Watagala Holds Ranil Accountable for Torture and Murder

COLOMBO (News 1st); Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, has made serious allegations against Sri Lanka's Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, linking him to the abuse of power and involvement in torture chambers during his tenure as Minister of Industries and Scientific Affairs.

In a detailed statement, Watagala recounted his involvement in the student movement during the period in question and highlighted the tragic fate of individuals such as Wijeyadasa Liyanarachchi, Charitha Lankapura, and Kanchan Abeypala, who suffered in the Batalanda Torture Chamber and other similar facilities.

Watagala referred to the Batalanda Commission report, which introduced several recommendations and noted that Wickremesinghe had given directions to the police regarding anti-subversive activities. 

He said that the Commission held that Wickremesinghe had no legal authority to issue such directions and had abused his power. The report further stated that Wickremesinghe interfered with proper police duties and law enforcement.

He went on to note that the Commission of Inquiry implicated Wickremesinghe and SSP Nalin Delgoda in the maintenance of unlawful detention and torture chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme. It was revealed that house number B2 belonged to Wickremesinghe and house number B8 to SP Douglas Peiris, both of whom stayed in these houses and conspired to commit the acts in question.

Watagala said that the commission of inquiry noted that Wickremesinghe abused his authority by directing the release of these houses to police officers. 

Despite these facts, Wickremesinghe recently claimed on Al-Jazeera that the JVP incited fear based on the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord and launched an attack on the Sapugaskanda Police Station. Watagala pointed out the contradiction in Wickremesinghe's statements, noting that he had previously acknowledged that the JVP and other parties did not commit acts of violence.

The Commission of Inquiry also shed light on the disappearance of Wijeyadasa Liyanarachchi, with Ravi Jayawardena, son of former President J. R. Jayawardena, suggesting to the IGP that Liyanarachchi may have been arrested by the Tangalle Police. Watagala asserted that Wickremesinghe and Ravi Jayawardena were responsible for these deaths and must be held accountable.

Watagala concluded by stating that Wickremesinghe's association with Gonawala Sunil and Douglas Peiris led to the assassination of his comrades and that Wickremesinghe should be directly held responsible for these crimes. He vowed to take legal action against the real perpetrators.