CHRONOLOGY OF LTTE TERROR- Part 66

From the Daily News Archives

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When the euphoria of victory dies down, and together with it the media hype ceases, when the guns do not rattle and boom anymore and the sky, the land and the sea become calm and serene, when tranquillity reigns through it is natural to live in the present moment and forget the past. But one cannot live in the present without a past. Nor can one envision the future discarding the experience of the preceding events. Hence the Daily News is serialising the Chronicle of LTTE Terror taken from our own archives which would remind our readers how it all began. An awareness of the chronology of terror would help us prevent the recurrence of such terror and frustrate any attempts by misguided elements to repeat history to suit their evil designs. It was not simple terror. Nor was terror sporadic. It was all pre-planned, pre-determined, well-calculated terror. The victims were innocent people. Though it is too many innumerate we would like to recall the major episodes in the Chronology of Terror.

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Monday, December 20, 1999:

President speaks to the nation from hospital bed and appeals for peace and calm

Addressing the nation on national radio and TV from her hospital bed last night, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga made an impassioned plea to the people to leave aside their differences and to join hands in a massive effort to take forward the process of wiping out terrorism and re-establishing peace and democracy.

President Kumaratunga, who narrowly escaped assassination in Saturday's LTTE suicide bomb attack at her final rally for Tuesday's Presidential Election, asserted: "Let not the LTTE terrorists destroy the last chance we have in transforming this country of ours into one of decency, harmony and modernism. The LTTE has now proved beyond doubt that they only know the politics of terror."

"Do we continue to permit a handful of terrorists to decimate all that is good in the country, when we need strong and honest leadership most desperately," the President asked.

She assured that the Presidential Election would be held as scheduled and urged the majority community not to carry out any attacks or cause any harm to any member of the Tamil community or to any political rivals. "It is your bounden duty to protect all Tamil citizens of this country. I know that the vast majority of Tamils are praying with you for my safety."

"I am not in any danger due to the injuries I have received. I am well and should be up and about very soon," she told the nation.

Her statement in full:

"I am pleased by the calm you have already shown after the injury that was caused to me, and those who were with an around me, last night. I can assure you that I am not in any danger due to the injuries I have received in this cowardly attack. The Presidential Election will be held as scheduled. I make a very special appeal to you to remain calm and peaceful. I specially call upon you not to carry out any attacks or cause any harm to any member of the Tamil community or to any political rivals.

Let us all remain united as a nation in this hour.

I appeal to all my fellow citizens. It is your bounden duty to protect all Tamil citizens of this country. I know that the vast majority of Tamils are praying with you for my safety. I am well and shall be up and about very soon.

The final moment of truth has now come for all Sri Lankans. The Tamil people firstly have clearly and without any hesitation to decide whether they are going to continue to strengthen the hand of terror and murder by their secret or partial support of the LTTE.

The LTTE has now proved beyond any doubt that they only know to enjoy the politics of terror. They will never understand the language of the mind and heart. The Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka have now also to take the most historic decision of this century. Do we continue to permit a handful of terrorists, however powerful they may be, to decimate all that's good in our country, when we need strong and honest leadership most desperately.

The innocent Tamil people and their good leaders, the innocent Sinhala people and their leaders who are good are desperately needed at this decisive moment in the history of our country, when we need strong and honest leadership the most.

Let not the terrorists of the LTTE destroy the last chance we have in transforming this country of ours into one of decency, harmony and modernism.

The moment has come for all Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and all other peoples of Sri Lanka to leave aside their differences and join hands in a massive effort to take forward the process of wiping out terrorism and re-establishing peace and democracy.

My Government has already commenced the process of consolidating a Government of consensus and building a new national force for peace.

I invite all Sri Lankans, as the President of this country and your leader, whatever religion or community you belong to, to join hands to realise this not so impossible dream.

I expect to join you to realise your dreams that I have enunciated to all of you in our vision for the 21st century. I place my unshaken faith, trust and confidence in all the people of Sri Lanka.

I wish you all and our country the blessings of the Triple Gem."

President Kumaratunga survives suicide terrorist attack

Remains one of the very few to escape the LTTE:

Wijitha NAKKAWITA

The Presidential election campaign of 1999 December was significant for more than one reason. The first reason was the UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe was going to be defeated at the poll and was going to create a new record later by losing all elections, parliamentary, provincial council and local government in the years to come. The second reason was that President Chandrika Kumaratunga who offered the olive branch to the LTTE terrorists was going to win the second term but to the dismay of the public the LTTE was going to make an attempt on her life on Saturday December 18 but was going to survive a suicide bomber's attack but lose the sight of one of her eyes.

The history of the People's Alliance government she headed had made many attempts the start peace talks with the LTTE terrorists and introduced proposed amendments to the constitution to devolve power to the north and east. It was also important to recall that before Chandrika came back to the SLFP led by her mother Sirimavo Bandaranaike she once formed the United Socialist Alliance headed by her deceased actor-turned politician Vijaya Kumaratunga and paid a visit to the north to meet the separatist terrorist groups and paid another visit to South India accompanied by Chandrika to ask the terrorists to give up arms and accept a political settlement. However the LTTE terrorists did never honour what normal honourable people or groups respect as they were only a dishonourable group of murderers who had no honour. Therefore when the attempt on her life came it was not a surprise as the separatist terrorists usually forget any kindness or recognition given to them.

Therefore the only surprise in the suicide attack was that the intended target Chandrika Survived but 23 others were killed while a large number of people including three ministers were injured in the attack.

The suicide bomber was a woman who had come along with the large crowd of people who had come to hear the speakers including President Chandrika Kumaratunga at the final election rally of the PA held at the Colombo Town Hall grounds and crept to the very first row in the meeting pretending to be one of the PA supporters.

When Chandrika finished her speech and was moving towards her car with her bodyguards the woman bomber attempted to climb over the barricade on the grounds but a senor police officer saw her and pushed her down to prevent her climbing over the barricade. She just then exploded her bomb and a large number of people were killed.

The LTTE once again demonstrated that their only language was that of murder but were not prepared to listen to any person who wanted to resolve their problem in peaceful ways.

All leaders whether they were the first to cast the die in the long drawn out campaign of terror, or whether they tacitly or openly supported the terrorists knowingly or unknowingly finally became targets of the LTTE but in the case of CBK she seemed to have a charmed life as she was one of the very few people to escape in attack of the LTTE terrorists.

Two committees to probe Town Hall, Ja-ela incidents

Hilary RAJAKARUNANAYAKE

"The condition of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has been improving since she suffered minor injuries at Saturday's bomb blast at Town Hall, Colombo just after she had addressed the final PA rally prior to the Presidential Election. Her right eye had been injured, but it has not impaired her vision.

"She is presently wearing a bandage on her right eye. In fact she has started working from her bedside having opened a small office in the room adjoining her bedroom at the hospital where the Defence Secretary and her Private Secretary are working very closely with her." This was stated by Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera at a special press conference of the Media Unit of the People's Alliance held at Galadari Hotel yesterday. The purposes of the press conference was to clarify matters regarding the President's health and to arrest wild rumours regarding the aftermath of the bomb blast.

Answering questions raised by reporters Minister Samaraweera said that the President has through the IGP already appointed one committee to probe the weakness of security at the Town Hall blast, consisting of three senior police officers, DIGs Indra de Silva, Jayatissa Herat and R. K. Karunasena. Another such committee has been appointed to probe weak security at the Ja-ela bomb blast, in which former Major general Lucky Algama and 11 others were killed, consisting of P. K. C. Perera (DIG) Camillus Abeygoonewardene (DIG) and F. R. Alles (SSP). The President has directed that both these reports should be submitted by 23rd December.

Several world leaders have sent messages of good wishes and concern about the condition of President Kumaratunga. Among them are the President of India K. R. Narayan, Prime Minister of India Atal Behari Vaypayee and President Bill Clinton of the USA and President Jacques Chirac of France.

Minister Samaraweera also categorically stated that the Presidential election will not be postponed although several attempts were made in devious ways to get the election postponed, from the very day the nominations were announced. The President had on Saturday night from her hospital bed given the order to proclaim a curfew in the Colombo and Gampaha districts. Her motive in doing so was to give special protection and security to Tamils in Colombo and Gampaha districts. The President had given special instructions to double the security in Wellawatte and Kotahena etc. where most residences were those of Tamils. She has clearly stated that under no circumstances will she ever tolerate any communal backlash.

Asked why she is not being shown on TV Minister Samaraweera replied that since her eye was bandaged and since the Sinhalese were an emotional race, there was no necessity to provoke anybody. A regular medical bulletin will be issued for the benefit of the nation by a panel of doctors treating her on her improvement in health.

Answering a question whether there could be any connection between the statement made by Ranil Wickremesinghe that he will hand over President Chandrika Kumaratunga to Prabhakaran, and Saturday's bomb blast at the Town Hall in Colombo, Minister Samaraweera replied that Ranil became Prime Minister after President Premadasa was assassinated by the LTTE, and Ranil became UNP leader after Gamini Dissanayake was assassinated by the LTTE. It is left for the public to judge whether Ranil wanted to succeed to the Presidency after giving Chandrika to Prabhakaran which virtually meant after the assassination of President Chandrika by the LTTE.

Vartharajah Perumal of the EPRLF vehemently condemned the assassination attempt on the President by the LTTE and wished her a speedy recovery. Tamils should never forget that the barbaric and brutal acts of the LTTE destroyed the democratic system and by doing so the LTTE only intended to fuel anti Tamil riots in Colombo. Tamils in any part of the country should realise that by supporting the LTTE they are only digging their own graves.

Sivadasan of the EPDP said that the LTTE attempt to snatch away the life of President Chandrika was no surprise. We have decided to support her for her bold and courageous decision to support the Tamil minorities. When Kobbekaduwa contested the Presidency there were a large majority of votes from Jaffna. This time, too, she will reap a large harvest of votes from Jaffna.

Siddharthan of the PLOTE said that wile condemning the dastardly act of the LTTE in attempting to kill President Chandrika, since 1956 no Sinhala leader has ever given the concessions proposed in her package to the Tamil people. We sincerely hope it will go through Parliament. That is why we support her wholeheartedly.

M. Zuhair of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress said they condemned the dastardly attempted assassination. He observed that due to the barricades President Chandrika's life was saved. He complimented the Government for not taking political advantage of the situation and for advocating calmness in the face of adversity.

Sivadasan of the Ceylon Workers Congress said that they appreciated the determination of the President to give equality and development to the quality of life of the Tamils. That is why we repledge ourselves to support her. We strongly condemn this foul deed of the LTTE.

Srimani Athulathmudali of the Lalith Front conveyed her sympathies to the loved ones of the President and of the victims of the bomb blasts. She urged everyone to act with prayers and restraint in this dark hour. She condemned the LTTE.

Minister Batty Weerakoon also condemned the cowardly act of the LTTE. Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Leader of the Dissident UNP Group quoting figures from the BBC London said that according to a BBC survey conducted by Tensing Zega of the BBC, President Chandrika would poll 57 per cent of the votes and that Ranil Wickremesinghe would poll 37 per cent.

When the BBC local correspondent questioned him about the authenticity of the figures Dr. Amunugama produced all documents and stated that he was surprised the local correspondent was ignorant of the survey done by the BBC, the very organisation for which the local correspondent worked.

World renowned dancers Chitrasena and Vajira, Professor Tissa Vitarana of the LSSP Politburo, Harim Pieris of the Liberal Party, Podiappuhamy of the Deshavimukthi Party, Hudson Samarasinghe, Dr. Stanley Kalpage, Sarath Divaraka of the Jana Vimukthi Sahayogatha Peramuna, Kamal Karunadasa, Minister C. V. Gooneratne, Minister Dharmasiri Senanayake, Minister Sarath Amunugama, Minister Kingsley Wickremaratne (with an injured hand), Minister D. M. Jayaratne, Kessaralal Gunasekera, MP, and DIG Illangakoon also associated themselves with the Government.

'I am No. 1 on hit list', she said earlier

On the spot report by Lionel Yodhasinghe

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kuamaratunga had a miraculous escape when a suspected LTTE suicide bomber set off a massive blast killing 23 persons including her personal driver, and injuring over one hundred others including Ministers Prof. G. L. Peiris, Alavi Mowlana and Kingsley Wickramaratne at the PA's final election rally at Town Hall on Saturday night.

The entire nation, no doubt, heaved a collective sigh of relief when they heard that their President survived the dastardly assassination attempt on her. The President's final words were an impassioned plea for support to usher in a united Sri Lanka.

She had a special message for Tamils before she wound up her hour-long speech. "Please bear with me for the inconvenience caused to you at security checkpoints which have become a necessity for your own security too. Please also remember that I am the number one on the LTTE hit list," she said. The President added that there was information that the LTTE had sent suicide killers to the city.

The suicide bomber had rushed towards her and exploded herself as she was about to get into the waiting car.

The flood-lit Town Hall ground took a festive mood as sparkles and fire crackers shot into the sky to mark President Kumaratunga's re-election on December 22.

In another split second, the mass rally turned to a bedlam when the explosion rocked the grounds filled with a massive gathering.

Earlier jubilant crowds pressed against the security fence to have a close look at President Kumaratunga leaving the premises. Destiny decreed some of them were to have the final glance at their loving leader.

The blast went off between the security fence and where the television crews were packing their equipment opposite the stage. The crowd behind the stage was under the impression that it was yet another burst of powerful fire crackers similar to those that rent the air like thundershowers to mark the beginning of the rally earlier in the afternoon.

Shrieks of pain and yells for help followed the explosion.

The panicked people were running helter-skelter.

Newspaper reporters including this correspondent who were waiting for the security nod to leave the premises, threw themselves on the ground slowly withdrew towards the backyard of the Town Hall for safety.

Tension and panic reigned for a few seconds. Securitymen too were seen lying on the ground and withdrawing from the scene while some were raising alarm for precaution.

"Down, down, there will be more blasts," a securityman in civvies warned a group of women running for safety.

India offers to treat President

COLOMBO, Sunday (AFP)

India Sunday offered medical assistance to treat Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga who was wounded in a suicide bomb attack that left 23 others dead and over 110 wounded, diplomats said. The offer from the Indian Government had been conveyed to Kumaratunga's officer, diplomats said, as the President was recovering at a private hospital here after eye surgery.

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Monday: 8 dead, 73 injured in Vavuniya bomb blast

Yesterday: 52 civilians hacked to death by LTTE

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