Ordering around

Even if one does not use that word in diplomatic parlance, it was clearly a snub for the head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), retired Norwegian Major General Trond Furohovde.

This week he sent Army Headquarters a list containing the names of Tiger guerrillas who have been nominated by the LTTE to visit security forces controlled areas to carry out political work.

The Ceasefire Agreement allows visits by 50 unarmed cadres by D-day plus 30 (or by March 24). By D-day plus 90, all cadres will be allowed to do so. Notwithstanding these provisions, individual guerrilla cadres are permitted, unarmed in plain clothes, to visit immediate families for weddings or funerals.

Major General Furo- hovde had sent a list of guerrilla names to Army Headquarters and said those cadres should be allowed entry into SF controlled areas. Needless to say the "order" angered some high ranking Army officials.

They reminded the retired Norwegian Army officer that he should follow proper procedure – forward his request to the "Peace Secretariat" in the Prime Minister's office and let it go through the accepted channels.

The message was clear – that a Norwegian Major General, retired or otherwise, had no power or authority to give "orders" to the Army Headquarters.

That was a responsibility of the higher command, and in accordance with the Constitution, the political leadership.

Poaching with political power

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri was an angry man this week. Justifiably so, because his senior officers did the right thing by enforcing the law but had to face an affront to their dignity.

It was all about a case of poachers. Being tasked with the responsibility of enhancing Port security since last July's guerrilla attack on the Bandaranaike International Airport, the Navy adopted a number of tough new measures including enhanced patrols.

Upon being told that a group of fishermen, poachers, were fishing in the high security zone, a senior official responsible had ordered that the men be arrested and handed over to the area Police. This is exactly what the Navy men did.

They rounded up the poachers, said to be from Wattala and took them to the Police Station. It is there that they were in for a bigger shock.

The Police would not take into custody the poachers. Nor would they entertain the Navy's complaint.

The reason ? As one irate cop whispered into the ears of a Navy officer, a key Minister had given instructions to the Police not to do so. Presumably, the encroachers not only had the blessings of the Minister in question but were his staunch supporters.

They were forced to let the poachers go scot free. They are not sure what to do, if there are more poachers in the high security zone.

Senior Navy officials say Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is not aware. They lament they cannot make direct representations to him.