Jungle Telegraph

19th April 1998

Hottest topic in Army

Will Lt. Gen. Rohan de S. Daluwatte, receive another extended term as Commander of the Sri Lanka Army ?

This was the hottest topic in Army circles yesterday.

He was granted an year's extension of service on June 1, last year, and that term is due to end on April 30.

Until yesterday, there has been no official word at Army Headquarters.

If Lt. Gen. Daluwatte receives another year's extension, Chief of Staff and Overall Operations Commander (OOC), Major General Srilal Weerasuriya, would have to retire by December, this year.

Otherwise, he is being regarded as the obvious choice for Commander.

The answer will surely be known within the next ten days.

Mind your language, Sir

Ever heard of raw ob scenities being recorded as part of the official minutes of a top level conference in the armed forces ?

It was ordered by the top brass.

Well, here is a case. The Sri Lanka Air Force Board of Management (SLABM) met at a conference at their headquarters at 10 a.m. on May 9, last year. It came at a time when there was widespread criticism about the SLAF over air crashes and procurements.

The minutes (SLAF/464/2/ORG) refers to the "Commander citing some of the newspaper disclosures."

Some excerpts:

"Commander switching on to very apt language to suit the degrading exposures perpetrated in the newspapers said that the person responsible, who is present here, is of such a low breed that he is not sure whether there is parentage for such a low quality f....... b.......

(words unprintable)..

"Giving further vent to his feelings on this issue, he said that such b....... will pay for their sins with the whole world being made aware of what sort of a person he is."

"Commander said the newspapers have a history of letting down their own proteges after a period, citing a recent Navy case.

He requested the Zonal Commanders also to be vigilant as some of the tactical information could have come only from their areas, so fast.

D Ops (Director, Operations) also elaborated citing the UAV mishap where even before he could inform the Chief of Staff and the Commander, how an "Island" reporter has inquired from him about the incident at the very early stage of the incident. "

Insiders say copies of the minutes issued to some officers were withdrawn.

There were at least five who held on to the original.

Its not only the paternity (or maternity) of their colleagues that the top brass have challenged. They have even decried the newspapers.

All this is whilst preaching morals and speaking of good conscience !!

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