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11th November 2001

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Former Deputy Minister Dallas Alahapperuma recently quit the political field in disgust. "I have only J. R. Jayewardene to thank now - for my parliamentary pension. I have nothing else," he said. He is seen last Friday packing his belongings to leave the MPs' quarters for his sister's residence as the grace period given to him after the dissolution of parliament was now coming to an end. Pic by Asoka Peiris
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'Political' police for 3 divisions

Police Chief Lucky Kodituwakku has assigned a senior police officer to be in charge of what he calls all "politically motivated" inquiries in Gampaha, Negombo and Kelaniya divisions. 

The task has been placed in the hands of N.B. Wegodapola, SSP, Director, Parliament Police Division, and one time head of security for General Anuruddha Ratwatte, Deputy Minister of Defence. 

A message conveying the latest appointment was sent out yesterday by Mr. Kodituwakku to three Senior Superintendents of Police — Lucky Peiris at Gampaha, Raja Weerakoon at Negombo and P. Ranasinghe at Kelaniya. 

The Police Chief's latest order means the Senior Superintendents of Police in charge of the three divisions around Colombo will have no supervisory role or responsibility for inquiries into what has been termed "politically motivated" inquiries. All such inquiries will come under the direction and control of SSP Wegodapola.

Among such inquiries now under way is one involving a Deputy Minister.

Reggie Ranatunga, Deputy Minister of Ports Development, was remanded on the orders of the Gampaha Additional Magistrate, Vijitha Seneviratne, in connection with the killing of Lionel Rodrigo, during a clash at Pethiyagoda, Udugampola on October 24. Mr. Ranatunga, however, is now warded at the National Hospital in Colombo under supervision by Prison guards. 

On Friday, High Court Judge Ranjit de Silva, put off for November 15, a bail application made by lawyers for Mr. Ranatunga. On the same date, the case against Mr. Ranatunga comes up before the Magistrate's Court in Gampaha. 


What the polls say

Two independent research groups have conducted in-depth opinion polls indicating the trends and thinking patterns of people in the current general election battle. Please see page 10 for the opinion poll results.

Plain sailing to Jaffna soon

By Chris Kamalendran
In a controversial move that is causing security concerns and political misgivings, the government is relaxing air travel restrictions to Jaffna from tomorrow. 

The relaxation, being done at the request of EPDP leader Douglas Devananda, means passengers will not be required to obtain a police certificate or get security clearance to fly to Jaffna.

Air Force spokesman Ajith Wijesundara said the Defence Ministry had instructed the Air Force to relax the restrictions from tomorrow and had directed them to issue air tickets within four days. 

He said the relaxation would apply only to Colombo-Jaffna passengers and not to those coming from the north.


AB for presidency

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle has predicted that former Speaker Anura Bandaranaike would become the PA's next presidential candidate.

He told a PA election rally in Negombo that several years ago, when Mr. Bandaranaike was in the UNP that he would be the party's presidential candidate. But now he's happy with the PA, he said.


President sacks air base commander, 30 others

By Iqbal Athas
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as Commander in Chief has ordered the "termination of services and discharge" of 31 Air Force personnel for various lapses during the July 24 attacks on the country's main airbase and the adjoining Bandaranaike International Airport.

They include Air Commodore R.A. Ananda, Base Commander of the Katunayake airbase, now under interdiction, four other officers and 26 other ranks.

Three officers – Air Commodore J.L.C. Salgado, number three in the Air Force hierarchy, Wing Commander A.M. De Zoysa and Wing Commander B. D. Abeysooriya, then Commanding Officer of the SLAF Unit at BIA, President Kumaratunga has directed, should be issued warnings "to be more alert in the timely discharge of their duties in the future." One increment of their pay is to be stopped for what are called their "failures and lapses" that "have indirectly contributed" towards the incident.

Flight Lieutenant M.R.S. Marapperuma, Flying Officer S.S. Dissanayake and ten other airmen who displayed bravery in the face of the deadly encounters they faced, she has directed, should be commended and given gallantry awards.

President Kumaratunga's directives follow recommendations made to the Ministry of Defence by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody. They were based on the findings of a five member Court of Inquiry.

Black Tiger guerrillas launched a devastating attack on the airbase and the international airport on July 24. Eight Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft – two Israeli built Kfir interceptor jets, a Russian-built MiG 27 ground attack craft, two Mi-17 helicopters and three brand new Chinese built KT 8 trander – were destroyed. So were two A 330 and one A 340 Airbus aircraft belonging to SriLankan airlines. The cost of these losses alone was estimated at US $ 400 million. 

See Situation Report


Chandrika's presence over Jaffna: Satellite break down

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti
In the aftermath of a costly media misadventure in London, a satellite programme designed for President Chandrika Kumaratunga to address the people of Jaffna also fell apart yesterday due to technical reasons.

The Rs. 1.5 million project ran into difficulties when the ground link provided by sophisticated dish antenna connection failed. Attempts at rescheduling the programme also failed.

The programme was to be aired between 12 noon and 1. 30 pm yesterday. One hour was to be allocated for the President to address the Jaffna public, and half an hour for questions. 

The Sunday Times learns that the equipment necessary had been airlifted on Friday afternoon to Palaly, and despite attempts by Rupavahini technicians to get connected yesterday the ground link provided by the dish antenna failed. As the President was already prepared to begin the programme on time, the technicians attempted to reschedule the programme from 3 pm- 4.30 pm. 

In Colombo, an angry President had reportedly charged that the breakdown was an act of sabotage. 

The ground work in organising hundreds of Jaffna people for the abortive programme was done by the PA coalition partner, the EPDP. 

The Sunday Times contacted Information Director Ariya Rubesinghe and Presidential co-ordinating Secretary Sarath Gonagala regarding the breakdown but they switched the matter to each other.


Police warn Ranil of LTTE threat

Police have warned Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to be wary of LTTE threats during the ongoing polls campaign. 

The Sunday Times learns that the move follows intelligence reports that both PA and UNP leaders were targets of LTTE suicide bombers. 

The warning came amidst a complaint by the UNP hierarchy that members of a minority political group were being trained at a military base on the outskirts of the city to cause harm to the opposition leader.

However, the Army Commander Lionel Balagalle has denied that his directorate of military intelligence together with Army instructors flown down from the North are co-ordinating training of members of a northern Tamil political party to carry out attacks on meetings held by the UNP and its Leader's Campaign bus using Thermobaric Explosives and Claymore Mines.

The move followed representations made yesterday to Lt. General Balagalle by the UNP chairman Charitha Ratwatte, and signed by Vice Chairman Daya Pelpola on behalf of Mr. Ratwatte.

A letter from the UNP central office referred to information the party had received that Thermo Baric explosives have been brought from the operational areas in the North to the Panaluwa Army Testing Range and that certain persons alleged to be attached to a Northern Tamil political party are being trained in its use.

"We have also been informed that they are also being trained in the use of claymore mines. Our information is that the training is being co-ordinated by the Directorate of the Military Intelligence together with Army Instructors specially flown down from the North," the letter said.

"I would like to know whether the information has any substance and if so what steps will be taken to ensure that these weapons will not be used and ensure the security of the Leader and the UNP Leadership," Ratwatte's letter added.

Responding to the UNP letter, General Balagalle has said "in view of the seriousness of the issue you have raised, I immediately inquired into the matter and wish to assure you that there is no substance in the information you have set out in your letter.

"Your reference to the security of meetings by the UNP leadership and the Leader's campaign bus does not come within the purview of the Army. In the circumstances, I am referring a copy of your letter and my reply to you to the IGP today itself for his information and whatever action he deems necessary."


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