Govt. must disclose security measures: MR

• Wants info on Govt. action and details of NTJ disclosed to Parliament

Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday accused the Government of undermining the security establishment by harassing intelligence agencies and demanded that the Government give details of when the possibility of attacks was first flagged and what steps were taken to address concerns. According to Rajapaksa, the recent explosions were worse than any other attacks in South Asia or during the war. 

Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa

“We never expected to see terrorism in this country after the war came to an end. We were to celebrate the 10th anniversary next month. This happens to be the most serious attack which took place in South Asia targeting civilians. Not even the Mumbai attacks killed this many,” he said.

Assuring the nation that such carnage wouldn’t have taken place during his two terms in office, Rajapaksa found plenty of causes to blame the Government. 

“I handed over a safe and secure country in January 2015. We did not cripple the intelligence officers who worked closely with their international counterparts. This devastation would never have happened during our regime. Police were informed about the possibility of an attack. But what action did the Government take? The Government lawmakers took care to avoid places with security threats,” he charged.

During his first term in office as President, Rajapaksa had a peace treaty signed between the LTTE and the Government. 

“Despite this peace treaty, the LTTE continued to kill a few soldiers on a daily basis. However, the turning point was the bus bomb in Kebithigollewa. It killed a considerable number of civilians. This bus bomb raised people against the Government. When I visited the St. Anthony’s Church after the explosions, Kebithigollewa bus bomb came to my mind. The LTTE closing the Mavilaru Anicut and stopping water forced us to fight again in July 2006. Former Army Commander and fellow lawmaker Sarath Fonseka knows this well,” he said.

Rajapaksa accused the Government of embarking on a “witch-hunt” that was carried out against intelligence officers and other military personnel. 

“The Secretary of Defence was harassed to the maximum simply because he was my brother. He was not imprisoned as a result of the Court intervention. The tri-forces don’t belong to the Rajapaksas but belong to the republic. With intelligence crippled we will not be able to have security in the country. I would have cautioned the Cardinal if I got to know the alert in advance. Vandalising Buddha statutes in Mawanella, followed by the attack on the aide of a Muslim Minister, and the finding of 100Kgs of explosive are related. I request the Government to stop using cheap tactics and force to obtain statements against intelligence officers using the CID. These intelligence officers have given special statements in courts and that only undermines security,” he added.

Extending support to the Government to fight against any new forms of terrorism, Rajapaksa demanded explanations from the Government on reasons for the security lapses, more details about the perpetrators and their organisation, the fate of the 100kg of explosives found in Wanathawilluwa, the legal action taken against those who were arrested relating to the explosives found, and the discussion details of the National Security Council meetings during this time. (AH)