Jungle Telegraph

5th September 1999

Drug detections in Jaffna

Is the LTTE plotting to introduce drugs in the Jaffna peninsula to inveigle troops and Police into becoming addicts ?

Intelligence authorities in the peninsula do not rule out such a possibility and say they are closely watching developments. According to a high ranking source at Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna, the move follows two drug detections.

Early last month, security forces at a check-point at Chavakachcheri arrested a suspected LTTE woman cadre. The 37 year old woman, who possessed a forged National Identity Card and a cyanide capsule was found to have in her possession 48 grammes of heroin.

The very next day, security forces personnel at the same check-point arrested a 38 year old man with 80 grammes of heroin.

During separate interrogation, the couple is said to have claimed that the drugs were to be given to certain parties to be passed down to soldiers and policemen.

A full investigations is now under way to ascertain the veracity of their claims. Some of the revelations made by the duo are also under scrutiny.

Champagne bath

A group director of a company with access to influential figures in the Government and Armed Forces (past and present) celebrated his 50th birthday in legendary style last Wednesday culminating in having a bath with the finest French Champagne.

The vulgar display of the nouveau rich half centurion being bathed by nearly a dozen bottles of Moet Chandon French Champagne, in fact, occurred as the clock struck midnight.

The moment not only ushered in the birthday, but also Nikini Full Moon Poya.

The total cost of the party: Rs 600,000 plus.

He was not at the dinner

Last week’s report about an unsavory incident involving a Colonel and a Major General at the Gajaba Regiment dinner in Anuradhapura has drawn a response from Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Srilal Weerasooriya, a keen reader of this column.

He wants it known he did not attend this dinner. Alia stands corrected.

The Commander’s position was conveyed to The Sunday Times in a letter by Brigadier Sunil Tennekoon, Director Media, Military Spokesman and Military Secretary.

The defence establishment’s media whizz kid in unform gave a reason why Lt. Gen. Weerasooriya could not be present at the dinner. He said “…he (the Army Chief) remained in Colombo throughout Saturday (21st August, 1999) to co-ordinate security arrangements in the City of Colombo.”

Heard of an Army Commander “co-ordinating” security arrangements in the City ? That too for a political event, the fifth anniversary of the People’s Alliance Government ? Isn’t that task, like the more important task of conducting counter terrorist operations, entrusted to the subordinate command ? In the case of the City, it was the Operations Command, Colombo and the Police.

Editorial/Opinion Contents