Karuna Amman's comments draw widespread condemnation

by Zulfick Farzan 21-06-2020 | 5:40 PM

Colombo (News 1st); Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias ‘Karuna Amman’, a one time Deputy Minister in the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government, has come under fire for recently admitting he killed 2000 to 3000 Sri Lankan soldiers in one night at Elephant Pass when with the LTTE.

Ajith P. Perera representing the Samagi Jana Balavegaya called on authorities to arrest and prosecute Karuna Amman as he had admitted to the fact he killed personnel from the legal military body, as part of a terrorist body.

Perera said Karuna Amman was never legally pardoned by the government and therefore he needs to be prosecuted for admitting to a crime punishable by death.

Channa Jayasumana from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna said Karuna Amman's statement was unnecessary as it had brought disrespect to the war heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for sovereignty and unit of the country.

However, he said Karuna Amman was brought into the fold at the time, as it was necessary to fight evil with evil.

He said over the past decade and a half, Karuna Amman had shown he carries no evil, and if he still carries evil with him, the people of the country should respond to it accordingly.

Navin Dissanayake, a former Minister from the United National Party condemned the statement noting since 1977 every Defence Minister ensured priority was given to the defenses of Elephant Pass, including the late Lalith Athulathmudali.

W. D. J. Seneviratne from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna said Karuna Amman's defection from the LTTE was Prabhakaran's weak point and the need of the hour was to defeat the LTTE.

However, Seneviratne said as per the law of the country necessary action needs to be taken with regard to the deaths committed by him.

Venerable (Dr.) Omalpe Sobitha Thero said the opportunity is now for the Government, the Attorney General, and law enforcement to take appropriate action against Karuna Amman.

Referring to Karuna Amman as a "Criminal", the thero said if there is a failure on the part of law enforcement, the military hierarchy must take necessary steps to protect its own self-respect.