Letters to the Editor

Take immediate steps to enhance professionalism in VVIP security
National security and VVIP security have reached rock bottom, although the armed forces, the police and intelligence services count nearly 25 years in tackling terrorism.

Is it not time for Sri Lanka to be the advisors to other countries in countering terrorism rather than show signs of still learning the basics in VVIP security and national security?

Intelligence gathering must be done by covert means, secret reconnaissance and espionage networks. Intelligence gathering is a process of collection, collation, assessment and dissemination of information. Has the standard of intelligence gathering deteriorated due to lack of professionalism?

Gathering intelligence alone will not suffice to counter terrorism; it must be channelled to the right authorities for action without delay. Intelligence, if delayed, is a futile exercise and will lose its value.

The Ministerial Security Division and the Army unit which provided security to the late Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar lacked professionalism because they never anticipated an assassination from a neighbouring house. If the IGP says that they were in possession of a photograph taken by suspected persons of the late Minister’s residence and that he had alerted the Minister, what other action was taken to pursue the matter with the MSD and the local police? Were they briefed? If so, the IGP knowing that the late minister was a prime target should have issued clear instructions to

(a) ascertain the names of the occupants and visitors in the houses in the vicinity

(e) inform the VVIP Security Division and local police always to carry out searches in the vicinity and post personnel in these houses

(f) block the road or close the road to traffic hours before the late Minister arrived

It is time that the IGP sought the assistance of the experts who have experience in VVIP security in the police. Retired DIGs S.K. Chandrasekera and Mithra Ariyasena are two of them.

The Government should appoint a commission of inquiry to:
(a) ascertain the lapses

(c) recommend methods and systems necessary for providing VVIP security, intelligence gathering and making use of the intelligence thus gathered.

(d) ascertain how to avoid and prevent such incidents in the future.
Those responsible for these lapses must be identified and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

This should be done in the interest of national security and as a deterrent. A President, several ministers and a Navy Commander among others have been assassinated but there were no commissions of inquiry to ascertain the truth, the exact failures or omissions in the proper implementation of VVIP security and gathering of intelligence.

The government on its part must expose the LTTE atrocities at international forums and ensure that these murderous deeds are brought to a halt. Our message to the United Nations and other international organizations should be that if terrorism is to be eradicated globally then all forms of terrorism must be eradicated with the world community acting as a united force.

The time is ripe for the government to set about this task in a highly professional manner if we are to learn from our mistakes. It is time that Sri Lanka had its own training school for officers handling VVIP security.

The police, especially the IGP, must take the bigger share of the blame for not taking sufficient precautions to prevent the assassination. Merely blaming the late minister for not heeding his advice is indeed a poor excuse from a head of department entrusted with national security.

Whatever the preventive measures adopted by the police and armed services, they lacked professionalism. At least at this juncture let the Police, Armed services and the intelligence services bear in mind that they cannot be complacent just because there is a ceasefire. This is certainly a “wake up call” to them.

Act before the terrorists strike again
It began sometime ago and then it was the tragic killing of Lt. Col. Muthalif, followed by the cruel mutilation of SSP Charles Wijewardena and finally the most high profile assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

In our day, the forces made sure that carelessness and failure to perform duties were subjected to court-martial and the guilty were severely punished. So others following knew the score and avoided repetitions. It is time now to get back to these basics or lessons will never be learned.

The common factor responsible for these tragedies is the apparent and surprising failure to adhere to basic principles of personal protection. In the first case despite the Commander's instruction for special protection there was no protection provided.

In the second incident the group providing security to the late SSP forgot the most basic feature of personal protection in that you don't trust your enemy. However, I agree with the STF Commandant's proclamation that if they were with the SSP he would be alive today. The watch- word is simply professionalism.

Finally in the most high profile incident, a simple failure to pre-check an abandoned part of a neighbouring house and not having an adequate security strength at the crucial moment, proved fatal and caused an irreplaceable loss. The colossal expenditure on his security was wasted.

My good friend Colonel Lucky Rajasinghe and his brother late Colonel Daya Rajasinghe (both proven sniper experts) provided security supervision in the most tension-filled period of an on-going war (unlike the "peace" we have now!), to the late minister. He was then safe and sound because they were professionals.

Certain lawmakers and security experts 'passing the buck' are drawing red herrings to gain mileage by blaming circumstances, targeting journalists and opponents, which to the intelligent is nothing but 'baloney'.

The late President Premadasa, when advised by a police official not to travel to a suspect area, calmly reminded him that it was his job to protect him, but if he was thus incapable, he should then resign his post. Thereafter he would appoint a capable person.

It was a retired Special Forces Brigade Commander, who told national television that we were up there and the terra was down here; now we are down here and the terra is up there!

The wake up call is long overdue. Unless the security establishment realises the belated fact that the terrorists are focused and are ruthlessly efficient and acts accordingly, history can and will repeat itself.

VAT on water: Legal or illegal?
It is heartening to note that the Government has decided to exempt diesel, powdered milk and L.P Gas from VAT. This will definitely cushion the cost-of-living burden to some extent.

However much the Government initiates measures to grant relief to the people, the resultant benefit does not come down to the people because of bureaucratic bungling.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Policy Planning and Implementation issued two notices which were published in The Daily News of January 30, 2004 and The Sunday Times of January 11, 2004, announcing the removal of VAT from water bills.

Despite these announcements, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board continues to impose VAT on water bills and ignores queries raised by me regarding this levy. Moreover, the Water Board does not even state the amount of VAT levied in the water bill but simply adds VAT to the charges.

I wrote a letter to Finance Ministry Secretary P. B. Jayasundera on June 16, asking him whether the decision to remove VAT from water bills had been cancelled, rescinded or suspended but there has been no reply up to date.
On behalf of the consumers, I appeal to the authorities to clarify whether the Water Board is legally authorised to add VAT on water bills despite the two public announcements.

Establish air link with Bangladesh
There are hundreds of Sri Lankan students in Bangladesh. It's a pity these students have to go to Bangladesh through Bangkok, spending more for their airfare.

SriLankan Airlines operate a number of flights to India daily. Bangladesh is a member of the SAARC and surely, SriLankan Airlines can make arrangements to fly there at least once a week. It will do a great favour to the poor students.
An agreement with Bangladesh could be entered into in November when that country hosts the SAARC summit.

The next president
What is expected of a leader aspiring to be the next executive president?
He should be a man with a vision, who has the capacity to make that vision a reality.

A man, who does not prostitute religion for political gain and who treats all the people as Sri Lankans. A man with clean hands, who has not misappropriated funds meant for the people.

A man who could earn the respect of world leaders. Meet and talk with them as equals. A man who does not bend his knee to insolent might.

Above all – a benevolent Dictator, who could lead the people to leap to a single bugle, march to a single drum.

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