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| Sunday, 13 July 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Periscope : Alliances and Dalliances The famed 'Clown Prince' once remarked that the JVP has the will power and the PA the executive power, and together they will make a formidable combination. Will they really?? Any average citizen with a semblance of IQ would not find it difficult to fathom the intent of the JVP. Rev. Kalawelgala Chandraloka, livewire of the JVP Buddhist Organisation, had summed up their intentions in his words "We will make full use of all these developments (referring to the "Alliance") at future elections..." in April this year at public rallies. The pretences of the SLFP in feigning that the JVP is the Junior partner does not hold water as the JVP had already started dictating terms to the so called "Senior Partner". The JVP MP for the Anuradhapura district, K. D. Lalkantha had said at the Convention of the Railway Workers' Union on 2 July that the 'SLFP is entertaining hopes of sitting in the 'drawing room' and relegating the JVP to the "Isthoppuwa" and this will never be and Chandrika cannot be trusted for five cents', in indicative of the mood of the JVP. In their quest to show the public that they (the JVP) will make the difference between victory and defeat, cannot overlook the carnage they had brought about in 1989-killed 102 SLFPers, 342 Police Officers, 209 service personnel, 30 of the Maha Sangha, among many other eminent and ordinary citizens, devastating the lives of more than 6000 people and possibly eliminating CBK's, dear Husband Vijaya. Their posturing, as mentioned last week, is only a part of their subversive agenda, which is apparent from their vituperative speeches at public rallies. They had also chosen to attack former ministers particularly, Nimal Siripala de Silva describing him as an "Olubakka" and that there is no place for such unprogressive elements in the "Alliance" at the electoral organizers' rally in Kurunegala recently. So much so that staunch SLFPers are rebelling against this invasion of the so-called "Socialist" brothers. The alarming situation is such, that some of them are in touch with the UNF Government, for 'relief' from this scourge which is threatening the SLFP. Some of the SLFP stalwarts, in fear, have opened a communication link, with some senior UNP ministers. CBK in the line of fire It was not surprising to read in the press that CBK is running scared again! Firstly, it was her thinking that she had 20 UNF MPs in her pocket and finding that she had none; secondly, the arrival of Pullidevan, the deputy head of the LTTE's political wing, to the Colombo Hilton, had apparently sent shudders down CBK's spine. All that furor over the fear of Tiger snipers getting at her from the Hilton Roof top has melted away, since the Police investigation had revealed that neither the 'Target' (President's House) was visible from the room or the roof top nor within range for a deadly RPG attack. Mr. Pullidevan had merely arrived in Colombo to do legitimate business with the Sri Lanka Customs, at the conclusion of which he had taken off to the Vanni. CBK does have her fears, which keeps popping up frequently, either at Cabinet Meetings, roof tops or public rallies. We can well understand the Shakespearean quote "the coward lives a thousand deaths, while the brave die only once." LTTE Games According to the LTTE suspect taken into custody in Ranong, Thailand, the Tigers have stockpiled nearly 600 artillery shells, over the course of last year, with 40 shells in about 10-15 different attempts. From the description of the shells being five feet tall, their cost could range between US$250 to $2000 each, a somewhat eyebrow-raising exercise no doubt. We really wonder why such long range fire power - when all what the people in the North are asking are a decent roof over their heads and be able to move back to their homes? It is time the LTTE started spending some of their monies to provide more toilets for their people instead of stockpiling weapons. It is not only the President who is seeing Ghosts but also the LTTE. The Indians have helped out with the flood victims, but also with de-mining, in which 42 Indian soldiers are involved in removal of mines and ordinance in the Vavuniya district. The LTTE suspect them to be members of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of the Indian Intelligence Services, on surveillance of their cadres. What is it that we are trying to hide? Perhaps it is a legitimate question to raise. The time is nigh to come again to the peace table to thrash out our differences and move rapidly towards permanent peace. Peace is the sine quo non, for development on both sides of the divide. The LTTE has also moved with their 'martial law' into the abode of the Muslim fishermen in the Trincomalee area. The days catch is transported to the Colombo Central Fish Market, by-passing the Muslim dominated local market. They have also instructed Tamils to avoid transactions with Muslim traders and Muslim traders not to sell goods to Tamils. Tamils who had purchased goods from Muslim traders had to return their goods for refunds. Does democracy and open market practices have a chance of survival under such draconian rule? Instead of winning hearts, the LTTE is bent on subverting the loyalty of Muslims, and indirectly heading for a call for separation. In the long haul such policies, founded on narrow parochial thinking, will not hold up against time. Naval Maneuvers Procurement of arms and equipment in the Forces has always enticed the top brass, beguiled by the lure of easy kickbacks and commissions. The Naval establishment is no exception. The SLN needs Fast Attack Crafts and automatic cannon with special directional devices, which is available and can be procured through the most reliable sources. One such instance is the Bush master cannon with Nigh Hawk optical direction, supposedly the best cannon in its class for effective naval patrolling of the northern seas. What the authorities in the Defence establishment don't know is about the subterfuge resorted to by the kith and kin of officials. The Naval head of procurement is a relation of the 'Supremo' and is apparently known to Mr. Suvi Joseph, who is the middleman for KCB Oerlikon cannon of Israeli origin, originally supplied under the Royal Ordinance Contract, minus the required range and other superior features such as night vision and direction finders. The supplier has the dubious reputation of having supplied second hand and reconditioned equipment in the past. The procurement chief had apparently pre-empted the replacement deal by mobilizing some of his old College friends in one of our foreign missions. The 'Supremo' is also poised to obtain the coast cutter without the gun mounting and alternatively install a 30mm cannon with Typhoon mount to be purchased from "Raphael." The failure rates of Typhoon equipment, is heavy and neither any relief has been offered nor any attempt to overcome the outstanding issues have been made by the vendor. Any officer who stands in the way of the 'Supremo' will stand to lose his scholarships and training trips abroad and is sure to be relegated to the Siberian waste of an aborted career or pre-mature retirement. We are sure the Chief of the Armed Forces would not waste any more time looking for snipers and snatching away MPs and take immediate action to remedy this sordid affair. - The Mole |
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