Gota assassination bid and the TNA factor
As a handler and LTTE agent, Sivakumaran was assigned with the preparation and carrying out of a vital task. He was to coordinate the
assassination of Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
V. Sivakumaran has had a very good rapport with Prabha, the Majestic City businessman who was nabbed by the state intelligence sometime ago, and of which this column gave the details earlier. Prabha had financed and assisted him to purchase the house at Athurugiriya, and also obtain a luxury Toyota vehicle apart from other matters. Prabha had also introduced him to Lt. Col. Ranjith Perera, who is currently in custody for maintaining links with the Tigers.
 Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa |
The State Intelligence Services (SIS) sleuths’ eagle eyes are keenly watching over the city of Colombo and its suburbs. The war may be over, but for them their objectives are not. Every day and every moment, they are busy pouring over details, sometimes even scant information which may lead to the arrest of any individual even remotely connected to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or its affiliates.
Recently, they were successful in nabbing one such person from the Athrugiriya area. This person, whom this column will identify as V. Sivakumaran, though this is not his actual name, is the son a prominent Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliament member who has been residing in the Athurugiriya area since early 2006. This column will not go into the details of how he arrived in Colombo, as it has already divulged the details of similar arrivals of LTTE agents and handlers into the capital.
Recently, they were successful in nabbing one such person from the Athrugiriya area. This person, whom this column will identify as V. Sivakumaran, though this is not his actual name, is the son a prominent Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliament member who has been residing in the Athurugiriya area since early 2006. This column will not go into the details of how he arrived in Colombo, as it has already divulged the details of similar arrivals of LTTE agents and handlers into the capital.
The beginning of Tiger terror
V. Sivakumaran was such a LTTE or Tiger handler. But some unique features differentiate him from the others. One is that he is the son a prominent Tamil National Alliance (TNA) politician. The other is that his uncle Sellakkili was a pioneering member of the LTTE terrorist outfit from its inception. Sellakkili and some others were responsible for blowing up a truck in which Sri Lanka Army personnel were travelling in July 23, 1983. This truck was approaching Urumpirai from Thinnavely when it was targetted. Sellakkily himself is said to have detonated the mine which blew up the truck. A fire fight ensued and afterwards, when the fleeing Tiger members had retreated and were being congratulated by its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, Sellakkili’s absence had been noticed. One of the cadres, Victor had then rushed towards a boutique where Sellakkili had taken up position during the attack, to find him lying with a gunshot injury to his chest. Sellakkili had succumbed to his injuries later.
V. Sivakumaran was such a LTTE or Tiger handler. But some unique features differentiate him from the others. One is that he is the son a prominent Tamil National Alliance (TNA) politician. The other is that his uncle Sellakkili was a pioneering member of the LTTE terrorist outfit from its inception. Sellakkili and some others were responsible for blowing up a truck in which Sri Lanka Army personnel were travelling in July 23, 1983. This truck was approaching Urumpirai from Thinnavely when it was targetted. Sellakkily himself is said to have detonated the mine which blew up the truck. A fire fight ensued and afterwards, when the fleeing Tiger members had retreated and were being congratulated by its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, Sellakkili’s absence had been noticed. One of the cadres, Victor had then rushed towards a boutique where Sellakkili had taken up position during the attack, to find him lying with a gunshot injury to his chest. Sellakkili had succumbed to his injuries later.
Sivakumaran the handler
As a handler and LTTE agent, Sivakumaran was assigned with the preparation and carrying out of a vital task. He was to coordinate the assassination of Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
V. Sivakumaran has had a very good rapport with Prabha, the Majestic City businessman who was nabbed by the state intelligence sometime ago, and of which this column gave the details earlier. Prabha had financed and assisted him to purchase the house at Athurugiriya, and also obtain a luxury Toyota vehicle apart from other matters. Prabha had also introduced him to Lt. Col. Ranjith Perera, who is currently in custody for maintaining links with the Tigers. (This column sometime back also exposed the involvement of Lt. Col. Perera.) Lt. Col. Ranjith Perera is said to have provided Sivakumaran with much of the details pertaining to the movements of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
As a handler and LTTE agent, Sivakumaran was assigned with the preparation and carrying out of a vital task. He was to coordinate the assassination of Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
V. Sivakumaran has had a very good rapport with Prabha, the Majestic City businessman who was nabbed by the state intelligence sometime ago, and of which this column gave the details earlier. Prabha had financed and assisted him to purchase the house at Athurugiriya, and also obtain a luxury Toyota vehicle apart from other matters. Prabha had also introduced him to Lt. Col. Ranjith Perera, who is currently in custody for maintaining links with the Tigers. (This column sometime back also exposed the involvement of Lt. Col. Perera.) Lt. Col. Ranjith Perera is said to have provided Sivakumaran with much of the details pertaining to the movements of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
The plan to assassinate Gotabhaya
The LTTE agents in and around Colombo had prepared a comprehensive plan to assassinate the Defence Secretary, who they believed would be the major obstruction in their path to achieving a separate Tamil state of Eelam. Their plan had been comprehensive, with all details being looked into with alternate measures also being put in place.
Two LTTE suicide cadres, one male and the other female, have been specially brought to Colombo for this purpose. After arrival in Colombo, the female cadre had tried out her suicide kit, containing around five kilograms of explosives, at a house in Manning Place. Afterwards, she had been dispatched to a safe house in the Kegalle area with specific instructions that she be in Colombo within 24 hours of notice. She had been assigned a vehicle with a driver as well for this specific purpose.
The male suicide cadre was to ride a motor bicycle laden with explosives, and was to ram it against the Defence Secretary’s vehicle or others from the security escort. A three wheeler or a van was to follow this motor cycle. This vehicle would carry several cadres armed with Uzi machine guns, the Israeli built weapons which are compact and easy to carry concealed. They would also carry six or more grenades and two spare magazines of ammunition for the Uzis. Identifying the approach of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had been made easier for them by the closure of Colombo roads, whenever he travelled along them.
The LTTE agents in and around Colombo had prepared a comprehensive plan to assassinate the Defence Secretary, who they believed would be the major obstruction in their path to achieving a separate Tamil state of Eelam. Their plan had been comprehensive, with all details being looked into with alternate measures also being put in place.
Two LTTE suicide cadres, one male and the other female, have been specially brought to Colombo for this purpose. After arrival in Colombo, the female cadre had tried out her suicide kit, containing around five kilograms of explosives, at a house in Manning Place. Afterwards, she had been dispatched to a safe house in the Kegalle area with specific instructions that she be in Colombo within 24 hours of notice. She had been assigned a vehicle with a driver as well for this specific purpose.
The male suicide cadre was to ride a motor bicycle laden with explosives, and was to ram it against the Defence Secretary’s vehicle or others from the security escort. A three wheeler or a van was to follow this motor cycle. This vehicle would carry several cadres armed with Uzi machine guns, the Israeli built weapons which are compact and easy to carry concealed. They would also carry six or more grenades and two spare magazines of ammunition for the Uzis. Identifying the approach of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had been made easier for them by the closure of Colombo roads, whenever he travelled along them.
The proposed attack
The motorcycle and the three wheeler or van would be on standby at a by road until informed of the approach of the Defence Secretary. When the target approached, the motorcycle was to proceed towards the Defence Secretary’s vehicle or escort vehicles and ram against them. The ensuing explosion would create confusion and also might kill or maim several security personnel, but Rajapaksa’s vehicle might not be severely damaged as it is bullet or ballistic proof. In such an event, the security personnel would be forced to transfer Rajapaksa to another vehicle to be taken to safety.
During this crucial moment of transfer, the other Tiger cadres in the backup three-wheeler or van would barge in and open fire while hurling the grenades. This would be the real attempt on the life of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. His escaping with only injuries from such an attack would be quite remote indeed.
But the Tiger cadres would not leave it for granted. They had another alternative plan in the event the Defence Secretary was only injured. They apparently guessed that he would be rushed to the Emergency Services Unit of the National Hospital in Colombo, which is equipped to meet such eventualities. The female cadre stationed in Kegalle would then be at the scene of the attack , pretending to be one of the injured victims during the attack, and would be rushed to the National Hospital. She would be there by the time the Defence Secretary, if injured, was brought in. She would bide her time amidst the rush until Rajapaksa was transferred on to a stretcher or gurney to be taken into the ward. At this crucial moment, she would force herself among the crowd and jump towards Rajapaksa and blow herself up. Fortunately, this comprehensive plan had not materialised.
The motorcycle and the three wheeler or van would be on standby at a by road until informed of the approach of the Defence Secretary. When the target approached, the motorcycle was to proceed towards the Defence Secretary’s vehicle or escort vehicles and ram against them. The ensuing explosion would create confusion and also might kill or maim several security personnel, but Rajapaksa’s vehicle might not be severely damaged as it is bullet or ballistic proof. In such an event, the security personnel would be forced to transfer Rajapaksa to another vehicle to be taken to safety.
During this crucial moment of transfer, the other Tiger cadres in the backup three-wheeler or van would barge in and open fire while hurling the grenades. This would be the real attempt on the life of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. His escaping with only injuries from such an attack would be quite remote indeed.
But the Tiger cadres would not leave it for granted. They had another alternative plan in the event the Defence Secretary was only injured. They apparently guessed that he would be rushed to the Emergency Services Unit of the National Hospital in Colombo, which is equipped to meet such eventualities. The female cadre stationed in Kegalle would then be at the scene of the attack , pretending to be one of the injured victims during the attack, and would be rushed to the National Hospital. She would be there by the time the Defence Secretary, if injured, was brought in. She would bide her time amidst the rush until Rajapaksa was transferred on to a stretcher or gurney to be taken into the ward. At this crucial moment, she would force herself among the crowd and jump towards Rajapaksa and blow herself up. Fortunately, this comprehensive plan had not materialised.
The remnants recovered and political antics
These details were revealed by Sivakumaran while under interrogation by SIS personnel. And based on his revelations, security forces personnel recovered the suicide kit and part of the weapons arsenal from Andra Housing Complex at Modera in Mattakkuliya recently.
These details were not obtained within minutes or days. It had taken sleuths several weeks of painstaking corroborating of details and tremendous effort on their part. However what is surprising is the reactions of certain bankrupt politicians towards this episode. A left leaning politician, who had unsuccessfully contested several elections under his own party banner, and also in alliance with other opposition parties, has claimed that this whole episode is a cooked up story by the authorities. He and similar power hungry politicians have definitely underestimated the capabilities of the Sri Lankan security forces and Police in regard to winning the war against a ruthless LTTE. But they should remember, and remember well, that whoever comes to power, the interests of the country Security should be the prime concern.
These details were revealed by Sivakumaran while under interrogation by SIS personnel. And based on his revelations, security forces personnel recovered the suicide kit and part of the weapons arsenal from Andra Housing Complex at Modera in Mattakkuliya recently.
These details were not obtained within minutes or days. It had taken sleuths several weeks of painstaking corroborating of details and tremendous effort on their part. However what is surprising is the reactions of certain bankrupt politicians towards this episode. A left leaning politician, who had unsuccessfully contested several elections under his own party banner, and also in alliance with other opposition parties, has claimed that this whole episode is a cooked up story by the authorities. He and similar power hungry politicians have definitely underestimated the capabilities of the Sri Lankan security forces and Police in regard to winning the war against a ruthless LTTE. But they should remember, and remember well, that whoever comes to power, the interests of the country Security should be the prime concern.
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