“New” Information Given by Lasantha’s Brother for Further Investigation
By Lal Wickrematunge
It was mid February 2009 and barely over a month since Lasantha was killed. A small-made, dishevelled man turns up in office and says he wishes to speak with me. He goes on to relate an amazing story explaining how Lasantha was killed and who was behind it.
I listened patiently and took down notes of what he said. These notes were retained by me till Friday, March 5, 2010.
With news reports in many newspapers and the electronic media that inquiries into the murder of Lasantha was making headway I decided to make a statement on what I was told by this visitor to one arm investigating this case.
Mr. “X” as I would call him had been released from Welikada Prison on an amnesty granted to prisoners on Independence Day in 2009. He was sentenced for embezzlement of state funds. Whilst in prison he was sharing a cell with a few others. Amongst those incarcerated with him were convicted murderers. He heard an inmate convicted for murder talking to another about a contract undertaken by him to kill someone and that the job was done on that day and had bragged as to how the operation was conducted. He said that this murderer had organized a “hit” on someone called Lasantha and a sharp instrument was used to carry out the task.
At that point he did not know who this “Lasantha” was, but learnt later when he was watching Sirasa news on TV that night. He said that he had met Lasantha once when he had a problem with higher authorities at the Buddha Sasana Ministry when he gave an interview to The Leader.
He said, “A politician had given the contract to kill Lasantha to Kalu Thushara. Kalu Thushara uses Lakshman Kumara to carry out such contract work even though Lakshman Kumara was in jail. Lakshman Kumara is incarcerated for seven murders and also the HSBC heist. He is in B3 Ward cell 75. Others in this cell were Shantha from Galle and Kamal. Lakshman Kumara used members of his gang to carry out the murder.”
He said, the weapon used to kill Lasantha was sourced from Vavuniya and those who transported the weapon stayed with a ruling party provincial councillor at Anuradhapura. A three wheeler was used to transport the weapon concealed in a cavity made for transportation of drugs.
The three wheel vehicle belonged to an employee at the Transport Board in Ambalantota. The motor cycles used for this operation was sourced by one Indika from Piliyandala. One such bike was later driven by another and was produced at the Piliyandala Police by SI Ousmand.
It was Thusitha, an ex army person, Mr. “X” said who rode one bike to commit this murder. Chatura of Kottawa, Ashan from Kaluaggala and Saman also rode bikes, while Bernard of Pannipitiya drove the three wheeler. Kalu Thushara was remanded for possession of one kilo of heroin. He was charged in the Awissawella High Court.
He had falsified the bail documents and was released from Kuruwita prison when he was produced at Welikada for another offence where he was granted bail on the condition that the Awissawella Courts had given him bail.
Therefore he went free and went by boat to India to link up with Thel Bala to thereafter cross over to Italy. Kalu Thushara was arrested by the Immigration authorities in India and held in a camp.
The “hit” was monitored by Lakshman Kumara from within the prison by using cellular no 07163…which was later confiscated by Jailor Silva on a search conducted within the prison. He also used cellular no 0715727814 and his brother Chaminda used cellular no 0725672771.
Mr. “X” also stated that the “Minister who master-minded the operation had visited Lakshman Kumara in prison that night in a special room and gave him biriyani and Rs. 1.8 million for a job well done.”
Mr. “X” was requested to meet a Police Inspector who was conducting the investigations and also given a card phone to be in touch. On visiting the police station and talking to the Inspector concerned, Mr “X” having developed cold feet vanished and was never heard of till he sent me a registered letter explaining his fear of being identified by the perpetrators.
It was only on receiving the letter that I knew his name. If that is true or not, the investigating authorities are sure to find out. Similarly the truth or falsity of the narrative.
To get to the truth of Lasantha’s killing all possible leads need to be investigated. This story is being published now, since the CID/TID are finally carrying out a serious investigation into the death and can investigate all possible angles.
The question is who sent this man and why?
~ courtesy: The Sunday Leader ~
6 Comments
Could be a red herring to divert from the truth. As always, attempts will be made to accuse a small sprat, later bump him off and allow the big sharks to escape.
The carefully planned killing of Lsantha is now high-profile news in the capitals of the world. The prospect of War Crimes and high HR violations where VVIPs are likely to be netted in grows stronger every day.
So the world has to be told GoSL is doing SOMETHING in the matter - more as a matter in mitigation. The sequence of matters in this account makes it once more clear we have ruined our once decent society and are condemned to live with sub-human beings who will maim, kidnap and kill for even paltry sums.
`Contract killing`` has become a roaring business now in a society where the compassionate teachings of the Buddha should dominate - simply because over 75% of the people are Buddhists enjoying the benefit of a large number of buddhist priests in their vicinity.
What has our society come to if a violent IRC - held in jail - is enabled out of judicial custody to carry out yet another merciless killing and get back to wait for another `job`` How do we dis-entangle ourselves from this diabolic fate and save pious, ordinary millions across the land - Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and other - from the depths of devilry now imposed in as our unfortunate lot. More importantly, is it coincidence all these are coming out now that Sarath Fonseka has fallen fronm grace?
ISS
Who is on earth going to believe that after killing MR Lasantha Wickramathunga, the so called minister who gave contract to kill him will go and visit convicted murderers in the prison cell and give them Rs 1.8 million.If this was happened it should have been videoed like the recent 30 million story.
MR "X" who revealed this story was released on 2009 on amnesty granted for the independence day.It is very well known that only miner offence persons will get the state amnesty and released from prison.
According to any ones knowledge minor offence prisoners are not accommodated in the same cell with the convicted mass murders.So this have been done intentionally by prison authorities to send MR "X" as a normal independent day amnesty release one out of the prison mate and reveal the story as they planed.
But Mr. Lal Wickramathunga was cautious not to publish the story at the time he heard as what the plotters wanted.In this regard Mr "X" is misled-ed by the plotters and he is innocent and he knows nothing the plot behind on it.
Persons must put behind their political differences and let the people think without prejudice and not always complaining the authorities for each and every thing.By doing so they expose their poor political motivations.
This is a classic tactic used by the Government. Beware there are many examples including the case of General Kobbekaduwa. Speak to those who where involved and get the facts.
According to Mr Sengattuan , this killing is high profile news in the Capitals of the World.
I don't know what capitals he is talking about,because i live in a major capital city and I only read about it once or twice and that was a long time ago.
My main concern is that the posting of this gentleman, It implies that the 75% Buddhist majority and their Clergy is responsible for the crimes and drags them in to this killing as well.
When the notorious gangsters and contract murders and their bosses were eliminated last year I did not seen any Buddhist Sinhala names among the dispatched.
I know that the deceased person belonged to a Christian sect despite his earlier marriage to a Buddhist family.In light of this why one has to bring religion in unless there is an ulterior motive.
According to Mr Sengattuan , this killing is high profile news in the Capitals of the World.
I don't know what capitals he is talking about,because i live in a major capital city and I only read about it once or twice and that was a long time ago.
My main concern is that the posting of this gentleman, It implies that the 75% Buddhist majority and their Clergy is responsible for the crimes and drags them in to this killing as well.
When the notorious gangsters and contract murders and their bosses were eliminated last year I did not seen any Buddhist Sinhala names among the dispatched.
I know that the deceased person belonged to a Christian sect despite his earlier marriage to a Buddhist family.In light of this why one has to bring religion in unless there is an ulterior motive.