tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post8843546911760328115..comments2023-05-26T14:40:45.227+05:30Comments on Sri Lanka Defence Analytics: Tactical SurrenderUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-59839993692083912792011-10-30T21:05:07.983+05:302011-10-30T21:05:07.983+05:30Sam, when did Malinda become editor of The Nation?...Sam, when did Malinda become editor of The Nation?<br />That is excellent to hear as we all know what a true patriot he is driven by what is good for the country and nothing else, thus has no political ties/obsessions.<br /><br />It is a shame TheNation is only a Sunday Paper. If only it could expand to an all week daily.Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-84243183027054648242011-10-30T21:03:04.946+05:302011-10-30T21:03:04.946+05:30It is disgusting to see the comments by the UNP/JV...It is disgusting to see the comments by the UNP/JVP/Colombians/NGOs/Fonsekas on Adaderana condemning, attacking and insulting the Sinhalese in Australia who bothered to come out and defend the nation. These people and their supporters all have island syndrome and can only think of their short sighted political goals without giving a damn for the long term implications towards the country with their “today, now, hell with tomorrow” mentality coupled to huge amounts of jealousy towards these people who are abroad and who are defending the country.Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-88847462118314985302011-10-30T17:04:10.493+05:302011-10-30T17:04:10.493+05:30Malinda is the new, no nonsense patriotic, editor ...Malinda is the new, no nonsense patriotic, editor of "The Nation." He knows the pulse of Sri Lanka pretty well. I wish him all the success at The Nation.Sam Pererahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10084374428694513082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-67412320944636380082011-10-30T07:00:23.355+05:302011-10-30T07:00:23.355+05:30An excellent and vital article by
Malinda Senevira...An excellent and vital article by<br />Malinda Seneviratne <br /><br /><b><i>"Regraining the nation: We can and we must!</i></b><br /> http://www.adaderana.lk/opinion.php?nid=2229Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-23289221017895742382011-10-30T05:41:45.874+05:302011-10-30T05:41:45.874+05:30From ToiletNet, i hope this is true, because its g...From ToiletNet, i hope this is true, because its great news. <br /><br /><i><b>"SLA constructs cantonment in Mannaar causing fear among residents</b></i> <br /><br /><i>Sat, 29 Oct 2011, 16:37 GMT<br /><br />The occupying Sri Lanka Army in Maanaar is constructing a cantonment at Chelveari area situated along Mannaar - Thalai Mannaar Road. For the last four days heavy vehicles such as armoured cars and tanks had been seen transporting materials for this area is under the control of the Sri Lanka Navy for the last several years. The Sri Lanka Army has now moved into the area for the construction of a big new camp and repairing existing small camps.</i>Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-8709637452106855172011-10-30T03:20:46.207+05:302011-10-30T03:20:46.207+05:30pol,
thanks for sharing.
that is a very good mov...pol,<br /><br />thanks for sharing.<br /><br />that is a very good move. it should not confine to intel gathering. ACTING UPON gathered intel is MORE important.Moshe Dyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08762527540378686097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-42055608346724706972011-10-30T03:17:36.439+05:302011-10-30T03:17:36.439+05:30"Confederation of civil groups formed in Jaff..."Confederation of civil groups formed in Jaffna<br />[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 October 2011, 18:01 GMT]<br />A confederation of people’s forums for humanitarian work was formed in Jaffna on Saturday morning, when representatives of various civil groups and civil activists met at the NGO Centre located at the Temple Road in the city. The decision to form the confederation was unanimously resolved at the meeting. President of the NGOs in Jaffna, Mr. CVK Sivagnanam and the Jaffna University Students Union President, Mr S. Thavabalasingham were elected respectively as Coordinator and Secretary of the confederation. Student union of the University of Jaffna took the initiative to convene the meeting. Such a confederation of civil groups to face human rights violations was formed in Jaffna on an earlier occasion too, when the ‘peace keeping’ force of India was occupying Jaffna."<br /><br /><br />counter insurgency strategy MUST kick in now. these terrorists should be eliminated.Moshe Dyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08762527540378686097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-27688728576355573392011-10-29T19:23:04.397+05:302011-10-29T19:23:04.397+05:30Intelligence expanded into six battalions
"...<b><i>Intelligence expanded into six battalions</i></b> <br /><br /><br /><i>"The Sri Lanka Army has expanded the sole intelligence battalion of the Military Intelligence Corps into six battalions to face future threats and to make sure that a situation similar to what the country underwent in the recent past would not take place again. <br /><br />If we have a stable and a strong intelligence network facing internal or external threats it will not be a difficult task. It can be from anybody but when our network is strong, we are more secure, Military spokesman Brigadier Nihal Hapuarachchi said. <br /><br />He said that the Army is not 100 percent certain of some elements in the Tamil Diaspora as well as former LTTE cadres so therefore the threat comes from them also remain large. <br /><br />We do not want to have the same situation we faced and dealt with in the past. The regiment commander is authorised to communicate with the intelligence officers under the directions of the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, he said. <br /><br />We have placed these battalions in Security Forces Headquarters that we have covering the country, Brigadier Hapuarachchi said. <br /><br />When asked about the strength of the newly formed battalions he said that he cannot give a specific number. The battalions are represented by personnel from all the regiments. <br /><br />Recently, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa also speaking at the opening ceremony of the new Security Forces Headquarters Complex in Kilinochchi said the military intelligence apparatus has been expanded for external and internal threats. <br /><br />Some LTTE cadres escaped capture in Sri Lanka. Those LTTE members as well as the Diaspora have teamed up together and are working to destabilise the country and resurrect their ruthless organisation, he said. <br /><br />Because of these concerns, Military Intelligence Corps had to be increased to six battalions from the original one to two battalions. The surveillance therefore has to be sustained at all times, the Defence Secretary noted."</i>Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-62157200315795993792011-10-29T19:22:07.851+05:302011-10-29T19:22:07.851+05:30This comment has been removed by the author.Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-75133180993568052532011-10-29T12:55:41.932+05:302011-10-29T12:55:41.932+05:30KB,
this is dangerous.
yes, we should do the sam...KB,<br /><br />this is dangerous.<br /><br />yes, we should do the same.<br /><br />jews are jews because they have a nation. tamils are tamils because they DON'T have a nation.Moshe Dyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08762527540378686097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-6729568259066105432011-10-29T05:09:45.081+05:302011-10-29T05:09:45.081+05:30Chaps, here is a video which will give Peelamists ...Chaps, here is a video which will give Peelamists diarrhea. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5gmDEzBnUs" rel="nofollow">Sri Lanka Air Force - 60th Anniversary Celebrations</a><br /><br />Cheers!Konnapu Bandarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012868483529848864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-48022998557447526462011-10-29T04:43:58.660+05:302011-10-29T04:43:58.660+05:30Pol Sambol, old chap, we should do exactly what th...Pol Sambol, old chap, we should do exactly what these buggers are advocating except the people being settled will be from the majority community. Private trusts should buy up a lot of land cheap and develop housing for soldiers and landless from deep south. We should appoint Moshe as the commissioner of recolonization not just because of his passion for the mission but also his Jewish connections. If Jewish people could do it so can we.<br /><br />Cheers!Konnapu Bandarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012868483529848864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-89979678294205975122011-10-28T20:00:32.709+05:302011-10-28T20:00:32.709+05:30"What was Prabakaran’s appeal to the Tamil Di...<i>"What was Prabakaran’s appeal to the Tamil Diaspora?<br /><br />For more than 60 years we have suffered under the Sinhalese Regime. In this context we have to learn a lesson from Jews. For nearly 1800 years they were stateless having driven out of Israel. Hitler killed 5 million in gas chambers. The Jewish leaders without undue publicity purchased lands from the Arabs and created Israel in 1949. A barren land was converted into a modern state. Sea water was desalinated and vegetables were grown in plutonian bags. The area is smaller than Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka.<br /><br />The number of Jews in Israel is lesser than the Jews in America, yet because they have a state for themselves the Jews are dictating terms to America. The foreign policy of America, financial institutions, industries and the media are all controlled by the Jews. What is the message Israel conveying to us? It is not the size of the country that counts, it is not the strength of the population that counts; it is the will and determination of the people that counts to shape the destiny of a nation. Singapore is smaller than Jaffna but it is a mini-power in South Asia. There are 192 nations in the UN of them the majority are tiny little nations, but world power respects them, because they are independent and sovereign.<br /><br /><br />Like the Jews, let us create land banks and save the land for the Tamils<br /><br />Faith can move mountains say the Bible, so let us have faith in ourselves and act in the living present. We must learn to bury our petty difference, and raise our voices to influence world opinion. Time is running out, like the Jews let us open land banks to purchase lands snatched away by the Sinhalese. Without waiting for the time and tide to move in our favor, let us act without undue delay. Any procrastination will only result in a postmortem of how the Tamils perished. Prabhakaran’s appeal on the Maveerar Day in 2008 was a direct appeal to the Diaspora Tamils, specially the Tamil youths to come to the rescue. If we really value of what Prabhakaran said let us not waste time on petty quarrels."</i> <br /><br /><br /><br />http://www.tamilcanadian.com/article/6073Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-14625097770066067442011-10-26T16:43:41.131+05:302011-10-26T16:43:41.131+05:30thanks for sharing KB.
i don't like anti-SL j...thanks for sharing KB.<br /><br />i don't like anti-SL jokers making good use of the opportunity to get at GR because they couldn't so far.<br /><br />those ppl are far worse than DS.<br /><br />anyway agree that this DS cancer has to be eliminated.<br /><br />on the bad side of GR.....<br /><br /><b>i don't see why he can't remove these underworld gangs???? he says it is difficult. i think it is a joke.<br /><br />does that mean we need another (pre-november 2009) SF???? he would have gladly done it.</b>Moshe Dyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08762527540378686097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-66517363965948413682011-10-26T07:25:41.974+05:302011-10-26T07:25:41.974+05:30This demand of the West and India’s to remove the ...This demand of the West and India’s to remove the Army and “rehabilitate” and release LTTE killers is part and parcel of creating more violence and insurgency in Sri Lanka at a later date.<br /><br />Remove the Army, free the LTTE, hey presto we have the situation we had pre-2006 all over again. And when you rush things as the West seems to want, it creates room for massive problems to arise (as akin to the rushed re-settlement of civilians), which in turn gives them more areas to “pressure” SL on. <br /><br />They’ve done it all before. First refused to assist SL with the IDP camps on purpose to make the situation in them as difficult as possible so they and their media could easily spin stories to attack us and “put pressure”. Then when we release them, they do the same saying “Tamils civilians released into hell holes, with no services, infrastructure” and other bs, again another way to attack us, and “put pressure”. The whole motivation here was to make things as miserable as possible for the 300,000 Tamils rescued (at immense sacrifice of our soldiers) from the human shield. Blame Sinhalese for the difficulties and keep the hatred boiling.<br /><br />Same thing with LTTE cadres we have. First claim their “rights” are being violated by holding them in prison (because they are innocent people since they only killed non-whites and did what the West wanted them to after all) and thus demand their release, when they are released they accuse SL of “re-education not rehabilitation” and more bs about “no opportunities, infrastructure, rights still denied”. There is NO WINNING with these people because they are NOT motivated by genuine intentions, but the ideology of creating more conflict, violence, dominating SL and keeping this nation backward.<br /><br />The most damning part of it all is that they are assisted by many Sinhalese who flock <br />to kiss their feet in a nanosecond as they are still mentally enslaved.Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-26269164422457541862011-10-26T07:23:02.584+05:302011-10-26T07:23:02.584+05:30This comment has been removed by the author.Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-88372413426892903592011-10-26T07:22:17.043+05:302011-10-26T07:22:17.043+05:30KB,
A lot of the usual forces that are filled wit...KB,<br /><br />A lot of the usual forces that are filled with hatred for GR capitalised on this event to smear him as much as possible (wrapped in language of “concern”) with Sundaymudslinger also getting into the fray and the likes of LeN and LNW spinning greater yarns than usual. OF course frustrated UNPers chiming in.<br /><br />It is vital that the truth comes out (including GRs role in getting back the two who ran away to India) and details such as this being provided to the greater public. I hope Lankadeepa ran this story as well. The people have great faith and belief in GR, naturally the enemies of the nation and other scum want to crush this for whatever selfish, racist ideals.<br /><br />Furthermore this “international pressure” by the West is done to find ways to interfere in the country and build more “pressure” to continually intimidate and control SL. As the Island Political Columnist said “if its not emergency regulations, its regional autonomy”. They just want reasons to interfere, threaten the Government and make themselves feel big + exert power control over a bunch of dirty brown people that makes them feel powerful and important –their egos are at stake here as well. <br /><br />After loosing the LTTE they were at a loss on how to “get at” and control Sri Lanka as done before. The war & Tamils provided a great conduit of interference for them to “access” SL and manipulate us. They hurriedly created a new conduit after the war backed as always by the Tamil factor. Which is what the “war crimes” bs is all about, a way for them to access SL, scare SL, threaten SL and push SL around as they did so brazenly and happily before with the LTTE. (India is also stinking around behind them).Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-49605201322829942902011-10-26T07:16:22.540+05:302011-10-26T07:16:22.540+05:30This comment has been removed by the author.Pol Sambolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619349312167564072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-56902653823590435492011-10-26T06:35:34.864+05:302011-10-26T06:35:34.864+05:30Sam, old boy, agree this Duminda bugger needs to b...Sam, old boy, agree this Duminda bugger needs to be given the death sentence for his crimes. This is a golden opportunity for GR to declare another war on the underworld. These criminals work for money and can be easily bought by LTTE to create havoc again.<br /><br />Cheers!Konnapu Bandarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012868483529848864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-63213706731477546742011-10-26T05:40:36.226+05:302011-10-26T05:40:36.226+05:30KB,
It all sounds good. However, Duminda Silva is...KB,<br /><br />It all sounds good. However, Duminda Silva is a social cancer that needs to be administered high dosages of radiation. Our Mahason Brigade is known to have the right source to treat Duminda Silva.Sam Pererahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10084374428694513082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-8997585914765509632011-10-26T05:37:40.206+05:302011-10-26T05:37:40.206+05:30cont ...
QUESTION:
How much a threat does LTTE I...cont ...<br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />How much a threat does LTTE International remain to the peace and development moves in Sri Lanka?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />It is a big challenge. No one sees the work we do to counter this. We are confident of that but we can’t sit and wait. Nothing happens by itself-we are doing it. Although immediately after the war the morale of the LTTE died, over these past two years they started their funding and regrouping. Slowly they are collecting the remnents of the LTTE. If you sit doing nothing there is a huge threat. We are working very hard to counter this. We didn’t stop the work after killing Prabakaran-we captured KP and started dismantling the LTTE.<br /><br />Politicians have forgotton this-both with the Party and outside of some fear! They must support me-I’m not a threat to them. Again if Duminda has used his position it is not my businessit is his business.<br /><br />But purely because of that our people who know what I have done are trying to undermine what I have done by using this little thing over everything I have done. It is very unfair by me personally, and especially unfair when those within our own Party are trying to do this. It is very unfair to project this small thing as a big thing.<br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />What are the challenges faced by you now that the Emergency has been removed?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />This is a huge challange-this is where we need to create a balance. There is a requirement to do this. Unfortunately the diplomatic community and the international community are very keen to go very fast to achieve these things. They want to release the detainees and rehabilitees, or resettle them and , and take the military out of the security operations as soon as possible.<br /><br />These are pressures coming from one direction. But it is those doing this who know the difficulties in doing these. It is only I and the President who know the difficulties in doing this. Even the government politicians are in an urgency to do all these things without understanding the challenge for the security.<br /><br />We have to understand that though we have defeated the LTTE it was an oranisation that was there for 30 long years and it hasn’t only a local component but also the international. It has a Diaspora a huge financial base. courtesy: Daily Mirror<br /><br />Cheers!Konnapu Bandarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012868483529848864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-38799801142502910392011-10-26T05:37:02.800+05:302011-10-26T05:37:02.800+05:30cont ...
QUESTION:
But were you aware of the dru...cont ...<br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />But were you aware of the drug issues that Baratha was reportedly trying to bring attention to in the area?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />There are so many allegations against so many people. There is however no concrete evidence against anybody on this issue. There are allegations against both these people-but nothing is proven. But nobody has told me anything against anybody directly. These rumours that go on must be because of these associations with these people-but as far as I’m concerned my association with Duminda is purely official.<br /><br />I’m not a friend-to be a friend he must be of my age group! I started associating him after he joined the Presidential campaign this time. Beyond that I don’t have a friendship with him. I associated him as an elected MP-he’s not a known underworld king pin or some drug dealer! He’s an elected MP-elected by the people. If I can’t work with him as an official as an MP then there’s something wrong with the democracy exercised! Then don’t blame us blame the politicians and change the system.<br /><br />Let me give an example-when Ambassadors come and I explain our difficulties with working with some in the TNA due to their links with the LTTE, they speak of them being elected by the people! Then why the double standards? This is nonsense!<br /><br />This is a person elected with a huge majority by the people and why I had to work with him was because after I took over Urban Development, my biggest focus was building houses to replace shanties. And in this there were issues I had to deal with politically-I had to counter misinformation spread by the Opposition.<br /><br />Duminda was someone who worked directly with these people-he’s the person I had to use as a politician to go to the people. It was a completely official relationship. I don’t think anyone can blame me for that. Am I to select between MPs now-on what basis and principle<br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />There are fears that the Colombo development plan under your authority will face logistical difficulties before the CMC now under the UNP. Are you concerned?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />Municipality is at the lowest level but with a bearing on the peoplecleaning drains, collecting garbage etc. But utilization of land or town planning all are under the UDA-It is under me. No one can stop these things.<br /><br />These are legally my functions. What is the meaning of UDA? They have to understand that the primary authority of this is under the UDA. They have to coporate with me-if they don’t they are working against the people, not me.<br /><br />This is just politics-they must stop doing that and start working like me. This is under the UDA and I’m going to continue with it. The people have nothing to worry about.<br /><br />I have within a short time removed the garbage that no one including the CMC could. The beautification and renovation of old neglected building for commercial use was started. From the time of JR Jayewardena people were complaining that the Army headquarters was in a wrong place but no one could do it. I leased it for a good hotel company for the correct value, while building a good defence complex in Battaramulla.<br /><br />Cheers!Konnapu Bandarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012868483529848864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-50374939946626713482011-10-26T05:35:46.009+05:302011-10-26T05:35:46.009+05:30cont...
QUESTION
What is your connection to Dumi...cont...<br /><br />QUESTION<br /><br />What is your connection to Duminda?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />The beautification of Colombo is secondary to me-my primary concern is the security of this country. Maybe for the public and the politicians the concerns ended with the end of war but not for me. Day and night I work hard to prevent the LTTE from coming back. I’m not collecting preferences-I work for the country-no one knows the work I do.<br /><br />I have a huge task in re-orienting the war time military machinery to suit the peace times. I have to keep the forces active-this is a serious challange. I have immense pressure from the international community to reduce military presence in the NE, or remove Emergency regulations. Creating a balance while bringing normalcy is a huge challange.<br /><br />These are things I face daily. Those who pose these difficulties with ulterior motives must understand this. I’m not interested in politics-I will never get involved in these contests. Its not my line of thinking-so no one has to get worried about me! If they harm me it is the country they harm. Ultimately it is the country and these politicians who are benefitted by the work I do. It is very unfair to target me-maybe to harm the President, but who suffers in the end?<br /><br />I don’t think even the Ministers know the work I do. This is a very minor area-but if they start attacking me on a hypothetical situation like this its unfair by me. I do things without propaganda because I’m not interested in that. But dragging me in to these is purely to sling mud with ulterior motives. People maybe doing this thinking I have other motives-I don’t. I don’t want to be the Prime Minister-I’m not interested in that. If somebody has any fear they must remove those from their minds. I’m not a threat to anybody. My agenda and work is different.<br /><br />Everyone was trying to remove the shanties, but I realized that unless you solved it immediately you couldn’t do it. You can’t do it with 100 houses a year-you have to build atleast 25000 houses to have an impact. Yet, again the politicians started spreading rumours for petty political gain-this is why I had to get involved in this. This is where Duminda come in-this is where I used Duminda-for nothing else!<br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />But the claim is that an MP who functioned as a Monitoring MP of your Ministry is now alleged to have had drug and related dealings?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />Again this is a wrong picture given. That was wrong-he was a supervisory member for this UDA project. If someone tries to deny that then you have to go into detail and say if he has ever got involved in anything to do with the military or the police. Has he sat with me on any of these conferences? No! He had nothing to do with the military or the police.<br /><br />Similarly he was not the only person. Keheliya was given the task of working with the media during the war-he had nothing to do with the Defence Ministry. Mahindanana was from war times given the task of handling the Civil Defence Committees.In fact Mr. Lokubanda’s son was also appointed with Duminda to this job of explaining to the people our development work. That was all they were to do-so it was not only Duminda. Now the people are trying create a different story to sling mud. They are trying to hide the truth. This is wrong.<br /><br />Cheers!Konnapu Bandarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012868483529848864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-84824486721464299672011-10-26T05:34:48.382+05:302011-10-26T05:34:48.382+05:30cont...
Question:
You are not protecting Duminda...cont...<br /><br />Question:<br /><br />You are not protecting Duminda?<br /><br />Answer:<br /><br />I’m not! Why should I?! I’m not protecting anybody but the truth must come out. Not what something someone wants to against someone but the truth. People question my visit to see Duminda-why shouldn’t I? I’m not a human being if I didn’t. The very previous day he was assisting me in this development work. So when I used him why shouldn’t I go and see him? In fact the first call I got about this incident was from Duminda’s phone by someone taking him to the hospital informing me of the shooting.<br /><br />I knew Baratha for a longer period than Duminda because he was a close supporter of the President. I still wanted to go for his funeral but how could I?<br /><br />When hooligans were shouting there, I didn’t want to get involved in that. In fact the President called me to go there, I said I couldn’t get involved. Duminda was an MP, why isn’t anyone going to see him? Till the truth comes out what prevents them from going? They are frightened. Of what I don’t know. They have things to hide. They don’t want to face the truth. They are weak people. I’m not a weak person-I do what I think is right in my heart. I don’t know whether Duminda is misunderstood-but the fact remains that he’s an MP, elected by the people. How can you just throw various allegations without proof? Until you are proven guilty why are they in a hurry to do this? These same people associate with certain MPs of TNA who threatened the sovereignty of this country. This shows poor quality of people.<br /><br />Question<br /><br />Were you aware of the use of personal armies like those used by Silva by politicians with such a large amount of arms?<br /><br />Answer:<br /><br />That is wrong. I’ve always said that was wrong. I always took action against this-this is a huge problem for the police. Not just MPs but businessmen keep such groups. Some even take them dressed in black suits to the Courts-this is very common thing.<br /><br />But no one criticises it when the opposition Members do it. We try hard to stop this. I have given strict orders to stop this-but it is not an easy thing.<br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />Were you aware of his connections with Dematagoda Chaminda, a known underworld kingpin?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />Nobody has told me about this. Mind you I have done many operations without any soft pedalling anyone. If ever there was any allegation I have given the fullest cooperation to the police, the STF and the Army. I have never stopped investigations. I’m the one who gave my fullest backing to them.<br /><br />Nobody can say that I haven’t taken any action-irrespective who’s who they were I have carried out this work. I have told the police, CDS and the IGP to this effect. No one can say I’ve tried to prevent such investigations. In fact I was the one pushing them with a clear focus. No one can say I protected anybody. I never protected anyone. That’s not how I do things. When I’m given a task I do it right.<br /><br />Cheers!Konnapu Bandarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012868483529848864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657523834492969217.post-71034527292332993032011-10-26T05:28:24.662+05:302011-10-26T05:28:24.662+05:30An Interview by Shakuntala Perera for “Hard Talk” ...<b>An Interview by Shakuntala Perera for “Hard Talk” with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa</b><br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />Is there a conspiracy behind Baratha Premachandra’s death? His family alleges against a move to obstruct justice from within the government, with a finger pointed directly at the President?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />These are political rivalries. I don’t know what this big conspiracy is; they should explain what this is. It’s not like he was a national leader.<br /><br />These are purely political mud slinging moves by those who are disgruntled. Now that the President is moving very smoothly politically, there are those who will use these to distract the people. And also understandably Baratha’s family must be pained to think this way.<br /><br />But those others are using this to create a misunderstanding among the people; some of these are really those who criticised him when alive-some even had court cases against him but are trying to take advantage of this. This is a very unfortunate incident that no one can approve of. These happen because of the present political system. People fight within a Party for preferences.<br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />How do you respond to claims by his family that requests made for security following threats to his life in February this year have gone ignored by the government?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />But nobody has written to me. He was in touch with people within the Defence ministry but he has never mentioned anything of this. He’s always with the President-in fact his office is in the Presidential Secretariat-he could’ve mentioned this. I don’t think he has ever written to the President. That is a very wild allegation. If he had a problem there was no issue of contacting anybody.<br /><br />QUESTION:<br /><br />Were you aware of the increasing levels of polls related violence between the two factions in the run up to the polls?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br />This rivalry between these two groups was known-I’m not politically interested but the Party hierarchy knew this was going on. But because of this system this happens all over.<br /><br />Unfortunately due to the environment of this area; where the underworld existed with a gun culture, it was not unknown that the politicians working there would have such connections. The politics they have to play in this area is such that they have no choice in it. If you looked at some of the representatives you can see this. But unfortunately they are the ones that can get the votes from these areas. That is the ground reality.<br /><br />Question:<br /><br />Is Duminda Silva a suspect in this case?<br /><br />Answer:<br /><br />That is not something even I should say anything about. This is a serious case-a high profile case. You have to allow the investigation to take place. Not only the CID, but also forensics, the Govt. Analyst have all to come in to this. I’m even thinking of getting foreign assistance in this. Once the real picture is there only can you talk about it. Till then no one can say. Someone supporting Baratha will say one thing-the other side another, but an independent person will say something different. We have to put this together-let them do that. But whatever assistance they need I will give.<br /><br />Question:<br /><br />Were you aware that a key underworld leader Dematagoda Chaminda was with Duminda Silva at the time of the shooting?<br /><br />Answer:<br /><br />When they said this Chaminda was involved in the shooting I asked the CID where he was and why he was not taken in. They said he had fled the country. I got angry for their failure to take precautions and I called the necessary people as well as the Indian authorities and got their help to arrest this man. They used over 60 people there to do this and by 10th evening they traced him there, and by 11th morning we had him here and handed him to the CID. I did that personally. This is the extent I go to for this. If I didn’t do that we couldn’t have got him. Then I deployed the army and the STF to arrest anyone else responsible.<br /><br />Cheers!Konnapu Bandarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012868483529848864noreply@blogger.com