Jungle Telegraph

24th May 1998

A kingly pursuit

Four senior Briga diers who sought extensions of their services have had their requests turned down by the Ministry of Defence.

The four who will retire on June 1 are Brigadiers K. Attanayake, K.A.M.G. Kularatne, Lucky Kulatunga and T.M.G Ariyaratne.

Defence Ministry officials explained that the Government wanted to stick to the policy of not granting extensions to those who have reached the stipulated maximum period in their rank.

The rule is to apply not only to the three armed services but also to the Police.

No wonder, one big man in uniform, with kingly pursuits and is due to retire soon is now canvassing to become a Sri Lanka Ambassador.

Of all places in the world, he wants to be posted to a Scandinavian country. Perhaps life there, he feels, would be the most suitable.

Its not only diplomacy that he would have to learn if his campaign succeeds. Its public relations too.

Being an Ambassador for Sri Lanka means much more than tipping off cronies or trying to fix those whom the cronies dislike.

Probing LTTE attack

Army Headquarters has named a three member Court of Inquiry to probe the circumstances that led to the LTTE attack on Kilinochchi-Paranthan defences in the first week of February, this year. The incident came on the eve of the 50th Anniversary Independence celebrations.

The Court headed by Major General Janaka Perera comprises Brigadier A.K. Sooriyabandara and Brigadier Ahamed Zacky.

Defusing the nuke blast

High ranking offi cials in the defence establishment are trying hard to save a multi million rupee military assistance package which they fear may be at stake.

The move follows last week's report that Pakistan expressed "surprise" at remarks by Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, that Sri Lanka had nothing against India realising its nuclear ambitions.

They are out

Some long serving military officers serving in procurement divisions of the Army have been moved out to other sections.

The move follows reports of their alleged links with arms dealers.

A special unit at Army Headquarters is now monitoring activities relating to alleged corruption and other irregularities.

Suicide groups here

Security in the city and suburbs have been intensified following reports that two LTTE suicide groups had entered in the recent weeks.

They are believed to have travelled from Batticaloa.

Intelligence sources speak of coded radio intercepts that spoke of the movement of these two groups but declined to divulge details.

Editorial/Opinion Contents