Jungle Telegraph

26th September 1999

Ceiling phobia

Some witty young military officers have dubbed it the “ceiling phobia.”

Top brass in the Wanni are dismantling the ceiling from some of the buildings for fear the enemy could hide explosive devices.

This “operation” is the direct result of a Claymore mine explosion that killed PLOTE military wing leader, Manikkadasan and two others last month. The mine had been placed in the ceiling of the PLOTE office at St Anthony’s Road in Vavuniya.

Whose baby ?

An anonymous tel ephone call to Air Traffic Controllers at Bandaranaike International Airport on Friday (September 17) night that a bomb was on board a flight to Male caused panic.

Who should take the initiative on such occasions – the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), in charge of security or the airline operating the flight? The question came to the fore that night and was the subject of a top level discussion at a security conference in Colombo.

SLAF officials say they wanted the goods off loaded from the aircraft. Sri Lankan Airways officials say since a security alarm has been sounded, SLAF should have helped in the task.

Whatever that may be, Sri Lankan Airways flight UL 103 bound for the Maldivian capital departed from Colombo only the next day – Saturday, September 18.

The call has turned out to be a hoax. But it has also raised questions of how quick the relevant authorities could react to a serious situation.

Re-directed

Britain’s Royal Navy Destroyer “HMS Glasgow” was due to dock at the Colombo Port last week on a three day goodwill visit – the first in four years.

The ship with 268 men on board has been re-directed to the troubled East Timor prompting the British High Commission in Colombo to cancel all engagements.

Did not explode

Troops on “Operation Rela Pahara” (Waves Strike) who broke out from Paranthan defences to attack Tiger guerrilla positions last week were helped by SLAF Mi-24 helicopter gunships on september 15.

At one point during the operation, two bombs dropped accidentally within the Paranthan defences. Troops there heaved a sigh of relief as they did not explode. An Army bomb disposal team had to move into the area to defuse the bomb before soldiers were allowed to move in the area.

Star class bill

An Army top man who was on holiday in Diyatalawa called for his bill before departure.

He was surprised when he got it. The total was a four figure amount, something which only a star class hotel (like the one he stayed down south) would charge.

He raised queries. The bill had included the costs for his entourage, bodyguards driver et all. He said the Army should meet their costs since these men were on duty. He wanted them to issue a new bill for him and his family. That came pronto. The amount, however, was small and the top man paid it with a cheque. Now comes the other part of the story. Previous top men in his position never called for or paid such bills. Hence, they were absorbed into various other costs.

The Special Report

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