Situation Report by Iqbal Athas

Columns - Situation Report The Sundaytimes lk
*Jeyaraj: Probe on who failed and what next

*Car loaded with 60 kilos of explosives was to be used against another VIP
*Lull in fighting but casualty figures of past two months tell real story of war

By Iqbal Athas
A man, not more than 35 years in age, hovered around the Kanthi Playground at Weliweriya from the early hours of last Sunday. He wore a black T-shirt and a
black "three quarter" shorts. Around 7.45 a.m. when Highways Minister and Chief Government Whip, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was flagging off a marathon race, he
moved from behind and detonated explosives reportedly strapped to his waist. The charge hit right below Mr. Fernandopulle's chest instantly mangling the rest of his
body and severing his legs. Fourteen others died and 83 were injured. Some are in a serious condition in hospital.
That Mr. Fernandopulle was a high profile target for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was known in the security establishment for months. There were
intelligence warnings earlier of LTTE attempts to infiltrate Sinhala speaking cadres to a group of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) taxi operators who were
opposed to him. This group had alleged that Mr. Fernandopulle had favoured a rival group in finding better business opportunities at the BIA.
Troops in the Mannar battlefront. Pix by Ranjith Jayasundara When that did not materialise, a separate hit team had been tasked to assassinate him. The identity of their handler was known. He was said to be operating under a
person who was identified by his nom de guerre Kathiravan. Whether this group carried out the attack is not clear. However, the assassin had used a false National
Identity Card that bore the name of a Muslim civilian from Valachchenai.
His name was given as Vellathambi Mohammadu Ameen (NIC No: 862763479V). The name and address have turned out to be false. Detectives are following up
on phone numbers contained in a SIM card inside a damaged phone found at the scene of the incident. The Government Analyst has opined that the weight of the
explosives used by the suicide bomber in the assassination of Minister Fernandopulle was less than five kilogrammes. In contrast to other suicide attacks where steel
balls have been used, there have been none during last Sunday's attack.
On March 13 at a top-level security conference, the seriousness of the threat on Mr. Fernandopulle was discussed. So much so, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was
to warn him about the threats and ask him to curtail his movements.
Despite all the warnings, Mr. Fernandopulle fell victim to a Tiger guerrilla plot. Some complain he lowered his guard. However, he is a politician and the need to keep
in touch with the people, be at sporting events or at other functions, is necessary for not only him but also others in his position. That was why he was assigned
personal protection from specialised units. One such unit or more failed in ensuring his security. There was a total security lapse. Can Mr. Fernandopulle be blamed
for that? Now, some of them are saying they were unaware he had an engagement in Weliveriya last Sunday morning.
It is ironic indeed. Whilst they were unaware, the LTTE was fully aware that Mr. Fernandopulle was taking part in a sporting event and was to flag off a marathon
race. The event has been advertised through billboards, posters and with even reports in the media. Evidently, those who secretly plan the assassinations and attacks
in the South from the Wanni, were able to learn from them. As has been the regular practice, investigations will get under way in the glare of wide publicity but those
responsible for the lapses will go unpunished.
The Ministry of Defence has named a top-level team to conduct a probe to identify the security lapses. Major General Lawrence Fernando, Chief of Staff of the
Army and now Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army's Volunteer Force, heads it. Other members are Brigadier H. Hathurusinghe, Commanding Officer of the
Operations Command, Colombo (OCC), Brigadier B.A. Perera, Commanding Officer of the Army's 112 Brigade and Sisira Mendis, DIG (CID). Their probe will
be independent of the investigation that a CID team is conducting.
Troops check weaponry The fact that the LTTE had been targeting a number of VIPs including Cabinet Ministers since the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement in January, this year, has
caused serious concern for the security authorities. This is particularly in the backdrop of the recovery of just over 60 kilos of plastic explosives in a house in Digana,
barely ten kilometres from Kandy. The move is the result of a highly successful breakthrough by officers of the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID). A suspect
in their custody, described as a close confidant of a Cabinet Minister.
The explosives are said to be part of a consignment which a member of a religious group had smuggled from the Wanni. A part, it has been found, was taken to
Nuwara Eliya. This quantity has not been found yet. What has come as a shock are revelations of a suspect that the entire load of over 60 kilogrammes were to be
carefully concealed in a car. The plan had been to ram the vehicle into one used by a leading personality. If the use of just five kilogrammes of explosives in
Weliveriya last Sunday led to the deaths of 15, the impact from the use over 60 kilogrammes would have been much higher.
Tiger guerrilla plans to carry out attacks during the national new year season have prompted the authorities to strengthen security measures in the City of Colombo
and other principal towns. The move followed warnings from state intelligence agencies.
There was a relative lull in the battlefields of the Wanni in the past days. In the Mannar sector in particular, reports from the area say, groups of civilians have
abandoned the Madhu Church and its environs. "Only six priests, two nuns and five civilian assistants remained in the church area," says Rev. Fr. Anthony
Gnanaprakasham, Parish Priest of St Anne's Church, Vankalai.
On March 26, he had accompanied the Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph, to Kilinochchi for a meeting with LTTE Political Wing leader, P. Nadesan.
Later, he had been told to accompany a priest who had arrived from Madhu for the meeting.
"When we reached the church, there were only a small group of villagers remaining. Other had left. Last week there were heavy artillery exchanges between the Army
and the LTTE," he said. During the few days before we left Madhu, Rev. Father Gnanaprakasham said "we could not even go out to collect water."
The parish priest was among a party that had taken the sacred Statue of Our Lady of Madhu from the shrine to St. Sebastian's Church at Devanpitty. One evening
when firing stopped, we took the sacred statue and travelled some 35 kilometres along the Pooneryn Road, he said. He later returned to Kilinochichi to travel to
Vavuniya and then to Mannar.
In the fighting in Wanni in March this year 93 security forces personnel and policemen were killed, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told Parliament. The
disclosure came when he moved for the extension of the State of Emergency. He said 686 security forces and police personnel were wounded during the same
period. Whilst 38 civilians died, 21 more were injured during the same period, he disclosed.
A flooded bunker in Mannar defence lines In Mr. Wickremanayake's absence, during the previous debate on the extension of the State of Emergency Nimal Siripala de Silva, Leader of the House, told Parliament that in February this year, 104 soldiers and policemen were killed. He said a further 833 were wounded.
Hence, for February and March this year, a total of 197 security forces personnel were killed and 1519 injured. On an average, the figure works out to over three
deaths and more than 25 being injured per day. The main opposition United National Party (UNP) insists that the figures are much higher. Even if they are not, the
figures revealed in Parliament are food for thought to those closely following the ongoing Eelam War IV.
The monthly accounts in Parliament are at variance with other official claims which are much less whilst Tiger guerrilla casualty figures are much higher. A greater
discussion on this aspect, important to Sri Lankans who look eagerly to the guerrillas being weakened, cannot be done due to personal constraints. But, the official
counts given in Parliament give the discerning an insight.

Now Somawansa Vs Weerawansa?
JVP Interviews
Doors still open No, I am not a dictator
- Somawansa
By Namini Wijedasa
JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe denies that he is a dictator and says the doors are still open to Wimal Weerawansa to answer charges before the politburo and
central committee.
Ln: What is the reason for disciplinary action against Wimal Weerawansa?

SA: He did not tow the party line.
Ln: Throughout?

SA: After the Presidential election, we discussed with the SLFP to join the government. We decided that we would have nothing to do with the government. Wimal
Weerawansa was bound to abide by that decision but he did not tow the party line. He was towing the government’s line. I have mentioned just some of the instances
when we could not get him to talk about problems that arose. One instance was when Tamil people were forcefully evicted from the lodges and from Colombo.
There were so many other instances. Read his press interviews, other articles and statements made in parliament. You can see the difference between our statements
and his. We brought this to his notice that we wanted him to carry the party line.
Ln: What did he say?

SA: There were so many explanations that we couldn’t accept. One was that the government was trying to defeat terrorism and that we must not disturb them by
taking other issues into consideration. He tried to convince us that he is correct.
Ln: Is it not permissible for politicians in the JVP to decide according to their conscience?SA: We have all agreed to abide by the party constitution. It cannot be violated. It says very clearly that the minority must abide by the decisions of the majority. The
individual is subordinate to the collective leadership.
Ln: Aren’t you being a dictator?

SA: I’m not the person running the show... it’s the politburo and central committee. I’m just one of the members.
Ln: Why did the other ten MPs go if everyone else in the JVP is happy?

SA: We have to investigate that. We did not know they were to go. Some of our comrades in parliament informed me that some people were going to announce they
will no longer be with our party. I was at Pelawatte when I heard this. I told comrade Lalkantha and other members of the politburo to tell them that they can discuss
any problems they have... that the doors are open to talk with me and the other MPs. But some of them were taken in vehicles (from parliament) saying they were
going to Pelawatte.
Ln: What happened afterwards?

SA: They were taken to the house where the PNM (Patriotic National Movement) is located. There, somebody who had been expelled from the party gave a lecture.
Comrade Ranaweera Pathirana noticed then that there was a conspiracy behind all these actions. He called me from there and told me what was happening. He said
they were at a house in Rajagiriya and that he had mistakenly come with these people. I told him to stay with them. Anyhow, he couldn’t leave. Wimal Weerawansa
was not there. Someone else was teaching them. They were virtually under house arrest. He stayed with them, went to Nippon Hotel and took part in the press
conference but he wanted all the MPs to go to Pelawatte. He told them that I was waiting for them. ‘Let’s go and discuss the problem. It’s our party and we must
know what has been happening. There’s an allegation that Wimal was expelled from the party. Let’s go and see if it’s true or not,’ he said. There was pandemonium.
He called me again and said he didn’t have a vehicle to come back. We sent one. He came to Pelawatte and divulged everything.
Ln: What of the others?

SA: Let’s see if the others will return. Only now do they understand what has happened during the last few days. They were just victims of a conspiracy. They can
come to the party office and discuss their position with the politburo. The politburo will take a decision. I can’t say what that will be. The doors are open even for
Wimal Weerawansa. He should come because we have charges against him.
Ln: How is it that both you and Wimal are alleging conspiracies?

SA: I brought the charges before the central committee in front him. That’s not a conspiracy. I didn’t discuss with anybody in the central committee or politburo
beforehand that I’m going to make charges against him. How can there be a conspiracy then? The conspiracy is this. It’s to take the MPs in their vehicles saying that
they are going to Pelawatte. There’s a conspiracy, of course. We are still investigating it. Afterwards, we will explain to the people of this country what the conspiracy
is and in favour of whom. Let me add this - there’s no room in the constitution for any member of the JVP to discuss a problem that should have been discussed
within the party in parliament and to ask the speaker’s help in finding a solution.
Ln: Has Wimal been expelled?

SA: No, the doors are still open. He can attend the central committee, the politburo and our general secretary Tilvin Silva is informing him of what’s happening. You
can check our general secretary’s phone bill to see whether or not he has contacted him.
Ln: The root cause of this problem is that you’re worried when somebody becomes more prominent than you, isn’t it?

SA: How can that be? We win over people from the general public and we keep them. We do everything for that person to become a leader. Leaders are being
fostered in this party. This is the only party that helps everybody, every member, to become a leader.
Ln: Why are the more high profile members being targeted in recent times? Look what happened to Nandana Gunetilleke and now Wimal Weerawansa?

SA: Did you notice that Wimal was not at the Aprel Viru Samaruwa? Do you know that he was invited? At the last moment he refused to attend. That’s not our fault.
Nandana left the party and was expelled. The JVP is not like other political parties in Sri Lanka. This is the only party that abides by the constitution and takes
disciplinary action against anybody, including me. Although I’m supposed to be the leader, I’m not a dictator. There are no dictators in the JVP. Nobody can become
a dictator in the JVP.
Ln: Nevertheless, why are people like Tilvin, Bimal and Handunetti given less importance than before?I just can’t understand why you ask me that. Comrade Bimal was at the Aprel Viru Samuruwa. Sunil was in another district that day and he was attending meetings. I
think he had press interviews and went before television. There’s no problem. If there’s a problem, we’ll tell the people. Tilvin Silva was in Italy. Now, he’s in office.
If you think it’s important to interview him, no problem. I can notify him.
Ln: Is this mess going to affect the outcome of the eastern election for the JVP?

SA: There’s no mess at all. There will be a very small effect. It would not be true to say there would be no effect at all. When we come out of it, we will be stronger
than before. This is not a new thing for the JVP. Something worse happened in the 1970s when Dharmasekera organised a faction to work against the party. Our
constitution says very clearly that nobody can build factions inside the party. No factions are tolerated because it’s a cancer. Anyone is free to leave the party if he or
she does not agree with the activities, constitution or political line.
Ln: Would you agree that Wimal Weerawansa did a lot for the party?

SA: Everybody did a lot for the party. Why only Weerawansa?
Ln: Aren’t you ashamed that the JVP has now fallen to the levels of the SLFP and UNP, washing dirty linen in public?

SA: If we did not take action, we would have fallen into a worse situation. The SLFP and UNP never take action against those who violate their constitution. They
are unable to take action. We could not keep silent because Wimal, for the first time since 1994, took this matter to parliament, to the general public. When he utters
lies, we will have to respond.
Ln: What else is new?

SA: It’s the beginning of the end of the faction.
---------------------------------------------------------
Leadership misled us
Enter the JVP ‘reformists’
By Jayantha Sri Nissanka
JVP parliamentarian Piyasiri Wijenayake defends Wimal Weerawansa from party allegations and says their members will act as a ‘reformist group’ to direct the JVP
along the correct path. Meanwhile, Weerawansa is in a media exile. Excerpts:
Ln: Who is your leader - Somawansa or Weerawansa?

PW: Our party leader is Somawansa and the reformist group leader is Weerawansa.
Ln: JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe says that propaganda secretary Wimal Weerawansa is not sacked from the party. Weerawansa claims otherwise. What is
the truth?

PW: The party leader says one thing and the other leaders say something else. We really don’t know the truth. They come out with different stories to mislead the
party members. Central committee (CC) members say that, after May 10, the party will announce the removal of comrade Weerawansa. We are waiting to see what
will happen.
Ln: Are you saying Amarasinghe is misleading party members?

PW: I really can’t understand what he says. However, the correct disciplinary procedure was not followed in this case. First, we must educate the member. Then, we
give time for him to correct himself. We give stronger advice if the member is still behaving in the same manner. Only then do we suspend him from the party. Why
have they rushed to the final step bypassing the entire disciplinary process? Actually, the party should first take disciplinary action against Anura Kumara Dissanayake
for visiting Ravi Karaunanayake’s house and striking deals.
Ln: Somawansa said that Weerawansa did not turn up for the disciplinary inquiry. He said if Weerawansa indicates that he is prepared to face disciplinary inquiry, a
meeting of the CC can be called immediately.

PW: The party should inform Weerawansa of a time and a date for the disciplinary inquiry. This hasn’t been done. Even a call has not been made, personally
requesting him to attend the CC meeting. Weerawansa doesn’t mind an inquiry. But there is a conspiracy to sack Weerawansa from the party.
Ln: Who are the conspirators? Can you name them?

PW: Some have already exposed themselves. Others will be exposed soon.
Ln: But your leader said Weerawansa is the conspirator. He says you all have been misled by the conspiracy.

PW: If we have been misled, the party leaders are responsible. As far as I know, we have not been misled by anybody but we are unhappy about the way the party
is moving. We want to protect this party from disaster. That is why we got together.
Ln: Do you think you have taken a correct decision?

PW: We are the reformist group of the JVP. We believe we have taken the correct decision.
Ln: Are you going to work as a separate group in Parliament?

PW: We are JVP MPs. We had battled from within to correct the party. But the conspirators won. We were pushed out from the party. We will now try to reform
the party while being outside under the leadership of comrade Weerawansa. This party cannot run with conspirators. We have to defeat them. Otherwise 60,000
members who sacrificed their lives will blame us.
Ln: Did you participate at a tea party organised by former JVP member Senaratne Silva before holding the press conference last week?

PW: Senaratne Silva did his best for the party. He and I have addressed people together at many meetings. But we never met him or any anybody on our way to the
press conference that day. These are insinuations to defame us by the conspirators.
Ln: Will you form a new party or join other parties if the JVP sacks your group?

PW: How can they sack us? We have not violated party rules.
Ln: Can you hold any press conference without the permission of the party?

PW: We have the right to talk to our party members as MPs. We can’t go to the house of every JVP member to explain our position.Media is the only option. Even when party events are organised, the media communicates our message to the people. So, why can’t we talk to the media to
communicate our messages?
Ln: Your leader Amarasinghe said that, although Wimal Weerwansa did not climb Sigiriya, he had visited circuit bungalows around the country. Amarasinghe said he
can even produce bills.

PW: If I respond to your question, I will be forced to expose many leaders who enjoyed themselves in various rest houses and hotels. But this is not the time for it.
Ln: Somawansa blamed Weerawansa for refusing to criticise the eviction of Tamils from lodges. He said he had to get Anura Kumara to make the speech in
Parliament. He also said Weerawansa refused to make statements against the government after the burning of the Sunday Leader press, on the cost of living and
many other issues.

PW: Anura Kumara could not have made such a speech if Weerawansa was in the House. Only the Parliamentary leader can make such statements. Now they come
out with various allegations to tarnish Weerawansa’s reputation.
Ln: Do you mean these charges are fabricated?

PW: I personally met our General Secretary Tilvin Silva. He said there are no such charges.
Ln: But Amarasinghe said he presented charges against Weerawansa to the Central Committee?PW: I am not a CC member. You see how different leaders say different stories? If he had presented charges against Weerawansa, then why doesn’t he bring
charges against Anura Kumara Dissanayake for having deals with the UNP through Ravi Karunanayake and leaking information to the media. That is the main reason
we are working as a separate group.
Ln: Will you come to a compromise with the party?

PW: We have been asking for an appointment to meet for many months. But we were not given a single meeting. Even I asked for a meeting about the budget. But
we were given the decision (JVP stand) on the budget without summoning us for a meeting.
Ln: Do you say that this party is controlled by few people?

PW: The way things are happening I am forced to think like that. Actually that was the reason we had to defect.