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Tiger hunt continues
Tiger guerrillas are continuing their campaign of murder against informants of the Army's Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) - the direct result of the Police raid on the Safe House at Millennium City in Athurugirya.

The latest guerrilla target is a man who was one of their own intelligence operatives. He was recruited from the hill country. Until September 1996, the man who operated under the nom de guerr Dominic was tasked to intercept military radio communications. He was asked to transcribe them and forward it to the leadership for analysis.

He joined the Army in April 1997 and was Lance Corporal M. Aloysius (No: 9Q02100). Thirty four years old, he came from Hopton Estate and the man was assigned to operate in the Batticaloa district.

After the Safe House raid, guerrillas had uncovered his identity. He was moved to another secret location from where he operated and provided vital information on Tiger guerrilla activity.

Early this week, Aloysius visited the Badulla Hospital to see his new born child, just five days old. A pistol group fired three shots into his stomach and escaped.

The man underwent emergency surgery and is said to be not yet out of danger. Authorities thought of airlifting him to Colombo but doctors advised against it. He is still under treatment with guards protecting him.

Death for Aloysius would have meant no breadwinner for his wife and two children. That is the heavy price he paid for somebody else's blunder.

Axe on spy cell
A intelligence analysis cell in one of the premier intelligence agencies has been shut down.

This cell was set up when the United National Front Government held the Interior Ministry under which the Police Department came. The intelligence organisation was one within the Police.

Tradition remains
Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, who has embarked on a programme to strengthen security in Naval installations, has come up against an unusual poser.

In a bid to position the right man in the right place, he posted Commodore Upali Ranaweera, currently commanding the North Western Province, as the new Commander, Eastern Naval Area.

The move sparked off a campaign by an officer named earlier. He has not only interviewed both UNF and People's Alliance politicians, but also other service top brass - all to persuade the Navy Chief to make him Comeast.

But the Navy Chief is unmoved. He has insisted that representations against his decision, if it was necessary, should have been made to him and not to others. His rule and a naval tradition thus remain.

Medals withdrawn
Army Chief Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle is to withdraw medals and commendations extended to those officers and men he has punished for their involvement in the Police raid on the Army Safe House at Athurugiriya.

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