Jungle Telegraph

18th October 1998

No radar

Retired military commanders monitoring defence procurements snubbed the Air Force top brass early this week by rejecting a multi-million rupee procurement. They felt it was not justifiable at this juncture.

The SLAF had wanted to procure surveillance radars for which a financial allocation of over Rs 1,005 million had been set apart. Two foreign concerns had made the bid, one for over Rs 603 million and the other for over Rs 435 million.

The Committee's snub comes in the backdrop of unconfirmed reports that the LTTE had acquired a helicopter or a light aircraft.

Alia reported (Jungle Telegraph October 4) sightings of a helicopter over Mulliyaweli, near Mullaitivu, which raised concerns in the defence establishment though no hard evidence was available. But Alia also quoted cynics asking whether this was a precursor to a move to install radars at various places to detect unidentified aircraft.

It seems the cynics were right. Or, are they not ? Military Spokesman and Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), Brigadier Sunil Tennekoon, declared there was no truth in these reports. He had not heard such a thing added Jaffna's Security Forces Commander, Major General Lionel Balagalle.

The three-member Committee comprises General Denis Perera, Rear Admiral Asoka de Silva and Air Vice Marshal Pathman (Paddy) Mendis. They advise the Secretary, Ministry of Defence.

Whilst the surveillance radar deal has been vetoed, there are whispers in defence circles about how the Committee would react to another highly controversial multi-billion rupee deal involving some protection devices.

Alia will not say what they are, except to add that it involves a high level Israeli connection. They say the saintly middleman is unbeatable and can parachute his way (victoriously) into the hearts of the not so saintly.

Stinking controversies over procurements seems to still plague the SLAF.

Wise young man

The young man in uniform made a written request to acquire all the paraphernalia his boss would have to wear after promotion. The stuff arrived by courier from London.

The embarrassed boss ordered that they be returned to headquarters since there was no official word then about a promotion. The news has now reached him. So a request to recall the stuff is being made. After all, the young man was wise.

What a tip!

The new boss was very keen to prove to his predecessor that reports he was angry with him were wrong.

He not only allowed the catering to be done in the official kitchen but also delegated three waiters and two cooks for the birthday bash for a young one crossing her teens.

The five men could not believe what they received for a night's service. It was 15 crispy thousand rupee notes. That was the tip.

Who would call such rich and generous hosts paupers ?

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Editorial/Opinion Contents