When Defence Secretary narrowly escaped an LTTE assassination bid six years ago:

His determination grew stronger

by K.M.H.C.B. Kulathunga

Sri Lanka's history would never have been rewritten and we would still be subjected to indiscriminate bombings and massacres had the LTTE been successful with their suicide mission at Piththala Junction, Colombo six years ago.

LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and his moribund Tiger terrorists would have planned it for almost a year to get rid of the biggest headache and challenge they had. They knew that the presence of a Defence Secretary who has had firsthand experience in the battle field would be a serious threat to them. Prabhakaran was acutely aware that the presence of former battle field expert would definitely shorten not only his lifespan as a terror leader but also his terrorist outfit, which was then tagged as the world's most ruthless terrorist outfit.

The wrecked vehicle of the Defence Secretary after the suicide attack

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa points out the bloodstains on his shirtsleeve

Prabhakaran set his action in motion, daydreaming that he would eliminate the man they wanted the most! But the nation was fortunate enough to have his services not only until the eradication of terrorism but until now to make Sri Lanka a safer, greener and cleaner place to live.

It was exactly six years ago - on December 1, 2006, that Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa narrowly escaped an LTTE assassination bid in Colombo, when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden three wheeler into his convoy.

Two soldiers were killed in the explosion while 13 others, including civilians, were injured. A headless body, suspected to be that of the suicide bomber, was seen in the back of a pick-up truck. The Defence Secretary Rajapaksa was in a bullet-proof BMW 7 Series car.

An unscathed Rajapaksa was whisked off to Temple Trees, where his elder brother, President Mahinda Rajapaksa greeted and embraced him. A previously scheduled National Security Council meeting was then held with their participation.

Vehicles badly damaged

The incident occurred near the traffic lights at Piththala Junction, Dharmapala Mawatha, (Green Path section) Kollupitiya around 10.35 a.m. on that day. Army commandos in the back-up trail motorcycles and Land Rover Defenders successfully obstructed the three wheeler and reduced the effectiveness of the blast.

Dharmapala Mawatha was sealed off for security reasons and more than eight vehicles were badly damaged including a VIP vehicle and a Land Rover. A civilian car was completely burnt and two other civilian cars were also severely damaged.

Several nearby houses and buildings were also damaged. Two suspects were arrested immediately in connection with the incident. The three-wheeler used by the bomber identified as WP GH-0617 belonged to a person in Grandpass.

The international community strongly condemned the attack on the Defence Secretary and said it bears all the hallmarks of an operation by the LTTE, the United States stated. "We once again call on the LTTE to renounce terrorism, to give up violence and to join in negotiating a peaceful solution to Sri Lanka's conflict," the US Embassy said in a statement.

The US condemned the terrorist attack. "While we are gratified that Secretary Rajapaksa is safe and well, the United States extends our sincere condolences to the families of those who were killed and wounded in this terrible incident."

Condemns attack

British Prime Minister Tony Blair had also got in touch with the High Commissioner in Colombo, expressing condemnation of the attack and his sympathies for those killed and injured. Peace facilitator Norway also vehemently condemned the suicide attack on the Defence Secretary.

Royal Norwegian Embassy spokesman Erik Nurnberg stated that Norway strongly denounces the attempt on the life of the Defence Secretary.

"We condemn this attack in the strongest terms. Incidents like this have kept on happening. We want to make it clear that such attacks are not going to make it easier to find a solution to Sri Lanka's problem," he said.

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), which was monitoring the controversial ceasefire agreement which was being implemented during that period, said it is deeply concerned over the attack on the Defence Secretary. The SLMM noted that the blast bears the hallmarks of methods used by the LTTE in the past.

But as a true son of our soil and a dedicated ex-Army officer, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was determined in defeat.

Though the LTTE was able to come near his convey and make an unsuccessful attempt to take his life, a courageous Defence Secretary vowed to bounce back and eradicate terrorism and he did exactly that with the support of the Security Forces.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa embraces his brother, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, minutes after the incident

"You may already by aware that through the blessings of good fortune, the LTTE terrorists failed in their attempt to take my life today. However contemptible their effort may be, I treat them with compassion. I take this opportunity to inform you that I am not ready to abandon the responsibility we have towards the country, in the face of such cowardly attacks by the LTTE, and to reaffirm our commitment to the national need to defeat the LTTE's terrorism," he said in a statement issued after the attack on December 1, 2006.

He said: "Far from abandoning our determination and commitment to defeat all efforts of the LTTE to achieve its bloodthirsty aims by grossly misleading the international community; in the face of attacks such as these, I would hesitate to even think of it"

Building a new Sri Lanka

"I wish to appeal to all our people and the international community to avoid any action that will demoralise and weaken the determination of our brave troops who are ready, at the sacrifice of their lives, to make real the dream of the President of building a new Sri Lanka, where all Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people can live happily in peace and harmony.

Whatever obstructions we may face, I wish to emphasise that we should not deviate from the people's desire to bring about a permanent peace to the country; because peace is the primary need of the nation"

"I wish to express my gratitude to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the face of this attack by assassins; I wish speedy recovery to the members of the security forces and civilians who were injured in this attack; and thank my security personnel who faced up to the challenge of the assassins. Finally, what I wish to reiterate before you is the singular truth that it will never be possible to defeat this great country through the bloody savagery of the cowardly LTTE terrorists"

"As citizens, I request you to wish all necessary courage and strength to the Security Forces who are your own brothers and sisters and appreciate the efforts taken by them to safeguard you.

I ask you to raise your voice for the cause of peace, to realise your expectations of a peaceful and harmonious Sri Lanka," were the very same words of Defence Secretary after the attack.

When we look back at this statement, we now feel that all those wishes have now become a reality. Sri Lanka and its people were fortunate enough that the LTTE suicide bomber was unsuccessful with the mission.

Two and a half years after the failed assassination bid, Defence Secretary accomplished his mission successfully under the political sagacity of President Rajapaksa by eradicating LTTE terror. Sri Lanka not only crushed the LTTE but also became the first country to eradicate terrorism.

As the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has extended his services to other areas as well, thereby paving way to build not only a peaceful country but a strong and healthier nation.

Some people may have already forgotten the dark era under LTTE threats. In the past, we were not sure of the lives of our loved ones once they leave home.

The Tiger terrorists not only exploded bombs everywhere but also crippled the country's economy badly. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the gentleman officer risked his own life in providing the peaceful atmosphere that one and all enjoy today. The nation is ever grateful for masterminding the battle against terrorism and saving the country under the leadership of President Rajapaksa.