14th January 2001

By Alia

Tiger officials at work

Whilst declaring it was enforcing a unilateral cease-fire in the battle areas of the north, there were clear signs that the LTTE was busy formulating strategies for peace talks under Norwegian facilitation.

Radio intercepts by intelligence agencies reveal various bases are busy collecting data on security forces excesses, the disruption of civil administration, inadequate educational facilities and lack of food and medical supplies.

Radio traffic is so heavy one could expect a voluminous dossier, says an intelligence source.

Military cooperation

Closer military co- operation between Sri Lanka and the Czech Republic is on the cards.

A highly decorated Czech Army official will arrive in Colombo on a three day visit beginning January 23.

Lieutenant General Jiri Sedivy, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Republic armed forces, arrives with four other military officials.

Lt. Gen. Sedivy is the recipient of several medals including the NATO medal for service in operations in former Yugoslavia, the Distinguished Cross and the Legion of Merit.

Butchers and surgeons

It was an august as sembly with the creme de la creme of the country's surgeons gathered to honour the youngest in the profession to become President of the College of Surgeons.

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke, Consultant Surgeon at Sri Jayawardenepura, was being honoured. The veteran surgeon, who has periodically volunteered his surgical skills for wounded soldiers in the battle areas, delivered a thought provoking speech about surgery in Sri Lanka.

The front rows on the stage were reserved for the greats of the surgical professions.

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, with all humility took a seat in the third row, thus conforming to tradition during events of that nature.

But a PA politico, who was deputising for his boss, turned up with his TV camera crew.

One of his escorts in lounge insisted that the politico be placed in the front row.

The organisers would not hear of it.

The piqued man summoned a bodyguard and asked him to find out the closest exit.

He walked out of the sessions followed by his mobile publicity unit, much to the relief of others.

A case of fools rushing in where angels fear to tread.

Or was it a case of a butcher barging into where surgeons were gathered ?

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/ Opinion Contents