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| Thursday, 18 December 2003 |
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WAPS urges President to take action The World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) based in Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia has requested President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to punish those responsible for the treacherous act of jeopardising Sri Lanka's defence by divulging the existence of the Army deep penetration unit safe house in Athurugiriya which caused the death of 23 Sri Lankans who served as Army informants. The WAPS in a letter addressed to the President had said that "One of the greatest betrayals in recent times was the illegal raid carried out on the Athurugiriya safe house by the Police, led by ASP Kulasiri Udugampola with the alleged knowledge of the ex-Minister of Defence and ex-Minister for Internal Security along with other politicians, police and army personnel. Now that the Presidential Commission has issued its report throwing light on this sordid and treacherous act, we request you to take action at least NOW to bring the culprits to book. It is obvious that this great betrayal was committed to safeguard the interests of the Tamil Tigers and clearly against the nation's interest, as a gift from Ranil Wickremesinghe's government to enhance their ties with the LTTE and at the same time to hoodwink the masses about the positive aspects of the lopsided peace process. Many acts of bravery by the Army's LRPP unit were threatening the LTTE intelligence section and field operations and we are certain that the Tiger's request through the Norwegian facilitator and others was to dismantle the LRPP. While ASP Udugampola carried out this shameless act, without any doubt, the Prime Minister and the other ministers named, who were aware of the irregularities, through their acts of omission and or commission, knowingly assisted in the treachery to different degrees. The end result was that Sri Lankan Defence Forces lost one of its most effective units and the Tigers killed 23 army informants in cold blood further endangering the security of the nation. The President had done a great service to the nation by appointing the Commission of Inquiry. Retired Supreme Court Judge, D. Jayawickrama deserves the plaudits of the nation for tracing the ugly cracks in the security establishment and recommending measures that would once again uphold the trust placed by the masses on the administration of law and order. We are confident that you will now take action to bring the culprits to book so that the Nation and its Defence forces will be confident that a bunch of traitors who betrayed the country while collecting wages from the citizens of Lanka are duly punished. We request you to consider following steps. 1. To take immediate legal action and to impound the passports of the accused ministers, officers etc. 2. To monitor their financial transactions. 3. To take URGENT action to compensate the families of the 23 informants killed and others who were injured. We have information that most of them live in dire poverty and in fear of life due to threats from the LTTE. Kindly make suitable arrangements for them to live freely. 4. Re re-vamp the LRRP and take a personal and special interest to restore confidence and to compensate the officers who were ridiculed by the ASP and his staff. We trust that you will take action to prove to the Sri Lankans that serving the nation is not negotiable for political, pecuniary or personal gains. Those who serve the nation even at the risk to their lives should be give every protection by the nation. You, as the supreme commander of Sri Lanka's defence forces and the executive President of Sri Lanka should ACT NOW. The following organisation belong to WAPS, SPUR, Victoria, Sinhala Cultural and Community Services Foundation, Victoria, SPUR, New South Wales, WASPUR, Western Australia, Veera Parakramabahu Foundation, NSW, Sri Lankans Against Terrorism, NSW (National Office), Alliance Against Tamil Domination - United Kingdom, Sri Lanka Society for South Australia Inc., Canadian Association for United Sri Lanka, Canada, Sri Lanka United National Association, Canada, Sinhala Centre, United Kingdom, The International Campaign for the Liberation of the Sinhala Nation, UK, United Sinhalese Association in Italy, Rome, Italy, Ape Shakthi Sanvidanaya, Auckland, New Zealand, New York Society of United Sri Lanka, United States of America, Pacific Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka, Victoria (National Office), Australia. |
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