Jungle Telegraph

17th May 1998

Importing antiques

Here is something that would qualify for a place in Ripley's Believe it or not.

Last year, the Sri Lanka Air Force ordered (Order No Y-6061) a consignment of twelve "brand new" 23 mm guns. They are meant for use in MI 24 helicopter gunships.

They were assigned to the SLAF (No 9) Attack Helicopter Squadron in Hingurakgoda.

This is what Air Commodore G.Y. de Silva, Director General of Engineering has to say in a secret note about the 12 guns.

"The said weapons have been degraded and found as used weapons except for one weapon (the number is given)."

The finding came after Air Commodore de Silva personally inspected the weapons at No 9 Squadron in Hingurakgoda.

He notes that the passport (Log Book) of the weapons in question indicate that the weapons are "new." Any layman would understand some of the observations he has made. Among them: hammer blows are visible on the weapons, there are corrosion and carbon deposits, signs of slight wear on either sides of the ejector assembly etc.

The last line of the report is more startling. It says: ..these weapons were received without the Flash Hiders and the Gun Pods and presently they are unable to utilise (sic) for operational commitments."

And the discovery that the items were old was made two months after the 12 weapons arrived. With that came the discovery that payment had been made for 12 new weapons.

Now, who in the SLAF was responsible ? One hopes the answers would come sooner than later.

Will he come?

A top United States military official was due in Sri Lanka early this week on a two day visit. However, it was called off at the eleventh hour.

It was none other than General William Steele, Commanding General of the US Army Pacific Command. Military officials in Colombo said the visit would be re-scheduled in view of domestic commitments the US General had.

Caught in the act

The bar is well stocked with premium liquor and the luxury trimmings are elegant.

The caretaker holds the keys and would allow access only to those the big bosses approve. That includes those in uniform and outside, but all of them come in civvies at different times and with different companions.

There was once a small mix up when one boss arrived and found the big boss entertaining and being entertained by a lovely lass.

The problem was solved by duplicate keys being issued to all the bosses. Of course, they should inform the caretaker before they decide to have their share of fun.

This is not from the set of a sex comedy of Hollywood fame or Twentieth Century Fox.

It is real life drama in the City, very close to Jawatte to be precise.

Editorial/Opinion Contents