ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday November 4, 2007
Vol. 42 - No 23
News  

Odds & Ends

Lottery guys are shivering in their boots wondering how to cope with a summons to explain alleged financial and other irregularities in this money spinner. Comrades with an axe to grind are said to be waiting to go to town after questioning session next Tuesday. Officials whisper that they were merely carrying out political orders channelled through not only the present big man there, but even his predecessor. What they fear most is the damage that would be done to its image through this exercise, which could cost them dearly in sales.

The whole UN system might be stacked against little Sri Lanka, while it turns a Nelsonian eye to mountains of violations taking place in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, the Congo or even Pakistan. Even Myanmar’s tough generals are balking in the face of a sudden onslaught there as well by the UN, but not the Rajapaksa and Co. The secret they say are the mandarins in Delhi, who have long spotted the not so mysterious tactics of the West in their backyard, while also being wary of China and Pakistan getting far too close to Colombo. So no wonder the Indians even refitted the vessel Sayura they gifted few years ago early this year at US$ 4.8 million, entirely at their expense. Besides India helped to give birth to this menace and it is only right for it to destroy the monster.

War might be an excuse in the rest of the country for avoiding work, but in Mullaitivu the violence has not prevented people there harvesting some 200,000 coconuts and 85,000 bags of paddy. GA Mullaitivu Mrs. Imelda Sukumar says that with there being no market for such excess quantities there people have begun to carry 50 coconuts per person on their heads to Vavuniya. She has already obtained military permission to transport the paddy to Vavuniya in lorries that take essential items to the Wanni from the South on their return journey. Now she hopes to obtain similar permission to transport the nuts.

A hot shot ASP notorious for assaulting people on highways over traffic disputes may have got into a fresh soup recently all over his wife being not allowed to enter a high security zone during a personal emergency.

Later the hubby had come and not only abused the constable on duty, but also transferred him and his OIC out of the division. Now a probe is on to see whether he had the powers to carry out such acts. Not so long ago the ASP himself was involved in a high drama inside this same high security zone when he allegedly abused a then serving senior DIG in foul language. That probe, which has dragged on is still pending.

Top to the page
E-mail


Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and the source.
© Copyright 2007 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.