12th December 1999

By Alia

Outdated files

Intelligence sleuths called on the house of a lady in Mount Lavinia whom they believed was the residence of the wife of one time Rupavahini Chairman and ex-BBC hand, Vasantha Raja, a couple of weeks ago.

They made intense inquiries from Mrs. Vasantha Raja and asked what her husband was doing. That was from members of the household.

These were apparently part of discreet inquiries to ascertain why Mr. Raja had chosen to return to Sri Lanka and was living in a house in Mount Lavinia.

They were shocked when they learnt that was the house of Lilani Samarasinghe, Mr. Raja's third wife, whom he divorced three long years ago. He was married a fourth time to Nelum Mudalige, a former Sirasa FM staffer with whom he is now living. Lilani is now happily married again and is living in London.

High time our super sleuths updated their files. Otherwise they will have problems finding out simple info (or is it intelligence) about the wife of a man whom they are after!!

Tractor owners warned

Are Tiger guerrillas in the east preparing for a major offensive ?

Preparations in the Kanjikudichiaru jungles have fuelled suspicions.

In the past two weeks, they have seized four tractors from civilians in the Pottuvil area and moved them into this jungle.

Police have now warned tractor owners to be cautious, at least until such time the Presidential elections are over.

Motorcades

Campaigners in the Presidential polls who travel in motorcades shouting slogans may court arrest by the Police.

The Attorney General's Department has told the Police that any organised motorcade in which people travel shouting slogans should fall within the purview of election laws that ban processions.

Hence the Police Elections Secretariat has sent out instructions to the Police to arrest those involved in such motorcades.

Five star capture

Some security officials could not hide their chuckles of laughter at remarks Karuna, a former Batticaloa leader, who led the recent attacks in the Wanni made. This was during radio intercepts.

"Adey, ithu pive estaar daa (I say this is five star)", he declared after the capture of the Kanakarayankulam defence complex with various installations, both military and sports.

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

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