World Cup bomb plot uncovered in Brussels

By Peter Conradi (Brussels) and Carey Scott (Paris)

A plot by Islamic extremists to mount a bombing campaign against this summer's World Cup football tournament in France has been uncovered by police.

World Cup brochures and a large quantity of liquid explosives were recovered during raids on houses in Brussels which ended in a shoot-out and the arrest of seven suspected members of an Algerian terrorist group.

Raymond Kendall, the British director of Interpol, who visited Algeria last week, said the arrested men appeared to be a support group supplying forged passports, weapons and money, rather than an active operational unit. Security sources believe a threat therefore remains to the World Cup.

Those captured in the operation earlier this month included Farid Melouk, 33, who was sentenced in his absence to seven years imprisonment by a French court in February for his part in a bombing campaign in France in 1995. Seven people died and 180 were injured in the explosions.

Melouk and the others arrested are thought to be members of a breakaway wing of the Groupes Islamiques Armees (GIA), which has carried out massacres in Algeria.

French police believe the "brains'' behind the splinter group are being sheltered by sympathisers in north London where one of Britain's largest Algerian communities live.

Police and intelligence officials from seven countries including Britain, were briefed about the findings of the Belgian inquiry last week.

The Metropolitan police's anti-terrorist branch and M15, the security service, have been asked to investigate links between Algerian exiles in London and the GIA.

"You don't need to be a big specialist on terrorism to realise that very many people will be gathering together for the World Cup,'' said Christian Valkeneer, the Belgian judge leading the inquiry. 'It is a good opportunity for anyone who wants to attack France.

Kendall said: "lt is very clear that we need to be vigilant. Any successful police operation will have a disruptive effect on the channels a network has put in place. But we can never presume that those networks won't be recreated in another form."

The suspected terrorists seized in Brussels had converged on the city several months earlier from such countries as Denmark and Sweden.

The raids culminated in a 12hour siege in which Melouk, who had initially evaded police by hiding in a loft, fired at officers with a .44 Colt pistol before being overwhelmed by tear gas.

Police discovered a container of explosives concealed in a bag of video tapes, plus mercury, sometimes used in delayed-action explosive devices such as suitcase bombs. They also seized five detonators, a Kalashnikov rifle and the equivalent of £10,000 in cash.

Roland Jacquard, a French expert on terrorism, said the suspects were followers of Hassan Hattab, leader of a fanatical group dedicated to combat in Europe.

Their cell was known to have contacts in Britain, Italy and Scandinavia, Jacquard said. ''French authorities are convinced that if there are to be more Islamic attacks in France, the period of the World Cup would be an opportune time for such groups."

Terrorists have often targeted the Olympic Games for publicity but the World Cup has until now escaped attack.

Last week Jean-Pierre Chevenement, the French interior minister, said security surrounding the World Cup which starts in June, was his greatest concern.

The French police had been ''preparing for months for a whole range of possible eventualities'', he said. Rene-George Query, head of French police security for the event, said: "Every possible security danger is being scrutinised.''

England's June 15 match against Tunisia in Marseilles, which has a large north African population, is likely to be among the most closely patrolled.

The Iranian team, which plays the United States in Lyons on June 21, has already arrived in France, and is being guarded by assault troops from the French army.

Chandrakala wins marathon

Chandrakala Mendis and P.D. Arun Shanta won the women's and men's Mini Marathon event organised by Deepal Guruge run from Narahenpita to the Tower Hall, Maradana.

While Chandrakala Mendis won the women's race, H.A.Aruna Shanthi and S.N.D. Silva of the Army took the second and third places respectively.

P.D. Arun Shanta won the men's race with K.A. Pusphakumara of the Army and H.A. Thilak Chandraratne finishing in second and third respectively.

The winners and runners-up received trophies and spiked althletic shoes, as prizes.

Colombo District MP's Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku and M.H. Mohamed were the chief guests.

Melrose, Bernard to boost rugby refereeing here

By Bernie Wijesekera

Two top referees from the Rugby Union panel of Referees from England - Andy Melrose and John Bernard, are here on the invitation of the Sri Lanka Rugby Referees' Society, with a view to offer any assistance, help or advice, that will help to further development of refereeing at all levels of the game.

They have played the game at the highest level and have blown at international games in England and abroad, has a storehouse of knowledge and the ability to communicate with the players on and off the field.

The duo was interviewed by The Sunday Times along with the president of the SLRFS, Metha Abeygunawardena, after a seminar at the CR and FC on May 18.

Andy Melrose, who refereed the Police - CH and FC match, did an excellent job and won much admiration from the Police S.C. hierarchy. Though beaten the blue shirted team commended his blowing and presented him with a souvenir - a token to remember.

Q- When did you start playing rugby?

A- Since ten years old. Played first class rugby for Birkenhead. I've refereed for 17 years and was in the RFU panel and among the top 30. Had the privilege of refereeing all top clubs in England - Bath, Wasps etc. Also refereed in Russia and Ireland under-21 etc. Whenever I went I really enjoyed it, that's what sport is all about. But not blame or fester over the outcome. There is more rugby off the field, Melrose smiled.

Q-What have you got to say about Lankan rugby?

A- Your back play is more adventurous, more exciting and they run the ball at any given opportunity.

In England, more kicking is the order and the same tends to be slower. I talked to the players and enjoyed a joke which they took in the correct spirit. Communication is very important to overcome problems if there are any, he added.

Q- Any outstanding players in the Police - CH and FC game?

A- I liked the two Police props. CH - Nos. 13,5,9,8, and 6. The game here looks on the upward trend. The administrators in the Rugby Union and Refs. Society co-ordinating well, the future looks good.

Finally he said that the people here are very friendly and the hospitality is excellent. These things will linger in my mind for a long time, Andy observed.

John Barnard, who also stays at the Trans Asia Hotel with Melrose, will be here for a longer duration. He will blow the key CR and FC - CH and FC match at Longdon Place on May 31.

He has a trial-blazing career, where he played rugby at school in Yorkshire at the age of 17. Toured Romania as a schoolboy in 1978. His rugby background is worth reading.

Trained, as a physical education teacher, at Alsager College - played alongside Scottish International winger Matt Duncan and Welsh International winger Phil Lewis.

Played club rugby for Driffield (East Yorkshire). Also coached the Club as well as East Yorkshire U-21 side. Retired in 1990 due to serious neck injury.

Currently employed as a teacher of Georgraphy at Driffield School, also a head with a responsibility for 280 pupils.

He is one of the best referees in England and was promoted to the national panel, in 1998. This tour of Sri Lanka was made possible to him to gain experience of refereeing abroad - to learn about the Sri Lankan game.

Also besides refereeing, to offer any assisance to the local society help or advice that may be useful, helping in particular with the development of refereeing at all levels of the game. Refereeing a selection of school and club games.

Q- Anything special about this tour?

A-There are many to be remembered for a lifetime. The hospitality and generosity of the Sri Lankan hosts has been second to none - 'SUPERB' A wonderful country, rich culture - I hope to return some day to renew friendships already forged. Undoubtedly a first rate trip!

There is tremendous keenness shown by both administrators and players. They are prepared to learn from their mistakes,that's the cornerstone to success be it sport or otherwise, Bernard with a Yorkshire accent smiled.

Finally the ongoing seminars on refereeing headed by its president Metha Abeygunwardena, by Melrose and me, have borne fruit. The referees are very keen to learn, that's plus mark, he added.

Two Fijians prop army pack

Despite exigencies of duty, it's great that the Sri Lanka Army is in the scrum in the on-going Carlsberg 'A' Div. tournament undoubtedly a morale-booster for their fellow soldiers fighting a meaningless war in the Northern and Eastern provinces in the bunkers.

Whenever the soldiers are in the scrum be it at Galle Face or otherwise is most eye-catching spectacle with their robust and unyielding play in this body contact sport. In some quarters they apparently say that they are, too tough for their opponents. Then they should be kept in cotton wool rather than playing in this body contact sport.

Brig. Jupana Jayawardena, who is the chairman of Army rugby has done a king-sized job to bring about togetherness among the green horns garnered around from Colombo and in the suburbs. It was seen, in believing when this scribe made a trek to the Army grounds to watch them train under the watchful eyes of former Sri Lanka fly-half, Sunil Ranasinghe and dusky flanker P.G. Gunawardena. Their spirits were very high and no let up, with their vision to achieve their mission to keep the spirits of their fellowmen away from home, high.

According to Jupana, two Fijians have already joined the scrum - namely Maloni Turuva (Sabeto Rugby Club), who played in the Fiji under-21 Nadi Rugby Union's Shell Cup and Taniela Kunarara Vatukarasa Rugby Club, (Nadroga Rugby Union's sevens' tournament) for the Fiji 7s team. Both are hardy forwards that could add much fire and spark to the 'eight'.

Added to the two Fijians, Englishman Lawrence Collingwood - a staff sergeant by profession attached to the British High Commission, supported by Jayasuriya and Fernando will to add further strength to the second-row.

Brig. Jayawardena, said that Collingwood has been playing for two years for the Army and will be awarded the Army Colours. He further stated that the Army Commander, Rohan de S. Daluwatte, who is the Chairman of Army Sports Control Board, is a great inspiration to the team with his presence on and off the field. This scribe knows Rohan, too well. He played as a wicket-keeper for Ananda under Yatagama Amaradasa, tagged as 'Clyde Walcott', which team was coached by former senior sports journalist late, A.V. Fernando (Times of Ceylon).

Before this N-E holocaust the Army rugby team was a force to be reckoned with. In 1973 the soldiers under S.P. de Silva held the Police to a 19-all draw in the Clifford Cup final, two years later the soldiers led by former Trinitian Saliya Udugama won the Clifford edging the Airmen to 4-3 in a thriller.

Then in 1979, the soldiers again to the fore, led by Daya Ratnayake won the President's Cup, when they outclassed the Havies 18-nil in an epoch-making final.

Rugby fans should laud the Army and the other services teams playing the game, despite confronted with the on-going problems. There is a saying 'some have to die for others to live'. This is what they are doing in Sri Lanka to bring about peace and harmony.

The Army led by Ravi Shanthikumar are no pushovers this season, with their latest Fijian recruits. Further the team will be sandwitched by the inclusion of three national players in J.K. Shanthikumar - hooker, B.M. Dharmapala and Nimal Wijesiri - the fullback, who played for Kandy last year, who is an asset with his spot kicks. The pack has the strength and weight to match any club 'eight'.

Karunaratne and J.M. Jayatilleke will vie with J.K. Shanthikumar for the berths in the front-row. There are others vying for places in the pack - Samantha Waduge, Ratnayake Rodrigo and Ganegoda.

Diminutive Prabath Narantota, will sling the ball from the base, with Mahesh Abeysinghe (brother of Former CH player Sudesh), on the wings to oust Narantota.

Kapila Knowlton will be the fly-half, with Ajith Peiris as stand-bye.

In defence it will be Wijesiri and T. de Silva as stand-bye.

In the backline there are some hard runners in the likes of skipper, Shanthikumar, Vajira Jayatilleke and Mohamed Naushad as centres. While, Attanayake, K.W. Vijitha Abeywardena and Sanjeewa vie for places in the wings.

Finally Brig, Jayawardena, who is also a national selector, who is the workhorse of the squad said, 'We may not win the plum this year, but are hellbent to promote the game and develop the skills of the lads, who have hardly handled a rugby ball before they joined the Army.

'Past is memory, today is already here, and tomorrow is unknown.' the Trinity 'lion' said. - BW

Cheer-up Lankan fans

Soccer crazy fans in Sri Lanka who have been left out like millions of others in other parts of the world without tickets for the 1998 World Cup, have something to cheer about.

Hotel Galadari will be installing a wide screen at the VIP lounge on June 10 to enable football fans to see in action the Brazil versus Scotland in the curtain raiser and right through to 12 July.

Tickets to see the action on wide screen is Rs 150/-

A fitting contest for an ardent man

Thurstan and Wesley will set up a new tradition with an inaugural contest on May 28, at the Sugathadasa Stadium, for the Dinesh Rajaratnam Trophy.

This would be a great tribute for one of the finest sportsman to hail from Thurstan, who shocked many with his sudden passing away last year.

Dinesh Rajaratnam, a popular figure in the local sporting circles, led Thurstan with distinction in both cricket and rugby. The name Rajaratnam had close connections with both instituitions. Eldest brother Suresh, was a fine cricketer at Thurstan, while the other brother, Amresh, was the captain of Wesley, who emerged champions in school cricket in 1969.

Fittingly, the Thurstan OBA, on the initiative of S.P. Upali Hewage (present rugby convenor), Priyantha Paranavithana (Gen Sec. OBA), Wasantha Perera, Cdr Harsha Mayadunne, Kumar Devapura, Suren Abeygoonesekera, made this first contest between the two schools a reality.

In the current season, Thurstan are unbeaten, and have had the upper hand over St, Peter's, Mahanama, and Ananda

Dinesh donned the Thurstan jersey against Wesley in 1969 at Campbell Park, under the captaincy of S.P. Upali Hewage, scoring a try and converting the extra points to a try scored by late Kanthi Senaratne. This helped Thurstan win the match. (B.W)

South Africa amass 226 in second one-dayer

MANCHESTER, England, May 23 (Reuters) - Fine pace bowling from Darren Gough and off-spinning guile from Robert Croft made South Africa struggle to 226 for nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs against England in the second one day international at Old Trafford on Saturday. Grey, overcast skies and intermittent cold drizzle made for a miserable day, compounded for the batsmen by a well-grassed wicket with uneven bounce.

Only Lance Klusener (55 not out) looked comfortable for South Africa, as he guided them past 200 in the closing stages of the innings.

Gough had Hansie Cronje's side, one-nil up in the best of three series, in immediate trouble with the wicket of opener Gary Kirsten (2) in his second over when the left-hander edged to Chris Adams at slip for the second innings in succession. Gough found the edge again two overs later to dismiss Jacques Kallis (9) via a catch to wicket-keeper Alec Stewart and when Mark Ealham trapped Daryll Cullinan (14) lbw the tourists had slipped to 42 for three in the 12th over.

The visitors held their composure and managed to reach the reasonable target.

They will have to bowl with determination and aggression, if they are to turn the game in their favour. - Reuters

More Sports

Return to Sports Contents Page