Controversy surrounds the absence of Major T. N. Mutaliff's bodyguards when an LTTE assassin targeted him at Elvitigala Mawatha close to Polhengoda junction as he drove to Kotalawela Defence Academy.

Army Headquarters yesterday acknowledged that none of Mutaliff's security contingent, which included motorcycle outriders, had been with him at the time of the attack.

A senior army official dismissed claims that the entire contingent had been on leave. Thirty-nine-year-old Mutaliff, posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, was the Commanding Officer, first battalion, Military Intelligence Corps, the official said. "No one would have interfered with his security," he asserted, while revealing that Army Chief Lt. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda had recently inquired about the slain officer's security.

The official emphasised that Mutaliff could have easily called for reinforcements. But unfortunately he had decided to go even without existing security.

The Island learns that the government has strongly advised the military not to react to the latest provocation. President Chandrika Kumaratunga is believed to have told the top brass that this shouldn't jeopardise the Cease-Fire Agreement.

Colonel of the Regiment Major General H. K. G. Hendarawitharana, in a Special Part I Order issued on Wednesday, on behalf of Lt. General Kottegoda, said that Mutaliff was killed in "an LTTE terrorist attack". "He was an exemplary officer who served the Army in order to defend the country's unitary state and territorial integrity at the risk of his own life," Hendarawitharana said.

Hendararawithana, until recently Director of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), moved up the latter paving the way for Brigadier A. R. Zacky to take over the hot seat. Zacky had been Sri Lanka's Defence Advisor in Islamabad.

Hendarawitharana described Mutalif as "a fearless warrior and a tower of strength to his fellow soldiers and had secured many achievements in the face of enemy threats."

Contrary to reports, the slain officer hadn't been a member of the squad that infiltrated the LTTE territory during the previous PA administration to assassinate key LTTE cadres. But he had contributed towards the success of many operations over a period of time, authoritative sources said.