Second spy drama hits London mission

Controversy over chief military intelligence officer's role

By Frederica Jansz

In the wake of the controversial dismissal of the information counsellor of Sri Lanka High Commission in London, another dispute has arisen over the appointment of the mission's Chief military intelligence officer.

The two disputes have thrown into further disarray the government's efforts to monitor and counter LTTE propaganda activity in a key area.

It is learnt that the appointment of Major General Chula Seneviratne to the mission was made without the knowledge of the chief of the Directorate of Foreign Intelligence (DFI), an independent intelligence body which reports directly to the National Security Council headed by the President.

DFI Director General Frank Silva, a former IGP, told The Sunday Times that Major General Seneviratne's appointment made by the Ministry of Defence would only take effect from January 25.

He said the Major General was now on a private visit to Britain prior to his formal appointment.

If so, in what capacity did Major General Seneviratne answer questions on Sri Lanka's military situation at a public forum in London last month as reported in The Sunday Times last week.

The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) was made into two separate sections this year, creating the Directorate of Internal Intelligence and the Directorate of Foreign Intelligence (DFI).

The DFI was established as a separate entity to improve foreign intelligence gathering, primarily to monitor LTTE activities abroad and Sri Lanka's mission in Britain was to play an important role.

Britain is known to be the main international centre for the LTTE's worldwide fund-raising and propaganda operations.

But with the Blair government imposing tough new anti-terrorism laws recently, the LTTE's known to be trying to move its main base from Britain to South Africa.

The post of chief intelligence officer in some of Sri Lanka's key missions abroad is naturally kept on a low profile as befits a an undercover operator.

This post in Sri Lanka's missions in France, Switzerland and Canada is yet to be filled with the proposal to do so still on paper only.

Military personnel have served before in London as NIB officials.

At the time they reported to the Director of the NIB. Under the new intelligence system put in place this year, DFI officers now report to the Director General of the DFI, who in turn would report to Cyril Herath, the Overall Coordinator of all intelligence services — internal, foreign and military.

However in the case of Sri Lanka's mission in Britain, Major General Seneviratne who served as General Officer Commanding, the Army's 51-2 division in Jaffna was appointed and posted to London without reference to Frank Silva or Cyril Herath, The Sunday Times learns.

We learn that in October this year, Mr. Silva, was on his way to the United States to attend a conference with a transit in London where he was to meet the London mission's serving intelligence officer, Chris Obeysekera.

Mr. Silva travelled on the same AirLanka flight as Major General Seneviratne, who was on his way to London to take up his new appointment. But the DFI's Director General was told about the new appointment only when he arrived in London.

Meanwhile, Mr. Obeysekera has been recalled before completing his term, thereby creating a vacancy for Major General Seneviratne.

The Sunday Times learns that the Major General also will return home today, allegedly having blown his cover in Britain.

The apparent mess leaves the London mission sans an intelligence officer as well as an information counsellor after Aruna Kulatunga was dismissed recently over disputes at the London mission.

It is these officers who play a key role in monitoring and countering LTTE activities in Britain.

Normally NIB officers in London hold the position of First Secretary at the High Commission.

The Sunday Times learns that Major General Seneviratne was not happy with his posting as he felt his designation at the mission should be at the level of a minister Counsellor. He was also not happy with one part of his responsibilities — having to meet Sri Lankan Ministers and top officials at London's Airports — in arranging security measures.

"This job stinks," he is reported to have said, maintaining he would not do what the present Chief of Intelligence, Chris Obeysekera did in running to and from the High Commission to the airport.

Meanwhile, the NIB is in contact with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, with whom the chief of the proposed DFI station in Canada will co-ordinate.

DFI officials will also soon meet Canadian and European intelligence counterparts to discuss the activities of the LTTE.

Inquiries reveal that French Intelligence officials advised the government last year on setting up the DFI.

They were here again recently to lecture and advice DFI officials. But the French slueths knew little English and the DFI officers had a hard time trying to grasp what they had to say.

Temporary relief for temporary residents

Fresh guidelines have been issued for the registration of temporary residents at police stations, following complaints to a cabinet committe.

A spokesman for the Committee which is probing unlawful arrests and harassment said the police chief had sent new instructions to all stations to be implemented from January 1.

The Committee had earlier directed the Police to adopt a uniform system regarding registration.

The Following procedures will be adopted from January 1:

* The existing registration forms provided by the Ministry of Defence will continue to be used. The householder will have to fill the forms in duplicate and hand them over to the OIC of the Police station of the area where he/she resides.

* Identification documents such as the National identity card or passport shall be produced along with the registration form. If the identification documents are issued after January 1, 1995, a photocopy of such document has to be produced along with the application form. One copy of the registration form and the photocopy of the supporting document will be retained by the police while the original identification document and the duplicate registration form will be returned to the householder.

*Those in possession of identification documents issued prior to January 1, 1995 shall submit two photographs (taken within the last three months) along with the registration form in addition to photocopies of such identity card or passport.

The form should be certified by the chief householder. One photograph will be attached to the registration form and retained by the OIC and the other will be authenticated by the OIC, attached to the duplicate registration form and returned to the householder.

* When anyone who is not in possession of any valid identification documents seek registration he/she shall produce a photograph certified by a Divisional Secretary from the area where he/she permanently resides (in the case of those from the North and East) which will be accepted in lieu of identification documents.

*In the case of those coming from Vavuniya the existing system will continue. A certificate from the Superintendent of the estate where he/she permanently resides will be accepted from those coming from estate areas .

*Those temporary residents seeking registration need not visit the Police stations unless required to do so by the OIC of the Police station to check the bona-fide of such persons.

*All persons over 10 years will have to be registered irrespective of duration of stay in the area.

*It is the responsibility of the householder to notify the Police if a visitor is compelled to stay for a longer period owing to unforeseen reasons and to ask to cancel the registration once a visitor leaves the house.

*Registration numbers of vehicle owned by the householder or any other vehicle which the temporary resident will be using during his stay must be specified in the registration form.

Lanka lauds Delhi's plan

Sri Lanka today welcomed India's fresh emphasis on promoting regional economic integration and good neighbourly relations in the Sub- Continent.

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu, the visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar praised the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, for his emphasis on forging closer ties in the SAARC neighbourhood.

"Mr. Jaswant Singh's enunciation on India's commitment to SAARC to further economic relations in the region is most welcome. It is a clear manifestation of the evolution and culmination of India's thinking in this field. The clear and precise statement by Mr. Singh is one of the best pronouncements made by an Indian Foreign Minister," Mr. Kadirgamar observed.

In his first press conference after assuming charge in the foreign office last evening, Mr. Singh had stressed that India was for improving its relations with the SAARC countries.

He had also said India's foreign policy would now be based on "pragmatism" and a "problem-solving approach."

President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga's visit to India, would see both sides signing a historic free trade agreement, Mr. Kadirgamar said. This arrangement would pave the way for open trade between the two countries in phases.

Once in place, it could trigger "similar bilateral arrangements" among the rest of SAARC. Besides, it would "introduce a new element" which would encourage the early formation of a SAARC Free Trade Area (SAFTA).

Mr. Kadirgamar said he was optimistic about regional integration in South Asia as this idea had the political backing of all countries in the region.

According to him, the political resolve to push collective economic consolidation became visible during the negotiations on the SAARC Preferential Trade Arrangement (SAPTA).

"All countries including Pakistan agreed then to give a push to preferential trade in the region.

This was a political breakthrough and there has been no looking back after that," he said.

The Indo-Sri Lanka tie up on trade, which had resulted from the pronouncements by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee at the Colombo Summit earlier this year would also send a powerful signal to the international business community about the emerging commercial opportunities in South Asia.

The SAARC, the Minister said, was moving towards an integration with the global economy. In fact, concerted efforts were on to forge closer links between SAARC and other key regional groupings.

"SAARC is now entering an outward looking phase. The Colombo summit gave the mandate to SAARC to dialogue with other regional organisations including the EU, ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Organisation of American States (OAS)."

The SAARC-ASEAN dialogue has already yielded rich dividends,the Minister said. Both groupings have now decided to "harmonise" their positions in the global economic fora including the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "When this happens 17 countries will vote the same way. This will be a quantum leap in the evolving relations between South and South East Asia."

Joint studies between the two groupings on financial issues had already begun, Mr. Kadirgamar said. A SAARC-EU dialogue "purely on economic issues" had also acquired a new life.

A meeting of the SAARC Foreign Ministers with the EU-Troika has been held already and yet another was expected in Brussels shortly. The logjam in Sri Lanka on the resolution of the Tamil problem would depend on a commencement of a direct dialogue between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and a consensus-based approach on the subject in Parliament. - The Hindu

UNP office attacked

A UNP branch office in the Kurunegala area was attacked allegedly by a group of PA supporters yesterday, Police said.

The office situated at Rambodagalla, in Dodangaslanda along the Kurunegala - Matale road was attacked by a gang armed with clubs and stones, but no casualties were reported, Police said.

A UNP spokesman in the area claimed a Deputy Minister was behind the gang.

Foreign support for July strikers

By Shelani de Silva.

Several international trade unions have written to President Chandrika Kumaratunga to intervene and pay compensation to the July strikers who are on a fast unto death campaign .

The Socialist Party, a British affiliate of the Committee for Workers International in a strongly worded letter has appealed to the President to keep to the government's election pledges and to reinstate all strikers in their jobs.

President of the Socialist Party, J Beishon states that while supporting their cause for compensation for the many years of hardships and suffering, the party will continue to publicise the cause of the strikers in Britain until their reinstatement is granted.

The Budoucnost, a Russian trade union, has also promised to give ample publicity in the Czech press to bring pressure on the Sri Lankan government to solve this national issue.

Petr Jindra, a member of the Executive Committee states that immediate steps should be taken to reinstate the workers and that it is a violation of human rights since the conveners of the strike now hold top post in the government.

Another trade union from Russia calling itself the Teachers Union have written a letter asking the President to pay compensation.

Meanwhile the Public Services United Nurses' Union and the Kalape Api yet another union have also sent letters to the President.

The PSUNU states that the strikers have suffered and lost much , but for a government which boasts of keeping a clean record of human rights such action does not help. They urge government to pay the compensation so that the long suffering strikers and the families will finally find a solution.

The fast unto death which commenced on December 10 Human Rights day is continuing with much support from several trade unions.

According to the Secretary of the July strikers P Amaradivakara they have received financial support from unions to carry on their strike.

Build on the consensus, says group

An independent non-political committee comprising eminent personalities has made significant recommendations for consensus politics aimed at restoring the people's confidence in democracy and the electoral process.

The Committee has decided that the best way to move the process forward was to build on the consensus already reached and recommend alternative formulations to bridge the differences that are still existing on key issues between the contending parties and positions.

The recently released Report of the Citizens Consultation on Free and Fair Elections and Depoliticization of Key Institutions contains recommendations aimed at improving the political scenario.

It has suggested ways of depoliticising state institutions including the Police Service and Elections Department, and also strengthening the hands of the Judiciary.

The Drafting Committee of the group comprised well known names such as K.H.J. Wijayadasa (Convenor), Bradman Weerakoon, D.M. Swaminathan, Monica Ruwanpathirane, D.S.S. Mayadunne, A.L.M. Thangavel, W.D. Ailapperuma, Austin Fernando, Melvin Wijesekera, Shibly Aziz P.C., Ana Seneviratne, Elmore Perera, Swarna Obeysekera and Kingsley Rodrigo.

An Independent Police Service Commission was a top priority in the list which contained several recommendations put forward by the Citizens Consultation.

"The appointment, transfer, promotion, dismissal and disciplinary control of all police officers shall be vested in the National Police Service Commission," the report said.

Another important recommendation is with regard to the appointment of the Chief Justice.

The report states, "We are also strongly of the view that in the appointment of the Chief Justice himself the discretion given to the President should be withheld or cut down by requiring the careful scrutinisation and the final approval of the Constitutional Council prior to the appointment being made by the President."

The Citizens Consultation in a document released explained how it had set about drafting the recommendations.

"The Committee decided that the best way to move the process forward was to build on the consensus already reached and recommend alternative formulations to bridge the differences that are still existing on key issues between the contending parties and positions.

"The Committee believes that this approach which is objective, neutral and based on the experience of its members would best reflect the interests of the people of Sri Lanka at the present time.

"The envisaged Constitutional Council whose role is to restore public confidence in the vital segments of the administrative machinery will be responsible for recommending personnel for appointment to independent commissions mandatorily established by the Constitution.

"The Constitutional Council shall comprise; the Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, a Chief Minister nominated by the Chief Ministers of the Provinces, five Members of Parliament nominated by the Committee of Selection of Parliament, seven members out of whom two shall be retired judges of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal and the other five members shall be persons who have rendered distinguished public service or are persons of eminence in professional, commercial, industrial or agricultural life and who do not hold any political office. They shall hold office for three years."

The posts of Chief Justice, Attorney General, Heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force and Police, the Ombudsman, Auditor General, and the Secretaries to the President, Prime Minister, Cabinet and of the other Ministries (other than acting appointments to these posts of Secretaries for a period not exceeding (6) weeks) will be filled only after approval from the Constitutional Council has been obtained.

Similarly the proposed National Elections Commission, comprising three people, shall, inter alia, have the power of cancelling and holding fresh elections in any electoral district where the National Elections Commission is satisfied that there has been a disruption to the free exercise of the vote due to violence or in any other manner.

The Plenary Committee, Consultation on Free and Fair Elections consisted Karu Jayasuriya, Colombo Mayor, Wimal Fernando, Movement for the Defence of Democratic Rights, Father Oswald Firth, Centre for Society and Religion, A. L. M. Hashim, P.C, Janaki Gunawardena, Association of Professional and Business Women, K. Vigneswaran, EPDP, K. Rajapuwaneswaran, Air Vice Marshall Harry Gunatilleke and Dr. V.K. Valsan.

Flour pills —a problem to Ministry

By Faraza Farook

Substandard and bogus drugs that are smuggled into the country are giving the Health Ministry a terrible headache with few remedies.

"The Health Ministry can do little about drugs that are being smuggled into the country, mainly from India," Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

According to Health Ministry sources, some Sri Lankan businessmen who return from India smuggle in large quantities of cheap and counterfeit drugs and sell them to private drug stores here.

State Pharmaceutical Corporation Managing Director K. U. Kamalgoda said these drugs though they carry reputed brand names often contained flour or some other stuff. "These drugs are sold at the same cost as the quality product which conforms to the required standards," Prof. Kamalgoda said.

Asked whether any action could be taken to stop this racket which is threatening the lives of millions of Sri Lankans, he said it was difficult to track them down because these drugs were neither subjected to any form of examination nor did they come through the Cosmetics, Drugs and Services Authority before being sold.

Minister de Silva said these drugs were sometimes seized by health authorities who go for inspections to pharmacies.

Chief Food and Drugs Inspector L. Karunatilleka warned pharmacists that tough action would be taken against them if inspections carried out by health officers detect bogus drugs.

Another problem brought to the notice of authorities was the increasing prices of drugs.

R.D.S.Muhandiramge, Acting Secretary General of the Fair Trading Commission said the recent price increases could be due to heavy customs duties and the GST.

Top shooting coach's alleged armoury raided

The National coach of Sri Lanka's rifle shooting team is being questioned after police allegedly found several unauthorised weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his possession.

Following a tip-off, police raided the Kohuwala residence of rifle shooter and coach Sarath Soysa who was an official in the recent Asian Games contingent to Bangkok, and detected 8000 rounds of various types of ammunition and five weapons including revolvers and 303 rifles.

According to the police, Major Soysa of the Army's volunteer force, is permitted to have only a limited quantity of ammunition and one service revolver.

Major Soysa was arrested by the Bambalapitiya Police and produced before the Mount Lavina Magistrate. He was released on bail pending a further police inquiry.

On being questioned, Mr. Soysa had told police he was entitled to keep in his possession the ammunition and weapons because he was the coach of the national rifle shooting team.

YP's wife to succeed him

By Shelani de Silva

The Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP) has nominated two persons to replace Member of Parliament Y. P. Silva who died last month.

The party has nominated Mr. Silva's wife as the National List MP and recommended Party leader and MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra for the post of the Deputy Minister of Food which Mr. Silva held.

"The names were sent a few days ago. However it will not be an issue since it is our party and we have the right to submit the names. Appointing Dulcie Silva is definitely the right thing and there will be no problem. But the appointment of the Deputy Minister will be the prerogative of the President. I am hopeful that it will be done," he said.

Mr. Premachandra said Ms. Silva's nomination was unanimous.

Meanwhile Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told The Sunday Times a decision would be taken by the PA Executive Committee.

"However appointing Ms. Silva will not be a problem because one does not have to be on the National List to enter Parliament. There is no such law. The UNP appointed an MP in the same manner. The vacancy can be filled in this manner," he said.

Consul in big job racket

An alleged illegal job racket involving a Sri Lankan Consul General has come to light after a group of people who were promised employment in Cyprus have been left high and dry.

The group which paid 493 US dollars in July to the Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka in a West Asian country this year had been promised employment in Cyprus within 45 days. An agreement to this effect had been signed but the group is yet to receive employment.

Many of them have had to take loans to pay this sum and now face a bigger crisis of having to pay interest on the loans.

The group which claims that attempts to confront the Consul has failed, has now appealed to the governemnt.

In a letter to the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Employment Bureau, they requested the matter be investigated and immediate action taken.

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