godfather in those eventful years of victory after victory, is now in the news again.

He had to leave the luxury of his granite jungle to ascend four floors to speak about his deals, his omissions and commissions. That too without his so called hench aiyas.

But insiders now say more shocking news is yet to come. They say the man is to be hauled up before sleuths who dig into all that is fraud.

All because, two cheques the overnight billionaire issued to a one-time buddy for almost a cool million bucks, have bounced from the bank like rubber balls. Many a deadline the considerate buddy gave him went by before the cheque was sent to the bank. Needless to say the news to come will make headlines.

That is the latest twist in the get rich story of a man who has now parked himself in a royal environment.

Bank probe places Navy men at sea
Navy officers who need loans or want to collect their retirement benefits are in trouble.
All because a cool Rs. 30 million that form the Benevolent Fund for Navy officers is stuck because of the Central Bank crack-down on the Pramuka Bank.

Who opted for Pramuka against recommendations to have the funds deposited in a State bank ? Well, the guessing goes on.

Austin's culinary delights
Diners to a Chinese restaurant at Havelock Road were surprised to see Defence Secretary Austin Fernando and three senior Army officers at dinner last Friday night chatting away. Though they tried to remain unobtrusive, the security men guarding all four gave the show away.

There was Army Commander Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Anton Wijendra and Commandant Volunteer Force Maj. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda, the Government's military nominee for the peace talks.

It turned out that Mr. Fernando was hosting a dinner for retired Indian Army officer, Gen. Satish Nambiar. The presence of the Army Commander and his senior men made it clear it was an official event.

Whether he chose Kinjou against a five star hotel for reasons of security or gourmet delights is not clear. But onlookers said he appeared to enjoy the fried rice. A sure change from the smogasbord in Oslo.

New roles for ltte area leaders
Remember LTTE's Political Wing leaders Ruban (Trincomalee) and Karikalan (Batticaloa). Clashes between Tiger cadres and Muslim groups in the east, forced the guerrilla hierarchy to move these men out.

Now comes the news that Ruban has been placed in charge welfare programmes for refugees in the Trincomalee district. The same task has been given to Karikalan in the Batticaloa district.

In memory of lrrp victim
Remember LTTE intelligence wing leader for East, "Lt. Col. Nizam," the man who planned suicide missions including the attack on late C.V. Gooneratne, a PA Cabinet Minister?

He was among those killed by the Army's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRPs) then operated by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) from the Safe House at Athurugiriya.

Five months ago, Tiger guerrilla leaders in the east commemorated his first death anniversary.

That is not all. Now the LTTE has erected a statute in his memory in Kokkadicholai.
Much to the discomfort of those who pooh-poohed the LRRPs, this will also be a monument to DMI's efforts!!

Meanwhile another informant who helped in LRRP operations was shot dead on Thursday in Wellawatte allegedly by a Tiger guerrilla hit group.

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