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| Saturday, 27 March 2004 |
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CID to probe multi million foreign mercenaries deal The defence authorities are to ask the CID to investigate a multi million dollar deal where foreign mercenaries were to be brought down to train Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Defence sources told the Daily News that the man allegedly behind this move is alleged to be Ravi Jayewardene who functioned as "Defence Advisor" to the Ministry of Defence. This post was neither approved by the Cabinet nor was Jayewardene issued a letter of appointment. When this position was discovered by the Defence authorities, Jayawardene was asked to relinquish office immediately. The sources said that using his unauthorised official position as cover, Jayewardene has been instrumental in obtaining special payment of US $25,000 for a group of three mercenaries who visited Sri Lanka to work out what was claimed to be a project proposal. Part of the payment it has allegedly been has gone into the pocket of a local agent working closely with Jayewardene over the years. Defence authorities found allegedly that the dubious multi million dollar deal with mercenaries was not at all required to train the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. This was particularly in view of several government to government arrangements. They covered not only routine train in but specialised training for Commandos, Special Forces and the Infantry. These governments include India, Pakistan, United States, United Kingdom, China and Bangladesh. It has also been revealed that Jayewardene has been masquerading as a qualified defence and security expert. Besides being the son of the late President J. R. Jayewardene and a marksman he had no such qualifications. However taking cover under his unauthorised position where he had access to sensitive information including intelligence it has been revealed that Jayewardene had only been engaged in working out the mercenary deal involving millions of dollars. Defence sources said yesterday the fake expert should not be allowed to take the government and the nation for a ride by abusing their influential positions. "More will come to light when the investigations are completed," the sources added. |
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