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SLPP MP stresses need to probe the origins of NTJ terror, raises five specific issues after thorough consideration

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Dr. Nalaka Godahewa

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Dissident SLPP MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa says in spite of several investigations, in some instances supported by foreign experts, the government hasn’t been able to convince the Catholic Church, as well as some other concerned parties, as to the origins of the National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) terror plot.

Therefore, the urgent need to address the concerns and grievances of those who had been affected by the Easter Sunday attacks couldn’t be ignored, the first-time entrant to Parliament said.

Dr. Godahewa said that the failure on the part of the government to reassure them even five years after the Easter Sunday carnage underscored significant weaknesses in the official investigations.

In a brief interview with The Island over the weekend, the former State Minister asserted that the crux of the matter is whether the group of suicide cadres had been directed by powerful elements who still evaded the attention of law enforcement authorities.

The Gampaha District MP said that he raised several contentious issues, including the possibility of the existence of Easter Sunday masterminds during three-day debate on the NTJ attacks held in Parliament last week. Dr. Godahewa said that the debate underscored the need to pay attention to several factors that had been dealt by various parties over and over again.

Along with the former External Affairs Minister and several other SLPP MPs, Dr. Godahewa has aligned himself with the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Responding to another query, Dr. Godahewa said that he would like to mention five specific issues that needed to be addressed as part of the overall efforts to prove that the government was keen to establish the truth.

The lawmaker pointed out that so many years after the almost simultaneous attacks that left nearly 300 innocent people dead and several hundreds more injured, controversy still surrounds the real identity of the person referred to as Abu Hind widely believed to be an Indian who may have handled Zahran. Dr. Godahewa said that Zahran Hashim’s wife, Fathima Hadiya, in her evidence, referred to this person who repeatedly got in touch with her husband to advise him in the run-up to the Easter Sunday attacks. What was Abu Hind’s motive, Dr. Godahewa asked?

The second question is why Abdul Lathiff Jameel, who had been tasked to detonate himself at the Taj Samudra hotel, Colombo, didn’t do so. Referring to statements made by various persons and disclosures made before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), MP Godahewa said that an explanation was needed as to why he aborted the deadly mission after receiving a call on his mobile.

Dr. Godahewa said that he still couldn’t comprehend as to why Jameel triggered his explosives kit at Tropical Inn, Dehiwela, after he was obviously directed by the caller to cancel the operation. The third issue, according to Dr. Godahewa is as to how intelligence personnel rushed to Jameel’s home immediately after he had left the Taj Samudra. Were intelligence authorities been aware of the sordid operations about to be undertaken by Jameel in advance?

Referring to the continuing controversy over Sara Jasmin, the wife of Katuwapitiya bomber Mohamed Hasthun, Dr. Godahewa questioned as to why a third DNA test had to be conducted to prove her death at NTJ hideout at Sainthamarutu about a week after the Easter Sunday attacks?

And finally, in spite of all sorts of explanations, the people were suspicious of the connection between the bombers and the intelligence officer who had been traced through an IP address, Dr. Godahewa said.

Pointing out that SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has assured the Church that an independent investigation would be conducted by his government, following the forthcoming presidential poll, Dr. Godahewa said that his group was ready to support such an endeavor. However, they wouldn’t, under any circumstances, support Yahapalana type witch hunts directed at opponents, Dr. Godahewa declared.

The lawmaker emphasized the need for a consensus among all stakeholders as to the type and framework for investigation that was to be undertaken after the change of government. Dr. Godahewa said that an independent mechanism was needed as the powers that be should inquire into whether a genuine investigation could be facilitated under the current laws.

The SLPPer said that they have to keep in mind that the Attorney General couldn’t move court on the basis of recommendations made by various commissions. This applied to PCoI on the Easter Sunday carnage, Dr. Godahewa said.

Recalling his visit to Katuwapitiya where over 100 people perished in Hasthun’s suicide bomb blast, Dr. Godahewa said that the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and the Catholic Church acted swiftly and decisively to prevent counter violence. Their response prevented another calamity, the MP said, emphasizing the responsibility on the part of the government to ensure a transparent investigation and punish those responsible.

Dr. Godahewa said that it would be a grave mistake on political parties to think the issue would fade away. That wouldn’t happen. The Catholic community would continue to press the government and other political parties over this issue, Dr. Godahewa said, adding that about 40 foreigners were among those killed on that day.



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Sri Lanka Navy joins commencement of AMAN-2025

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The multinational naval exercise AMAN-2025, hosted by the Pakistan Navy for the ninth time, commenced at Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on 07 Feb 25. The event was attended by Commanding Officer and crew of SLNS Vijayabahu, representing the Sri Lanka Navy.

AMAN-2025 will be held from 07 to 11 Feb in Karachi, and the multinational naval exercise will see the attendance of Navy Chiefs, stakeholders and think tank from maritime fraternity, from 60 nations.

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SME representatives accuse presidential aide of instigating protest against Central Bank

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Susantha Liyanaarachchi

A presidential advisor, identified as D. Gamage, had asked a delegation representing the SME sector to “surround the Central Bank” instead of troubling officers at the Presidential Secretariat, Susantha Liyanaarachchi, Chairman of the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) told the media yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat.

Liyanaarachchi said so following a meeting with Gamage, on Friday, during a protest staged by a group of small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, affiliated with the MSME Joint Alliance, outside the Presidential Secretariat against parate executions.

Five representatives were permitted to enter the Secretariat, where they also submitted a 17-point proposal aimed at reviving the domestic coconut oil industry.

“Gamage said there was no point in coming to the Presidential Secretariat. He asked us to surround the Central Bank. What an awful officer. We came here to settle our issues amicably, and Gamage told us to surround the Central Bank,” Liyanaarachchi said.

Liyanaarachchi also stated that the Central Bank did not adhere to instructions given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, exacerbating the concerns voiced by the MSME entrepreneurs.

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Govt. to seek new indictments in Lasantha murder case

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Harini

By Saman Indrajith

The government would try to initiate fresh indictments in the Lasantha Wickrematunga murder case, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said on Friday, pledging that those responsible for the murder of journalist Wickrematunga would be held accountable. She also stated that she intended to respond personally to a letter from Wickrematunga’s daughter, Ahimsa, who has called on Parliament to impeach Attorney General Parinda Ransinghe (Jr.) over the recent release of three suspects.

Ahimsa Wickrematunga’s request for impeachment followed the release of several individuals—among them a police officer—who had been arrested on accusations of destroying evidence, including a notebook belonging to her father and key police records. Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said, “I plan to respond directly to Ms Wickrematunga, as I fully understand her concerns and the distress she must be experiencing. We are doing our utmost to observe due process and uphold the independence of the Attorney General’s office, but justice must prevail.”

She went on to say, “We intend to seek justice for Lasantha Wickrematunga’s murder. President [Dissanayake] has met with those involved to determine the best course of action. We are examining the possibility of refiling or initiating new inquiries if necessary, as there is plenty of evidence.”

Opposition legislator Rauff Hakeem noted that the suspects were released on a technicality related to an identification parade, and expressed concern that the Attorney General was selectively releasing certain suspects, despite there being many dedicated officers within the Department. He added, “Ultimately, the purpose of all our judicial institutions is to deliver justice. If procedures obstruct that aim, we must re-examine them.”

Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated that the Government is open to debating the matter in Parliament, saying, “We will look at refiling charges or bringing new indictments where appropriate. We fully appreciate the gravity of this situation and the need for transparency, and we will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served.”

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