Sunday Observer staffer gets death threats

Sunday Observer Deputy Editor Prasad Gunawardane has received death threats after the paper exposed the forged birth certificate issue of UNP MP Mohamed Maharoof and a Rs.14 million VAT scam of Mahaweli Lafarge Cement Company.

Gunawardane lodged a complaint at the Colombo Crime Division after he met Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando last Thursday night. CCD Chief SSP Sarath Lugoda is investigating the complaint.

Our staffer exposed in the Sunday Observer that MP Maharoof was born on March 7, 1951 but declared to Parliament that he was born on March 7, 1956. The MP had in his possession two forged National Identity Cards pertaining to the year 1956.

The MP had personally warned Mr. Janath S. Vidanage and Mr.Mohamed Minzar (Former Media Secretary to MP Maharoof) that they were responsible in supplying documents pertaining to his birth certificate to our staffer. MP Maharoof had told Vidanage that all three would be eliminated if his birth certificate issue was pursued.

Mr. Minzar was set upon by a gang of armed thugs at his Longden Place office on Wednesday. He was later admitted to the Colombo National Hospital Accident Service with serious head injuries.

Prior to the attack on Mr.Minzar, on that morning some unknown people had inquired whether Gunawardane was available in the office. Mr.Minzar from his hospital bed had telephoned Gunawardene and told him to take immediate precautions as the assailants had told Minzar that the next man to be dealt with is our staffer.

Gunawardene has handed over certified copies of Maharoof's Birth Certificate of 1951 and a copy of Mr. Maharoof's Passport (No.009031) which notes his date of birth as 7.3.1956 with National Identity Card No.001070439 claiming that the NIC and the 1956 Birth Certificate have been obtained on forged documents.