17th Death Anniversary of late Lalith Athulathmudali 23rd April 2010:

Meeting Lalith 48 hrs prior to his assassination

During the terror period in the mid 80s I was compelled to leave the country to save my life. However, from time to time I came to my motherland for a brief holiday. During my short visits I made it a point to meet Lalith Athulathmudali and brief him regarding my progress and achievements and discuss matters of common interests and the political situation in particular.

Whilst serving in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, at the request of Lalith, the then Chairman of the SLPA, Wimal Amarasekera appointed me in addition to my duties as the Co-ordinater of Mahapola. Having given my best service to promote and propagate the Mahapola Concept I was able to win the goodwill and confidence of Lalith.

In 1993, when I came to Sri Lanka, I got an appointment to meet with Lalith at his residence at Inner Flower Road at 10.30 a.m., November 21. If my memory is correct it was a Sunday. When I entered his residence there was a big crowd. Lalith was very busy speaking to MPs, Candidates, Supporters, Organizers and well-wishers as he was contesting the Chief Minister’s post, Western Province.

I was patiently awaiting my turn. Around 12.30 p.m. Lalith accompanied me to his library. He enquired regarding my health and the performance and functions of the shipping line I worked for. My response was that it is a privilege to have been able to serve the second largest shipping line in the world with fringe benefits and substantial emoluments. But it is a more or less a police state. Lalith’s prompt response was, “Godwin, it is same here.”

There are death threats to my life over the phone. All my movements are being monitored by sleuths. Cars and motorbikes roaming around my house raising the noise from time to time. My little daughter Sarala and wife Srimani are living in fear and tension. I felt very sad to hear of the tragic state of a leader who has given his best to the motherland as the Minister of Trade and Shipping, Minister of National Security and Deputy Minister of Defence.

Lalith’s final question to me was “are you going back or will you remain in Sri Lanka?” My answer was I will be going back. He responded “At present this is not a safe country, you may come back when the situation improves for betterment and safety of life is ensured, until then take care.

I responded, “Sir, our country needs your services for many more years. Please take care of your life and your family.” Within 48 hrs. (April 23, 1994) around 8.30 p.m., I was shocked and horrified to hear the news of Lalith’s assassination at an election rally at Kirulapona.

A Godwin de Alwis , Former Asst. Secretary , Sri Lanka Ports Authority