The Athulathmudali Assassination
By Rajan Hoole -July 12, 2014
Rajan Hoole
Political Murders, the Commissions and the Unfinished Task – 6
The claims made by the Government and the Police in the weeks following the assassination on 23rd April 1993, as we had averred before, aroused public incredulity and indignation. Amarasena Rajapakse, DIG, CID, is said to have been at a dinner party that evening and was reportedly informed of the shooting 15 minutes later at 9.00 PM. For a man who, acting on a rumour, went to Premadasa’s home and addressed the kitchen staff at mid- night about guarding against the President being poisoned, was accused in the Press of not going to the scene of Athulathmudali’s shooting until after midnight. IP Ranagala who had reportedly said that he was ordered by superior officers not to provide Police security for the meeting was said to be in hiding by the Press.
The body of a dead youth with an identity card having the name Appiah Balakrishnan was found in front of a co-op building on Mugalan Road about 200 yards from the scene of shooting about 11.00 AM the following day (24th). It was then broadcast in the evening news bulletin of the state media the next day (25th) that Athulathmudali’s killer was Appiah Balakrishnan, who was believed to be a member of the LTTE. IG Police, Ernest Perera, later told the Press (Sunday Times 2 May ’93) that the identity card was a fake and that the Police had not given such information to the state media. He did not know how the state media got that information. In effect, a Tamil name had been touted out as that of the killer with no sound evidence. Read More
First Budget Of Modi And Jaitley, 2014 – 15
By S. Sivathasan -July 12, 2014
S. Sivathasan
It was the best of times for England and the worst of times to France as they appeared in parallel to Charles Dickens. The times are best and worst for the same Modi in Budget 2014–15. Advantageous, since any action after a long spell of paralysis would make a show of movement. But challenges are most exacting as expectations are high, resources least plentiful, prevailing welfarism rife and directional change longing to be introduced.
Direction and New Drive
A budget is often the financial expression of a government’s drive and shift in emphases. The pre-budget increase in train fares and petroleum pricing, noticed the consumer that the leadership of the BJP dares to touch the untouchable. The voter has got an inkling that populism is not a sacred cow and it will be sacrificed for better prospects in the coming years. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley made bold to say that reform decisions will be taken as the exchequer was being burdened mindlessly.
It had fallen to the lot of Hon. Arun Jaitley the Finance Minister to navigate in these trying waters and he did it deftly together with Modi the Prime Minister as able helmsman. Giving motion while providing a ballast of subdued inflation was the first challenge. Imparting direction for the journey with speed in the next eight months was the next. They have done them both with wide acceptance. In presenting the budget, Jaitley was very articulate conveying strong conviction and inspiring confidence. The government’s determination to succeed was the mood.
