to either get him a separate posting or an extended term.

"All his fervent appeals were contemptuously ignored," the source told The Sunday Times. He said that was the price that had to be paid by an officer who placed his life at risk in playing the role of an intelligence officer.

En route to take up his posting, Captain Nilam and family ran into trouble at the Singapore airport. Upon arrival there to take a connecting flight to Jakarta, he was detected by authorities at the airport carrying pistol ammunition. It was found on the bag of his wife. Accidentally she had failed to check on some ammunition she had held when she travelled along in Sri Lanka with her husband. Top level diplomatic contacts between Colombo and Singapore led to the matter being sorted out so he could resume his flight.