26th December 1999

By Alia

Cheeky, eh?

Education Minister Richard Pathirana is in the news again. This time for allegedly slapping a Police Constable at Habaraduwa during the Presidential elections.

The PC is learnt to have made an entry to this effect at the Habaraduwa Police Station. Police say they want to record a statement from Mr. Pathirana.

During the last Provincial Council elections, he was in the news after being involved in a heated exchange of words with Southern Province DIG, Bodhi Liyanage.

Muzzle puzzle

Among various probes into the December 18 explosion by a female suicide bomber at Town Hall grounds is one to ascertain how two pistols belonging to the sleuths have gone missing. One is said to be the official issue to a top cop.

Insiders say that an Israeli made Uzi automatic has also gone missing. But they are not sure whether this also occurred at the Town Hall.

The scary letter

Many Army top rungers are irked by the contents of a letter under the signature of UNP General Secretary, Gamini Atukorale that was circulated days before the presidential elections.

It is over what they complain is the warning he issued in a two paragraph letter. The second para, which contained it, reads:

"We would like, however, to remind you that in the event of your being coerced to be a party to any irregular conduct, you should desist from such activity lest you would be held personally responsible and could be subject to legal action."

The letter began thus: "We are happy to know that you are deployed in operational areas and to maintain Law and Order in the North and East during this vital time of the Presidential Election. We trust that you will not spare any effort to ensure a peaceful election and we have no doubt that you will maintain a high standard of professionalism, discipline among the troops and assist the authorities and the general public to cast their vote without hindrance."

There was also another letter many a top runger received. It was anonymous and most believed it was a hoax. Poking fun at this week's Presidential elections, the letter said the Army should manage the affairs of the country. The recent developments in Pakistan were used to support the request. Needless to say military sleuths are checking to see from where it originated.

Who knows best

News sure travels fast in this new technological era. The LTTE's clandestine Voice of Tigers radio reported in its news bulletin on Thursday morning that President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, had flown abroad for medical treatment, hours before many in the south learnt of it.

The report was picked up in Vavuniya by military authorities.

Soosai killed

Sea tiger leader Soosai has been killed in fighting between tiger guerrillas and security forces, intelligence sources confirmed yesterday.

He is said to have died in the fighting between 14 and 20 December.

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

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