LTTE's prime target

Assassination of Major General (Rtd.) Janaka perera

The unidentified LTTE suicide bomber who blew himself to smithereens at the ceremonial opening of the new North Central UNP Opposition office at Anuradhapura somehow managed to penetrate all security check points and enter the UNP office last week. He did so with a haul of explosives strapped on to his body posing off as a UNP loyalist and set off the deadly blast that killed 29 persons and injured more than 94 persons.

This time the victims included the retired Major General Janaka Perera, a decorated soldier, and his wife Vajira, the UNP Anuradhapura Manager Dr. Raja Johnpulle and his wife, three lawyers, Provincial Council Members and others. The horrific incident happened just after the opening ceremony concluded around 8.15 a.m. last Monday. The newly opened UNP Opposition office was situated at Dharmapla Mawatha, Anuradhapura close to the old bus stand.

Mutilated bodies strewn all over the place with critically injured fallen to the ground, groaning and writhing in pain, has become a common sight following bomb explosions staged by LTTE in Colombo and elsewhere in the past.

Reports suggest the suicide bomber had mingled with UNP supporters and was seen seated alongside with party activists in the main hall. He had waited patiently until the opportune moment came to set off the blast. That moment came to him just after the main function concluded. Major General Janaka Perera invited all his party supporters and well wishers to part take in milk rice and other refreshments laid on tables in the adjoining room.

The Police Media Spokesman, SSP Ranjith Gunesekara, told the "Sunday Observer" the suicide bomber with a limp had then boldly walked into the room along with others to part take refreshments. When the assassin got closer to Major General Janaka Perera, he unbuttoned his shirt and bared his chest setting off a huge explosion that killed and maimed several persons gathered there. SSP Gunesekara also said the Government Analyst's had opined that around one kilo of high powered explosives with thousands of iron ball-bearings were used in the deadly attack that caused so many people to die. Initial investigations had revealed the building where the UNP opposition office was housed had belonged to a person named Iqbal in the area. He had rented it out to the UNP.

Meanwhile five police teams headed by Supdt of Police, Jayalath have been detailed to investigate the carnage.

The police teams have been sent to Anuradhapura from other areas and will work directly under the overall supervision of Senior DIG Jayantha Gamage of the North Central Province. According to SSP Ranjith Gunesekera police are scrutinising the Video footage of the Sirasa journalist who also died in the explosion. The video footage will unravel clues that could possibly help to establish the identify the mysterious LTTE suicide bomber. Due to incomplete investigations, much could not be said at this juncture, he said.

Initial reports however suggest the suicide bomber after entering the room where Major General Janaka Perera, had greeted him by bending before detonating the bomb. Major General Perera had under LTTE threats. He played a heroic role in defending the Welioya army camp when he was the commanding officer in the mid 90's. Before the LTTE launched a offensive at Welioya Brigadier Janaka Perera had prior information about it the invasion. He was tipped off that hundreds of LTTE cadres were to launch an attack on the Welioya camp. After laying a trap he alerted his troops and waited patiently for arrival of LTTE cadres.

According to reports Major General Janaka Perera was warned by a friend from Singapore a few days prior to death that there was an imminent threat to his life. But the Major General had not taken the threat seriously and down played the issue. n