Breakthrough imminent - Minister Rambukwella

Ranil Wijayapala

Government Defence Affairs Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday expressed confidence that the Police will be able to have an immediate breakthrough in the Maheshwaran assassination with the arrest of the suspected gunman involved in the shootout.

“It is very imminent that we will be able to see the bottom line of it soon,” Minister Rambukwella said yesterday.

The Minister pointed out that the micro pistol recovered from the scene is commonly used by the LTTE pistol group.

Initial investigations have revealed that the suspect was a resident of Jaffna and a temporary resident of Wattala area for the past few years.

Minister Rambukwella asserted that it was due to the retaliation of the security personnel providing security for Maheshwaran that the suspect was injured.

Minister Rambukwella rejected allegations that the Government has reduced the security provided to Maheshwaran. He said Maheshwaran had received threats to his life from time to time and his threat was high when he was in Jaffna.

“The security provided to him in Jaffna was high compared to the number of security personnel provided to him in Colombo according to the threat assessment,” he added.

He said Maheshwaran has been advised by the security authorities not to follow a routine.

“The routine activities of Minister Kadirgamar was the prime reason behind his assassination,” the Minister added.

The Minister said that there is no connection with the number of security personnel provided as the life of President R. Premadasa could not be saved even after he was provided with 600 elite special security personnel.

“Minister Kadirgamar was assassinated when he was provided a 120 strong security squad,” the Minister added.

He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked Inspector General of Police to conduct a full probe.