Seneviratne’s multi-barrelled fusillade

Chaos reigned supreme when Parliament sat last week, with accusations being levelled and charges being traded back and forth.
In a damning indictment on the government, firebrand Parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne on Wednesday, June 6, revealed key names connected with abductions, extortions and killings in the country.
Naming three officials – Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Nishantha Gajanayake and DIG Rohan Abeywardene – he charged they were acting with official sanction.
When Parliament sat on Friday, Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle condemned Seneviratne’s “irresponsible allegations,” stating Seneviratne was putting the lives of Abeywardene and his family at risk. He also requested the Speaker to expunge the statement from the Hansard.
Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara in turn said MPs should act with responsibility when making statements regarding those who are not in the House.
Fernandopulle emphasised that the UNP revealing names of high profile security officials would result in the officials becoming key LTTE targets.
Severe indictment
Seneviratne’s multi-barrelled fusillade on Wednesday was a severe indictment on the Rajapaksa administration, with Seneviratne even calling on the government to quit.
“Robberies, murders and extortions are going on unchecked in Colombo today.  For the last several weeks we attempted to find the persons involved in the incidents.  DIG Rohan Abeywardene who was in charge of the Eastern Province is today DIG Colombo. He is a close confidante of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. I categorically state that they are responsible for what is going on in Colombo today,” Seneviratne asserted.
He went on to say that Abeywardene was working hand in glove with Nishantha Gajanayake, a former squadron leader of the air force, who was also the personal security officer of former Air Force Commander Donald Perera.
“After he was dismissed from the air force, he became a close confidante of the Rajapaksa family. Gajanayake is one of the people who, with the Karuna faction, are perpetrating abductions, murders and demanding ransom,” Seneviratne charged.
He revealed that Gajanayake is staying at Room No. 706 at the Holiday Inn and that Gajanayake’s hotel bill is settled by a businessman named Gajadheera.
“He is the brother of a minister. However, the Holiday Inn is quite innocent to it. Now what happened last week? Two Red Cross workers were abducted and killed. Where were they staying? They were staying at the same hotel. They attended a workshop of the UNO at Berjaya Mount Royal Beach Hotel. They are no more,” he added.
Investigations
Seneviratne further said, “The Defence Secretary, and Nishantha Gajanayake and DIG Rohan Abeywardene who provide protection to him are responsible for it. What is the international opinion about it? And how many similar incidents were reported? Seventeen persons were killed and it is still to be investigated. The media reported that the investigation is ready, but we understand it is obstructed by a senior official of the Attorney General’s Department, Yasantha Kodagoda.”
He went on to describe the circumstances in which the proprietor of Overseas Recruiting Company, one Nistar, was allegedly abducted on May 16 with the abductors demanding a ransom of Rs. 500 million. According to Seneviratne, the abductors had stated that if the person bringing the ransom money were to be stopped at any check point, he should telephone the abductors, after which the security officials would be instructed to let him proceed.
“Who is responsible? Who has the power to act in this manner? Who received the ransom? Nistar has provided all information to the police, but they are not taking any action. I regret that I am compelled to tell this House that my schoolmate, Keheliya Rambukwella’s security officials are involved in this,” Seneviratne said. Rambukwella later requested a CID investigation regarding the allegations.
Seneviratne further said that the proprietors of Hameedias, No Limit, and Panadura Lintons are among other victims and that Tamil and Muslim businessmen are being murdered after obtaining ransom. He charged it would soon extend to Sinhala businessman.
“We accuse the government. The Defence Secretary is involved. Within the next two weeks we will propose that this House appoints a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe the allegations against Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. I wish to point out that we have lost confidence in the police. The IGP recently told the media threateningly that he has a force of 20,000 men and that he is not scared of anybody. He vowed to stop the on going abductions, assassinations and demanding ransom. We would like to ask the IGP what he has done to the people who are at large, with the ransom money. Sir, we request you to call Interpol. We state in Parliament that Nishantha Gajanayake and his gang are responsible for the assassination of Parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj.”
Then, with frivolous disregard for the victims of abductions, Seneviratne shamelessly joked about abductions and stated, “If the white van was sent to the venue of the World Cup Match, they could have abducted Adam Gilchrist and won the match.”
Addressing the charges being levelled against the UNP of attempting to reduce the morale of the security forces, Seneviratne said the UNP extends its fullest cooperation to the security forces, but regretted that innocent young men from rural areas who are in the forces now return home in coffins.
Funding the LTTE
Seneviratne then turned his guns on the JVP and JHU, stating, “Who funded the LTTE to purchase weapons? On my left hand side are the members of the JVP. I wish to ask them why are they silent about the money transaction with the LTTE. The JHU is also silent about it. You are parties to the government.”
Taking on the government once again, Seneviratne asserted that the people had the right to know about the deaths of soldiers in the battle front. He charged that when 16 navy personnel were killed in the Delft Islands, the Prime Minister stated that only four were killed.
“In the Wanni, 130 were killed, but it was reduced to 20 in the Prime Minister’s list. By 1994 the UNP government re-established the security bases in the east, in Elephant Pass, and Mullaitivu and held three elections. We lost them after 1994. Ratwatte and Daluwatta raised the Lion flag in Jaffna while all our bases in the east fell to the enemy. I would like to ask the government whether they have a plan to the war.”
He inquired as to what steps had been taken to obtain international support and whether the strength of the enemy forces had been assessed.
Antogonising India
Seneviratne then charged that the government had antagonised India. “Recently Udaya Gammanpila said King Gajaba invaded India and took 20,000 South Indians hostage and returned to Sri Lanka. He is attempting to convince the people that we can hit India. Can it ever be a reality?” he queried.
Leaping to the government’s defence, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena exclaimed, “We have not antagonised India in any manner.”
Replied Seneviratne, “You are day-dreaming. You must read the Narayan Singh’s (M.K. Narayanan’s) statement without blowing hot and cold.”
Gunawardena then asked Seneviratne to act with responsibility without creating a crisis, to which Seneviratne said, “Today the President is not permitted to meet the Indian Prime Minister. The Defence Secretary was not a welcome visitor. Narayan Singh (M.K. Narayanan) ordered Sri Lanka to purchase arms only from India. India is a powerful nation.”
Responded Gunawardena, “Please tell the Leader of the Opposition to make that statement if possible. As a government we must tell the country that the Hon. Member’s statement was baseless. Sri Lanka and India will never have any conflict.”
Joining in was Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake who said the government had not acted in any manner that would have a negative impact on the bilateral relationship with India and other neighbouring countries. The Prime Minister stated the government would continue to maintain the rapport between the two countries and that India has been “very friendly to us.” He added he admired the assistance given to Sri Lanka so far by India.
Bare-bodied protest
Compounding the chaos was UNP MP T. Maheswaran who, in protest of the forced removal of Tamils from lodges in certain areas in Colombo, removed his shirt and remained bare-bodied in the House. While the Tamil National Alliance members supported Maheswaran, some Tamil MPs were so dejected that they wanted to quit but opted to await the party stance on the matter.
Meanwhile, Rauff Hakeem of the SLMC – which is a coalition partner of the government – condemning the forced eviction, stated the situation was worse than that during the 1983 riots. Restricting himself to only condemning the move, Hakeem appears to have forgotten about the collective responsibility of Cabinet.
The verbal battle over the rising cost of living began with UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella stating, “We sent Bandula Gunawardena to your side to reduce the cost of living. You must learn from him.”
However, Seneviratne was not done yet. “The entire country knows that India has lost confidence in us. Many experienced officers in the army have tendered their resignations. Sir, I wish to ask whether this is a Parliament or a fish market. You must have control of the House. We are not allowed to speak. The country is in danger today. The government has covered its nakedness with the war. You all can criticise me after my statement. But the war will not end, nor will the LTTE return the money you gave them. The cost of living will not come down. Abductions and assassinations will not stop. The Prime Minister is here and he should have the opportunity to reply. We maintain more than 100 ministers today while the people are facing hardship,” he said.
Seneviratne then attacked Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, stating Fernandopulle came to Sirikotha to discuss a cross-over in 2001, to which Fernandopulle responded, “Yes, I had talks, I don’t keep it a secret.”
Seneviratne then said, “Now I am going to divulge a secret. Somawansa Amarasinghe, Tilvin Silva, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Wimal Weerawansa met a leading personality in the country. Amarasinghe told him, ‘We know how you win the election,’ and asked whether he would implement the pact with the LTTE in the same form. What was the reply?”
Jumping into the fray was JVP Parliamentary Group Leader Wimal Weerawansa who stated they never attended any such meeting. “It is a false statement. We request it to be expunged from the Hansard,” he said.
Gunawardena chimed in saying, “Sir, you must expunge these false statements from the Hansard.” Lokubandara said he would look into the matter.
Crisis brewing
Seneviratne, continuing his barrage, said, “The Hon. Minister has unusually lost his temper. Is he not right in his head? All of them are insane these days. Today a serious crisis is brewing. We must remind you of the statement of the two closest confidantes of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Tiran Alles has vindicated it today. Why is the JVP silent about the funds provided to the LTTE? Sir, if Rs. 10 was given to the LTTE during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s time, what would the JVP do? We regret to find even Anura Kumara Dissanayake, whom we respect, also silent on the issue. We are only requesting the appointment of a select committee to probe the allegation. We have evidence to prove it.”
Fernandopulle pointed out that he has moved for 75 select committees on the activities of the Leader of the Opposition and the UNP parliamentarians, former speakers, and COPE, adding, “We are prepared to appoint them. What if we do so?”
Responded Seneviratne, “Gunawardena said I am attempting to mislead the House. What about the Supreme Court judgment against you for misleading the Cabinet of Chandrika Kumaratunga? Why are you silent? It is the truth.”
Gunawardena stated that Seneviratne’s false statements demand clarification, with Seneviratne asking Gunawardena if he had read the judgment. Gunawardena asked Seneviratne if he had a copy of the judgment, to which Seneviratne replied in the affirmative. Gunawardena asked Seneviratne to show it to him, saying, “Don’t make false statements in the House. If you have the judgment, you must show it. We respect our former President.”
Gunawardena continued, “I tell the House with responsibility that the Hon. Member does not have any document to prove his allegations. They are the people who planned to rob the former President’s handbag. That was how they treated her.”
Select committee
Seneviratne asserted the UNP’s only request was the appointment of a select committee to give them the opportunity to prove the allegations, adding, “The people in the country are misled today. The media fails to give a true perspective of the situation. Television and the newspapers fail to report facts on the north east war… The country is in a precarious situation. If the government is not able to rule the country, it must resign and leave it to those who are capable.”
However, despite the UNP calling upon the government to make way for those who are supposedly more capable of governing this war-torn island, with no election on the horizon, it looks like the government has no intention of backing down in the near future since the next election is due only in 2010.
It appears that the government will pull on until such time despite a severe economic crisis looming and there appearing to be no imminent solution to the ethnic crisis, militarily or otherwise.
With the war guns booming and abductions, extortions and killings becoming the order of the day, one wonders what the UNP has up its sleeve in order to put the country back on the right track.

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