SRI LANKA: FORMER MINISTERS ADMIT TO KILLING THOSE WHO SURRENDERED TO THE ARMY (VIDEO)

Image: Screen shot of the video; S.B. Disanayake and Dilan Perera.

15/09/2018

Two former ministers who served during the Rajapaksa regime have admitted that LTTE members including Tamils who had surrendered to the Army had been killed.

This allegation has been levelled against the Sri Lankan security forces for almost ten years by the war affected Tamil including the Diaspora and the international Human Rights Organisations, and the charge was accepted by two former ministers who are working hard towards the unification of the Maithripala and Mahinda factions.


“There are some whom we know as well, who surrendered, but they were killed,” former Higher Education Minister S.B Dissanayake had told the media in Colombo. He had said that the LTTE Ampara and Batticaloa leader Ramesh had been killed subsequent to surrendering to the Army.

After Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan alias Karuna left the LTTE and decided to support the Army, the Ampara, Batticaloa operations were handed over by the LTTE to Thambirajah Thurairajasingham.

Known as Colonel Ramesh, he had notified Minister SB by phone just ten minutes prior to surrendering to the Army, Dissanayake revealed. “Ramesh surrendered and he was killed. There are such things,” he said in a lighter vein.

Channel four footage:

The government dismissed the Channel Four video footage of Ramesh while alive being questioned by the Army and later being killed, as being fake.

This video published with this report shows Ramesh being questioned and according what the soldiers say it’s the 22nd. However, the Sri Lankan Government declared the end of the war as May 19, 2009.

While flag killings

The government claimed that LTTE Political wing head Balasingham Nadesan and Peace Secretariat Head Seevaratnam Pulidevan had died during the war and have failed to investigate reliable evidence that they had been killed after they had surrendered holding white flags.

The former minister had also indicated about the two of them. “There is another group whom none of us talk about. We know very well that they died after they surrendered. You and us, both know it.”
Former Minister Dilan Perera who had also come to where Dissnayake was had also admitted that unarmed Tamil civilians were killed during the war.

He laid the blame of the then Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.
SM

Trying to get 20A enacted as new Constitution is unlikely now - Vijitha Herath

• There is better democratic ambience now
• RTI, 19A, OMP are positive steps
• But, corruption and frauds continue unabated 
• JVP and National Movement for Social Justice are now together
• it is easier to secure presidency through offering cash inducements today

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Vijitha Herath who presented the 20th Amendment to the Constitution speaks about it and his party’s future political agenda. 

The excerpts:

Q You have presented the 20th Amendment. The government’s support is crucial to ensure its passage through Parliament. How certain are you of getting it?

2018-09-11

We have received positive responses from individual MPs of different parties. There is no official confirmation of support by their respective parties. We need the support of both, the government and the opposition to enact it. We intend to hold official talks with all the parties in this regard. The government is yet to take up a position in this case. It all depends on political developments in the country. 

We believe the UNP will also support our move. It stood for it at the 2015 elections. The UNP also passed a resolution to this effect at its previous convention. Again, there is a proposal before Constitutional Assembly to abolish this

  
Q According to you political understanding, what do you assume as the government’s stance?

Of course, the government comprises of two main forces - the UNP and the SLFP. There is no way for President Maithripala Sirisena to oppose this. He promised to scrap executive presidency. We believe he will extend his support. The UNP has taken a policy decision to abolish it though they are the ones who introduced it in 1978. On that basis, we believe the UNP will also support our move. It stood for it at the 2015 elections. The UNP also passed a resolution to this effect at its previous convention. Again, there is a proposal before Constitutional Assembly to abolish this. 

 
Q The government is to present its draft of the new Constitution soon. Despite that, what is the reason for your party to undertake this task to amend the Constitution?

The government’s move is a long term project. As things strand at the moment, it is unlikely to become a reality even. As for the Constitution being drafted by the government at the moment, it is expected to deal with not only executive presidency but also other aspects such as human rights, the national question etc. It is subjected to debate. As for abolition of executive presidency, it is something acceptable to almost all. At least, we try to get the executive presidency abolished in the event that a totally new Constitution is unlikely under the current political circumstances.   

As for the Constitution being drafted by the government at the moment, it is expected to deal with not only executive presidency but also other aspects such as human rights, the national question etc. It is subjected to debate 

Q Yet, there is an allegation that the JVP is carrying out a political project in the interests of the UNP in the government. What is your response?

The JVP does not work according to the dictates of any party. We have been opposed to executive presidency right from its inception in 1978. We have taken action against it in numerous ways- protest campaigns, strategies worked out at presidential elections etc.On the other hand, in the event of abolition of executive presidency, it will be more advantageous to Mahinda Rajapaksa than to the UNP. Now, Mr. Rajapaksa cannot seek presidency for the third time. In case the 20th Amendment is enacted, he get the chance to become the Prime Minister with more powers.   

Q Actually, your party campaigned for the abolition of executive presidency. But, this is an exercise not to scrap it totally but to prune its power further only. Alongside, the criterion for the election of President is proposed to be changed. Why did you decide to keep presidency with reduced power rather than abolishing it in its entirety?

 We would love to abolish executive presidency as a whole. For it, a new Constitution has to be introduced. Now, we are trying to bring an amendment to the existing Constitution. There will be a presidency. Yet, it is not executive presidency. The appointment of Ministers, Ministry Secretaries, and their removal from office are the sole discretion of the President today. Under the proposed presidency, all these powers will be taken away to be vested with Parliament. In that sense, the President’s power will be reduced drastically. He will only have the sole discretion in exercising his power over the provincial councils. In case any provincial council declares independence, the President can dissolve it. We will not intend to take that power away from the President.   

Q The President is supposed to be elected by a simple majority of Parliament under the 20th Amendment. Then, the person elected as the President will be duty bound to carry out the policies of his party. So, that party can manoeuvre the President finally according to its whims and fancies. What is your view?

We have safeguards for it. The person who intends to be the President should obtain a simple majority in Parliament. It is difficult for a single party to get the simple majority or 113 seats in today’s Parliament. Then, the party is compelled to get the support of the Opposition. Then, it is compelled to field someone who can get the support from across the political divide of the House.   

Secondly, the person elected as the President should relinquish all his party affiliations including membership. President Sirisena contested as the common candidate. Later, he took over the leadership of SLFP. If the 20th Amendment is enacted, it will be impossible.

President should relinquish all his party affiliations including membership. President Sirisena contested as the common candidate. Later, he took over the leadership of SLFP. If the 20th Amendment is enacted, it will be impossible

   
Q As you said, no party has the simple majority in the present Parliament. But, there is a possibility of one party getting more than a simple majority at future elections. Then, that party will get the chance to elect the President single-handedly rather than making a bilateral approach. What is your view? 

That may be possible. But, the President to be elected has no too much of power concentrated in his hands. He is no longer the Head of State. He is not even a member of the Cabinet. He can exercise some power over the provincial councils in this case. He can appoint the provincial governors or dissolve provincial councils if they declare independence from the central government.   

Q In our political culture, it is an open secret that the MPs can be lured through the offer of cash inducements. Though it is not proven as such, it has become an open secret. Then, there is possibility of money being disposed to win over the MPs to elect the President. How do you intend addressing this concern?

Actually, it is easier to secure presidency through offering cash inducements today. When a Chinese company offered a multi- million cash inducement to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, it amounted to the virtual acquisition of the entire country. The President, proposed under our system, has no such power to handle the economic affairs of the country. What is the use of winning over such a President with a little power? Only if the President is all powerful, it is worth in that sense to dispose money to install someone handpicked as the President.   

Q You cannot belittle proposed presidency in that manner. It is a post worth enough in terms of prestige and dignity. It is something more than a ceremonial presidency. What is your view?

There is nothing much for the President to do. In India, Abdul Kalam served his presidency as a dignified person respected by all across the political divide.   

Q Even in India, the consent of Lok Sabha MPs alone does not suffice to elect the President. You have simplified the criterion for the election of President here even more than in India. Why is it?

In India, there are both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We have only one. The President, under the proposed system, will have no power to control the Finance Ministry at all. He cannot hold ministerial posts. It is a transitional system. It is no longer the executive presidency. Alongside, it is not ceremonial presidency either. It is something in-between.   

When we rule the country, this is not the type of constitution we adopt. Under a JVP government, we will have our own way of appointing the President. This is not a JVP govt. These are just reforms to the existing system

Q In the countries with communist systems, governance is centrally controlled. Your party stands for a communist system. Yet, in this case, you seem to be having a departure from central control of governance. Why is it?

You are talking about a constitution under a communist system. When we rule the country, this is not the type of constitution we adopt. Under a JVP government, we will have our own way of appointing the President. This is not a JVP government. These are just reforms to the existing system. We will have a clear departure from the present system under a communist system under our rule. In countries like China, there is central control. But, power is delegated to the bottom level. There is consultation with the bottom level. There is no arbitrary concentration of power at the centre. We believe in democratic centralization of power. That can be achieved under a JVP administration only.   

Q What is the support you get from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for this? 

The TNA has made comments in support of our stand to abolish executive presidency. The party’s position is yet to be communicated to us.   

Q At the last Presidential Election, you asked people to reject the Rajapaksa administration. Also, you said you could not vouch for the quality of the incoming administration. The new government has been in power for three years now. What is your view on their performance in the overall context?

We said we could not guarantee the quality of this administration. What the JVP foresaw was exactly correct. It is proven before three years.   

Q How do you compare and contrast the two governments?

There are certain changes which we recognize. We do not see everything from a negative perspective. There are some positive reforms as far as democracy is concerned. The 19th Amendment and the Right to Information Act are some of them. The establishment of the Office of Missing Persons is also a positive step. Disappearance of a person is a criminal offence now. People have a better democratic ambience now than then. But, corruption and frauds continue unabated. There is no improvement in the economic front. 

There are some positive reforms as far as democracy is concerned. The 19th Amendment and the Right to Information Act are some of them. The establishment of the Office of Missing Persons is also a positive step. Disappearance of a person is a criminal offence now

  
Q What is the alternative from the JVP’s perspective?

JVP is the alternative!   

Q The National Movement for Social Justice which is now spearheaded by Prof. Sarath Wijesuriya holds some views similar to those of the JVP. Prof. Wijesuriya said both the President and the Prime Minister could no longer be trusted. He said his organization was giving mind to a new political leadership. Is the JVP going to ally with his organization to become one entity?

Of course, it has already happened. Already, the National Professionals Organization has been formed.   

Q Does it mean that the organization formed and headed by late Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera is now with the JVP under one umbrella...?

It is like this; There is no formal agreement between us and that organization. But, those intellectuals are convinced that the present system is not the way out.     

Violence Directed Against The Muslim & Other “Minority” Communities 

By Upatissa  Pethiyagoda –SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda

With Hitler, Prabakaran, Dictatorships, LTTE and Sinhala Buddhism cluttering political discourse, and a visible resurgence of indiscipline, things do not portend well for integration, reconciliation and progress. Hypocrisy all round us is dominant. The terror unleashed and suffered by the previous dispensation and the nearly thirty-year period of extreme horror, have apparently not taught us much. The rumblings of imminent disaster are all too real. Incendiary and hateful speech is still prevalent. No sector is innocent. Prompt action is vital.

We marked the end of the Moslems holy month of Ramadan fasting. Eid al Fitr celebrates the occasion with Ifthar Banquets .Our political big-shots rivaled each other in hosting the event at the plushest hotels. The hospitality is not of the host but on State (that is yours and mine) Funds. It should be an opportunity to reflect upon the place of Muslims within the World Order and how it impacts on us.

In so doing, we can only deplore the violence directed some time ago at the Muslim community, beginning with the Beruwela and Darga Town incidents, and surfacing subsequently at Ampara, Digana, Akurana and other places in proximity to Kandy. While condemning this barbaric behavior most vehemently, we may re-visit these events to seek possible reasons that may underlie the violence. Mercifully, the heat has subsided. Complacency cannot be allowed to obscure reality, and the incidents should serve as an opportunity to realistically assess the causes and seek possible remedies. However painful, this is the only rational way to heal the wounds, dispel misconceptions and prevent recurrence. It is simply unwise to ignore the causes for this enmity and pretend that nothing untoward has happened. This will only mean that we trot along to the next disaster.

Signs are that rumblings are still there and could lead to disaster if not addressed urgently and vigorously curbed. If the media is correct, there are dark hints. As usual, politicians are the main culprits. In Jaffna there are moves to prevent alleged settlement of Sinhala persons, in Wilpattu, protected lands are being raped to accommodate Muslims displaced by LTTE terrorists and we are told of similar attempts elsewhere.     

All too often, violence erupts from fears, real or imagined. The inconvenient reality is that perceptions and prejudice often over-ride facts and figures. Popular perceptions are often wrong and supported by questionable “evidence”. While rejecting the plainly absurd – such as the male sterility story, it is only reasonable that other concerns be sensibly addressed. In our context, it must be admitted that certain practices could inflame emotions among misguided zealots, ever ready to exploit an over-heated opportunity. In this matter, a major responsibility lies with the Moslem Leadership. They should, jointly with representatives of the majority community, seek sensible ways to eliminate any provocative factors that may have prompted the resort to violence. It must be admitted that some anxieties and ill-will do exist. This is an attempt to identify some potential flash points – whether justified or not.

It has been pointed out that one of the worst things that a minority wishing to integrate with a majority could do, is to set itself apart by residence (Ghettos), dress, occupation or custom. Thus Moslem ladies who identify themselves by black uniform cloaks, Hindus with ash or pottus on foreheads, while perfectly within their rights, may be seen by misguided extremists as an alien threat. Particularly during periods of heightened emotion, a genuine bonding with the majority would be prudent insurance.

It is worth reflecting on the existence in all religions, the twin factors of philosophy (or content) and ritual (or symbolism). Buddhism labels them as “Prathipatti puja” (respect to  the teachings: spiritual) and “Amisa Puja” (adherence to custom: material). These are not mutually exclusive, but more correctly, symbiotic or even synergistic.  There is remarkable congruence and commonality in the underlying rules of conduct laid down in the different religions that we profess. They are best encapsulated in the universal injunction, “Do unto others as you will that others do unto you”.

As a Buddhist, I feel more at ease being critical of my own. In our tutoring, we often learn to parrot Stanzas (or Gathas), without an understanding of what they mean. I have been made aware that in his final words, addressed to Bhikkhu Ananda, he said “The best homage to the Buddha is to follow the Dhamma” .It is incumbent on the Buddhists to critically examine our present day practices in the light of this advice. The Kalama Suthra was also a brilliant exposition of the true role of custom and teaching. In a remarkable exposition of enlightenment, the Buddha was bold enough to encourage critical evaluation of even his own teachings. There is thus no such concept as “blasphemy”. How much more liberal can anyone get? 

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‘Lost Boys’ case flies into major political crosswinds

The CID and the country’s top military official have been on a collision course for months over a suspected naval abduction racket case. Last week things came to a head

16 September, 2018

At 3.30 am on September 10, Admiral Ravindra Wijeguneratne, the country’s highest ranking military official, boarded a Qatar Airways flight bound for Singapore. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was travelling overseas to attend the 208th National Day celebrations in Mexico, according to his Office. The trouble was, September 10 was also the day Admiral Wijeguneratne was due to report to the CID to record an official statement regarding the allegation that the top military officer had harboured a suspect – a Navy man who was wanted in connection with the abduction and suspected murder of 11 Tamil youth, including five students.

Later that day, a letter was dispatched to the Fourth Floor – the famous CID headquarters. It was delivered by an official from the CDS’ office. The letter officially notified the CID that the Admiral had been called away on an official visit overseas, and would not be able to appear at the CID offices as scheduled last Monday (10). Instead, the letter requested CID officials to provide a fresh date after September 19, when he was scheduled to return to the island.

Ravindra Wijegunaratne

Late last week, the impending questioning and arrest of Admiral Wijeguneratne had taken on new political dimensions.

President Maithripala Sirisena summoned an emergency Cabinet meeting at high noon on Thursday, reportedly, to discuss the issue. Ministers have been tight-lipped about the extraordinary Cabinet meeting, but reports surfaced about frank exchanges regarding the CID move to arrest the nation’s highest serving military official on charges of harbouring a fugitive. The suspect was subsequently arrested by the CID last month. A decision on the issue was deferred until the Prime Minister returned from an official visit to Vietnam on September 14.

On Friday, during a breakfast meeting with editors, President Sirisena revealed he had pitched into the CID and Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya, over the continued arrest of military officials, including high ranking officers in high profile murder and abduction cases, and their failure to file cases against any of them since 2015. The President said, it was his belief that the CID should not arrest and detain military officials unless they could file indictments because, this was leading to accusations against the Government that it was on a witch-hunt targeting the military. The President said, he had called for progress reports from the IGP on all the controversial cases involving attacks on journalists and the abduction of 11 Tamil youth in 2008. In none of those cases had the CID been able to file cases against any of the officials arrested since 2015, he added. If there were charges against these officers they should be prosecuted, rather than being arrested and harassed for months, only to be released on bail later, the President charged during the briefing. It is not clear why the CID has been unable to prosecute any of these cases so far, but prosecutors and investigators point to procedural delays, capacity issues within both the CID and the AG’s Department, and the difficulty of obtaining information and documents from the armed forces about matters pertaining to the high profile investigations.

On Friday night, the Government Information Department issued a media release, denying it was ‘hunting war heroes,’ as some claim, underscoring the fact that the CID investigation into the abduction of 11 youths commenced in 2009, when the Rajapaksa Government was in power. The Government release said, while reports claiming that the CDS was to be arrested were circulating, the Admiral had only been summoned for a statement to be recorded by the CID regarding the allegation that he had helped the Navy suspect evade court or prevented his arrest by giving him protection. “However, most people and media had reported this situation to indicate that the arrest of the CDS was imminent. The CID had no such intention,” the Government release claimed.

The political firestorm over the alleged involvement of Admiral Wijeguneratne has been some time coming.

Ever since reports surfaced about how the CDS clashed openly with CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekera, at a meeting that included several Ministers and the Defence Secretary, the Navy abduction case has been in the spotlight, and the CID and the CDS have been on a collision course. At the fateful meeting, Wijeguneratne challenged SSP Abeysekera to prove the charge that he had helped Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath to flee the country. Abeysekera appeared to have accepted the challenge, reporting details to court citing a navy official’s evidence and an alleged transfer of funds to Hettiarachchi’s account from a Navy account maintained at a state Bank. The court has ordered the bank concerned to release information about the said transaction to the CID.

In its B Report (B2527/80) filed at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, the CID observed that the current Chief of Defence Staff, who was Navy Commander at the time, had harboured the suspect – Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath – who was wanted in connection with the abduction for ransom, illegal detention and suspected murder of the 11 youth. The former Navy Commander had failed to produce Hettiarachchi to the CID, despite being officially informed, thereby intervening to prevent the legal arrest of a suspect. The former Navy Commander and current Chief of Defence Staff had committed crimes punishable under Sections 209, 174 and 183 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the CID B Report to court further added. The offences pertain to the omission to give notice or information to a public officer by a person legally bound to give notice or information (174), obstructing a public officer in the discharging of his public functions (183) and harbouring an offender (209).

Based on the CID progress reports on the investigation into the Admiral’s conduct to allegedly shield Navy Sampath, Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne on August 29, ordered the CID to initiate steps necessary to arrest the Chief of Defence Staff if the investigating officials had sufficient evidence to frame charges against him.

A senior investigating officer at the CID admitted that the Department had not seen Admiral Wijeguneratne’s departure overseas coming. In fact, CID officials visited Admiral Wijeguneratne at the CDS office at the BMICH on Friday, September 7, to request him to report to the CID HQ on Monday (10) to record a statement regarding the allegations. News that the CDS has left the country to attend an official function in Mexico, only reached the CID officers at 2 pm last Monday.

The CID investigation against the senior military official has been filed separately under the B Report number B 9527/2018. Lawyers for families of the missing boys expressed fear in court last Wednesday that Admiral Wijeguneratne could continue to evade questioning, which could hamper investigations into the Navy abductions case. Attorney-at-Law for the families, Achala Seneviratne, requested Magistrate Jayaratne to issue a travel ban on the Admiral. The Magistrate said, the request could be made when the case against Wijeguneratne is called under the separate B Report. However, that B Report has no calling date, which means there was still no inquiry worth reporting to Court, even though the Department claims it has enough evidence against the senior military official.

According to the CID, Wijegunaratne allegedly protected the main suspect Hettiarachchi known by the alias ‘Navy Sampath’ as the search for him by the CID intensified. Sources within the CID said it had sent two messages to the administrative branch of the Naval Headquarters, for the attention of then Navy Commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne on March 1 and March 28, 2017, requesting the Navy to produce Hettiarachchi at the CID Headquarters on March 2 and 31 respectively. These requests went unheeded, but evidence and witness statements have revealed that Hettiarachchi was being harboured at Naval Headquarters in Colombo during this time.

Evidence to support this claim comes from the statement made by the wife of Hettiarachchi, herself. She had told investigators that she visited Hettiarachchi thrice while he was housed at the HQ between March 3 and March 31, 2017, despite the Navy insisting at the time that they had no knowledge of his whereabouts. Her statement is also backed by Lt. Commander Geethal Laksiri who cooperated with the CID. In his statement to the CID, Laksiri claimed Hettiarachchi was housed in the adjacent room to his, in the Officer’s Mess when the CID was looking for him. Once encountering both Wijegunaratne and Hettiarachchi in the elevator, Laksiri claimed he witnessed a damning conversation between the two. According to the CID B Report, Laksiri claims that when he saw Hettiarachchi leaving the Mess one day, the then Navy Commander Wijegunaratne had asked him where he was headed. Hettiarachchi had replied that he was going to the Light House to meet his wife, to which the Commander had retorted: “If you wander about and get caught by the police, there is nothing I can do about it,” - according to Lt. Commander Laksiri’s statement reported in the CID’s B Report seen by the Sunday Observer.

According to Laksiri’s statement to the CID, Hettiarachchi had also shown him a bagfull of money just before disappearing from the Naval Command. Hettiarachchi had claimed that Commander Wijegunaratne had provided the money for his expenses, Lt Commander Laksiri told the CID. The CID during a previous court sitting reported that the Sri Lanka Navy had transferred half a million rupees to Hettiarachchi from a special account maintained at the Bank of Ceylon.

The CID told court that it believed the money may have been utilised to obtain false ID documents found in Hettiarachchi’s possession when he was arrested in August 2018. OIC of the Gang Robberies Unit of the CID, Nishantha Silva told Court at the last hearing on Wednesday (12) that the Department was investigating the money trail further.

An initial tip off by the then Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda in 2009 led to the explosive revelations about a chilling abduction for ransom racket, allegedly run by officers serving in the Sri Lanka Navy. Investigations into the racket began in 2009, but picked up steam only after the fall of the Rajapaksa regime in 2015. The case has implicated several senior naval officials, including former Navy Spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake. Rajiv Naganathan, the A/L student from Kotahena who had just got admission to a university overseas and four friends who had gone out with him to celebrate ahead of his departure to the UK went missing from Dehiwala in September 2008.The other boys were abducted from other suburbs in Colombo, residents of Mannar and Trincomalee who were working in the capital or visiting the city. The other six young men were abducted between August and October 2008. The abducted boys were initially held in detention at the Naval Prison at Chaithya Road, and subsequently transferred to the ‘Gunside Base’ at the Navy’s Easter Command HQ in Trincomalee, CID investigations have revealed. CID officials have visited holding cells in the ‘Gunside Base’, where they have studied etchings on the walls, to determine if the handwriting matched any of the boys who went missing in 2008.

Tomorrow, September 17, marks a decade since families of the 11 boys began their long struggle for answers about the fate of their sons. Sarojini Naganathan, the mother of starry-eyed university freshman Rajiv, had thought the investigation was getting traction in recent months. But with the case into her son’s abduction flying into massive political crosswinds this week, her quest for justice just got a little harder. 

When top Sri Lankan Army Bosses are barking each other

Verbal duals between serving and retired defence top brass cause embarrassment all-round

by A Concerned Citizen-Sep 15, 2018

( September 15, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Recent spat between FM Sarath Fonseka who is also a senior government minister and the Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake seems to have created a bad taste across the board; amongst senior politicians and government officials. FM Sarath Fonseka’s diatribe against Mahesh Senanayake should never have occurred. Being a former Commander himself, FM Sarath Fonseka should know better that such open and brazen statements against a serving Commander would serve no purpose. Especially personal remarks against a serving Commander. Being a battle hardened veteran and the war winning Commander he should have advised Mahesh Senanayake regarding National security in person privately. If he feels that the incumbent Commander is reluctant to listen to him, then he could have easily gone to the President or the Prime Minister and appraised them on the serious pitfalls in the National Security plans if at all such pit falls exist. That way he could have absolved himself of any future blame if there are to be consequences. He should know better; many even today are willing to listen to him on National Security issues.

Mahesh Senanayake too should be cautious in issuing press statements; criticizing former commanders, especially someone like Sarth Fonseka who even today is regarded as a key figure in bringing the LTTE to its knees and bringing an end to virtually catastrophic war that bled the country white is highly unnecessary even if the latter makes provoking statements. Issuing press statements should not be a pastime of an incumbent Commander. Yahapalana government after coming into power did well to extricate the Sri Lanka Army from political strings. The previous Commander was rarely heard in the press and that, in a way is the need of the hour. Therefore, Mahesh Sennanayake should as the subordinate need to take the first step in going in for a rapprochement with Sarath Fonseka. Sarath Fonseka, if he believes in the age old dictum ‘Officer and a Gentleman’ should forgive and forget; all for the sake of the country and our valiant members of the Armed Forces.

President shields criminals and misleads cabinet –provoked Rajitha blasts him ; Gamarala walks out in a huff !

-Wimal Dheerasekera

(Lanka e News - 15.Sep.2018, 9.45PM) In the multiple murder of 11 individuals , while the police were searching for a prime suspect in that connection , if any individual is to harbor , hide , protect and assist that suspect to flee the country after giving him cash , that individual is considered as a criminal who aided and abetted in the commission of that multiple crime according to chapter five of the Penal code.

Such a wrongdoer is liable to half the punishment of that meted out to the criminal who directly committed it. That is ,if the direct murderer is sentenced to death , the individual who aided and abetted is liable to a life sentence in jail.

The above salient points are being published in order to make known to the people the true position amidst attempts made by the president to misled the cabinet yesterday (13) after convening it.

It has by now become crystal clear , it has all along been the aim and ambition of the president to mislead the cabinet and even halt the CID investigations into the ghastly multiple murders which shocked the entire world - abduction and heartless murder of 11 persons including innocent students after committing extortion , and subjecting them to torture within the torture chamber of the Navy in Trincomalee . The bodies of the victims were finally dumped in the seas.

Two ex Navy commanders have been charged supported by cogent evidence with having conspired , as well as aided and abetted the criminals in these brutal crimes. Shockingly ,it is in these circumstances the president yesterday deplorably sought to mislead the cabinet , halt the criminal investigations and rescue the Navy commanders who are facing heinous criminal charges . The president convening a special cabinet meeting at a time when the prime minister is overseas , is itself a clear index , what is the criminal intention and cruel ambition of the president .

Gamarala surpasses even ruthless Gota in criminality on the multiple murder of innocent students…

Though these murders and heinous crimes were committed during the period of the last criminal corrupt decade of the Rajapakse government , the Rajapakses did not have a direct involvement in it. This crime was a result of the cruel ruthless actions of a few Navy murderers who took the law into their hands during the Rajapakse nefarious decade .

When these crimes came to light , the then chief of the CID Sisira Mendis reporting this to Gotabaya revealed , since this can create a conflict between the police and the forces, punishment shall be meted out to these brutal criminals by a court of the Navy and they shall be punished duly.

Gota who called for details from Mendis, having realized the gravity of the crimes exclaimed, ‘this is a very serious crime. We cannot get ourselves entangled . Hence let the CID continue with the investigation.’

After the CID requested the instructions in writing, the written order of Gota was handed over to the CID investigators by Mendis.

Unbelievably and deplorably it is the former Navy Commanders who are incriminated in these heinous crimes which even rudely shocked crude notorious Gota , the good governance president is today seeking to shield and safeguard.

Evidence of minister Felix against Karannagoda

Vasantha Karannagoda is one of the Navy commanders directly implicated in this heinous crime. It is none other than Felix Perera who was the minister of fisheries in the Rajapakse government at that time who provided written evidence testifying to it. A child of a very close friend of Felix Perera too was also abducted and made a victim of extortion of the Navy murder squad.

While that child was in the torture chamber , an individual who accidentally helped , gave a call to the parents and informed them of the dire predicament they are in , giving details. When the parents met Felix Perera and apprised him of it , the latter had asked from Vasantha about it via phone.

Vasantha has thereupon told him the children were in the Trincomalee camp , and had promised they will be released (tomorrow)the following day. Because it will be used as evidence if they are released , the following day permission had been granted to kill the victims and dumped the bodies in the sea. Felix Perera himself has given evidence orally and in writing to the CID in this regard .

It is such a criminal navy commander the president is most shamelessly trying to shield and safeguard even by duping the present cabinet . It is a pity the president has forgotten he too was a member of the cabinet with Felix Perera during that period.

Copious evidence arrayed against Ravindra …

The present chief of staff and former Navy commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne whom we have mentioned in our preamble is incriminated based on charges of protecting , harboring ,hiding and helping the prime suspect to flee the country.

It was no less a person than Ravindra who after harboring and hiding the prime suspect Hettiarachi Mudiyansalage Prasad Chandana Hettiarachi alias ‘Navy Sampath’ in the Navy headquarters , lied to the CID that Sampath isn’t there , while the spouse of Navy Samapath revealed to the CID that her husband was in the Navy headquarters.

There is evidence that Navy Sampath while he was in the Navy headquarters was eating and drinking from the canteen .There is a notebook in which his drinking and eating on credit are recorded . Subsequently Ravindra the chief of staff has given Navy Sampath Rs. 500,000.00 and smuggled him to Malaysia. Navy Sampath who is now in custody had confirmed this .

Based on all the copious and cogent evidence , Ravindra is liable under chapter 5 of the Penal code for aiding and abetting in the murder of ghastly ruthless murder of 11 individuals among whom were innocent students. When the CID summoned Ravindra recently to record his statement , on the same day in the early hours of the morning he fled the country , which was orchestrated by president himself for the sole reason to hoodwink the cabinet which met yesterday .

A chief of the security council of the forces cannot leave the country without the knowledge of the commander in chief of the country. In the circumstances the day president Gamarala loses his immunity , his liability under chapter 5 of the penal code of giving consent , aiding and abetting in the gruesome multiple murder of 11 individuals will be inescapable. .

Why is Gamarala so hell bent on saving Ravindra ?

President has no reason or right at all to conduct himself this disgracefully and deplorably , because he received a mandate from the people to apprehend the criminals of the last corrupt nefarious decade and bring them before the law , not to shield and safeguard them ..

After president Gamarala came to power a Human rights joint resolution was passed in Geneva that investigations shall be conducted into six grave crimes during the nefarious decade to which the SL government also assented.

This multiple murder after abducting and committing extortion is among those six heinous crimes. Hence , president Gamarala cannot rescue these criminals and those who aided and abetted from the arms of the law by citing their rank or status- navy commander.

Then , why is president Gamarala still vehemently and specially insisting on saving and shielding Ravindra Wijegunaratne ? Obviously this is because Ravindra helped him to put through the Russian warship deal .

It is significant to note , three committees were appointed by the predecessors of Ravindra in connection with the Russian warship deal . All three committees said the warship is not suitable for SL’s Navy. It was one and only Ravindra Wijegunaratne who later danced according to the tune of president Gamarala. After appointing a committee it was recommended the Russian warship is suitable ,thereby Ravindra helped Gamarala to line his pockets with many millions of dollars . Hence , can Gamarala who is always venally inclined forget that ?

‘It is you standing in the way and obstructing the arrest of crooks and criminals’- Rajitha tells Gamarala to the face !

President Gamarala at the cabinet meeting yesterday told a profusion of lies that the government is being driven into embarrassment when the CID summons the ex chiefs of the forces , in order to deceive the cabinet wholesale. He once again proved he is more a clown fit to perform in a circus and less a president to head a country when he said at the cabinet meeting , ex Navy Commander like Kamal Gunaratne a ‘hero’ is being summoned to the CID , and he is against it. Rajitha who was naturally provoked by this stupid statement , told directly to the face of Sirisena alias Sillysena, ‘the Kamal Gunaratne of yours was never with the good governance government . They were always with the opponents. 6.2 million people voted for us to catch these murderers . You are the one obstructing the apprehension of crooks and murderers. ’

President walks out of the cabinet meeting in a huff…

Gamarala who flew into a rage threw back his chair and walked out of the meeting . Incidentally this is the second occasion Gamarala has behaved like this at a cabinet meeting, in much the same way as a piqued and peeved Kindergarten child who rushes out of the classroom to do a pee .

Poor Gamarala was later consoled and ‘cooled down ’ by senior UNP ers Gamini Jayawickrema Perera and Vajira Abeygunawardena who went and fetched him to resume the meeting.

Only Champika Ranawaka , Mahinda Samarasinghe , Gamini Jayawickrema Perera and Sujeewa Senasinghe spoke in support of the president who was despicably leaving no stone unturned to protect and save the criminals of the forces from the arms of the law. Champika and Samarasinghe even went beyond Sirisena to shield the criminals. Nothing was more reprehensible than that.

Among those who pinpointed the faults of the president were Mangala Samaraweera and Faizer Mustafa . It was Rajitha Senaratne who always espouses the cause of truth and genuine national interests fearlessly and forthrightly took a fiery stance and opposed president vehemently.

President who is sympathetic towards murderers has no concern for the students who were brutally killed!

Be that as it may , president Gamarala who is always in fury against and in fear of Lanka e News had warned and given specific instructions to all the members at the cabinet meeting that what happened at the special cabinet meeting should not be leaked out. .

The president who said this and behaved most grotesquely at the cabinet meeting however has published a report via the Lanka deepa making use of a stooge of his under the name ‘Agalakada’ , which is as follows ….

‘In connection with the disappearance of 11 children , cases shall be filed against those who are facing indictments . If there are charges against the ex chiefs of the forces , cases shall be filed against them without arresting and causing embarrassment to them’ is what the president said at the cabinet meeting, Agalakada reported.

The two buffoons Gamarala and his ‘Agalakade’ lackey cum lickspittle must reveal to the people how cases can be filed . Shouldn’t these two clowns try to understand , it is to investigate the heinous crimes the former chiefs of the forces have to be questioned first , and not for any other purpose ?

Haven’t the heartless scoundrels who are showing so much concern for the criminals who conspired to commit this ruthless heinous multiple murder of students ,as well as aided and abetted in those crimes , any sympathy towards the innocent victims who were killed like mice ? Mind you , one student who was murdered in cold blood had successfully completed his GCE adv. Level exam , and was to leave for UK to pursue his medical studies. To celebrate his success and impending overseas travel he had gone out with his friends in the night for a dinner when all of them were abducted and killed brutally after even collecting extortion payments.

Unbelievably , it is towards such ruthless heartless murderers president Gamarala is showing so much concern, and mind you unlawfully too . In the circumstances can there be a worse ruthless rascally ruler than he ? Though he is a father and having children , he has no love for the children of other parents because he and his children only know about love for filthy lucre.

It is high time the UNP at least at this belated stage decided whether is it still going to follow the perilous road to perdition of Gamarala who has steeply dropped to a 4 % popularity base , and dig its own grave ? Or stand steadfast with the people and their mandate of 2015.

Wimal Dheerasekera

Translated by Jeff

Connected reports ….

Navy Chiefs Karannagoda and Wijegunawardena distort ‘Navy Sampath’s’ name to disentangle themselves from mass murder -president protects them !

President openly and brazenly shields criminals ! President liable to impeachment motion and contempt of court charges – legal luminaries pinpoint

Ex Navy chief Ravindra fearing CID interrogation in his multiple murder involvement flees country with Gamarala’s help !

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by     (2018-09-15 16:23:04)

Admiral Wijegunaratne’s involvement with murder suspect:
TNA alleges President interfered in CID probe

TNA admits Lt. Commander Hettiarachchi not ‘Navy Sampath’

 

By Shamindra Ferdinando-September 14, 2018, 1:13 am

Continuing controversy over Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Ravi Wijegunaratne, wanted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with allegedly aiding and abetting Lt. Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi, a suspect in two major wartime cases, leaving for Mexico on Sept. 10 has taken a dramatic turn with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) demanding that the entire range of accountability issues here should be subjected to international judicial process.

Jaffna District MP and TNA spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran, PC, yesterday morning told The Island that President Maithripala Sirisena’s direct intervention in the matter left the TNA with no alternative but to call for international help. Sumanthiran emphasised that interference by ‘highest authorities in the country’ meant that the victims couldn’t expect justice through domestic judicial process.

The TNA has gone on the offensive ahead of President Sirisena’s address to the UNGA on Sept 25. Comprehensive international participation in local judicial process is allowed in accordance with Geneva Resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka in Oct 2015. In March 2017, Sri Lanka, while reiterating its commitment to the Oct 2015 Resolution, assured Geneva it would be fulfilled by March 2019.

Sumanthiran stressed that Lt. Commander Hettiarachchi, a suspect in the high profile assassination of TNA lawmaker and attorney-at-law Nadarajah Raviraj in Colombo on Nov 10, 2006, though being acquitted by the Colombo High Court on Dec 24, 2016 wasn’t a free man.

Raviraja’s police bodyguard Sergeant Lokuwellamurage Shantha Laxman Lokuwella, too, was killed in the attack. The Colombo High Court acquitted all five accused-three Navy intelligence personnel and two members of the Karuna faction following unanimous decision by seven-member jury.

There were three matters-two appeals and one revision pending in the Court of Appeal in respect of Raviraj assassination, Sumanthiran said, adding that the Navy Officer went underground, while the caases were pending.

Sumanthiran said that in addition to the Raviraj’s killing, Lt. Commander Hettiarachchi was also wanted in connection with the abduction and disappearance of 11 Tamil youth during the period 2007-2008.

Referring to the officer’s recent arrest by the CID in the wake of accusations of him having fled the country with the help of Wijegunaratne, the President’s Counsel said that the highest ranking military official couldn’t have left for Mexico without President Sirisena’s knowledge. Sumanthiran asserted that President Sirisena couldn’t absolve himself of the responsibility for this situation.

Asked by The Island whether he could explain why Lt. Commander Hettiarachchi was being repeatedly wrongly identified as ‘Navy Sampath’, Sumanthiran, too, expressed surprise. The lawmaker said that Hettiarachchi was never called ‘Navy Sampath’ during Raviraj’s case. The TNA heavyweight admitted that something was amiss.

Referring to recent media reports, particularly ‘Annidda’ reportage of the CDS matter, Sumanthiran said that President Sirisena had intervened on behalf of military officers implicated in accountability issues. The Jaffna District MP said that the TNA was gravely concerned about ‘highest authorities in the country’ interfering in local judicial process. In spite of repeated promises since the change of government in January 2015 that the judiciary and law enforcement authorities would be free to proceed with investigations, the CDS matter had proved beyond doubt political interference at the highest level.

Asserting that those who had suffered in the hands of the military couldn’t expect justice under any circumstances here, Sumanthiran said that the TNA wanted the UN intervention to ensure proper investigations. International judicial process, Sumanthiran said was a must due to no less a person than the President interfering in investigations.

Accountability allegations included the alleged massacre of 40,000 Tamil civilians and deliberate denial of food and medicine to those who had been trapped on the Vanni east front in 2009. The war was brought to a successful conclusion on May 19, 2009.

The TNA made its move in the wake of Ports and Shipping Minister and SLFP spokesman Mahinda Samarasinghe defending Admiral Wijegunaratne’s conduct. Samarasinghe dismissed allegations directed at the Admiral while insisting the CID could record a statement once he returned from Mexico. Quoting from a brief statement issued by the Office of the CDS, Samarasinghe said that the highest ranking serving officer was representing the country.

Admiral Wijegunaratne is expected to return on Sept 19.

Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne on Aug 29 directed the CID to arrest Wijegunaratne if sufficient evidence was available of him facilitating Lt. Commander Hettiarachchi leaving the country. The CID has sought to question Wijegunaratne on the basis of a statement given by a Lieutenant Commander this year presently serving at the Navy headquarters.

On the basis of his statement, the CID accused Wijegunaratne of smuggling Hettiarachchi out in a Fast Attack Craft. Wijegunaratne denied the accusation.

The police initiated investigations into the alleged abduction and disappearances case in May 2009 following a complaint received from the then Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda.

Among those initially arrested in connection with the investigation during the previous Rajapaksa administration was Lt. Commander Sampath Munasinghe, Personal Security Officer (PSO) of Karannagoda. Munasinghe received bail.

During decade long investigation, the CID recorded statements from nearly 60 Navy officers, including Karannagoda and Adm.Travis Sinniah, who commanded the Navy for one year after returning from retirement during current dispensation. One time Navy spokesman Commodore D.K.P. Dassanayake became the highest ranking Navy officer arrested in connection with the abduction and disappearance case. Dassanayake, too, received bail this year.

Meanwhile, well informed sources told The Island that trouble erupted this week after President Sirisena summoned senior officers of the Attorney General’s Department, the police and two ministers to discuss the CID move to question and arrest Wijegunaratne.

Sources said that President Sirisena had expressed displeasure over the way the CID was handling the case, while the Attorney General’s Department suggested ways and means of overcoming the problem.