Breakthrough in suicide bombings probe

Positive ID on pregnant bomber, four others in custody

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: Kanapathipillai Manjula Devi, 32, has been identified as the pregnant suicide bomber who attempted to assassinate Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka on April 25.

"We have identified the suicide bomber after a two-month CID investigation. We have taken three more suspects into custody," IGP Chandra Fernando said yesterday, announcing the breakthrough.

Another person suspected of involvement in the assassination of Lieutenant General Parami Kulatunga has also been taken into custody, he added.

"Following a deep and accurate investigation, we have identified the suicide bomber. We also arrested three suspects who assisted the suicide bomber," DIG, CID Ashoka Wijethilaka said.

The suicide bomber was a resident of Anuradhapura, who had also studied there. She had moved to Jaffna and joined the LTTE, DIG Wijethilaka added.

"The three persons who had been helping Manjula Devi - a couple and a male suspect from Rambukkana and Weliweriya have been taken into custody", the DIG Wijethilaka said.

The investigation revealed that the male suspects living in Rambukkana had brought Manjula Devi from Jaffna to Rambukkana and accommodated her in Rambukkana.

He has been paid to buy a house in Weliweriya by the LTTE.

He has also received money to buy a three wheeler to transport the LTTE cadre easily, DIG Wijethilaka said.

The suspects revealed that he came to Weliweriya in March and then moved with the suicide bomber to Rambukkana later, the DIG added.

"We are conducting a comprehensive investigation in this regard and we believe we will arrest further suspects in the near future," DIG Wijethilaka said.

Based on the re-assembled parts of the motorcycle used to assassinate Lt. Gen. Kulatunga and the number plate, the investigating team has traced the owner of the motorcycle, SSP Colombo Criminal Division (CCD) Sarath Lugoda said.

The owner is a Wattala resident who lives abroad. The motorcycle has been purchased from the wife of the owner for Rs.145,000, he added.

"The C4 high explosive material has been carefully fitted to the patrol tank.

This can be done only by experts," SSP Lugoda stressed.

The broker who arranged the sale has been arrested.

An LTTE operative has bought the motorcycle. The CID is on his trail. This person went to see the motorcycle on June 11 and purchased it on June 12, he pointed out.

SSP Lugoda urged the public to contact the police if there are any suspected persons who are experts on working on patrol tanks.