An armed struggle needs arms

By Udeni Saman Kumara-2015-10-04

Interrogation of Rohana Wijeweera by Sunanda Deshapriya continued.....

Sunanda Deshapriya: I will make a proposal to you. According to the facts of history, my statement will clarify the instances when you have lied.
Rohana Wijeweera: I too am of the opinion that history will explain everything.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Do you remember the first day I met you?
Rohana Wijeweera: I do not remember the first day but I believe it was in late 1968 or the beginning of 1969 at your house.
Sunanda Deshapriya: At that point did you know that I was already exposed to the JVP teachings by Sanath?
Rohana Wijeweera: Yes. I got to know you through Sanath
Sunanda Deshapriya: Do you remember meeting me in Akmeemana in a political workshop which was held in 1969?
Rohana Wijeweera: Yes, I think so. I did a class in Akmeemana
Sunanda Deshapriya: Do you remember? It was held for five days.

Rohana Wijeweera: Yes. That was the general procedure.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Apart from physical exercises, do you remember doing other training programmes?
Rohana Wijeweera: No.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Do you remember teaching us to climb trees and move by hanging on ropes?
Rohana Wijeweera: No. Those activities were not done in Akmeemana.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Was there anybody in Akmeemana who came from the Navy?
Rohana Wijeweera: Comrade Thilakarathne attended the first camp but he did not attend the second.
Sunanda Deshapriya: So, according to you, a military training was not given at the camp?
Rohana Wijeweera: No. We did not give such a training.
Sunnanda Deshapriya: In the final lesson you gave, the class number 5 addressed the path and direction of the revolution in Sri Lanka.

Rohana Wijeweera: That lesson was given at all camps we organized; therefore we must have had it in Akmeemana as well.
Sunnanda Deshapriya: There, did you talk about a subtopic called, the geographical position of Sri Lanka?
Rohana Wijeweera: No. I don't remember. I remember one called the unique conditions of Sri Lanka.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Did you talk about the geographical position of Sri Lanka under the title "Unique Conditions"?
Rohana Wijeweera: No. Primarily we talked about social issues.

Sunanda Deshapriya: So according to that explanation, 'unique conditions of Sri Lanka' does not include geographical position?
Rohana Wijeweera: It does, but to a certain extent according to the subject matter.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Did you talk about the history of Sri Lanka's freedom struggles and the lesson we can learn from them?
Rohana Wijeweera: Not in the way you describe but we talked about 1818 and 1848 rebellions.
Judge Wimalarathne: Sunanda we have already heard about them.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Your Honour, I have only a few questions left.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Did you talk about lessons that should be learned by those struggles?
Rohana Wijeweera: Yes. We wanted to discuss those lessons.

Sunanda Deshapriya: Did you mention that these rebellions did not succeed because they were spread out and instant?
Rohana Wijeweera: "Instant" is not a correct way to explain it. But I have said that the rebellions were spread out and the tactics of the rebels were wrong.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Let me put it this way, lacking an instant, collective response?
Rohana Wijeweera: Yes. I might have said it.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Do you say that the long descriptions that you have given to the CID which included details about an armed struggle, is true?
Rohana Wijeweera: As far as I remember, I have said the truth.

Sunanda Deshapriya: Does it include information about an attack?
Rohana Wijeweera: As far as I know, it was not about an attack. It included a detailed description about the lessons which were given in the class number five.
Sunanda Deshapriya: Does it mean you have given information about an armed struggle or how to launch an armed struggle?
Rohana Wijeweera: It means, if the revolution in Sri Lanka drives in a violent route, a common opinion can be there about the ways in which force can be used.
Presiding Judge: You have said, in class number five you taught about the lessons that can be learned by the 1818 and 1848 rebellions.
Rohana Wijeweera: Yes.

Presiding Judge: Learning about unsuccessful revolutions can be used to examine how to do a successful one.
Rohana Wijeweera: Yes. If there is a need for another revolution!
Presiding Judge: Did you also talk about how to do a successful revolution in Sri Lanka at the camp?
Rohana Wijeweera: We addressed that issue as well as other issues which were relevant and the common steps we can take.
Judge Alles: For a revolution to become successful it should occur throughout the country.
Rohana Wijeweera: According to the condition of the country, if the revolution were supposed to be an armed struggle, then yes it should occur throughout the country.
Judge Alles: You would need arms for that.
Rohana Wijeweera: In order to conduct an armed struggle one needs to be armed.
Judge Alles: So, class number five in the workshop must have discussed about the issue.
(To be continued)