Hidden for 25 Years: Explosive Revelations from the Batalanda Commission Report!

COLOMBO (News 1st); A highly critical revelation from the Batalanda Commission Report, was hidden in the National Archives Department's vault for nearly twenty-five years.

This revelation pertains to the confidential statement given by Vincent Fernando, also known as Reggie, before the commission.

Translated Extract Of Transcript:

Question: If there is anything else, you can tell the honorable commission.

Vincent Fernando: To prevent such crimes in the future, if these people are released from the tears of innocent parents, such incidents can happen. If my children were of that age at that time, such things could happen to them too. If I don't take such a step now, I will face the same fate.

On July 25, 1996, at 3:50 PM, Vincent Fernando, also known as Reggie, made this statement before the Batalanda Commission.

Who is Vincent Fernando, also known as Reggie?

Reginald Sylvester Vincent Fernando, also known as Reggie, was a witness before the Batalanda Commission.

In 1980, Reggie worked as a sanitary worker and caretaker at the National Youth Services Council's tourist bungalow in Nilaveli, Trincomalee.

During this period, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the then-Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment, visited the tourist bungalow and spent the night there.

Reggie stated before the commission that he came to serve as the caretaker of Ranil Wickremesinghe's Batalanda residence following an invitation from Wickremesinghe.

Accordingly, Reggie served as the caretaker of Ranil Wickremesinghe's residence at 2/2 and was provided with accommodation at 2/3.

Reggie's Confidential Statement:

On July 25, 1996, at 2:20 PM, Reggie began his confidential statement, explaining that he had received legal advice before appearing before the commission.

Excerpt - Confidential Statement by Vincent Fernando before the Batalanda Commission

Vincent Fernando: Yes, the opposition leader called my wife and asked me to come if I was available. That's when I learned that I was needed as a witness for the Batalanda Commission.

At the time of this statement, the opposition leader was former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Following Ranil Wickremesinghe's invitation, Reggie went to his house but met his security officer, Sudath Chandrasekara.

Translated Extract Of Transcript:

Question: What did he say?

Vincent Fernando: He said that a Batalanda Commission has been appointed and that you have the opportunity to answer questions related to it.

Question: So, what did you say in response to the security officer?

Vincent Fernando: He advised me to go to the police headquarters and answer questions as I had done before with the senior officer.

While giving his confidential statement before the commission, Reggie stated that he was aware of the murders that took place in the Batalanda housing complex.

Translated Extract Of Transcript:

Question: Are you saying that Ranil Wickremesinghe's security officers were talking to Douglas Peiris's subordinates?

Vincent Fernando: Yes.

Question: You said that certain people were killed. Who were they? Not by names, but which group did they belong to?

Vincent Fernando: According to their conversation, they were talking about killing members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

Question: You said you saw people being detained in the B house. How did you see it?

Vincent Fernando: On one occasion, I went to the place in the evening to meet the army officers on duty. At that time, I saw people with their hands tied and eyes blindfolded, lying on the ground inside a room.

Reggie also made statements about the discussions that took place inside Ranil Wickremesinghe's house.

Translated Extract Of Transcript:

Question: Have you ever heard police officers providing information to the honorable minister?

Vincent Fernando: Yes.

Question: Did you ever see the honorable minister advising the police officers or army officers not to do such things?

Vincent: No.

Question: Do you remember any such news reports? Do you recall whether the minister advised the officers to not engage in such acts, when they informed him about the terrorists, and their terrorist activities?

Vincent Fernando: Yes, sometimes I heard Douglas Peiris being advised.

Question: What kind of advice did you hear?

Vincent Fernando: He used the words 'Out Them'

Question: What kind of words?

Vincent Fernando: There were times that he had meetings with Douglas Peiris in his bedroom. I have heard the words 'Out Them'. I do not know more.

Question: You are saying under oath that you heard the honorable minister telling Douglas Peiris to 'out' them?

Vincent Fernando: Yes.

Question: What did you understand by "out them"?

Vincent Fernando: To get eliminate them.

Question: You said that various people were detained in certain houses.

Vincent Fernando: Yes.

Question: Did you hear anything from those houses?

Vincent Fernando: Sometimes.

Question: What did you hear?

Vincent Fernando: Sounds of crying.

Question: Did you hear that they were being tortured?

Vincent Fernando: Yes.

Question: Did you hear it clearly?

Vincent Fernando: Yes.

Question: When did you hear it?

Vincent Fernando: In the evening.

Question: Do you know what happens to the suspects detained in those houses after some time?

Vincent Fernando: After investigating, I found that they disappeared after two days, and later, bloodstains were found in the vans.

Question: In which vehicles?

Vincent Fernando: In the vans.

After giving this confidential statement, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was the opposition leader at the time, was summoned before the commission.

A few days before that, Vincent Fernando, also known as Reggie, died mysteriously.

The entire Batalanda Commission Report contains 14,000 pages.

Within these 14,000 pages, many details of these serious crimes are included.

Now, the question remains: When will justice be served for the victims?