Archives

Conspiracy comes out

Cabinet Spokesman and Urban Development, Public Utilities Housing and Sports Minister Mangala Samaraweera addressing a media conference at the Information Department auditorium at Narahenpita yesterday revealed details of a long standing conspiracy by the UNP and the LTTE to destabilize the government and the country.

The first phase of the conspiracy was a meeting between UNP's emissary Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena and LTTE political leader Thamil Chelvam in the LTTE held areas in the Vanni.

Minister Samaraweera referred to a secret message sent by Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena to Thamil Chelvam through Rt. Rev. Dr. R. Joseph, Bishop of Mannar dated December 2, 1998.

"I firmly believe that time has come for us to meet", Dr. Jayawardena has written to Chelvam in his letter. "I have no doubt your leader will agree with me", the doctor adds in his letter.

The purpose of the meeting, according to the doctor was to develop mutual understanding and friendship.

We reproduce below this letter in the public interest:

"Mr. Tamil Chelvam
Leader-Political Wing

"Dear Mr. Chelvam,

"I do not think you need any introduction about me. I trust that Rt.Rev. Dr. R. Joseph, Bishop of Mannar will brief you about my interests.

"Mr. S.V. Kirubaharan, Leader, General secretary of Tamil Centre for Human Rights in France, and Mr. B. Reddy of South Africa and several others are in touch with me.

"I feel that I should meet you to develop mutual understanding and friendship. I firmly believe now that time has come for us to meet. I have no doubt that your leader will agree with me.

"I have requested from Bishop Joseph to handover this note to you.

"I know that you will send me a favourable answer.

"Assuring you of my best attention and genuine effort for a true understanding.

"Herewith I am sending you my next press releases for your information." Though the letter was unsigned for obvious reasons, those who are conversant with the doctor's handwriting have know doubt about its authorship. (We produce from this page a facsimile of this letter in Doctor J's handwriting).

Later, in May 2001 Dr. Jayawardena had visited the LTTE held area and held discussions with the LTTE leaders. A photograph of Dr. Jayawardena reverently barefooted, paying his respects at a cemetery for LTTE war dead in Thunukkai, appeared in the newspapers.

Once again this was a secret visit arranged after a visit to the Madhu Church.

Minister Samaraweera also distributed copies of a cassette containing a recent conversation by Dr. Jayawardena with a person connected with the LTTE.

He said he had obtained the recorded conversation from an employee of Dr. Jayawardena and that he took full responsibility for distributing it among the media since it was a matter that affected the future of the entire nation.

He requested the media personnel to report the contents of the conversation without suppressing it. In the recorded conversation, allegedly between Dr Jayalath Jayawardane and Pottu Amman, reference is also made to LTTE leaderThilakar. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is referred to in one place as the 'Amma' and in another place as a blind woman who is nowadays jumping from place to place in the country, and who should be cut off soon".

Pottu Amman is the Chief in charge of the LTTE Suicide squads, and this would mean a plan to eliminate President Kumaratunga, Minister Samaraweera said.

In the conversation Dr. J informs the LTTE of a ten point program which would be sent to them following a meeting with the leader early `next week.'

In another place in the recorded tape it states "the green light has been given for you to go ahead".

The Sri Lanka Army has been monitoring tele-conversations between LTTE leaders between 19 October and 11 November this year, mostly between LTTE leaders Prabhakaran, Karikalan, Karuna,and Paduman, and in all these it is evident that there is a big plan by the LTTE to strike terror into the minds and hearts of voters in the North and East, and thereby to prevent them from exercising their votes on Election Day 5 December, and to explode hand grenades in the vicinity of polling booths, and plans are afoot to stuff ballot boxes with votes in favour of the UNP, stated Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager