Army exposes major conspiracy

Former Sinhala journalist received training, weapons from LTTE:

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: The three Sinhalese men arrested by the Army on Monday night have confessed they have received three consignments of weapons and explosives from the LTTE for several explosions in Colombo.

They had also made several failed attempts to explode a claymore mine targeting a Minister and also other targets. Lalith Seneviratna, a former journalist attached to the Hiru newspaper who had undergone weapons and explosive training under LTTE had confessed to the Army following his arrest that they have used the C4 explosives sent by the LTTE for simultaneous explosions in Kiribathgoda, Rajagiriya, Nugegoda and Dehiwala areas.

In his confession, showed in a video to the media yesterday, Seneviratna said that two years ago a team comprising himself, Shamal, Jagath, Janaka, Priyantha and Habali underwent weapons training, physical training and explosives training for seven to eight days at an LTTE facility.

According to Seneviratna, Ravi, the LTTE contact has given them Rs. 10 to 11 lakhs for expenses.

A second batch including Sujeeva, Sarath and Keerthi led by Shamal also underwent weapons and explosive training under the LTTE.

He said that they attempted to explode two claymore mines in Koggala but failed and then attempted to attack the Indian Oil Company filling stations but dropped the idea as they were Indian.

He also revealed that they have received three consignments of weapons and explosives including T-56 rifles, C4 explosives, pistols, ammunition and claymore mines from the LTTE for various missions in the City and suburbs.

According to his confession they are responsible for placing claymore mines in the Kadawatha, Kirindiwela and Koggala areas recently.

Sisira Priyantha a railway worker and also the Treasurer of the Joint Front of Railway Trade Union who had also worked as a journalist in his confession revealed that he had transported two kilograms of C4 explosives to Galle. However, the Security Forces have so far failed to recover the two kilograms of C4 explosives.

Nihal Senasinghe, who had done graphic work for newspapers was also arrested along with the other two journalists from the Ragala area.

According to Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella two of them had visited the Media Centre for National Security after obtaining clearance from the security authorities. The confessions of the arrested persons revealed that they had all worked together in an organisation against imperialists.