BOOK BOMBSHELL - DARK CHAPTER REVISITED AT ‘LAKSHMAN’ LAUNCH

There were several indictments of the dark era of a former President, when Media Centre for National Security head Lakshman Hullugalle’s book “Lakshman’ was launched yesterday at the Kingsbury Colombo, in the presence of Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The launch of the book “Lakshman” by Media Centre for National Security Director General Lakshman Hulugalle was held at the Balmoral Ballroom Kingsbury Colombo (Former Ceylon Continental Hotel) last evening. Here,Lakshman Hulugalle presenting the first copy of his book to Chief Guest Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Guest of Honour Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is also in the picture. Picture by Lalith C Gamage

“Chandrika Kumaratunge sent Beddegana Sangeeva to our residence to take Apacchi (father) to Temple Trees when the entire Channel 9 controversy was ongoing, and fortunately he did not go. If he went, he probably would not have returned alive that day”, Sachini Hullugalle, Lakshman Hullugalle’s daughter said, delivering the concluding speech and vote of thanks. She also recalled how they were as a family under siege, as her father Hulugalle was attacked relentlessly in the state media.

Hullugalle himself said that the state media was used during the Kumaratunge regime to attack him baselessly over the so called Channel 9 issue – once from 7 pm to 3 am in the morning on state television.

Other speakers also recalled the influences brought to bear during the Kumaratunge regime on newspapers for instance, to attack Hullugalle on the Channel 9 deal.

A string of names from a dark and forbidding aspect of a bygone era was recalled - and among the incidents mentioned were the arson incident involving film star Anoja Weerasinghe’s house, and the intimidation that took place by taking a barber’s knife to the Rukantha Gunatilleke musician couple.

Lake House Chairman Bandula Padmakumara who also spoke on invitation, called for greater accountability of that era - - and for those who offended and intimidated in this fashion to be finally brought to book.

The most moving testimony however was by Sachini Hullugalla who recalled the intimidating tactics of the then regime, and reiterated on several occasions how her father ‘managed to save his life from these dark forces.’ The book ‘Lakshman’ among other things is mostly a narration of his side of the story on Channel 9 – which is a vindication against all attacks launched against him in that era.

Lakshman Hulugalle was able to keep the people awakened to what was really happening in the battlefield and he fulfilled his duty wholeheartedlyand rendered a noteworthy service to his motherland, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said. The Chief Guest was the defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and Guest of Honour for the event was Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Chairman Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd Mr. Bandula Padmakumara delivered his address recalling incidents from his past association with Lakshman Hullugalla. He recalled how a former Presidential media advisor Sanath Goonetillke prevailed upon the media at that time on the Channel 9 story, and played a key role in intimidating the media – and others.

As the founder editor of the Lakbima newspaper Mr. Padmakumara said he never succumbed to these pressures and resigned when the Lakbima Management of the Sumathipalas prevailed upon him to abide by media czar Sanath Gunatilleke’s request.

Lakshman performed his duties by the Nation and it is worth reading his book as he has explained the ground realities of Sri Lankan politics, Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.Parliamentarian JRP Suriyapperuma making the keynote address invited all Sri Lankans to read the book as all of history is depicted through biographies.

The facts that have come out from biographies have created the history. “Biographies are the windows through which we can see the past”, he said. Suriyapperuma made a request from all military personnel to write books from their experiences and commended the book ‘Lakshman’ as a work with episodes on some notable chapters of Sri Lankan politics. Hulugalle had a baptism of fire, and his life was all about examples. His immense experiences had laid the foundation to bear up challenges, he stated.