POLITIC

Army rations scandal exposed

By Frederica Jansz

Two generals and a brigadier in the Sri Lanka Army are facing allegations of pilfering food rations and a daily food per diem allocated to soldiers in order to boost their financial resources as well as enjoy a more luxurious eating style.

A sum of over Rs. 618,872.24 is unaccounted for in the army's 56 division in the Wanni where evidence has surfaced that commanding officers have pilfered this amount from over Rs. 700,000 illegally taken away from funds given to certain category of soldiers serving in operational areas for their daily meals.

An inquiry by the military police has found that enough proof is available to substantiate allegations that Major General P.B.G. Thibbotumunuwe, Major General C.J. Ranaweera and Brigadier Lawrence Fernando have stolen dry rations allocated to soldiers and forced personnel in the lower ranks of the army to hand over their per diem money which has filled the coffers of these officers.

Disgraceful scam

This tale revolves around the army's 56 division based in the Wanni. The disgraceful scam over a period of one year evolved during the tenure of Major General Thibbotu-munuwe, Major General Ranaweera who is presently military secretary and Brigadier Lawrence Fernando.

The allegations are made in an eight page report submitted by Major C.S. Ettipola, military police to Major General Ivan Dassanayake, pro vost marshal of the army on August 1. General Dassanayake last week sent a summary of the report to Army Commander, Lt. General Lionel Balagalle who is reported to have forwarded it to the Defence Ministry. However when contacted by The Sunday Leader, Defence Secretary Austin Fernando denied any knowledge of the report.

The three senior army officers are facing allegations of pilfering the Cash In Lieu of Rations (CILR) which is issued by army headquarters to operational divisional commands. CILR is used to pay for the daily meals of army drivers, batmen and escorts. A sum of Rs. 111.85 is allocated on a daily basis for 10 days every month to these soldiers for their meals when they serve senior officers in operational areas.

In order for the monies to be approved, the commanding officer of the respective division has to make a request from army headquarters for the monies to be released to his men.

Previously, a cash per diem was paid by army headquarters for the breakfast of all soldiers in operational areas. Dry rations were issued for lunch and dinner. Later, it was found that the cash issued for breakfast for soldiers had been misappropriated.

As a result, a decision was taken to only issue a cash per diem to commandos and special forces personnel. Drivers and escorts serving commanding officers in operational areas are entitled for the money for only 10 days of the month.

Swindled

What has happened in this instance is that the two generals and Brigadier Fernando together with other commanding officers have sought approval for these monies to be given to their drivers and escorts but then forced the men to hand over the cash to them.

The investigators probed the incidents in the 56 division in the Wanni from January 1, 2001 to July 30, 2002 and have detailed the amount of rations and money these three senior officers are alleged to have swindled from their own men.

During the period from January 1 last year to June 30, this year, these three commanding officers have spent Rs. 86,804 on farewell parties of other senior army officers. A sum of Rs. 64,448 has been spent on religious ceremonies while a sum of Rs. 44,467 has been spent to purchase tennis balls and badminton rackets. Rs. 28,492 has been spent for the upkeep of the divisional commander's bungalow while Rs. 33,250 has been utilised to buy mementos for officers being transferred to other divisional stations.

From August 1, 2001 to June 27, 2002 a sum of over Rs. 200,000 has been credited to the fund of the General Officer Command (GOC). The exact amount according to an investigation carried out by the military is Rs. 219,865.33.  How the two generals and the brigadier massed this amount of monies and spent some of it on their personal parties and gifts for each other was by demanding the 10 day monthly per diem from their drivers and escorts.

Not only that, they also used food rations allocated to the soldiers' kitchens to be channeled to the officers' mess in order they may fill their table with a larger bounty. In addition, these commanding officers collected Rs. 50 from each officer eating at the mess. Of this amount Rs.30 had been credited to the officer mess fund while the balance Rs. 20 from each officer was credited to the fund of the GOC.

A senior army officer confided that there were days during this period when at least 100 officers have dined at the officers' mess of the 56 division in the Wanni. This is how the commanding officers within a period of 10 months amassed wealth of over Rs. 200,000.

For instance, Major Weerasekera from the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment has been found to have taken the per diem of eight privates in the army for his own personal use. Corporal 364329 K. K. D. Gunawardena, from the 8th Sinha Regiment has stated that Major Weerasekera demanded that he hand over his 10 day monthly allowance of Rs. 111.85 per day to him. He had refused to do so.

However, Private 901423 C. S. Boteju from the Nine Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) had handed over Rs. 5,592 which was five months per diem to Major Weerasekera when the officer demanded it. Though Major Weerasekera got approval from army headquarters for only two names entitled to this per diem, he took money from six other lower ranking soldiers.

Military report

A military report has found that Major Weerasekera had even taken Rs. 3,340 and Rs. 6,200 on two separate days when he went on leave. The monies were the rations of Corporal K.K.D. Gunewardena and Private Gamini.

Brigadier U. L. Fernando took over duties in the 56 division at Wanni as division commander in June 2002. During that month, nine drivers and escorts attached to him have drawn Rs. 10,066.50 at the rate of Rs. 111.85 per day for 10 days as their due per diem for food. The money was handed over by the quarter master in the 56 division and given directly to the senior most non-commissioned officer of the group of nine army drivers and escorts.

When the money was drawn Brigadier Fernando had not been in residence at the camp. The monies have been handed over to Corporal Malsinghe who works as a clerk for the President Regimental Institute. An investigation carried out by the military police found that Malsinghe sought the permission of Major K.A.D.S. Perera to keep this money in a safe until the brigadier returned to camp.

Pretending to credit the monies to the President Regimental Institute which is a fund maintained at the respective camps for this purpose, the commanding officers, however, stored most of the cash in their personal safes. It is not clear why this was necessary as these monies should have been directly handed over to army drivers and escorts for the 10 day period when they travel to and from operational areas.

Request for audit

Separately, the Deputy Commander, 56 Division, Brigadier E.H.S.D. Alwis has also collected the monies handed out to five army drivers and escorts working directly under him and kept these food funds in his personal safe. The military police found a balance of these funds in his safe on December 8, 2001.

The investigating team has requested approval to carry out an audit of the various units to which these officers claim they have diverted the money, collected illegally from these soldiers. They are also seeking approval to question the commanding officers and study the accounting books of the canteens etc, situated along the A9 highway. Investigators are also requesting permission to carry out a full investigation into the commanding officers fund of the 56 division Wanni.

Sideshows and closed door dealings

By Amantha Perera

Parliament was once again relegated to a sideshow last week, except for one incident that took place during the last hour of sessions. 

With peace talks in Thailand and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to New York in full swing, a debate on the removal of the loss recovery clause that enabled government entities to pass on losses to consumers was never going to get pride of place. 

Presenting the bill, Finance Minister K. N. Choksy said that the government had taken the decision so that people would not have to bear the losses of government bodies. He observed that government bodies engaging in trade had the opportunity to make a profit.

The opposition however, saw a hidden agenda. Former Deputy Minister of Power, Felix Perera argued that the government was acting to the tune of the World Bank. He also observed that by doing away with the loss recovery charge the government might run into budgetary problems at the end of the year.

JVP’s Sunil Handunhetti was not willing to believe that the bill would alleviate the lives of the people. The JVPer said that so many taxes were being piled upon the people that they would not feel any relief. However, at the end of the day, the bill was passed without a vote.

So was the case on Wednesday (18), when the bill on the tea small holders was passed. It increased funds given to new plantations up to Rs. 65,000 per hectare. Right along the exchanges were dull and drab. Here and there was the occasional lively discussion, more the exception than the norm.

As was the case when Speaker Joseph Micheal Perera informed the house that Priyani Wijesekera has been recommended by the Constitutional Council to be appointed as acting secretary general. He said that he had no authority over the appointment and that it had to be carried out by the president.

Chief Opposition Whip Mangala Samaraweera observed that the speaker’s comment might carry the meaning that the president had contravened the constitution.

The long awaited 19th Amendment was finally tabled on Thursday (19) afternoon, at 3.10 p.m. to be precise. It had to wait till afternoon since parliamentary convention is that no other bills are taken up on days set aside for condolences, until the condolences finish.

Inauspicious time

The government faced a tricky situation. The period between 1.10 and 3.35 p.m. was deemed inauspicious and members wanted to table the bill by 12 p.m. However, former Minister Athauda Seneviratne spoke at length denying the opportunity. So did several other opposition members. Finally, the bill was tabled by Justice Minister W. J. M. Lokubandara on behalf of Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris amidst cat calls from opposition ranks just before the adjournment debate was taken up. The last episode was what really made parliament lively and interesting.

The party leaders’ meetings too became a dull affair. The one scheduled for Tuesday (17), had to be postponed since most of the leaders were out of the country and the speaker had just returned to the country that very morning.

During Wednesday’s party leaders’ meeting JVP Group Leader Wimal Weeravansha once again reminded the government of the postponed motion of confidence. The government side informed him that since the prime minister was abroad, they would have to wait till his return to fix a date.

This was the second occasion in two weeks that Weeravansha had broached the topic. When the motion was postponed at the request of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse, the JVP was out for blood. And ever since, has been gunning to get the debate.

Weeravansha got the same answer when he queried on the no-faith motion on Defence Minister Tilak Marapone.  Weeravansha was amply supported by MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardena who too has been pushing for the debates.

Though the 19th Amendment reached parliament last week, it will not be taken up for debate at least till after the third week of October. The PA is expected to petition the Supreme Court on the amendment.  If it is taken up, it would be the high point of politics this year, with the winner taking all. Till then, most dealings will be behind closed doors.

FROM THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

The battle has begun

The 19th Amendment has finally reached its destination. The journey was well publicised and dotted with several false starts. 

Its appearance on the order paper was delayed on Thursday (19) as well because the opposition kept dragging the condolence debate much to the annoyance of Parliamentary Affairs Minister A. H. M. Azwer, who charged that the JVP and the PA were working together to deny the government the opportunity. It was presented by Justice Minister W. J. M. Lokubandara in the absence of Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris. 

The day before the amendment was to make its appearance on the order book, national television aired a story that President Chandrika Kumaratunga was going to present a bill to the cabinet on Wednesday (18) calling for the total abolishing of the executive presidency. 

The groundwork had been done a few days earlier with other stories relating to how Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse was willing to step down and allow Kumaratunga to enter parliament.

However, those close to the president said that there was no such move in the making. “It is a UNP plant,” her Director Media, Janadasa Peiris said referring to the story.

True to form, the president did not make an appearance at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. Even if she had made such a proposal, the chances were very high that the UNP would have rejected it, or at least deferred it till Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was back in the island. 

While all this was taking place, one man was looking for his five minutes of fame and it was once again former minister and Leader of the House, Richard Pathirana. 

Two weeks back, his comments that there would be at least 20 PA members supporting the 19th Amendment got wide publicity. He had made the remark casually, during a chitchat with some lobby reporters. 

He was on the lookout for reporters during the lunch recess last Tuesday (17) as well. “Ahhh, I was looking for you,” he said to one reporter the moment he saw him. Once the crowd had gathered, Pathirana was whacking right round. He was firm in his resolve, “I am going to vote for the amendment.”

His argument was that the PA had come to power on the basis that they would abolish the executive presidency totally and this amendment only goes half way. “We wanted to cut the entire tree, this just removes some of the branches, how can they penalise me for this?” Pathirana said. 

He was talking of the decision taken at a SLFP working committee meeting on Monday (16) where the decision had been taken to initiate disciplinary action against any party member going against the party decision on the amendment.

Pathirana was present at the meeting but had not raised any objections even after President Kumaratunga had asked those present if there were any objections to opposing the amendment.

“The president already knows my stand so why should I say it again,” Pathirana said when queried as to why he had remained silent. 

“If anyone is going to initiate action, it would have to be with a letter from the PA General Secretary D. M. Jayaratne; will you do that?” he asked a visibly uncomfortable Jayaratne who just so happened to be beside him. 

Jayaratne however, was not as outspoken as his colleague. He just smiled and wiggled his way out of a very embarrasing situation.

Nevertheless, Pathirana did not have any information on the 20 so called dissidents. And was conspicuously evasive on the subject. Former Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, not so long ago shared the same views, but last week he had taken a step back. “No comment,” was his answer when queried whether he was supporting the motion.  Fowzie unlike Pathirana was present in the lobby when the amendment was tabled. 

Pathirana’s support to Ranil Wickremesinghe is unique. He was one of the staunchest critics of the UNP when in government, even at times going to the extent of observing that Wickremesinghe was not man enough to hold the premiership.

Now it seems, to him there is no one better than Wickremesinghe.

Mahinda’s call for unity

Soon after the 19th Amendment was tabled, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse observed that it could be defeated, provided there is unity within the PA.  Rajapakse’s comments came in the wake of a telephone call he received from President Chandrika Kumaratunga. She asked him whether a backbencher from Matale was on the list of possible dissidents. Rajapakse was quite certain that the MP in question was not on the rebel list.

However, during the week he had casually spoken of the amendment while having tea with some other PA members. They had all gathered to protest against the attack on colleague Ranjith Siyabalapitiya’s office by crowds returning from the Jana Bala  Meheyuma.

The MP’s words had been twisted inside out when they were brought to Kumaratunga’s attention. These were the sort of factions and groupings that Rajapakse feared were contributing to a possible government victory. JVP Group Leader Wimal Weeravansha believes that the two third majority is a tough ask for the government. “They have to secure 20 members. We just have to make sure that one of the 20 does not vote.”

Ironically, one of the factions that Rajapakse was referring to was the one that is aligning itself with the JVP.

Mahindananda forgets his own motion

Mahindananda Aluthgamage is from the fire breathing clan. Screaming and shouting coarse is the name of the game with the occasional punch thrown in. But last week, he forgot his own adjournment motion. The motion was about the Tea Small Holders Association. It contained details of supposed wrong doings.

However, when he ran into the lobby when the motion was taken up at 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday (17), he did not have the motion with him.

But help came from the JVP brethren, who were more than willing to give a copy of the motion and second the motion as well. 

In the midst of his reply, Minister Lakshamn Kiriella revealed that since there was no vehicle available for him, he has rented a vehicle, with Treasury approval of course. And the taxpayers are spending Rs. 50,000 per month for the vehicle.

THELMA

Time to jump on the bandwagon

Dear Satty, 

Darling, a spot of advice. It may be time for your monthly hair appointment, time for your manicure, time for your dish of tea, as we all know there is a time for everything, but more than ever Thelma is convinced, it is time for you to jump on the bandwagon. Thelma is not what one would call a punctual girl, but she knows when the time is up. And your’s girrrlfriend, is.

I mean to say dear. The UNF chappies in Sattahip Naval Base, Siam, did not turn out to be quite white elephants after all. A bit of a bally success don’t you reckon? I know, I know.

‘Wombat, dingbat, been there done that’ is what is going on through your keen-as-mustard mind right now. ‘Peace talks forsooth’ you spit. ‘Begorra and begone,’ as the Irish might say. Or not say, as the fancy takes them. After all, it is you who wrote some 40 frantic letters to the Tigers a few years back. It is you and Mangy who drove a peace wagon from town to town in the south, minutes before election time; the wagon teeming with school children clad in white, singing mangala gaatha. You can’t fault the villagers for getting confused, if you insist on singing mangala gaatha.

Every time they sang ‘mangala’ the villagers naturally thought this was some sort of support bus route for Mangy. Worse. The children wore scarves. What is more confusing than that? Bottomline, all in all, in the final analysis, when all is said and done....and all that jazz, you need to support this final peace effort. Agreed, it is not in the best interests of the Banda family. I admit the masses are beholden to the Bandas who nurtured them for centuries. But then Thelma and some others, being rather on the elitist side and all, are not beholden to anyone. We merely find the Banda family a blot on the political escutcheon. From your narrow and minute point of view, granted it may be politically incorrect to support the peace talks especially since you want to cling on to power so desperately. But, as I said earlier, the time has come. The time has come to put your country before self.

The anti-tobacco league may be painting a very bad picture in their advertisements. Showcasing lungs riddled with all sorts of black spots and windpipes looking sore and red, but hurrah for smoking is all I can say. Especially, if you are smoking the peace pipe.

The Siamese talks did not go too badly dear. And if you support the peace talks even at this late stage, who knows, you might get some of the kudos after all. Besides, the bespectacled Anton Bala and his team stepping down from the Eelam perch were a healthy sign I thought.

As Rakneel said at the UN General Assembly in New York, the silent peacekeeping has begun. Relationships are being mended. Though I was a little puzzled when he said the Paradisians after 18 years can laugh again. The blot seems to have very quickly been forgotten, even though he was among the ringleaders, that the Paradisians, all through your six-year rule, giggled uncontrollably at your methods of governance.

For a long time, the Paradisians could do nothing but laugh. I mean to say, the legislators were always producing a good guffaw for the masses. Simply put, it would be no use having a comedian try to entertain members of the house. Soon he would realise that all the jokes are in his audience.

Nevertheless, timing is on the side of peace. What with uncle Sam breathing down a neck or two and wanting to smoke people out of holes and that sort of thing... Anton Bala seems like a wise old owl that knows when to give it up.

I urge you dear, to think of Paradise for once and support peace. And what with Rakneel demanding immediate peace dividends and all that, hopefully the international rich kids will throw us some tasty morsels. The stock market has already sky rocketed and investment has a good chance of swelling up, if you know what I mean. Economically speaking then, as Anton Bala himself said in Siam, all ethnic groups could work together in order to make Sri Lanka a mighty Asian Tiger...

Oops! Bad choice of words, me think.

Naughty, naughty Anton!

Toodle oo