Jungle Telegraph

7th March 1999

More weaponry?

Did the LTTE suc ceed in unloading a large consignment of military hardware in the high seas off Mullaitivu early this week?

The question is baffling the defence authorities and the intelligence community alike.

This was after a fishing vessel in the eastern waters spotted a ship unloading packages to smaller boats during the night. A crane, they said, had been used for the task.

The vessel radioed the Eastern Naval Command in Trincomalee.

They said they were fired upon by armed men on board the ship.

Fast Attack Craft moved into the area. It was followed by Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft scouring the eastern seas. There were negative reports from both.

"Don't disgrace us"

Air Force Com mander, Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakkoddy, threw a colourful cocktail reception at his official residence early this week to mark the 48th anniversary of the service.

All former Commanders were invited. Retired Air Chief, Air Marshal Oliver Ranasinghe, under whose term some controversial procurements were made and is now the subject of a Presidential Committee, was there too.

Things began to sour for a while when a leading civilian official, perhaps in good spirits, castigated a serving officer-a jack of all trades who marshaled resources for all forms of offensive action and covert operations outside the battlefield.

"You are a disgrace. You are responsible for bringing disrepute to our service," thundered the official, pointing a walking stick at him. It was too much for the other senior officers who watched it. The man was bundled into a car and sent home.

The party went on till the wee hours. Must one say that the host, who has warned against dirty tricks and unlawful acts, was embarrassed at the episode. That was the only diversion to a wide screen film show on the SLAF, one that seeks to give a new image under AVM Weerakkoddy.

Jobs & houses

The talk in diplomatic circles this week is about a shy and modest man who spoke in measured tones and exuded humility.

They were referring to Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Srilal Weera-sooriya. The remarks came after some diplomats were entertained by the Army Chief, not at his official residence at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, but in a smaller, modest area at the Officer's Mess at Army headquarters. There he also has a less comfortable 'Commander's Room.'

Three months in office as Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Weerasooriya, has still not been able to move into his official residence. His predecessor, General (retd.) Rohan de S. Daluwatte, is still the incumbent at General's House.

"The chief will not ask for his residence. That's not his style,"said an aide to Lt. Gen. Weerasooriya. So Gen. Daluwatte has two problems to sort out in the coming weeks and months - the JOB and an official residence.

Special Assignment

Editorial/Opinion Contents