Major General Janaka Perera – Meaningless political end to a meaningful military careerf

A war hero and great son of mother Lanka, Major General Janaka Perera has fallen due to a wrong decision that has cost his own life together with number of innocent people. In his distinguished career in the army, he has served the nation as a heroic, but his tragic death is meaningless end in a contradicting path.

Major General Janaka Perera is one of the distinguished generals serving our mother land. As a Colonel, Janaka Perera took a significant role suppressing the JVP insurrection of 1987-89 and this earned him both praise and blame in the South. In the following years he played a significant role in combating the LTTE terrorists in the North, especially in the Jaffna and Welioya areas. LTTE terrorists faced their most pathetic military debacle in their long futile struggle when they attacked Welioya Army camp which was then under the military leadership of Major General Janaka Perera. It was reported that almost all the tiger carders who engaged in that attack were trapped in and killed in the battlefield with minimum destruction to the government forces. Later, Brigadier Pererea played a major role during Operation Riviresa which led to the liberation of the Jaffna peninsula, during which he commanded the 53 Division.

Following the fall of Elephant Pass in April 2000 which forced the SL Army units in Jaffna to fall back due to lack of fixed defense positions, Perera was appointed Overall Operations Commander (OOC) and tasked with countering the LTTE offensive, along with Major General (now Lt. General) Sarath Fonseka. When immature political leadership (CBK government) was appealing for foreign intervention to flee, the military leadership of Janaka Perera and Sarath Fonseka counter the terrorist offensive effectively serving thousands of Sri Lankan youth who are now battling the final war against terrorists.

While then UNP politicos were busy distributing Sirrens to lead the fleeing the Sinhalese from then so called border villages, Major General Janaka Perera had a clear vision and therefore provide not only security but also development to the Weli Oya area so that the people of the area has no reason to flee in fear of terrorists.

Major General Janaka Perera ended his elite military career as a war hero who devoted his military life for integrity and freedom of mother land. However, he became a victim of bankrupt political leadership of Ranil Wickramasingha. He was previously offered the post of UNP organizer for Maharagama electorate that is renowned for patriotic and heroic people, but wisly Janaka Perera rejected the offer.

When indifferent UNP leader Ranil Wickramasingha was desperate for some avenues for his political survival, he was looking for people range from Sannasgala (who is infamous for exam cheating, copyright violation, INGO links) to Ranjan Ramanayaka ( a petty sookiri star), it is unfortunate that Major General Janaka Perera accepted the offer to contest for the chief ministry post for North Central province.

It was not only a contradicting political decision, but a risky one too. UNP leader Ranil Wickramasingha is known to be a feeble character who will never even think of fighting against terrorism. Ranil is only renowned for holding the white flag for his mere survival. It was very evident that Major General Janaka Perera has no political role to play in UNP government under Ranil Wickramasingha, but merely a part of last minute survival drama of indifferent leader. However, battle hardened Janaka Perera was not matured enough to understand this reality. Major-General Lucky Algama has already paid his his price when he was assassinated in UNP political rally in Ja Ela when he was canvassing for Ranil Wickramasingha in presidential election in 1993.

It is pity that former war hero has lost his life while trying to serve a political movement which has trait this country. It is even more shame that at this tragic death of former war hero, there will not be a single person in his political party (UNP) who will call his assassinators as terrorists. UNP will try to get even the last opportunity to point fingers at all the parties other than the true enemy (the terrorists) to cement their traitorous political path.

It is sad that there are still handful of followers to this political party which has not identified its enemy in the form of terrorist even after they have completely prune their potential political leadership starting from R. Premadasa, Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayaka, Ranjan Wijayarathna, Weerasingha Mallimaracchi to Janaka Perera and many more.

Ranil Wickramasingha got the UNP party leadership because LTTE killed all the senior UNP leadership. Still he does not have the slightest leadership quality to fulfill his goal by convincing the public even at desperate times. More and more secondary UNP leaders will sacrifice their life while this feeble character enjoying the dignity of ‘leader of UNP’ and ‘leader of opposition’ posts. Those who lost their life while serving the UNP leadership will not even get justice for their death because the UNP leadership has no guts even to point the finger directly towards the enemy and call him by its due name (Terrorist) !

Reality of Sri Lankan politics and Killing of Major General Janaka Perera

Major General Janaka was the mastermind of the counter attack at Welioya where LTTE terrorists lost approximately 500 carders in a single night. It was the worst debacle of LTTE terrorist organization prior to the current final operation against terrorism that currently undergo in Wanni jungle. He not only defended strategic Welioya area, but provide moral and at time political leadership to those innocent people in the absence of proper political leadership from then UNP government. It was valiant Janaka Perera – Sarath Fonseka combination that withhold the LTTE thrust in Jaffna peninsula in April 2000 when the political leadership in Colombo was under mental trauma due to LTTE propaganda machine in South of the country and Western world.

This very fact is more than enough for any ordinary citizen to identify who was behind the assassination of Major General Janaka Perera. That is why whole nation mourn in hearing the brutal killing of war hero and patriotic son of mother Lanka. It is more pathetic and heart breaking to see the behavior of UNP leader Ranil Wickramasingha and his political junta at Sirikotha. Ranil Wickramasingha is pointing his fingers at various parties ranging from government, police, defense sectary, TMVP and many more. Still he has not enough guts to look straight at media camera and say that it is LTTE that killed his political partner Janaka Perera.

Ranil has every right to request for independent inquiry and also question lack of security provided. But above all he should have guts to name the killer (LTTE) by name that very ordinary person in this country know. His mere inability to publically name LTTE as the killer due to his inner fear psychosis has lead to pointing fingers at every nook and corner. If he categorically named LTTE as the killer and then formed his argument for lack of security measures provided by the government, the common people of the country may have heard his point.

Firstly, LTTE strategically eliminate the UNP’s genuine leaders R. Premadasa, Lalith Athulathmudali, Ranjan Wijayarathna, Gamini Dissanayaka and many others from Sri Lankan political arena. It is due to this very fact that Ranil Wickramasingha had wind fall grabbing the UNP party leadership. The name of the game of terrorism is inflicting fear across the nation including political leaders and it is under weak leadership that terrorism gets dividends.

When Ranil Wickramasingha grab legislation power for little more than two years (still the executive power was not with UNP at that time), he showed his real white feather. It is under his rule that so called peace truce was signed legitimating Ealam boundaries. Our elite long range brigade was branded as traitors and all key intelligent figures in the military forces were exposed. When LTTE brutally killed Major Muthaliff during so called Ranil-Praba peace honey moon, Ranil Wickramasingha was behaving as dumb as ever.

It all turned round when people of this country took a brave decision to elect Mahinda Rajapaksa as president. Now Prabakaran is witnessing his due destiny at his Ealam grave yard. Ranil Wickramasingha continue his struggling to retain his party leadership (that political leadership vacuum that LTTE killing made) rather than eying for national leadership.

Ranil Wickramasingha always needed battle hardened people to collect some patriotic votes, but he never needed true leaders when he has power. Firstly, he dig the grave yard of Major-General Lucky Algama by inviting him to politics. But he never justify that undue killing when he grab power. Instead this feeble character opted for peace honeymoon thinking that he can pass his political term while giving political and military ransom (just like his political uncle JR) to terrorist leader. Now he has brought another general to grave yard by inviting into politics. With the tragic death, now Ranil Wickramasingha has done with the service of Major General Janaka Perera and he does not care to get justice for this killing by at least calling the real enemy by name.

It is pity that a great people like Major General Janaka Perera trapped in Ranil’s last minute survival drama risking his own life. Janaka Perera was finally targeted by LTTE to take long due military revenge. But it is unfortunate that this war hero’s own political leader is finding it hard to name LTTE terrorist leader as his killer. It is even more unfortunate that still there are handful of people who are willing to vote for this type of Muppet characters who can not give due respect to their own party members who try to uphold the slipping flag of the party.

Struggle of UNP leadership and Major General Janaka Perera’s enter into politics

The leadership crisis of UNP has been the talk of SL politics for some time. Ranil Wickramasinghe is now facing immense pressure even from his close allies to step down from his post. The nomination of former military veteran Major General Janaka Perera for the post of Chief Minister of North Central Province has been one of the outcomes of leadership crisis in UNP. This nomination would have never been on the card, if UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe was in a stronger position.

Janaka Perera is one of the most respected General in Sri Lanka Army. LTTE feared him more than any one else in the battle field. He managed to keep the people in Weli Oya area despite the LTTE terrorist attacks on civilians. He had to work closely with UNP politicians like Gamini Dissanayaka to get the government’s support to develop infrastructure facilities of the villages. However, Janaka Perera was soon branded as a UNP supporter because he worked closely with UNP politicians.

LTTE terrorists faced their most pathetic military debacle when they attacked Welioya Army camp which was then under the military leadership of Major General Janaka Perera. The CBK government had kept aside Janaka Perera due to political speculations. However she had no other option but to call him back at the eleventh hour of most probable military defeat in Jaffna Peninsula. He together with Major General Sarath Fonseka played strategic role in repulsing LTTE terrorist attack in Jaffna Peninsula.

Janaka Perera is renowned to be a military leader who knows the pulse of his soldiers and care the needs of them in the battle field. These qualities have been attributed to the success of his military leadership. However, this time he has been nominated by a leader whom is branded by his own senior party members as a man without a heart and feelings, a man who depended on foreign interventions and media support than his own leadership.

The LTTE completely pruned UNP leadership by killing R. Premadasa, Gamini Dissanayaka, Lalith Athulathmudali, Ranjan Wijayarathna, Weerasingha Mallimaracchi and many more secondary level leaders. It paved the way for a mere political clown to grab the helm of the UNP leadership. The nation has witnessed the affect of weak leadership of Ranil Wickramasingha in the last ceasefire period.

UNP has further been eroded in the last decade due to indifferent attitude of Ranil Wickramasingha. The top rank UNP secondary leaders like Karu Jayasooriya, Rajitha Senarathna, Hema Kumara Nanayakkara, Navin Dissanayaka and many others have already left UNP and joined hand with Mahinda Rajapaksa government. The government is very popular among the people due to success in defeating LTTE terrorism.

Ranil Wickramasinghe has looked for popular characters to cover record number of election defeats under his leadership. Recent appointments of film star Ranjan Ramanayaka (Katana), former beauty queen Rosy Senanayaka (Colombo-West), former cricketer Hashan Thilakarathna (Avissawella), TV programme presenters Chandana Sooriyabandara (Kandy) and Buddhika Pathirana (Mathara) as party organizers were part of his survival strategy.

Ranil Wickramasingha’s ludicrous strategy is more evident when one looks at his selection of nominee for chief minister of Sabaragamuwa Province. It is another ‘star’ in the form of a tuition master, film producer, and media presenter Upul Shantha Sannasgala. He was highly criticized for organizing various sexual oriented promotional campaigns backed by NGO’s on Valentine days. Ven. Soma Thera criticized Sannasgala’s petty acts which were against our culture and values. He initiated religious “Sill Campaign” to counter Sannasgala’s sex oriented gatherings at Victoria Park.

Certainly, Major General Janaka Perera was one of the most popular and respected military leader in Sri Lanka. He should not be just another ‘star’ of Ranil Wickramasinghe’s survival drama. He has played more responsible role for the nation in the last two decades, and he has to pay extreme attention to his personal security because he is not a mere celluloid hero, but a real war hero.

The nation has already witnessed the assassination of Major General Lucky Algama in rally in Ja-Ella in 2000 presidential election campaign of Ranil Wickramasinghe. Therefore, Major General Janaka Perera should take maximum security precautions in his political campaign. He should not be another victim of Ranil Wickramasinghe’s popular political strategy.

In the future, Mr. Janaka Perera will decide on his destiny in Sri Lankan history as a great General and war hero, or a petty politician contracted by a political clown to try and avert the opposition from the people, or success in both military and political arena serving the nation. If he can show his military leadership qualities in political field, the nation will be benefited. His arrival into politics should serve more purpose than being mere clutch to a defeating political leader who lacks leadership skills.

(Lanka Rising)

He spoke boldly and truly from his heart

It was roughly around 7.30 on Monday morning when Retired Major General Janaka Perera, his wife and several other UNP provincial councillors arrived at the new UNP branch office in Anuradhapura.

Newly appointed as the opposition leader of the North Central Provincial Council, Mr. Perera had soon gained popularity – which was evident by the large number of people who were present just to see him declare the office open.

Mr. Perera gave his speech which made the crowd roar in appreciation – to see this one time military hero be present among them, sharing his thoughts and dreams about the war, the country’s future and politics. The crowds were well aware that if anyone knew about war, it was this man who had served successfully in the army for several years.

His speech was soon followed by Mrs. Perera, who also was well known, having served as a former officer in the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, herself.

At roughly around 8.15 a.m. Mr. Perera along with his wife stepped onto the portico to light the traditional oil lamp along with several other UNP delegates. The ceremony was performed in style as with Mr. Perera also were Dr. Rajah Johnpulle, the UNP’s district organiser and his wife.

Upon concluding the rituals, Mr. and Mrs. Perera made their way towards the crowd who had anxiously been waiting to meet the military hero. Mrs. Perera too soon got busy in thanking the crowd, not noticing that someone strange had joined them.

At around 8.40 a.m. while the UNP councillors were busy mingling with the public, a short, dark, bowlegged man entered through the main entrance and approached Mr. Perera.

Having mingled for a while with the UNP councillors himself, the man headed towards Mr. Perera and bent down to touch his feet.

Just inched away from the retired Major General, the man then ripped open his shirt and exploded himself killing Mr. and Mrs. Perera, Dr. Johnpulle and his wife and several other people who were present in the premises.

Minutes later the police arrived, only to find the charred bodies of the politicians and civilians lying on the ground amidst blood and broken chairs.

Retired Major General Janaka Perera was no doubt one of the most distinguished generals in Sri Lanka and his loss would be long felt. During his tenure in the Sri Lanka Army, he earned a reputation among Sri Lankans as a military officer par excellence. He was the only officer whom the LTTE truly feared, and whom the rank and file of the army truly respected. Mr. Perera was the former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and received his education at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and gained entry to the University of Ceylon to study geology at the Peradeniya campus before quitting to join the Sri Lanka Army in 1966 as an Officer Cadet.

He received his training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in England and after completing training he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Ceylon Engineers. He later transferred to the newly formed Commando Regiment. Gen. Perera was a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies.

As a Colonel, Janaka Perera took a significant role suppressing the JVP insurrection of 1987-89. He was the Provincial Commander of the North-Western Province as well as being in charge of the special operations of the Operation Combine in Colombo which led to the capture of the JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera. After he and his party apprehended JVP Leader Rohana Wijeweera, he was virtually hero worshipped by some.

In the following years he played a significant role in combating the LTTE in the Sri Lankan Civil War, especially in the Jaffna and Welioya areas. He also contributed greatly to the Sri Lankan military effort during the Eelam War III.

Brigadier Perera also played a major role during ‘Operation Riviresa’ which led to the liberation of the Jaffna peninsula, during which he commanded the 53 Division which consisted of the Independent Brigade, Air Mobile Brigade, Armoured Brigade and an Infantry Brigade. Later he was promoted to the post of Deputy Chief of Staff and also functioned as Commandant in the Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College.

Following the fall of Elephant Pass in April 2000 which forced the SL Army units in Jaffna to fall back due to lack of fixed defence positions, Perera was appointed Overall Operations Commander (OOC) and tasked with countering the LTTE offensive, along with Major General (now Lt. General) Sarath Fonseka who was appointed Security Forces Commander, Jaffna.

During this time there were fears in Colombo as 40,000 troops in the Jaffna peninsula could be cut off, trapped and overrun, which led to the government of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to negotiate with the Indian government for ships to evacuate troops from the peninsula due to the lack of transport ships of the Navy.

However, the Indian government refused to provide ships. Major General Perera then launched several effective counter-offensives that halted the LTTE advance, removing the treat to the Jaffna peninsula and succeeded in establishing the current defense line in the Jaffna peninsula.

Retired Major General Perera was appointment as Chief of Staff of the army in 2000 but retired in 2001 when he was denied the prestigious position of Army Commander, in the same manner in which other deserving officers were overlooked in the past, when it came to this position.

Following his retirement he was made Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia and later Sri Lanka ’s Ambassador to Indonesia , but was recalled before his term ended.

Since his retirement from his diplomatic career, General Perera has taken into active politics as a member and an organiser of the United National Party (UNP).

During the 2008 North Central Provincial Council election, which he claimed to be marred by violence, he was the UNP candidate for the post of Chief Minister for the North Central Province. Although he gained the most preferential votes, his party failed to gain a majority in the council and therefore he became the opposition leader of the North Central Provincial Council.

During this term Mr. Perera’s greatest development was when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa where both of them had a long and fruitful chat about the military affairs in the country.

The President offered him a post as one of the President’s defence advisors, which Mr. Perera very politely declined.  Mr. Perera also declined an offer to be Sri Lanka’s envoy to Pakistan , a country which was increasingly becoming a global hot spot.

He told the President that he was not in a position to meet up with officers who were junior to him in the Army, when the President asked whether Mr. Perera could give them some assistance.

During his term as the opposition leader of the North Central Province, the Major General also met with JVP Leader Somawansa Amerasinghe and his lieutenant, Vijitha Herath over dinner at the former’s residence at Poorvarama Road, Kirulapone.

Perera hugged Amerasinghe when the two of them met for the first time, with a prominent businessman from Kandy acting as the go-between.

They discussed the current political affairs and the circumstances that led to the killing of JVP Leader Wijeweera in November 1989.

Mr. Perera explained his position and said he had no hand in the killing of Wijeweera, and his explanation was accepted by the JVP duo.

He said he had arrested Wijeweera and handed him over to the Army Headquarters and that he was not privy to the events that followed.   Perera told Amerasinghe that he was closing in on him too, to which Amerasinghe replied that he knew about it.

Thereafter, Perera posed a question which was very close to his heart. He asked Amerasinghe why the JVP could not work together with the UNP which the JVP declined.

Though Perera sought a relatively minor post as chief minister, he swept into the national political firmament like a breath of fresh air. There was little doubt that he would go far, for he had everything a good politician needed  charisma, patriotism, a strongly supportive wife, respect for a secular polity, strong Buddhist credentials, a track record of honesty, and above all, no hint of racism.

During his term in politics, it was no doubt Mr. Perera wanted to make a difference. However his last words delivered on the portico from the Anuradhapura party office would be remembered always. His spoke boldly and truly from his heart.

His words were that he never wanted to enter politics too much as he knew it was a corrupt game. If only the people knew that his words were about to come true.

“Our parents are lost to us all…”

“Our parents are lost to us all,” were the first words said by Mr. Perera’s four children who were seated on the porch of the Retired Major General’s house in Kirulapona.
Three of his children who arrived in the country from Australia yesterday morning are in a state of shock. The eldest who has been in the island cannot explain the grief he and his siblings are undergoing.
“They were more like our friends, than our parents. They loved us all equally. We cannot believe they are gone,” Mr. Perera’s elder daughter Janukshi said.
Janik, Janukshi, Shehara and Ashanka were not the only ones mourning the loss of their parents, as they are well aware that Mr. and Mrs. Perera’s demise is a loss to the whole nation. Explaining the kindness of their parents, Mr. Perera’s children said that their father truly was a great hero and politician who wanted to protect and help the people of the country.
“Even after he retired from the military he wanted to enter a path which could make him help the people of this country. He wanted to protect them and offer them the best. The people of this island were all like his children and he loved this country,” Janukshi said.
The Retired Major General’s wife Vajira Perera, who was also killed in the Anuradhapura blast was the main strength behind his success. His children who are unable to stop talking or thinking about their mother, said she was a great wife and mother. Being a past military officer herself, Mrs. Perera’s love for the nation was proved when she encouraged her husband to continue politics even after his defeat at the Provincial Council election.
According to the children, Mrs. Perera would never leave by the side of the General, as election campaigning, political conferences and meetings were all attended together “She encouraged him every step of the way. Even after our father lost the election, my mother encouraged him to go on and help the people. She was his strength. In addition she was also a great mother to us,” Shehara said.
Mr. and Mrs. Perera met while both were serving in the army. They were married on January 19, 1983. Since then, Mrs. Perera took over the household responsibilities and tendered to her children while the General was away on battle. His major victories on the battlefield were narrated to his children by his wife who hoped and prayed each day that her husband would return home safely.
“When we were small, we hardly saw our father as he was away on the battlefield. Although our mother feared for his safety she always had a smiling face and would crack jokes and make us all laugh. She would tell us about our father’s achievements and encouraged us to be honest like him,” Shehara said.
Her brothers Janik and Ashanka added, “We remember when one of us had done something wrong, our mother would punish all of us. She would never take sides. She was always there for us. Because of the love and attention she gave us, we never missed our father. Afterall we knew he was fighting to protect this country.”
Both the General and his wife were also commended for their fair and just nature, where religion and culture did not let them affect their views of other people. Both of them were known for their pleasing personalities and outgoing natures and their love towards this country.
While the General’s children are preparing to perform the funeral rituals which will be held on Saturday, all we wish to state is that General Perera will never be forgotten and will continue to live in the hearts of all.

Lessons learnt of love and life

Facing a tragic loss with calm courage, the four children of Janaka and Vajira recall the values instilled in them by their parents

Janaka and Vajira Perera are no more – killed by a suicide bomber in a blast that claimed so many innocent lives and left a nation in shock and sorrow. Even as they face the future, bereft of their parents’ love and support, the way the four children Janek, Janushki, Shehara and Ashanka face their grief so stoically, with dignity and self respect, is a clear reflection of their upbringing by two exemplary parents. It is as if they had undergone a lifetime of training to face this tragic loss.

Although the three younger children have been away from Sri Lanka since 2001, living in Australia, their parents insisted they visit home at least once a year lest they forget their roots, they said, speaking to The Sunday Times on Friday at their home in Poorwarama Road, as mourners flocked to pay their last respects to their parents.

Asked if she was surprised at the crowds that gathered at the funeral house at Anuradhapura, elder daughter Janushki was quick to say, “Oh no not at all- we know our father’s nature, and the fact that he left his family, and chose to live in Anuradhapura was a clear indication of how he really wanted to serve the people and to do something genuine for the country.”

Their parents shared a strong bond, said the children. “Dad looked strong and serious, but his eyes would just melt each time he looked at mum,” said one. Vajira used to say that “she was his neck,” they recalled. “He respected her so much and she thought the world of him, and supported him in turn.”

“Even people in Anuradhapura took to mum so well, because when she came to join Dad’s campaign she was like a breath of fresh air. Dad found a lot of strength in having mum around. She was his life,” said younger daughter Shehara adding that this was why she remained with him in Anuradhapura.
A lesson they learnt early in life from their parents was to treat everyone alike. “How our parents treated people was a good example to all of us. We were told to respect and treat the people the way we would like to be treated no matter who they were, and irrespective of their race, colour or creed.”

Janushki is currently doing a Master’s in Law, and also working part-time in Canberra. Shehara, third in the family is 23, and has only four more weeks to graduate in International Relations and Commerce from the Australian National University.

Ashanka is the youngest and a second year student at the University of Canberra following a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Reflecting on their childhood, Ashanka says that his father was always away, but when he came home he had special quiet moments with him and they would watch his favourite cartoons on TV together. Growing up, his father enjoyed watching him playing rugger for Royal, and never missed a single match when he played club rugby in Australia.

I first met Janaka and Vajira in 1993, when our sons entered the Year One class at the Royal Primary. Ashanka and Neraj, our eldest were soon to become close friends. This friendship brought the two families together and till they took off on their diplomatic assignments we shared happy times whenever we met.

Vajira wasted no time in gathering a few friends when Janaka returned from the battlefront in their small quarters at the Army Camp in Colombo. At these gatherings, the spotlight was on him and as the charismatic Janaka held sway about his battlefield experiences and victories we were proud to be in the company of a true war hero.

Affable Vajira, so ebullient and effervescent, added much colour to these discussions. Always ready for a good laugh and a joke, she never displayed her anxiety to her children about her husband being away at the warfront. She held the household together and brought up the children to be strong and independent.

The children remember that as a family they always did things together whether it was a mere visit or sight-seeing trip or holiday in some resort. In Australia they visited many temples and churches, and one of their fondest memories are of praying together a lot, as both their parents came from families with strong religious backgrounds, and wanted to instil these beliefs in their children. Janushki recalled that during her days at Visakha Vidyalaya her mother sometimes would get annoyed when she refused to attend Daham pasela at the Vajiraramaya Temple.

Were there any special lessons they learnt from their parents? “My dad said if you work hard for it you can achieve your goals,” said Ashanka. Added Shehara, “Because whom you are with can break or make you, it is important to surround yourself with positive and good people”. She went on to say that their father had insisted on good manners, and whenever they had a reception at the Residence in Australia when he was Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner there, they had to dress appropriately, and go forward, and introduce themselves to each of the guests and engage in conversation with them.
For Janushki, it was the lesson of togetherness, and staying close to each other as a family. “Take care of each other, and this way you can look after yourselves,” she says.

Janaka and Vajira lived a tranquil life overseas. Vajira got involved in many charities to help raise funds for the underprivileged in Sri Lanka. Janaka like many other diplomats played a lot of golf when in Indonesia and Australia and enjoyed taking part in tournaments. While Janaka loved eating Sri Lankan food anytime, Vajira preferred western food and roasts etc, their children recall.

A couple of days before her death, Vajira had mentioned to her friends, how she longed to be with her children in Australia and how much she missed them.

From a young age, their parents had instilled in them the importance of family unity, and the importance of being close. This way they would always have each other, they were told. A beautifully cultivated lesson of family values, principles and traditions is what Janaka and Vajira gave their children Janek, Janushki, Shehara and Ashanka from which they now draw strength to face the future.

(Sunday Times)

Janaka: The shock and the shame

Family members horrified by treatment given to war hero after A’pura bomb attack

Weeks ahead of the North Central Provincial Council elections in August, Major General (retired) Janaka Perera confided to a family member, that he met Basil Rajapaksa MP, Senior Presidential Advisor. It was Thilanga Sumathipala, former UNPer and now Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organiser for Anuradhapura, who had facilitated it.

Known for his exceptionally good public relations skills, Rajapaksa, the key strategist in the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration, broached the subject of Perera’s then impending entry into politics. He asked the Army’s former Chief of Staff whether he would support the government and play an important role. He could even be a defence advisor, he was told.

The soldier turned diplomat who served as Sri Lanka’s envoy in Canberra (Australia) and Jakarta (Indonesia) politely turned down the offer. “I have already given my word to Ranil Wickremesinghe to be the United National Party (UNP) chief ministerial candidate for the NCPC elections,” he declared. The meeting ended with Rajapaksa sounding a note of caution that he would then have to face the political consequences.

Such a political consequence, neither Rajapaksa nor Sumathipala would have thought would come in the form of a suicide bomber snuffing out Perera’s life. Having won the largest number of preferential votes at the NCPC polls, Perera became the Leader of the Opposition. That was an endorsement that the people regarded him as a good soldier who defended his motherland and won the respect of his men. Instead of opting to Rajapaksa’s offer of becoming Defence Advisor, Perera had also agreed to Wickremesinghe’s proposal to be the National Security Spokesman for the UNP, an appointment that was to be made last Wednesday.

On Monday morning, he opened the office of the NCP Opposition Leader in a two-storeyed building near the old bus stand in Anuradhapura town. A suicide bomber walked close to him, almost at the tail end of the opening ceremony, tore open his shirt, and detonated the explosives strapped to his body. Perera had dodged Tiger guerrilla bullets many a time during the separatist war. He risked death on a few occasions to learn parachute jumping. As a commando officer, he later earned his wings for learning that rare skill, the pride of commandos or Special Forces in the Army and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force. However, that lone suicide bomber blew him apart. The same fate befell his one time comrade-in-arms, a Women’s Corps officer and later wife, Vajira.

Also among the 28 killed were Dr Raja Johnpulle, the long-time UNP Anuradhapura District organiser and wife Jenny. Reams of newsprint and hours of prime time slots on television and radio have been devoted to the incident. More details appear elsewhere in this newspaper. The Government lost no time in blaming the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of carrying out the attack. However, the UNP charged that the pro-Government paramilitary cum political group Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) was behind the attack.

Colombo district parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake told a news conference that erstwhile LTTE eastern commander and TMVP leader Karuna (alias Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan) was appointed a Member of Parliament as a reward for the actions of his group. Yet, it came as a scathing indictment and once more a reminder of the pathetic state of affairs in the UNP. None in their ranks was able to raise objections on the floor of the House before Karuna was sworn-in as a Member of Parliament. The man whom the UNP was accusing is the leader of the TMVP, a man convicted of a criminal offence abroad, and jailed. If their accusation is right, it was such a person who was being rewarded. Whether such an objection was upheld or not is another matter.

After all, the TMVP leader admitted before a Crown Court in the UK that he had entered that country illegally using a diplomatic passport with his photograph but a different name. He was convicted of that criminal offence and served a prison term. There will now be a new precedent. Any Sri Lankan convicted of criminal offences abroad could still be a member of Sri Lanka’s supreme legislature.

There is no doubt Perera was a high profile target of the LTTE. He knew it well. At least on two different occasions he was warned by security authorities after intelligence reports suggested that the guerrillas were plotting to kill him. It was not only the guerrillas who feared Perera. He failed to win an extension of service after now General Lionel Balagalle was appointed Commander of the Army in August 2000. He retired in January 2001 as Chief of Staff of the Army.

At that time a confidante asked President Chandrika Kumaratunga why she later appointed him High Commissioner to Australia. “It is better he remains in Australia than in Sri Lanka,” she remarked somewhat jocularly. Yet, the remarks reflected Kumaratunga Government’s mood then. Now in Europe, Kumaratunga, like many others, including the opposition, refused to believe Perera fell victim to a guerrilla suicide bomber.

If who killed Perera is an issue of contention, at least between the Government and the UNP, there is no question that the veteran soldier was a target of the guerrillas. There were intelligence warnings. Perera was aware. He not only wrote letters to the Ministry of Defence but also went to the Supreme Court to seek relief. That led to a group of police officers being assigned to him. Some Army and Police spokespersons have taken great pride in saying he was warned on numerous occasions about the threat. This shameful act perhaps occurs only in countries like Sri Lanka. There are others, with barely any threats, being assigned elite armed units to protect them. For these people, it is more a status symbol than personal protection.

If indeed, Perera was under threat, would it not be the responsibility of the Government to ensure his safety. After all, it is those very people who denied him security then who have now come to praise him as a war hero. Even in saying so, the high and mighty have acknowledged that Perera did make a worthy contribution to Sri Lanka, his country, as a veteran soldier. Yet, they did not think it fit to accede to his request for protection. Here again, some argue police protection has been given. True, but that was to a man who knew thoroughly well, being a veteran soldier, the threat levels he faced and the inability of Police to cope with them. He asked very little from the Army in the form of a few soldiers whilst he gave so much to them. If that were reprehensible enough, right thinking Sri Lankans would hang their heads in absolute shame at the events that followed.

Around 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday the sealed coffins of Perera and wife Vajira arrived at the Air Force base in Ratmalana. They lay there till noon whilst a dispute raged about the remains being airlifted to Anuradhapura. Former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera was to tell Parliament that some officials were taking revenge even from the dead Janaka Perera. He said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake had agreed to help airlift the body. “Today, there are elements giving orders even going beyond the Prime Minister,” said Michael Perera.

Officials at the airport had said that there was no clearance from the Ministry of Defence. Since they said they were awaiting such clearance, the remains were kept there. The disappointed family of late Perera decided to take his and his wife’s remains to Anuradhapura by road. Late afternoon when the motorcade proceeded along Negombo Road, a police officer had stopped them at Ja-ela. They were told the motorcade could not proceed along that road though a police scout car and another police escort vehicle accompanied by motorcycle out riders were leading it. Later, the motorcade was forced to proceed to Kandy via Warakapola. At Kurunegala, the police scout car and the escort vehicle were abruptly withdrawn. Only the motor cycle outriders remained for the rest of the journey to Anuradhapura.

By late afternoon, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, the gentleman democrat he is, was to tell Parliament he expressed his regrets over the incident. He claimed the problem was created after instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Roshan Gunatilake, were disregarded. The Premier said he spoke with the Air Force Chief and told UNP General Secretary to talk to him. However, instead of making contact and allowing the Air Force to take the body from the funeral parlour, the UNP had taken the body to Ratmalana. However, Tissa Attanayake denied the charge. He said he had personally spoken to Air Force officials who had asked that the remains be brought to Ratmalana and assured it would be airlifted to Anuradhapura.

More light on the issue was thrown later on Wednesday night. An official in the Ministry of Defence responsible for co-ordinating various matters told officials he had received “instructions from the top” not to heed anyone’s directives and allow the remains to be airlifted to Anuradhapura. He had also added that he was instructed to take “orders only from the top on such matters.” Thus, the instructions he received was to provide police escorts and the remains to be taken in a motorcade.

In the light of steps taken by this official, Nimal Lewke (DIG in charge of the Police Field Force Headquarters) called on the family of late Perera. He said the police would escort the remains of late Perera and his wife. That was how the Police scout car and escort vehicle were assigned. There was no explanation as to why they were withdrawn when the motorcade had reached Kurunegala.

The day after Perera died, the Government placed an Air Force helicopter at the disposal of Eastern Province Chief Minister and TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan. He and the TMVP spokesman Azad Mowlana flew in that to be on hand in Parliament for the swearing in of Karuna alias Vinayagamoothy Muralitharan.

No senior officers of the Army were present at his funeral yesterday though it was held with military honours.

That this incident smacks of hypocrisy is one thing. That it was the treatment meted out to one of Sri Lanka’s distinguished soldiers is another. Family members of the late Perera were aghast. They asked why the remains were kept at Ratmalana for hours and why the authorities did not have the common courtesy to inform them. If they had arranged to take the remains by road, it would have reached Anuradhapura during the three and half hours it was left behind at Ratmalana, a family member pointed out. An incensed family member said “they praise him as a war hero and at the same time provide him treatment that even an enemy does not deserve.”

The irony of it all was that lawyers of Perera were preparing papers to go before the Supreme Court once again. Perera had already signed his proxy before Samararatna Associates, Attorneys-at-Law and the draft Fundamental Rights application prepared by Upul Jayasuriya refers to continuing threats to Perera’s life and the need for security.

This week also saw the Supreme Court deliver a landmark judgment in the Water’s Edge case where it was held that former President Chandrika Kumaratunga abused her office by allowing her friend Ronnie Peiris to make money by way of “brokerage fee” for the transfer of State lands for a private golf club. Kumaratunga came into office in 1994 with the slogan to fight Dooshanaya and Beeshanaya – Corruption and Fear, which were the hallmarks of the previous UNP governments. Not one single case involving corruption was taken to court except for some school principals and clerks, and even these cases were not successfully prosecuted.

It is the first time a former President has been ordered to pay back to the State money as a form of punishment for her abuse of power. The Court also pointed out to what is sad in the governance of Sri Lanka since Independence in 1948, and how politicization of the administration has ruined the country.
For someone who said she used to live in ‘gentle poverty’ in London before returning to the country to become the President, Kumaratunga now lives in a chic address in London.

Some say the punishment meted out by court is not harsh enough. They say that her friend Ronnie Peiris should forfeit his entire commission of Rs. 57 million in this sordid deal. Meanwhile, legal experts say this is a fundamental rights case, filed on the principle of public interest, and that the Bribery Commission should make the decision regarding monetary and/or custodial punishment.

In its order, the Supreme Court made some pertinent remarks about the general conduct of Sri Lanka’s political leaders. Apart from patent abuse of power and illegality in the Water’s Edge case, the court has referred to the way various state agencies, such as the Board of Investment and the Urban Development Authority, are “under the thumb” of the President and the Ministers, and how vulnerable they are to abuse and corruption.

(Sunday Times)

The assassination of a patriot

With the assassination of Major General Janaka Perera the country lost a patriot and a fearless soldier who fought LTTE terrorism and safeguarded the territorial integrity and  sovereignty of the land. Even before his advent into politics Janaka Perera was a household name with a reputation of being a brave military commander who led successful campaigns against the Tigers and repulsed several LTTE attempts to breakthrough the military defence lines, during his thirty year service in the army.

The suicide bomb that killed Janaka Perera, his wife and 26 others in Anuradhapura town bore all the hallmarks of an LTTE suicide attack. However an impartial inquiry is essential to allay any suspicions that would arise with regard to the attack.

Janaka Perera laid aside all threats to his life when he entered the maelstrom of politics, that too from the Anuradhapura district which is very much closer to the Northern conflict zone. He braved a violent election campaign during the recently concluded North Central Provincial Council election and emerged the most popular politician in the district by gaining the highest number of preferential votes to have ever been obtained by any politician in the area at an election. Moved by the confidence placed on him by the voters of Anuradhpura despite being an outsider, Janaka Perera decided to make Anuradhapura his home and settle down in the area to serve the people better and become a voter of the district.

Despite the threats to his life and several intelligence reports indicating that he was a prime target the government failed to provide adequate security to this former military officer. Finally Janaka Perera had to seek Supreme Court assistance to enhance his security during the election campaign. Even then the security provided to him was totally inadequate when considering the threat to his life and the government is responsible for this lapse.

During his military career Janaka Perera had the reputation of being an officer who led from the front gaining the confidence of soldiers and uplifting their morale. He participated in several successful campaigns and played a key role in the Riviresa operation that liberated Jaffna. He also served in the East as well where he controlled the Tiger movements and safeguarded the Welioya front. During the height of the JVP insurgency in the South, Janaka Perera was one of the officers summoned by the government to crush the rebellion. This task too he carried out successfully and was a member of the team that uncovered the top leadership of the JVP.

Janaka Perera’s finest hour as a military leader came in 2000 when he was tasked by the government and the army commander at that time to quell an LTTE onslaught in the North and safeguard the Jaffna city. The Tigers having gained the upper-hand after the quick and successive fall of several army bases in the peninsula was almost at the gates of Jaffna when Janaka Perera arrived at the command, uplifted the morale of the troops and repulsed the Tiger advance.

However the political leadership at that time that did not have a clear vision with regard to the Northern conflict sidelined Janaka Perera who retired from the service as Army Chief of Staff.

The assassination of Janaka Perera reminds us of a similar revenge killing by the Tigers nine years ago. It was the assassination of another brave military officer who took to politics following his retirement from the army. The LTTE target at that time was Major General Lakshman Algama who was killed while addressing an election rally in Wattala in support of UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe on the last night of campaigning for the 1999 Presidential Election. The Tigers targeted Lakshman Algama on the same night that an attempt was made on the life of President Chandrika Kumartunga at Town Hall. The Tiger tactic was to create uncertainty and confusion in the country at that time while taking revenge on a military officer dreaded by the LTTE. Like Janaka Perera, Lakshman Algama too took to politics from the UNP and was tipped to hold an important position in a subsequent UNP government.

The biggest loss of the killing of Janaka Perera is for the main opposition UNP. He was about to emerge as a frontline leader of the party having an appeal among the nationalist and conservative base of the UNP. He could have helped the UNP to rebuild itself and regain a certain vote base that is veering away from the party at the moment. Knowing the real capacity of the Tigers Janaka Perera too believed that the LTTE could be militarily defeated. The killing of Janaka Perera is a blow to the UNP especially at a time the party desperately needs leaders of his ilk to stand up to the growing popularity of the Rajapaksa regime due to the successful execution of the war against the LTTE. Janaka Perera too joins the long list of UNP politicians whose lives have been violently taken away by the LTTE in the past.

Having suffered defeat after defeat with the army successfully moving forward in the Wanni, the killing of Janaka Perera seems to be a desperate attempt of the LTTE to take advantage of the political differences existing in the country. Also the LTTE desperately needs to make its presence felt to divert the attention from its military defeats.

The LTTE also seem to fear former military officers who take to politics and take charge of the military administration. This fear is justified given the strong backing provided by the present Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who himself was a military officer, to the successful military campaign against the Tigers. Both Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka survived LTTE suicide attacks.   The LTTE has taken revenge on military officers who have successfully fought them. Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Wijaya Wimalaratne and Lakshman Algama are some of them. Now Janaka Perera too joins the list.

(Daily Mirror)

Assassination of General Janaka Perera

I have no doubt that all Sri Lankans irrespective of their political loyalties will mourn the death of this valiant soldier as much as I do.

Mr Editor, my mind goes back to the prophetic advice given by you, based on the critical need that Janaka had to be given adequate security considering the yeoman service he rendered to the country in its quest for the eradication of terrorism. However, it was not to be as he was on the wrong side. I recall distinctly as someone who never misses your poignant editorials how you repeatedly reminded the powers that be that the terrorists were on the prowl and that Prabhakaran need not go for his victim, but the victims come to him. It goes without saying that if this function at A’pura was sponsored by a government supporter, adequate screening would have been done and a disaster of this magnitude would have been avoided. The lackadaisical arrangements would have been known to the terrorists and they executed their sinister plan with minimum effort. How many more who are opposed to the ruling elite will get eliminated is anybody’s guess.

Mr Editor, the country yearns for the elimination of the likes of kudu mudalalis of Rupavahini fame, playing the role of scavengers or those braying at international fora, who are maintained at the taxpayers cost, but Prabhakaran will not waste a bullet, let alone a black cat to eliminate them. He needs more and more of that variety.

I am aware that all will blame the Police and justifiably so. But what has to be borne in mind is that the Police have to act on the dictates of the politicos and, in this instance, it goes without saying that the local big wigs would have ensured that the barest minimum security was afforded for this function, thus providing an open licence for Prabakaran to eliminate the man who wiped out a large number of his cadres at Welioya .

The manner in which the Police acted when the late Dr and Dr Mrs Johnpulle, who had rendered yeoman service in the NCP, lost all their life’s efforts in minutes, provides ample testimony. In these circumstances, unless the 17th Amendment is implemented with the establishment of independent commissions, there is no hope for the law abiding citizens or progress in the country. As it is, only hangers – on and scavengers who continue to terrorise will survive under this regime or, for that matter, under any regime of whatever colour as the others too are not lily white in their activities.

The extent to which the party system has destroyed this country is clearly manifest when one considers the security given to nincompoops, parasites who live in clover with families to boot, scavengers kudu millionaire mudalalis of yesteryear now masquerading as legislators and the stepmotherly treatment given to opponents despite their value to the country is abundantly clear. It was clearly evident at the recently concluded election in A’Pura how Janaka was treated vis a vis the opponent who can by no stretch of imagination be compared to him when it comes to suitability for the position of Chief Minister to administer a large poor province.

As you have time and again said and repeated again on the 7th instant in your editorial, unless and until all politicians who enjoy the best of everything at the expense of the taxpayer unite, there is no hope for this country.

(Island)

Sri Lankan Rebels Kill More Than 25 in Suicide Attack

Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels killed more than 25 people and injured 65 others in a suicide bombing in the north today, the military said.

Retired Major General Janaka Perera, the local leader of the main opposition United National Party, and his wife were among those killed, the Defense Ministry said.

The blast came at 8:45 a.m. local time as the party opened offices in the town of Anuradhapura. Rebel spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan couldn’t immediately be reached by telephone for comment at the Tamil Tigers’ headquarters in the northern town of Kilinochchi.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have been fighting for 25 years to carve out a separate Tamil homeland in the north and east of the island nation in a conflict that has killed 100,000 people, according to the military. The UNP appealed for additional security for Perera as he contested provincial elections in August, saying he was an LTTE target.

Security forces have been staging almost daily attacks on remaining rebel strongholds in the north after capturing the east last year. The military says troops are within 3.5 kilometers (2.3 miles) of Kilinochchi.

The military estimates the Tamil Tigers have between 3,000 and 5,000 fighters. Some defense analysts say the number may be as high as 10,000 and that rebel units are able to operate freely in the jungle terrain in the northern Wanni region where Kilinochchi lies.

The Tamil Tigers say the army’s offensives and bombing raids have forced more than 113,000 people from their homes in northern villages and accuse the military of attacking civilian areas, a charge the government denies.

The LTTE is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., the European Union and India.

(bloomberg)

Explosion in Anuradhapura

An Explosion has been reported in Anuradhapura. According to available information the blast has occurred near the old bus stand.

Several being have been admitted to the Anuradhapura hospital due to injuries received in the blast.

Update: According to unconfirmed reports, more than 50 people have been injured. The explosion has occurred during the ceremonial opening of new United National Party (UNP) office in Anuradhapura. Opposition leader for North Central provincial council, Major Gen. Janaka Perera was attending the event according to informed sources.

Major General Janaka Perera killed in suicide blast

A Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber detonated himself in a civilian populated area in Anuradhapura today at 8.50Am ,killing over 15 and injuring over 50. The explosion has occurred while the opening ceremony of the United National Part office in Anuradhapura was underway.

The target is believed to be Major General Janaka Perera, opposition leader of the North Central Provincial council. According to available information, Major General Janaka Perera, his wife, and Dr. john Pulle are among those killed in the incident. Major.Gen Perera was a veteran soldier in the army who had been awarded Rana Soora, Rana Wickrama and Vishishita Seva Wibhooshana medals.

(Defence Net)

Ex-General killed in Anuradhapura blast

A retired Major General and United National Party (UNP) leader of the North Central Province Janaka Perera was among the 28 killed in a suspected LTTE suicide blast at the newly opened party office in Anuradhapura on Monday. The blast left 90 people injured.

There was no word from the Tigers on the carnage. Evidence suggests that only the LTTE could deploy such suicide cadre (Black Tigers). The Tigers have the tradition of annually honouring suicide cadres.

The toll in the powerful blast is expected to climb as at least 15 of the injured are in critical condition. Among others who died were the General’s wife and several prominent members of the party.

The suicide bomber struck at a ceremony to coincide with the formal opening of the office close to a bus stand in the town. As per police the attacker embraced the former commander killing himself and several others.

In recent months, the celebrated General was a vocal critic of the military strategy pursued by the government and favoured a judicious mix of political initiatives with military manoeuvres to resolve the ethnic strife.

He joined the UNP just before the August provincial election and was declared its chief ministerial candidate. However, the ruling combine led by President Rajapaksa secured majority and General (retired) Perera became the Leader of the Opposition.

The military and the government have been anticipating such attacks as the troops closed in on the administrative headquarters of the Tigers in Kilinochchi. The military is convinced that the fall of Kilinochchi is imminent.

Mr. Rajapaksa speaking at a ceremony at Uyanwatta, Matara, condemned the “covertly and brutal act of terrorism” and said it was further proof of the need for everyone to unite for the success of the campaign to eradicate terrorism.

The pro-LTTE TamilNet in a report said the General (retired) “as a Military Commander in Welioya and Jaffna led several campaigns against the LTTE”.

“During Eelam War III, Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera played a major role in Jaffna and in Ma’nalaa’ru (Weli Oya). After the fall of Elephant Pass Base (EPS), he was appointed Overall Operations Commander (OOC) when Major Sarath Fonseka [now Lt. Gen.] was security forces commander in Jaffna.

“A Tamil village, Ma’nki’ndi-malai in Ma’nalaa’ru region, was renamed Janakapura, after the SLA [Sri Lankan Army] evicted Tamils from their village in 1984 and established Sinhala colonies there. Maj. Gen. (retiredd) Perera [then a brigadier] was posted for two years in Janakapura as the commander of the SLA’s Special Forces with a key camp at Janakapura,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Air Force on Monday claimed to have launched effective air raids at two LTTE artillery launching pads in Kilinochchi.

The raids came amid assertions by the Defence Ministry that troops kept up the momentum in the south of Kilinochchi and the west of Mankulam areas “despite heavy resistance” from the LTTE.

(Hindu)

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evkt bl@y~ sQtQ sn~{`n a`N~dRv y`pn@yn~ hmRq` xtyn~ @gn~v` g#nWm s[h` in~qQy`@vn~ gOvn~ sh n`vQk a`{`r lb`g#nWmt s#r@sq~qW ewOm` iqQrQpw~v y`pny @b|r` gw~w`.

hmRq`@vn~ vQXY`m g#nW@mn~ psRvw~ ewOm` rNvQr#vn~ @vnR@vn~ @s~vy kL`. rNvQr#vnt uqv| upk`r kL`. rNvQr# m`pQy upk`r v#dsthnk~ qQyw~ kL`.

h#m vQtm rNvQr#vn~ qQrQmw~ kL`. anRr`{pRr gOvn~ hmRq` k[vRrt el~. tW. tW. I. pYh`r el~l vR avs~}`@v| ewOm` anRr`{pRryt @g`s~ @sbUn~ qQrQmw~ kL`. wOv`l l#bR @sbUn~ hmR vW Xk~wQy lb`qEn~n`. ovRn~ @vnR@vn~ @b`~{Q pRj` p#v#w~vRv`.

wYs~wv`qyt e@rhQ stn nQsQy`k`rv krn~nt nm| jnr`l~ j`nk @p@r\r` mhw` a`rk;k @l~km| vX@yn~ pw~krn~n y#yQ ap il~l` sQtQ@y~ enQsyQ.

nmRw~ a`rk;k @l~km| {Rryt ohR@g~ nm @y`~jn` kQrWmm smhr#n~t vQs vRN`.

m@g~w~, ek~sw~ j`wQk pk;@y~w~ il~lWm prQqQ ewOmn~ @q~Xp`lnyt pQvQsQy`. uwr#m#q pL`w~ sx` m#wQvrN@y~qW mh a#m#wQ a@p~k;ky` @ls ewOm` nm| krn~nt apQ wWrNy kL`.

ewOm`t @k`tQ wr\jn wQbRN`. e~ bv bRq~{Q aAX mgQn~ v`r\w` kr wQbRN`. nmRw~ a`N~dRv ewOm`t avX& a`rk;`v lb`qEn~@n~ n#h#. ewOm`w~, ek~sw~ j`wQk pk;yw~ @p`lQs~pwQwOm`@gn~, a`rk;k am`w&`AX@yn~ nQrn~wrv il~lWm| kL`. e~w~ a`rk;`v lb`qEn~@n~ n#h#. m#wQvrN @k`ms`rQs~vry` a`rk;`v lb`@qn @ls il~lWm| kL`. e~w~ lb`qEn~@n~ n$. an~wQ@m|qW ewOm`t a`rk;`v lb`@qn @ls il~l` a{QkrNy iqQrQyt y$mt sQqEvRN`. nmRw~ a`rk;k @l~km|vry` p#v#sR@v| j`nk @p@r\r` mhw`t el~. tW. tW. I. sAvQ{`n@yn~ @h`~ @vnw~ kN~d`ymkQn~ jWvQw wr\jn @n`m#wQ bvyQ.

ewOm`t a`rk;kyn~ 8 @qnkO lb`@qn @ls a{QkrNy nQ@y`~g kL`. nmRw~ a`N~dRv e~ 8 @qn`vw~ nQsQy`k`rv lb`qEn~@n~ n$. ewOm` smM wrg v#qENR br\tQ qQs`n`yk mhw`t @p`lQsQ@y~ sh hmRq`@v| sQyykt a{Qk pQrQsk@g~ a`rk;`v lb`@qn vQt @m| rNvQr#v`@g~ a`rk;`v @vnR@vn~ 8 @q@nk~vw~ hrQy`k`rv lb` @qn~nt a`rk;k am`w&`AXy kYQy` k@L~ n$.

a`rk;k @h~wO mw y#yQ kQymQn~ @m| rNvQr#v`t qhskOw~ ekk~ hQrQh#r krn~nt ptn~ gw~w`. @b`r# @c`~qn` nMmQn~ ohR@g~ a`rk;`v s[h` sQtQ vQXY`mlw~ hmRq` nQl{`rWn~ aw~adAgOvt gw~w`. pYxS G`wnykt sm|bn~{ y#yQ kQymQn~ ohRt @b`r# @c`~qn` el~l kL`. rhs~ @p`lQsQy mgQn~ pYk`X lb`gw~w`.

@m| a`k`ryt ewOm` vQsQn~ @p_q~glQkv sAvQ{`ny kr@gn wQbR a`rk;k v#dpQLQ@vL q @m| a`N~dRv vQsQn~ sm|pRr\N@yn~m adpN kr q#m|m`.

a`N~dRv kQsQm vQ@tk j`nk @p@r\r` mhw` rt @b|r` g#nWm s[h` k#pvRNR rNvQr#vkO @ls s#lkO@y~ n#h#. ewOm`t @kNhQlQkm| kL`. kOdm|m`@g~ s#lkQlQ q#k~vRv`. hmRq` k[vRrkt y$m whnm| kL`. wYQvQ{ hmRq`@v| nQl{`rWn~ smM qErk}n@yn~ kw` kQrWm pv` v#L#k~vRv`.

ewOm` h#m vQtm r@tQ s~@@vrWw~vy @vnR@vn~ @pnW sQtQy`. @x_mQk aKN~dw`v @vnR@vn~ @pnW sQtQy`. wYs~wv`qy wOrn~ kQrWmt a`rk;k pQyvr gwyRwO bv kQy` sQtQy`. el~. tW. tW. I. sAvQ{`n@y~ wYs~wv`qy @hL`q#k~k`. Lm` @s`l~q`qEvn~ b[v` g#nWmt e@rhQv aqhs~ pYk`X kL`.

rttm rNvQr#vkO vR ewOm`t a`N~dRv s#lkO@y~ @q~X@qY`~hQykO @lsyQ.

uwOr#m#q pL`@w~ vQpk; n`yk {Rryt pw~ vR psRvw~ j`nk @p@r\r` mhw`t nQsQ a`rk;`vk~ lb`qEn~@n~ n#h#. vQpk; n`ykvry` h#tQyt @h`~ pYm`Nvw~ a`rk;`vk~ lb`@qn @mn~ ewOm` nQrn~wrv il~l` sQtQy`. nmRw~ a`rk;k am`w&`AXy e~ il~lWm| gNn~ gw~@w~vw~ n#h#.

a`rk;k am`w&`AXy h#m vQtm kQy` sQtQ@y~ j`nk @p@r\r` mhw`t kQQsQqE jWvQw wr\jnyk~ @n`m#wQ bvyQ.

nmRw~ j`nk @p@r\r` mhw` wmn~@g~ jWvQwyt el~. tW. tW. I. sAvQ{`n@ynRw~, tW em| vW pW sAvQ{`n@ynRw~ wr\jn a#wQ bv pYk`X kr wQbRN`. It amwrv wmn~@g~ jWvQwyt wr\jn a#wQ wvw~ pRq~glykO nm| @k`t wQbRN`.

psRgQy s#p~w#m|br\ 19 v#nQq` q anRr`{pRr @p`lQs~ a{Qk`rQ k`r\y`lyt p#mQNQlQ krmQn~ wmn~t a#wQ jWvQw wr\jn pQLQb[v ewOm` qn~v` sQtQy`.

@m| kQsQvkt kQsQqE kYQy`m`r\gyk~ @n`gw~ a`rk;k am`w&`AXy h` @p`lQsQy q#n~ @m| mrN@y~ vgkWm j`nk @p@r\r` mhw` pQtm ptvn~nt kYQy` kQrWm kng`tRvt kr#Nk~. q#n~ @p`lQsQy kQyn~@n~ I@y~ p#v#wQ @mm uw~svy s[h` @p`lQs~ a`rk;`v il~l` @n`sQtQ b#vQn~ @m| @b`~m|b pYh`ry el~l vR bvyQ. ew#nqW q @p`lQsQy kQyn~@n~ amRlQk @b`r#vk~. @m| uw~svy pQLQb[v @p`lQsQyt qn~v` wQ@bnv`. nmRw~ @p`lQsQy pYm`Nvw~ a`rk;`vk~ s#pvR@y~ n#h#.

@m| a`N~dRv wmn~@g~ hQwvwOnt h#m aAXykQn~m a#wQ wrm| a`rk;`v spynv`. nmRw~ q#dQ wr\jn wQbR j`nk @p@r\r` mhw`t avX& avm a`rk;`vvw~ s#pyR@y~ n#h#. @m| j`wQk vWry`t pYm`Nvw~ a`rk;`vk~ lb` qW wQbRN` nm| @m| v&sny vLk~v` gw h#kQv wQbRN`.

@m| uw~svy s[h` shx`gQ vn pRq~glyn~@g~ sQr#r# prWk;`vt lk~ kL` nm| @b`~m|bkr#t uw~sv xSmQyt a#wOU vWmt idkdk~ l#@bn~@n~ n#h#. nmRw~ ev#nQ prWk;`vk~ s[h` avX& nQl{`rWn~ wb` avm a`rk;`vk~ s[h` avX& nQl{`rWn~ pYm`Nyvw~ j`nk @p@r\r` mhw`t lb` qW wQbR@N~ n#h#.

psRgQy @snsRr`q` anRr`{pRr sQs`r` a`rk;k @m@hyRmk~ qQyw~ @kr#N`. e~ @m@hyR@m|qW @m| mr`@gn m#@rn @b`~m|bkr# hsR @n`vR@N~ @k@s~q? mWt qQn hwrkt klQn~ pQl~@ly`n~ anRr`{pRryt p#mQNQ@y~ k` smMq? @mv#nQ pYX~n gNn`vk~ @m| sQq~{Qy sm|bn~{@yn~ mwO@vnv`.

@k`tQ sAvQ{`n@yn~ j`nk @p@r\r` mhw`t mrN wr\jn n#wQ bv pYk`X k@L~ a`rk;k @l~km|vry`yQ. e~ pYk`X@y~ pqnm kOmk~q? ev#nQ pYk`Xyk~ kQrWmt @h~wO s`{k vR kr#NR @m`nv`q?

j`wQk vWrvr@yk~ apt ahQmQ vRN`. e~ @m| a`N~dRv anRgmny krn blk`mW pYwQpw~wQ@y~ ktRk pYwQPlyk~ @lsyQ. @m| a`N~dRv h#m vQtm pYwQv`qWn~@g~ jWvQw @q~Xp`lny @vnR@vn~ bQl~lt @qn pYwQpw~wQyk~ anRgmny kL`.

a`N~dRv a`rk;`v lb`@qn~@n~ wmn~ smM ek~v sQtQn ayt pmNyQ. wmn~ smM sQtQn ayt jWvQw wr\jn wQ@bnv`. a`N~dRvt vQr#q~{ vR vQgs jWvQw wr\jn q ivw~v ynv`. eyyQ a`N~dR@v| mwy. @m| anRv ymQn~ vQr#q~{ pk; mn~wYWvr#n~ gNn`vk@g~ a`rk;`v adR kQrWmt gw~ pQyvr apt @h`[Qn~ mwkyQ.

@m| sx`@v| sQtQn apQ kQsQvkO wYs~wv`qyt ekM n#h#. rt @bqnv`t ekM n#h#. e@hw~ a`N~dR@v| pQLQ@vw h` kYQy`m`r\g sm|bn~{@yn~ apt vQvQ{ aqhs~ wQ@ynv`. a`N~dR@v| mwyt ekM @n`vn ay@g~ a`rk;`v ivw~ kQrWm a`N~dR@v| pYwQpw~wQy vW wQ@bnv`. jnr`l~ j`nk @p@r\r`@g~ a`rk;`v sm|bn~{@yn~ a`N~dRv anRgmny kL pQLQ@vw @qs bln vQt @m| G`wny sm|bn~{@yn~ vQX`l s#k sAk` mwO@vnv`.

a`rk;k a#m#wQvry` sh @l~km|vry` @m| G`wnyn~t sm|pRr\N@yn~m vgkQv yRwO y#yQ ek~sw~ j`wQk pk;@y~ apQ @c`~qn` krn~@n~ enQsyQ.

@m| G`wn sm|bn~{@yn~ @p`lQsQy @m@wk~ kYQy` kL a`k`ry s#k shQwyQ. @p`lQsQy jnm`{& os~@s~ ym| ym| pYk`X k@L~ sQq~{Qy vR s~}`nyt adR wrmQn~ prWk;N kN~d`ymk~ @h`~ yn~nt @pr`wOvyQ. mQygQy sAK&`v @h`~ wOv`l l#bR sAK&`v gNn~ kQrWmtw~ klQn~ nQ@y`~j& @p`lQs~pwQ pwQrN mhw` jnm`{& iqQrQ@y~ nQgmn pYk`X kL`.

@m| psRbQm mw @mm G`wny sm|bn~{@yn~ apk;p`wW prWk;Nyk~ apt kQsQ @lskQn~ bl`@p`@r`w~wO vn~nt b#h#. @m| pvw~vn prWk;N pQLQb[v apt kQsQqE vQX~v`syk~ a#w~@w~ q n#h#. e~ nQs` pQLQgw~ vQ@q~X @p`lQs~ prWk;N a`ywnyk~ @m| s[h` @y`q`gw yRwO bvt ap @y`~jn` krnv`.

s#mq` uq$sn hQr# n#@gn vQtqWw~, hQr# b#s yn vQtqWw~ jnr`l~ j`nk @p@r\r` rNvQr#v`Nn~ apt sQhQ@v|vQ. ewOmn~t a`rk;`v lb` @n`qW@m| wWrNyt sm|bn~{ vR h#m @qn`m hQr# n#@gn vQtqWw~, hQr# b#s yn vQtqWw~ wm wmn~@g~ h^q s`k;Q@y~ @c`~qn`vt hsR vW sq` kl~ @v|qn` vQ[WvQ.

ek~sw~ j`wQk pk;@y~ apQ n#vww~ av{`rNy kr sQtQn~@n~ j`nk @p@r\r` mhw`t a`rk;`v lb`qWm pYwQ@k;~p kL, e@s~m ewOm`@g~ @p_q~glQk a`rk;k v#dpQLQ@vL pv` adpN kL a`N~dRv @mm G`wn@y~ vgkWm sm|pRr\N@yn~m b`rgw yRwO bvyQ.

Finally the Govt. refused airlift too …

The Govt. which promised to provide airlifting facilities for the transport of Late Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera’s cortege from Colombo to Anuradhapura to enable his large number of supporters, friends and relations to pay their last respects, has not fulfilled its promise. The failure of the Govt. to respect a war hero at death; leave alone when living is looked upon by one and all as the worst sacrilege one can commit.

According to latest reports, the cortege is now being transported in a hearse as the Govt. failed to honor its promise at the last minute.

His cortege was held up at the Ratmalana airport because the Govt. for inscrutable reasons has not arranged for the airlifting although it was to provide the facility by 9.00 am.Today.

(Sri Lanka Guardian )

Dispute over airlifting Janaka’s body to A’pura

The remains of the late retired Major General Janaka Perera and his wife were taken by road to Anuradhapura for the public to pay their last respects yesterday after the Government allegedly refused to airlift the bodies saying there were no helicopters available.

Major General Perera’s brother Ajith Perera said the bodies were earlier taken to the Ratmalana airport from a private funeral parlour in Colombo in anticipation of the bodies being airlifted to Anuradhapura but he and his relatives were refused entry to the airport saying there was no clearance from the relevant authorities.

After waiting outside the airport for several hours the family members decided to take the bodies to Anuradhapura by road at their own expense, he said.

However, when contacted, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said the UNP and the family of the late Major General had failed to make an official request to the Government, requesting a plane or helicopter to airlift the bodies.

“The Government cannot release helicopters and planes if an official request has not been made. The UNP has misled the family members of Major General Perera by falsely informing them that an official request had been made to the Defence Ministry. But to date, no request has been made,” MCNS Director Lakshman Hulugalla said.

He also denied claims that an official request was made to Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka by any of the UNP members and said that such statements were false.

He further said that there were no helicopters available as almost all choppers were out on duty in the North. “At a time like this, when there is a war going on, it is difficult to release helicopters,” Mr. Hulugalla said.

Meanwhile, Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara told the Daily Mirror that the Air Force could not release a helicopter to the family members of the late General as no instructions had been received from the Defence Ministry to do so.

Meanwhile speaking at a media briefing yesterday UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa should be held responsible for the death of Major General Janaka Perera, claiming he had given false documents to court to indicate there was no security threat to General Perera.

“Gotabhaya Rajapaksa provided a false affidavit to court and said that there was no serious threat to Major General Perera’s life,” Mr. Kiriella said.

The conduct of the Defence Secretary is an offence punishable under the Penal Code, Mr. Kiriella added. If the Chief Justice fails to take action, the UNP will take legal action, he said.

“When I was having a discussion with Janaka before the North Central Province election he got five calls from senior Government ministers telling him to join them and when he refused they threatened him,” Mr. Kiriella said.

Family ‘thoroughly disappointed’

Family members of late retired Major General Janaka Perera and his wife Vajira Perera said they were ‘thoroughly disappointed’ that the Government had failed to airlift the bodies to Anuradhapura despite an assurance given that it was possible to do so.

Major General Perera’s brother Ajith Perera told the Daily Mirror that the bodies of his brother and sister-in-law were lying at the Ratmalana Airport for over four hours as the Air Force denied them access to a chopper or plane.

“All clearances to airlift the bodies were obtained. That is why we took the bodies to the Ratmalana Airport. We also spoke to the relevant Air Force officers in charge both at the Ratmalana Air Force base and the Anuradhapura base before we proceeded towards the airport. They told us not to worry and confirmed that a chopper was ready,” Mr. Perera said.

He added that the Opposition Leader and UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka had obtained approval from Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka who assured that the necessary arrangements would be made to provide a chopper or plane to airlift the bodieMr. Ajith Perera and his family, along with the late General’s children, who were present, had immediately contacted Mr. Attanayaka who told them to wait for half an hour till a fresh clearance was obtained.

“After half an hour we were informed to wait for a further half hour which then turned into four hours. We finally decided to take the bodies by road. If we were denied the opportunity to airlift the bodies we should have been informed earlier so that we could have taken the bodies by road on Wednesday night rather than take them during peak traffic hours on Thursday afternoon,” Mr. Perera said.

I am ready to take the blame: PM

Uproar in parliament over transport for Janaka’s body

With the Government not issuing clearance to airlift the bodies of late Major General Janaka Perera and his wife, the UNP decided to take them to Anuradhapura by road after waiting for hours at the Ratmalana Airport yesterday, Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera said.

He informed the House of this decision while expressing his party’s disappointment and regret at the turn of events.

Mr. Perera said that his party members were waiting at the airport from 9.30 a.m. till noon with the bodies on the road, but the Government did not issue the clearance to airlift them. He said that some individuals were taking revenge even from the body of the late Janaka Perera in this manner.

Mr. Perera said that his party decided to take the two bodies to Anuradhapura by helicopter at 9.30 a.m., yesterday after initial discussions with Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake.

“Today, there are elements giving orders even going beyond the Prime Minister. Is this the way anyone should treat a military officer who rendered great service to this country?” he asked.

The UNP raised the issue by around 10 a.m., in the House asking the Government to issue the clearance to airlift the body.

At this moment Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva agreed to look into the matter and resolve it.

However, UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake took up the issue again at around noon saying the clearance had not been issued even by 11.30 a.m.

“We are waiting with the body at the Ratmalana Airport.  Even the helicopter is ready. Only the clearance is to be given,” he said.

UNP MP Renuka Herath also expressed her critical views on the issue. Later, the UNP decided to take the body to Anuradhapura by road.

Later in the day, making a statement on the issue, Prime Minister Wickremanayake said that he had made inquiries and the Air Force Commander had said that the initial agreement was for the Air Force to take charge of the bodies at the funeral parlour and take them to the airport to be airlifted by Air Force craft. “However the UNP supporters themselves had taken the two bodies to the airport creating the problem of security clearance.”

The Prime Minister further said that he got involved in the matter with honest intentions. “I am ready to accept blame for the issue if anyone thinks it fair to apportion blame,” he added.

Janaka killed

Opposition Leader of the North-Central Provincial Council, Retired Major General Janaka Perera was assassinated in a suspected suicide bombing while he was attending the opening of a new UNP branch office in Anuradhapura yesterday.

Police said the bomber who was described as a short dark bowlegged male, had entered the premises where the ceremony was taking place and triggered the bomb just after Mr. Perera lit the traditional oil lamp near the main door of the building in the presence of several UNP members, including UNP election coordinator Dr. Rajah Johnpulle, whose house and dispensary were set on fire in August and several other provincial councillors.

At least 27 people, including Mrs. Perera and Mrs. Johnpulle were killed and 94 others were injured following the explosion for which the government was quick to blame the LTTE while the opposition had other views including suspicion of TMVP involvement.“Around 8.45 a.m. the UNP office was opened and Mr. Perera was making a speech when the suspected bomber who eye-witnesses described as a short, dark, bowlegged man, shook his head and put his hand in his pocket when the explosion took place,” Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera told Daily Mirror.

Another witness claimed he saw the suspected bomber walk in while the event was about to conclude and exploded the bomb after ripping open his shirt.

“Just as Mrs. Perera was thanking the crowd who attended the event this man in shorts came from the main entrance, walked past me and went near Mr. Perera. The man then ripped open his shirt and triggered the bomb strapped on his waist,” he said.

The body of the bomber was severed from his legs.

Mr. Perera died on the spot while those injured were rushed to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for treatment. Director of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital Dr. Sarath Bandara said 17 of those admitted for treatment were in a critical condition.

At least three provincial correspondents of leading private media institutions who were covering the UNP event were also killed in the explosion.

“We have sent some patients who were in critical condition for immediate surgery. There are five patients in the ICU and altogether 17 patients who have been critically injured need immediate surgery,” he said.

Police, meanwhile, said three police teams had been depolyed to probe the incident while the report from the government analyst was expected to shed more light on the type of explosives used.

Major General Janaka Perera (Retd.), RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc served as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army (2000-2001).

He entered politics recently.

After retiring from the army he served as a Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia and Ambassador to Indonesia. He was the opposition leader of the North Central Provincial Council.Mr. Perera was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo and joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1966 as an Officer Cadet.

He received his training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and completing training he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Ceylon Engineers. Maj. Gen Perera is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies.

UNP sees TMVP hand, TMVP denies

The main opposition UNP yesterday suspected TMVP involvement in the killing of retired Major General Janaka Perera and also blamed the government for the incident.

However the TMVP denied these allegations and said it was in no way involved in the tragedy and that it had nothing to benefit by killing any politician.

UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayaka told journalists the government had set the stage for the brutal murder of war hero Major General Janaka Perera.

“There are several theories regarding this inhuman attack. It could be the work of the LTTE, the TMVP or any other element backed by the government. But it is very clear to all that the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime continuously refused to provide adequate security to Maj. Gen. Perera whom the intelligence reports considered to being a prime target of the LTTE,” Mr. Attanayaka charged.

He said the UNP had reliable information that Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan had visited Anuradhapura a few days ago.

TMVP leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman told Daily Mirror that rumours of his party’s involvement in yesterday morning’s blast in Anuradhapura was spread by those who wanted to tarnish the party’s image now that it had entered mainstream politics.

“We do not benefit by killing innocent civilians or politicians. My party has entered mainstream politics and some parties are against it. It is easy to blame the TMVP for everything,” Mr. Muralitharan said.
He stressed that yesterday’s blast bore the hallmarks of the LTTE as Maj. Gen. Perera was a prime target of the Tigers having served successfully in the army for several years.

Mr. Muralitharan said the blast showed LTTE’s frustration at fighting a losing battle in the North. “The Major General was a very good politician. We are sad that he and his wife were victims to such a terrible blast. There is no doubt that the LTTE is responsible for his death,” Mr. Muralitharan said.
Reacting to Mr. Attanayaka’s statement that TMVP involvement was likely as Mr. Chandrakanthan was in Anuradhapura three days before the blast said the statement was exaggerated as Mr. Chandrakanthan was in the area three days ago to attend to party work and was innocent. “Mr. Chandrakanthan cannot be blamed for this. He is innocent,” Karuna said.

The TMVP leader said that with the LTTE having its back to the wall was likely to target powerful politicians whose death would affect the country and its people.

“Major General Janaka Perera was a decorated war hero until he joined the UNP when he  became a nonentity overnight. Certain state media groups even stooped to so low a level as to ask ‘Who is Janaka Perera, what did he do for the country.’ Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa kept saying Maj. Gen Perera’s life was not threatened and continuously refused to provide him with adequate security,” Mr. Attanayaka said.

Pointing an accusing finger at the government Mr. Attanayaka said there were reasons for government politicians and some police officers to silence Maj. Gen. Perera as he hoped to file several cases on election malpractice against them.

He filed fundamental rights cases against certain police officers for aiding and abetting an arson attack by hooligans on the house and property of Dr. Johnpulle during the NCP polls.

Mr. Attanayake accused the Anuradhapuura police of failing to provide security for yesterday’s opening ceremony of the UNP branch office at Anuradhapura town near the old bus stand.
UNP parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara said the brutal murder of a person of the calibre of Major General Perera is a national tragedy.

Meanwhile, UNP Parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara rejected the claim by the North-Central DIG K.P.P. Pathirana that the police had not been informed of yesterday’s opening ceremony at the UNP party branch in Anuradhapura.

“The office of the Leader of the Opposition of the North-Central Province informed DIG Pathirana and HQI, Anuradhapura about the opening ceremony at the UNP party office last Friday (3) in writing, requesting security and permission to use baffles,” he told the media yesterday.

The police had mentioned that they could not provide adequate security for the event as they were not informed about the event in advance.

“On Sunday the HQI had made a log entry assigning constables Udaya Kumara 24993, Bandara 61958, Wijesingha 54410, Bandara 34885 to provide security to the opening ceremony.

“DIG Pathirana’s claim that the police had not been informed about the opening ceremony is incorrect. He is personally responsible for the failure of the police to provide adequate security to the ceremony at the UNP branch office yesterday,” Range Bandara charged. Meanwhile, the UNP was to pass a resolution on the threats to the life of Major General Janaka Perera at the party’s Working Committee meeting tomorrow, a party source said. The decision had been taken after a discussion Major General Perera had with the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Cambridge Terrace office on September 25.

He had informed his party leader despite numerous intimations to the IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne no action had been taken to provide him with adequate security.

He had apprised Wickremesinghe on his inability to attend party work in the Anuradhapura district due to threats to his life.

"Karuna made MP as a reward"

Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman’s debut as an MP in Parliament the day after the killing of Major General Janaka Perera gave rise to suspicion.

Mr. Wickremesinghe told a news conference there could be a connection between the two events. “Was he made an MP as a reward?” the Opposition leader asked.

Expressing dismay on the police conduct, he said the statement made by them that Maj. Gen. Perera had not asked for security was baseless, because he had made a request on October 03.

He said the report submitted to the Anuradhapura SSP by the Anuradhapura OIC just two hours after the blast could not be accepted.

He also disclosed that the late Maj. Gen. Perera had been asked to join the government, promising a variety of perks.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said the UNP would join the family of late Mr. Perera in asking for an international team of investigators to probe the killing.

SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem said the police jumped to conclusions every time an attack or a killing took place.

He said the local police had the duty to provide security to

the event which was attended by the late Opposition Leader of the North Central Province.

Mr. Hakeem said he and WPF Leader Mano Ganeshan had been victimized by this government, in the same way they victimized Maj. Gen. Perera. He also refused the claim made by the police that the suicide bomber was a mentally retarded person.

SLFP (M) Leader Mangala Samaraweera who also called for an independent inquiry charged that the killing of Maj. Gen. Perera was an act of state terrorism.

He said Maj. Gen. Perera was playing a pivotal role in setting up an alternative Defence Media Centre, by the SLFP (M).

Mr. Samaraweera said Maj. Gen. Perera had held several discussions on the setting up of this alternative media center. “The government was getting worried about this alternative defence media centre,” he said.

He said this media center would be set up jointly by several opposition political parties including the UNP.

With regard to the Anuradhapua bomb explosion he said the inquiry into the incident should be free from any interference.

(Daily Mirror)

Janaka Perera assassination probe Police scrutinize video tape

The video tape of the Sirasa TV cameraman, who filmed the happenings at the UNP office from the start until the bomb exploded killing NCP Opposition leader Major General (rtd) Janaka Perera and 29 others, is being scrutinized by a special Police team.

Senior DIG Jayantha Gamage, who accompanied three special police teams sent from Colombo to carry out investigations, told The Island that the video tape of the Sirasa cameraman is of vital importance and a definite conclusion could be made on the planning and killing of Janaka Perera. The Sirasa cameraman, too, was killed in the explosion.

Meanwhile, investigators said the head of the suspect suicide bomber had been blown smithereens and was beyond recognition.

Investigations so far revealed that after addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony of the office of the leader of the Opposition of the North Central Provincial Council, opposite the old bus stand, the Major General Perera had invited the people to partake of some kiribath. There had been two tables laid out for the kiribath, one inside the office and the other in the verandah. The assassin, according to eye witness accounts, had been seated in a chair opposite the office where late Major General was seated and had gone into the office on the pretext of partaking of kiribath when the explosion occured.

Some survivors of the blast had said that the assassin on the pretense of worshiping the victim had bent down before exploding the device.

Janaka Perera’s wife Vajira, Anuradahapura UNP organizer Mr. Johnpulle, his wife, three lawyers and some Provincial Council members and some other members of the public including had died in the blast.

Police is conducting a separate inquiry to ascertain whether there had been any lapse on the part of the Police since four policemen posted at the entrance to the building near the gates had failed to notice the suspicious looking suicide bomber entering the premises.

North Central Provincial Chief Minister Berty Premlal Dissanayake, speaking to The Island yesterday condemned the killing and defined it as a cowardly act of the LTTE.

Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Ranjan Ramanayake said that even his life is in danger and the Police security provided to him during the elections had now been withdrawn. He urged the Police to provide him with security. He said that despite being the Opposition leader he had not been provided with an official vehicle.

Meanwhile the funeral of late Janaka Perera and his wife would be decided after his two children, now in Australia, return to the country today.

"Janaka rejected President’s invitation to join the govt"

Janaka Perera had rejected President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s invitation to join the government and steadfastly vowed to end the dictatorship that had been foisted on the country, Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Addressing a news conference in the parliamentary complex, he said that Janaka Perera, who was recently appointed the North Central Provincial Council Opposition leader, had referred to the President’s invitation during his speech at the opening of the Anuradhapura UNP party office on Monday before the fatal blast.

He said: "Janaka told me several times that President Rajapaksa had personally invited him to join the government, but he had rejected the offer. He was not willing to compromise his principles and was focused on ending the Rajapaksa dictatorship, human rights violations and rampant corruption."

Wickremesinghe said that people have become suspicious because the government within minutes of the explosion blamed the LTTE. "We do not wish to hold a brief for the LTTE but it was surprising that the suspect was named even before a preliminary inquiry was held."

The only way the government could clear serious doubts in the public mind was to hold an international probe.

Wickremesinghe said: "Janaka was a great soldier who never used the war to gain political mileage. He was driven by a desire to protect democracy, end human rights violations and prevent the country from being confirmed as a failed State. But, unfortunately his mission was halted in the most barbaric manner."

"Govt’s denial of security caused Janaka’s death"

UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday that the assassination of Maj. General Janaka Perera on Monday was a result of the Government’s neglect and its denial of adequate security even when it was well known that the LTTE posed a grave threat to his life.

"Janaka Perera was an officer of the army who had defeated terrorists in many battles. He was totally opposed to separatism and stood to protect the territorial integrity of country. He performed an excellent service in the army and was one of the officerwho had contributed to its modernization and was know to have protected human rights while fighting against the LTTE," he said.

Wickremesinghe said the UNP had requested that Janaka Perera should be made the Defence Secretary as he was an officer whose integrity and capabilities made him the ideal person for that post. However, the government had refused to give him adequate security when he joined the UNP and handed in his nomination to contest the North Central Provincial Council election and Janaka Perera had to seek redress from Courts to get security but even the security ordered by the Court was not provided, he said.

Producing a letter sent to the Anuradhapura police by the office of the Leader of the Opposition of the North Central Province, he said the police had not given security for the meeting on Monday, though the DIG, NCP had said that Janaka Perera had not asked for police security for Monday’s event. However, immediately after the incident the DIG had made a statement that it was the work of a LTTE suicide bomber, he said.

Ranil Wickremesinghe said he had no confidence in any investigation conducted by the police or by the government and asked for a recognized foreign police inquiry into the assassination of Janaka Perera, since there was a grave doubt whether the government would hold an impartial inquiry into the assassination.

Janaka Perera took the warning lightly

Janaka Perera was a relative and friend of mine.

The twins, Sriyan and Janaka, were the S & J, of S & J Strawberry Jam, a firm established by their father. They were UNP supporters for generations. Sriyan passed away in the UK a few years ago. Both twins were flamboyant and interesting individuals who were family men at heart and adored their children.

Janaka Perera was warned about the threat to his life from the LTTE only a few days ago, but he dismissed it.

Dr. Rohan Gunaratna telephoned Janaka a few days ago from Singapore and informed him, his wife and the head of his security of a threat to Janaka’s life from the LTTE, but the retired General was not willing to adopt precautions.

Dr. Gunaratna had known Gen. Perera since his early days in the battle against the LTTE and later as one of Sri Lanka’s diplomats in Australia and Indonesia.

He entered politics against the advice of his family as he wanted to reinvigorate the UNP.

If a single word could describe Perera it is ‘ambitious’. He was determined to overcome impossible odds.

I last spoke to Janaka on the eve of his election in the North Central province. He was fully confident of victory, though it was clear to independent political observers that the UNP would not make it. I had travelled in the NCP previously and had a reasonable assessment as to the outcome of the scheduled polls. But, enthusiasm in his voice was so great that I did not have the heart to disappoint him by revealing the true situation.

I was invited to Anuradhapura and encouraged to write to the press in his favour. I politely declined, as I was too close a relative and a friend to write objectively about Perera or to be seen to be supporting his political campaign. I chose instead to observe him from a distance.

The Western security establishment was once convinced that the LTTE and similar insurrections could never be militarily defeated. The LTTE had deceived the Western military and political bigwigs into the belief that it was invincible and had parity of status. Two Sri Lankan Generals who arrived in London at the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) were convinced otherwise. They believed the LTTE could be wiped out militarily if the State prosecuted the war properly. Almost a decade ago, Gen Janaka Perera wrote his thesis at the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) in London and in it he suggested that the LTTE could be fought by saturating the field using small highly trained specialised units of the army, capitalising on the numerical superiority of the armed forces.

Gen Sarath Fonseka also steadfastly maintained that the LTTE could be militarily defeated by the use of small highly specialised teams.

Janaka Perera DELIVERED at Sri Lanka’s greatest hour of need, especially in Weli Oya and in Jaffna. For this Sri Lanka will remember him fondly.

I will remember him for the many hours we spent at my home in London, his residences in Minneriya, his residence at Military HQ in Colombo and in London and at the KEEP (the residence provided for those following courses at the RCDS) and his friendly disposition. He was truly a loving family man who found joy and happiness with Vajira and the kids.

Janaka Perera to be accorded military honours

The Director General, Media Centre for National Security (MCNS), Lakshman Hulugalle yesterday said that the funeral of Major General Janaka Perera would be held on Saturday with military honours.

Addressing a news conference at the MCNS, Hulugalle said that the government’s decision was conveyed to the late General’s family. They had agreed to hand over his remains to the Army on Saturday.

The late General would be accorded a 13 round gun salute at the time the Army accepts his body and a 13 round gun salute during the last rites being performed, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

Hulugalle accused the UNP of playing politics with Perera’s remains. He said the UNP wanted to embarrass the government by taking the war veteran’s remains to the Ratmalana Airport without any arrangements.

Explaining the procedure to be followed when obtaining a helicopter from the government, Hulugalle said that the party concerned should submit a written request after which the government would consider the prevailing situation where military operations were concerned and act accordingly.

"UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake had only made a request in this regard in Parliament on Tuesday," he said.

With the ongoing military offensive, the government was not in a position to provide a helicopter to transport the remains of the slain General and his wife to Anuradhapura, Hulugalle pointed out, adding that even Late President D. B. Wijetunge’s remains were transported from Pilimatalawa to Colombo and back by road.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said that five specially picked teams were investigating the bomb blast in Anuradhapura where Major Gen Perera and 27 others lost their lives on Monday.

The teams are led by SP Jayalath, he said.

Meanwhile the tape that was in the video camera of the Anuradhapura Sirasa/ITN journalist Rashmi Mohamed, was being examined by the investigators, Gunasekera said.

(The Island)

International probe called into killing

Sri Lanka's top opposition party called Tuesday for an international investigation into a bomb attack the previous day that killed a popular former army general and 26 others.

Retired Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera, who was a member of a provincial assembly representing the opposition United National Party, his wife and some party officials were among those killed Monday when a suspected Tamil Tiger rebel detonated explosives strapped to his body, the military said.

Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said the party officials were gathered to open a new office in the northern town of Anuradhapura when the assailant struck.

Tissa Attanayake of the United National Party said his party would not accept the government's explanation — that the rebels were to blame for the attack — at face value.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader and head of the UNP, told Parliament that the government had not provided adequate security for political opponents, including Perera.

"The police have said that it was not informed of the party function. That's a lie. They were informed three days ago. But police did not provide sufficient security," he said.

The government denied the claim.

"The government has no intention in suppressing anything," said government spokesman Anura Yapa. "We are doing everything possible to find out what happened."

Monday's bomb attack came as government troops, in the midst of an offensive against the Tamil Tigers de facto state in the north, closed in on the rebels' administrative capital of Kilinochchi.

Tamil Tiger rebels have fought since 1983 to create an independent homeland for ethnic minority Tamils who have faced discrimination at the hands of successive governments controlled by majority ethnic Sinhalese.

The guerrillas are blamed for more than 240 suicide attacks.

Meanwhile Tuesday, former Tamil Tiger leader Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, also known by his nom de guerre "Karuna," was sworn in as a legislator in Sri Lanka's parliament.

He returned to the country in July after having been jailed in Britain for several months for traveling on a false passport. After taking the oath of office, Muralitharan sat on the government side of the parliament chamber.

Muralitharan defected from the Tamil Tigers in 2004 with thousands of men and formed his own militia. The next year, his group joined the Sri Lankan government in its fight against the Tigers and helped government forces chase rebels from their eastern strongholds.

He later created the political party — the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal. His party ran in a coalition with the government for elections in the tense eastern province and won control of the provincial assembly in May.

Meanwhile, fighting continued Monday around the de facto rebel capital, killing 23 rebels and one soldier, the military said in a statement.

(Associated Press)

Janaka's children vow to continue late father's plans

The children of the late Retired Major General Janaka Perera have vowed to continue late father's plans. Addressing the large gathering visited to pay last respects to the late North Central Province Opposition Leader, his four children vowed to continue their parent's plan to help develop the country.

Reports said that the four children - Janith Sanjiv, Ashanka Upul, Janukshi Chamila and Shehara Swendrani have said that their parents loved the people of Anuradhapura and wanted to help them have better living standards. The reports added that they are planning to return home after completing their high studies in Australia.

(The Sunday Observer)

SLA shuns Perera's funeral

No senior officer of the Sri Lanka Army attended the funeral of Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera, the decorated former commander who was allegedly killed by a human bomber last Monday, according to the Sunday Times. The paper also reported that, following 'orders from the top', the remains of the general and his wife, another former Army officer, were kept waiting at Ratmalana Air Force base and, with permission not forthcoming for the caskets to be to be airlifted to Anuradhapura, later had to be taken by road with a dwindling escort of police.

In April, the Sri Lankan government ordered the Army to bar Maj. Gen. Perera from henceforth setting foot into its camps. The move came after he criticized the Rajapaksa government’s conduct of the war against the Tamil Tigers.

Saying that the government’s self-imposed deadlines "were not realistic", Gen. Perera had questioned the wisdom of waging protracted war against the LTTE and warned that battle fatigue would set in and sap the military’s will to fight.

Extracts from the Sunday Times' Political Column published this week follow:

"Around 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday the sealed coffins of Perera and wife Vajira arrived at the Air Force base in Ratmalana. They lay there till noon whilst a dispute raged about the remains being airlifted to Anuradhapura.

"Officials at the airport had said that there was no clearance from the Ministry of Defence. Since they said they were awaiting such clearance, the remains were kept there. The disappointed family of late Perera decided to take his and his wife's remains to Anuradhapura by road.

"Late afternoon when the motorcade proceeded along Negombo Road, a police officer had stopped them at Ja-ela. They were told the motorcade could not proceed along that road though a police scout car and another police escort vehicle accompanied by motorcycle out riders were leading it.

"Later, the motorcade was forced to proceed to Kandy via Warakapola. At Kurunegala, the police scout car and the escort vehicle were abruptly withdrawn. Only the motor cycle outriders remained for the rest of the journey to Anuradhapura.

"More light on the issue was thrown later on Wednesday night. An official in the Ministry of Defence responsible for co-ordinating various matters told officials he had received 'instructions from the top' not to heed anyone's directives [to] allow the remains to be airlifted to Anuradhapura. had also added that he was instructed to take ‘orders only from the top on such matters.’ Thus, the instructions he received was to provide police escorts and the remains to be taken in a motorcade.

“In the light of steps taken by this official, Nimal Lewke (DIG in charge of the Police Field Force Headquarters) called on the family of late Perera. He said the police would escort the remains of late Perera and his wife. That was how the Police scout car and escort vehicle were assigned. There was no explanation as to why they were withdrawn when the motorcade had reached Kurunegala.”

“That it was the treatment meted out to one of Sri Lanka’s distinguished soldiers is another. Family members of the late Perera were aghast. They asked why the remains were kept at Ratmalana for hours and why the authorities did not have the common courtesy to inform them. If they had arranged to take the remains by road, it would have reached Anuradhapura during the three and half hours it was left behind at Ratmalana, a family member pointed out.

“An incensed family member said ‘they praise him as a war hero and at the same time provide him treatment that even an enemy does not deserve.”

The day after Perera died, the Government placed an Air Force helicopter at the disposal of Eastern Province Chief Minister and TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan. He and the TMVP spokesman Azad Mowlana flew in that to be on hand in Parliament for the swearing in of Karuna alias Vinayagamoothy Muralitharan.

(Tamil Net)