Sripathi’s concern over President’s safety contradicts allegations

Irangika RANGE

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a target of the LTTE during the Presidential election as vouched by non other than SLFP(M) MP Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi, Minister S. Chandrasena said yesterday.

He said CID and NIB reports too confirmed this fact adding that all documents and evidence pertaining to threat on the life of UPFA Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa would be tabled before the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to probe allegations of illegal monetary transactions between the Government and LTTE.

Addressing the media yesterday Estate Infrastructure Development and Nation Building Minister S.M. Chandrasena referred to the comment by Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi during the Presidential election that a special LTTE sniper team was targeting Mahinda Rajapaksa and urging for extra security for the UPFA candidate.

Though Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi SLFP(M Group) make allegations against President Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding the a illegal financial transaction during the presidential election, they were the very ones who made a big effort to protect the President from LTTE’s threats.

“Sripathi was the one who spoke of the importance of immediately providing a immediate bullet proof glass cubical for the President to address meetings. Minister Chandrasena said that four bullet proof cubicles were imported from China spending Rs. 6.2 million due to LTTE threats confirmed by the CID and the NIB.

The Minister asked what is the reason for the President to seek the cover of a bullet proof screen to address meetings if he had given money to the LTTE.

Speaking at the Press Conference, Lanka Cement Corporation’s Chairmen, Lalinda Liyanage said that he received reliable and confirmed reports through a Tamil living in the UK about a threat to the life of the President. “These details are very confidential and confirmed by the CID and the NIB”. He said he will tabled these documents at the Parliamentary Select committee.