New Alzheimer’s treatment fully restores memory function
Of the mice that received the treatment, 75 percent got their memory functions back.

BEC CREW-18 MAR 2015

Australian researchers have come up with a non-invasive ultrasound technology that clears the brain of neurotoxic amyloid plaques - structures that are responsible for memory loss and a decline in cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients.

If a person has Alzheimer’s disease, it’s usually the result of a build-up of two types of lesions - amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid plaques sit between the neurons and end up as dense clusters of beta-amyloid molecules, a sticky type of protein that clumps together and forms plaques. 

Neurofibrillary tangles are found inside the neurons of the brain, and they’re caused by defective tau proteins that clump up into a thick, insoluble mass. This causes tiny filaments called microtubules to get all twisted, which disrupts the transportation of essential materials such as nutrients and organelles along them, just like when you twist up the vacuum cleaner tube.

As we don’t have any kind of vaccine or preventative measure for Alzheimer’s - a disease that affects 343,000 people in Australia, and 50 million worldwide - it’s been a race to figure out how best to treat it, starting with how to clear the build-up of defective beta-amyloid and tau proteins from a patient’s brain. Now a team from the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at the University of Queensland have come up with a pretty promising solution for removing the former.

Publishing in Science Translational Medicine, the team describes the technique as using a particular type of ultrasound called a focused therapeutic ultrasound, which non-invasively beams sound waves into the brain tissue. By oscillating super-fast, these sound waves are able to gently open up the blood-brain barrier, which is a layer that protects the brain against bacteria, and stimulate the brain’s microglial cells to activate. Microglila cells are basically waste-removal cells, so they’re able to clear out the toxic beta-amyloid clumps that are responsible for the worst symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

The team reports fully restoring the memory function of 75 percent of the mice they tested it on, with zero damage to the surrounding brain tissue. They found that the treated mice displayed improved performance in three memory tasks - a maze, a test to get them to recognise new objects, and one to get them to remember the places they should avoid.

"We’re extremely excited by this innovation of treating Alzheimer’s without using drug therapeutics," one of the team, Jürgen Götz, said in a press release. "The word ‘breakthrough’ is often misused, but in this case I think this really does fundamentally change our understanding of how to treat this disease, and I foresee a great future for this approach."

The team says they’re planning on starting trials with higher animal models, such as sheep, and hope to get their human trials underway in 2017. 

You can hear an ABC radio interview with the team here.

Lalith-Kugan case: Rambukwella and Handunnetti summoned

March 25, 2015

A Jaffna court on Wednesday (25) issued summons to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti to appear before court on 30 July. 

The Jaffna Magistrate issued the order when the Habeas Corpus inquiry into the disappearance of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganathan was taken up for hearing.

The Court of Appeal earlier granted approval to hold hearing on a petition filed by the relatives of missing activists, Lalith and Kugan, requesting that they be produced before the court.  

The two individuals had disappeared on 9 December, 2011 in Jaffna.

The petition claimed that the former Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, speaking to media had stated that the two activists are in custody, and that their location cannot be disclosed.

The motorcycle which Lalith and Kugan were last seen traveling on was also found at the Kachchaveli police station; the petitioner informed court and therefore accused the government of being responsible for the disappearance.

U.S. senator Dick Durbin Highlights Dr. Siva Sivananthan’s contributions to America

Wednesday, 25 March 2015 

2015 noting the importance of federal funding for research, Senior U.S. Senator from Illinois Dick Durbin (Assistant Democratic Leader in the Senate) highlighted Dr. Siva Sivananthan’s contributions to American technological innovation.

Senator Durbin discussed Dr. Sivananthan’s achievements and the impact of the technology he pioneered for night vision sensors that protect the U.S. military and solar cells that provide renewable energy. Senator Durbin also talked about Dr. Sivananthan’s background as a Sri Lankan immigrant, exemplifying the valuable contributions of immigrant innovators.

“In addition to teaching and mentoring young scientists, Dr. Siva has founded and runs a number of companies that are working to commercialize his discoveries,” said Senator Durbin as he explained how Dr. Sivananthan expanded his technology research and development as an entrepreneur, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Sivananthan Laboratories, Inc. is the high-tech business incubator founded by Dr. Sivananthan, which is focused on promoting economic growth in Illinois, the United States and around the world through fostering cutting-edge, fundamental research and development. One of Dr. Sivananthan’s companies, EPIR Technologies, Inc., provides advanced infrared materials and sensors for military and commercial applications. EPIR has successfully commercialized infrared material for high performance night vision cameras, and also low-cost sensors for commercial machine vision applications.

Dr. Sivananthan’s work in creating photovoltaic technology for night vision sensors served as the platform for groundbreaking next generation solar cells, which is being commercialized through Episolar, Inc. In addition, he helped found InSPIRE (the Institute for Solar Photovoltaic Innovation, Research, and Edu-training), a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote research, development, workforce training and technology commercialization in the solar energy industry.

Referring to this non-profit, Senator Durbin said, “InSPIRE brings together physics students from UIC and veterans from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to teach high school kids on the South Side about solar energy and how to make ultra light cell phone chargers.”

Dr. Sivananthan is also committed to giving back to his home country of Sri Lanka. His vision is to help Sri Lanka become a global hub for renewable energy. He has developed and sponsored initiatives to support Sri Lankan universities with training and educating scientists, engineers and technicians in solar photovoltaic technology. Dr. Sivananthan’s goal is to cultivate economic development through creating a workforce for solar power generation.

The 4th annual Sri Lanka Solar Workshop sponsored by Sivananthan Laboratories was held at the University of Peradeniya in February 2015. This year’s workshop was organized by Prof. Buddhika Dassanayake from the University of Peradeniya. The Sri Lankan team that has worked closely with Prof. Sivananthan to organize these Workshops also includes Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake (Emeritus Professor in Physics, University of Peradeniya and Research Professor, Institute of Fundamental Studies), Prof. Punniamoorthy Ravirajan (University of Jaffna), Prof. D.S.M. de Silva (University of Keleniya) and Prof. G.D.K. Mahanama (University of Ruhuna).

The following solar energy experts from Dr. Sivananthan’s US team lectured at the Solar Workshop:

· Dr. Timothy J. Coutts (Fellow Emeritus at National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago)

· Dr. Ramesh G. Dhere (Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Vice President (R&D) at Episolar, Inc.)

· Dr. Timothy A. Gessert (Principal Scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago)

· Dr. Mowafak Al-Jassim (Principal Scientist and Group Manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

· Dr. Christopher F. Buurma (Director of Computation and Modeling at EPIR Technologies)

Sivananthan Laboratories also sponsored an island-wide essay contest on renewable energy for Sri Lankan high school students. These initiatives in Sri Lanka, as well as similar programs in Morocco, are part of Dr. Sivananthan’s larger vision to mentor and motivate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics among underrepresented communities across the world.

During his speech at the event on March 16, 2015, Senator Durbin also mentioned the White House “Champion of Change” award that Dr. Sivananthan received in 2013. “That honor recognizes immigrant entrepreneurs from around the world who make America better, creating jobs and making our nation more competitive,” said Senator Durbin.

At this event Senator Durbin received the "Champion of Science" award from the Science Coalition, a DC-based nonprofit group of major public and private research universities. Senator Durbin emphasized the need to increase federal funding for scientific research to ensure that the United States can be globally competitive in research and development.

A Comprehensive International Investigation Only Way Forward: APPG Chairman

March 25, 2015

The Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG) has reiterated on the significance of an international investigation into the grave human rights violations that occurred during the final phases of the war in Sri Lanka, while pointing out that it has been made quite evident by now that the government of Sri Lanka will not deal with the accountability issues facing the Tamil community in a meaningful manner.

Lee Scott

APPG Chairman and Ilford North MP Lee Scott had made these remarks during his meetings with the Ambassadors of US, Norway, Germany and the UK in Geneva as he joined the members of the British Tamil Forum at a UNHRC meeting.

The BTF had been seeking to gather support for the international investigation intowar crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

MP Lee while pointing out that the previous inquiries put in place by the government have lacked credibility and impartiality since they were too easily influenced by the local politicians and the ministry, had added that now it is all too clear that the GoSL is not going to deal with the issues meaningfully and the only way forward is a comprehensive international investigation.

He had expressed his disappointment over the deferral of the OISL report by six months and had noted that they must now press ahead and ensure the investigation process does not stop by probing into the appalling crimes committed up to 2009 but also those that had been committed in the following years and the individuals responsible are brought to justice.

Missing persons: ICRC received 16,100 complaints during 24 years

Victims included 5,200 service personnel, policemen   

March 24, 2015

The ICRC has received 16,100 complaints regarding missing persons including 5,200 from families of service personnel and policemen since the outbreak of Eelam war II in June 1990. 

In a statement issued following ICRC Director of Operations Dominik Stilllhart five-day visit to Colombo, the ICRC mission in Colombo said that the organisation had launched a countrywide assessment last October using a representative sample from its own caseload to ascertain the needs of the missing persons families. 

 The ICRC spokesperson said: "From 1990, the ICRC has received more than 16,100 tracing requests from families, including approximately 5200 from families of missing soldiers and policemen. At the end of the assessment, a report with its findings will be prepared and shared confidentially with the government to help it to draw up a response to what these families need. The ICRC will support the government in these endeavours." 

The ICRC statement: "ICRC director of operations Dominik Stillhart reiterated the organisation’s commitment to the Sri Lanka government’s efforts to clarify the fate of persons who went missing during the past conflict and offered concrete proposals to establish an independent domestic mechanism for it. During his five day visit to Sri Lanka which ended last Friday, he met with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and senior officials.

"The ICRC’s experience from its work with families of missing persons in other countries is that their needs are multifaceted", said Mr Stillhart. "Their priority is the need to know the fate and whereabouts of a missing relative, without which they have no closure and a mechanism which is distinct from an accountability process is required to address this need. But they also have other needs such as psychosocial and economic support and administrative or legal concerns arising from having to resolve pension or property rights", he added.

Last October, the ICRC launched an island wide assessment using a representative sample from its own caseload, to, find out what the needs of these families are. From 1990, the ICRC has received more than 16,100 tracing requests from families, including approximately 5200 from families of missing soldiers and policemen. At the end of the assessment, a report with its findings will be prepared and shared confidentially with the government to help it to draw up a response to what these families need. The ICRC will support the government in these endeavours.

"The ICRC has been present in Sri Lanka since 1989, responding initially to the humanitarian needs of persons affected by the uprising of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in the South and thereafter by the conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the North and the East. At present, it is responding to the remaining humanitarian needs of vulnerable persons in the North by providing them with livelihood support and better access to water and sanitation. It ensures the welfare of detainees through its visits to places of detention throughout the country, and win provide technical and administrative support to the government to address overcrowding in prisons".

Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force formed with British support – report

 24 March 2015
Sri Lanka’s elite police force, the Special Task Force, was formed after intensive advice from British security experts, according to a new report by the International Human Rights Association Bremen.

The report Exporting police death squads - From Armagh to Trincomalee, supplementary to an earlier document detailing Britain’s involvement in Sri Lanka’s war against Tamils, says British security officials, in the early 1980s, advised senior Sri Lankan policemen on the UK’s counter-terrorism experience in Northern Ireland, even arranging for them to visit Belfast.

British mercenaries are also thought to have trained the STF, which is implicated in several cases of human rights abuses, including abductions and killings, at its inception.

"The new evidence reveals that Sri Lanka's Special Task Force was created only after intensive advice from British diplomats about UK counter-insurgency policy in Northern Ireland, where a similar police commando unit had recently shot dead six people. This raises important questions about UK State complicity in designing Sri Lanka's death squad,” the report’s author Phil Miller told the Tamil Guardian.

Kapila Jayasekara, the commander of the STF unit suspected to be behind the killing of 5 students in Trincomalee in 2006, is also reported to have been trained by British security company KMS Ltd, which employed retired SAS soldiers, some of whom were deployed in the Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

“Declassified documents show how close the mercenary company was to the British government, and that it is still trading today albeit under a different name," Mr Miller said.

The current company, now trading under Saladin Security Ltd, counts former defence minister Archibal Hamilton, who now sits in the House of Lords, as a former director.

Banned interrogation techniques, including stress positions, hooding and white noise, are also alleged to have been taught to Sri Lankan security forces by the British mercenaries.

The report also details how British intelligence was monitoring the activities of the Tamil diaspora before the armed conflict erupted in earnest.

“[Sri Lankan] President Jayewardene has sent his Foreign Minister urgently to London to deliver a personal message to the Prime Minister about the Tamil problem. We believe it relates to the activities in London of the ‘Tamil Coordinating Committee’ (TCC), a small group of Tamil residents in London who produce skilful propaganda but who, according to the Security Service [MI5], have little capacity to mount demonstrations,” a confidential briefing paper for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said.

The briefing instructed the then-prime minister to tell the Sri Lankan foreign minister that her government “Regret that Tamil Co-ordinating Committee operates in London. We keep a close eye on its activities and shall continue to do so.”

Anger at 'hideous collusion' over Scottish training of Sri Lankan police (19 Mar 2015)

Scotland criticised over training of Sri Lankan police (04 Aug 2014)

Report slams British support of Sri Lankan military (11 July 2014)

British officials met Sri Lankan military advisers shortly after 70,000 Tamil civilian deaths in May 2009 (08 August 2014)

exporting_police_death_squads_web.pdf by Thavam Ratna

People To Fix One Cross – EC To Decide FPP & PR Fusion

By Varatharaja Perumal –March 24, 2015 

Varatharaja Perumal

A Proposal Thought for New Electoral System

Due to the dissatisfactions owing to the misrepresentation of the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system existed before 1978 and the bad experiences and distressing consequences of Proportional Representative (PR) electoral system, which gradually eroded the foundation of the democracy in Sri Lanka, a realization is now dominantly prevailing in the country that the elections should be held based on a combination the FPP and the PR systems. However, hitherto, there is no consensus among the political leaders on this yet.

Since the UNP received very less representation in the Parliament election of 1970 when compared to the proportion of votes it received throughout the country, it preferred the PR system through 1978 Constitution. The SLFP feels that as per the electoral results during the last two decades, it has the advantage if the FPP system is reintroduced and for the safe side, they demand immediate introduction of mixed electoral system. TNA particularly the Ilankaith Tamil Arasuk Kadchi (ITAK) is sure that if FPP system is reintroduced they will become virtually the only representative of the Tamils in the North-East. The SLMC, ACMC and Mr. Athaulla party, because of their inner (Muslims) community political rivalry and divisions, are in confusion as to supporting any particular system. The Ceylon Workers Congress is maintaining silence from voicing for any system because the Up-Country Tamils are not living in concentration in particular constituencies for FPP, and the Sinhala major parties are able to divide and rule them in PR. The parties that have comparatively smaller and sporadic support bases prefer to the PR system so that they will be able to muster the votes at least to secure one or two seats. Concerning the people and caring the democracy are secondary to the politicians looking forward their vested interests.Read More

“How can we have peace?” New report says survivors’ needs must drive Sri Lanka reconciliation

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

For too long, Tamil survivors of Sri Lanka’s civil war have been missing from the reconciliation debate – suppressed, sidelined or overlooked in favour of intermediaries.

Launched today, the Sri Lanka Campaign’s new report available here [1], “How can we have peace?” gives voice to these survivors, who set out, in their own words, their views on justice and accountability. [2] It draws on statements made by nearly 200 survivors, taken at several focus group sessions across Sri Lanka’s Northern Province about a month after the country’s new President, Maithripala Sirisena, took office.

They identify nine factors that are essential for true reconciliation, including:

· The truth about their missing loved ones

· Acknowledgement that war crimes took place in the final stages of the war

· Prosecution of senior political and military commanders of the Sri Lankan Army and LTTE

The report has been released to coincide with the International Day for the Right to Truth, created by the United Nations to honour victims of gross human rights violations and promote the right to truth and justice. Earlier this month, the UN Human Rights Council deferred the publication of its investigation into war crimes committed in Sri Lanka in 2009. Sirisena has repeatedly stated his preference for a domestic accountability mechanism.

The Sri Lanka Campaign has used the report to create a “Manifesto for Peace” [3] and a petition [4] so that people around the world can express their support and stand with Sri Lanka’s survivors.

Infographics from the report, including views on who should be prosecuted, are featured below [5].

Fred Carver, Sri Lanka Campaign Director, said:

“This report seeks to put survivors at the heart of discussions over Sri Lanka’s future. These are the people, above all others, that a meaningful reconciliation process must satisfy. They want truth, justice, compensation, and acknowledgement – with truth being the most important.

“They completely rejected a purely domestic accountability process and who can blame them given the repeated failures of the past. Regaining their trust will take political will and time. In the interim, the international community needs to step up to ensure that justice is served.

“It was humbling to see how little desire there is for revenge. All they want is for crimes to be acknowledged and for those they hold most responsible to be brought to justice: former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Commander of the Armed Forces Sarath Fonseka, and TMVP leader Col. Karuna (Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan). ”

Devolution in India and Sri Lanka

By Neville Ladduwahetty-March 24, 2015,

The Island editorial of March 16, 2015 quotes Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran as having stated as follows during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Jaffna: "Thirteenth Amendment can never be the final solution. No wonder you referred to your firm belief in cooperative federalism yesterday in Parliament … Indian Constitution provides for the facilitation of sustainable development, internal security, law and order, policing and protection pertaining to lands and so on within the State. Our inability to function in our Province to the extent you are able to help Gujrat under the Indian Constitution needs to be understood…We need the services of a guarantor and it is our considered view that the Government of India under your stewardship is best suited for this role".

Devolution in India and Sri Lanka by Thavam Ratna

Dealing with two Asian superpowers: President Sirisena’s visit to China

By Ayathuray Rajasingam -March 25, 2015

Ayathuray Rajasingam

The recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka and his advice raises an issue whether Sri Lankan politicians receive such advice with spiritual mind. His advice is based on healing of the past wounds, resulted from the internal war, and beginning of a fresh life for all, in a democratic manner. This advice in no way amounted to an interference into the domestic affairs of Sri Lanka, especially when democracy was at its peril during the previous regime.

Though he was an ardent Hindu nationalist, his speech sent signals of spiritual aspect for the unity of Sri Lanka. As he hails from a country of several religions where there are community of believers with specific dogmas and practices which helped shape and form India’s rich spirituality, his motive is that all religious people should live happily in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding. His speech is concerned with the basic human good qualities such as love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, a sense of harmony. The consequence of the absence of spiritual mind among the Sri Lankan political and religious leaders is seen as a threat to cultural and ethical values of the people who have faith in democracy.

Religion should not be confused with spirituality. Religion can help an individual to be spiritual, but spirituality is not dependent upon religion. Spirituality helps to abandon ego. An individual is said to be spiritual if any action or thought that alters his or her state of mind. He shows love and compassion towards others irrespective of any differences whatsoever. Non-violence is central to spirituality. Gandhi had no problem in blending spirituality and politics together. The issue whether Sri Lanka politicians possessed such qualities involving an implicit concern for others’ well-being is questionable, when they were reluctant to implement the13th Amendment. This was evident when the Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran said that he was unaware of the re-settlement activities in Valikamam North and East and that he was not officially invited, all of which sends the signal of reluctance of complying with the 13th Amendment. Had the Chief Minister been officially invited that would have amounted to a new way of giving voice to the 13th Amendment. Though PresidentMaithipala Sirisena asserts that he has an agreement of humanity with the Tamils, the issue is whether he will face the issue of implementation of the 13th A which has Federal features. The Prime Minister of India had asserted that the 13th Amendment or even further would pave for unity of all communities.

If spirituality and politics do not co-exist, then politicians are bound to be corrupt. The reluctance of the ruling politicians to share powers with the Provincial Councils conveys the message that the ruling politicians do not possess a broader vision of life. The manner of their reluctance to share power demonstrated that they are not spiritual. At this juncture, attention should be drawn that the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau demonstrated his spiritual mind when he spoke of the significance of Canadian liberty. His vision was a smooth co-ordination between the Federal and the Provincial governments in the best interests of the Canadians. Justin Trudeau talk of solutions and attending the problems. Moreover, his approach has and still been to unite the entire communities which is the aspect of spirituality. His speech sent the signal that Canada is a democratic country of diversity and secularism, in spite of the threats from the Islamic terrorism. As such Canadians are proud to belong to a country where the political leaders taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance by exposing their spiritual mind remarkably when expressing the Canadian liberty, but never allowed room for sectarianism or fanaticism to use violence drenched with human blood and sent the entire nation to despair. Sri Lankan politicians do not have that spiritual mind and failed to realize that no room should be allowed to dictatorial attitude which is diametrically opposed to democratic feelings.Read More

Dealing with two Asian superpowers: President Sirisena’s visit to China

by Sam Samarasinghe 

- on 03/25/2015 

Sri Lanka stands to benefit enormously by dealing positively with the two Asian super powers, India and China. The two countries are potential rivals. The two Asian whales may not fight but a small fish can get crushed when whales dance. Sri Lanka has to be mindful of that when dealing with the two countries.
Dealing With Two Asian Superpowers President Sirisena’s Visit to China by Thavam Ratna

Corruption corrodes the whole economy

March 25, 2015 

• Will the President’s commission be the death of corruption?

When corruption is rampant, the fear of demands for bribes will reduce local investment and severely impact foreign investment. To foster investment and growth, corruption must be eliminated

President Maithripala Sirisena has sent a very strong signal that he will act against corruption

The President has heard

Corruption Corrodes the Whole Economy by Thavam Ratna

Is animal hoarding a crime?

March 24, 2015, 12:00 pm 

One of the saddest sights in animal welfare is to see an animal hoarder.

My organization kept receiving complaints about the terrible smell coming from a flat in Vasant Kunj. I sent a girl to meet the owner. He was a middle-aged man who lived alone and he claimed that he rescued sick animals from the streets. We cautioned him to keep his flat clean and to take care of the dogs properly.  A year later the complaints had intensified. The man had disappeared and, with the help of the police, we broke into his flat. There were over 30 dogs. The flat was covered in faeces and urine.  The windows were closed but the fans were on in the middle of winter. There were litters of new born puppies. All the animals were starving and there was no water. One animal had chewed its paws off. There were two dead bodies in cupboards. It was the flat of a crazed human being. The neighbours told us that this man did not even sleep in the flat any more. He slept in his car. He had never taken the dogs out. He simply picked up animals at random and brought them to his flat to die.

Is Animal Hoarding a Crime by Thavam Ratna

Devious IGP Harry Illangakoon! 

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

What is now taking place in the Police Department goes on to show that IGP N. K. Illangakoon, aka Harri Illangakoon is very smart at the thief and the cop game. Due to these games by him, public order minister John Amaratunga and prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are earning the wrath of all. That happens because of the false information he is feeding to websites and other media through third parties.

 That is why top officials of the department call him Harri (taking sides for personal advantage) Illangakoon.

In order to secure his position, the IGP used a very smart method. He deployed DIG S.M. Wickremesinghe, who had headed Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security, for the security of president Sirisena, saying that he would be protected by the son of the Polonnaruwa farmer king.  What he wanted by that was to secure his position, rather than the protection of the president. He tricked Wickremesinghe, who is dreaming of becoming the next IGP, by saying, “Now. I paved the way for your becoming the next IG. Take care of me too.”

It is also Ilangakoon, who had contradicted the allegation of the conspiracy against the state. Giving a statement, he said, “Nothing of that sort happened at Temple Trees on that night,” and planned to save the Rajapaksas (Soon after he gave the statement, a copy was given to us by someone not in the police. We did not publish it thinking that it would adversely affect the investigations). From that day onwards, the IGP has been playing many games, details of which are available to us. But, we have been waiting to get them double-checked.

Everybody serving under him knows that the IGP telephones and tells the former president and the former defence secretary about the status of the investigations against corrupt politicians. Also, he is publicly telling policemen involved in the investigations enthusiastically in order to discourage them, “Do not get human rights cases filed against you by dancing to everybody’s tunes.”

The IGP thinks that Mahinda Rajapaksa and his cohorts will return to power at the next general election. Therefore, he is intentionally sabotaging activities of the police department. A top police official who gave us the information, said, “Previous IGPs were devious. But Harri Illangakoon is smarter of them all.”