Jungle Telegraph

24th January 1999

Angry lion

The Lion of the South, as he has come to be known for his forthrightness, would brook no nonsense, whether it is fishy or no fishy business. He was a guest of a political colleague in Chilaw and was campaigning from there for the PA at the Wayamba polls. He drove to the colleague's house for a well needed rest only to be hassled by the haughty bodyguard of a self appointed hero politician.

Arms on the ready, the bodyguard wanted the Lion's vehicle searched, his security men too body searched. That was not all. He ordered that only the vehicle of his boss could be parked in the premises.

That sent the Lion into a rage of fury. "No one will touch my car or my men. Be prepared to face the consequences if you do so," he exhorted in a voice that appeared louder than the guns that boomed during the now abandoned "Operation Jaya Sikurui." Not only the haughty bodyguard but also the self appointed hero made a hasty retreat, or shall I say, a "tactical withdrawal."

It was only later that the Lion learnt more about the hero and his escorts, last minute entrants to the campaign to plead for Wayamba votes.

They had tossed pots and pans in the political colleague's home looking for bombs and booby traps.

An angry Lion from the South picked up a phone and promptly made a complaint to the leader.

"Victory and glory has many people chasing them," remarked a PA onlooker.

Warning

Intelligence circles are buzzing with reports of attempts by the LTTE to smuggle in another shipload of weapons.

Surveillance along the east coast has been increased after reports were received from foreign intelligence channels.

Intelligence sources say that the LTTE, however, managed to smuggle in stocks of medical supplies through the seas off Mullaitivu, in the recent weeks. Another LTTE move has been to warn senior Government officials in Jaffna. They have been told to convey to the relevant authorities a Tiger demand that ships carrying passengers or cargo to carry a flag to distinguish their presence.

PLOT's plot

Have relations between the PLOT (People's Liberation Organisation of Thamileelam) and the security forces strained in the recent months ?

High ranking security officials are speaking about threats from the PLOT. A secret document circulated to security top brass says: "A reliable source revealed that PLOT members operating in Vavuniya are planning to launch an attack on the security forces party transporting the monthly salaries of security force personnel for the month of January, 1999, from Colombo to Vavuniya at an undisclosed location between Vavuniya and Poonewe with the assistance of two LTTE cadres presently in the custody of PLOT." The document adds: "The prime objective of the PLOT members is to rob the salaries estimated to be around Rs 10 million and to kill the two LTTE cadres who participate in this attack, leave their bodies at the scene and shift the responsibility on the LTTE."

Special Assignment

Editorial/Opinion Contents