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Tiran reveals how Basil paid Rs. 180 million to LTTE for Northern election boycott in 2005
2010 | 01 | 25
Tiran Alles said that Basil Rajapaksa paid Rs. 180 million to LTTE’s Emil Kanthan to ensure the Northern election boycott at the 2005 Presidential election in his office.
He made this revelation at a press conference held at his residence, which was attacked at No. 43, Galpoththa Road, Koswatte, Nawala, on Sunday (24).
He said the transaction was done according to a request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Alles said that he first met Emil Kanthan in 2002 following an introduction made by then Minister Jayalath Jayewardena. Emil Kanthan at the time had been working at the Rehabilitation Ministry.
Alles said then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had pleaded with him to identify some one from the LTTE who could carry out transactions on behalf of the LTTE and to introduce him to his brother Basil Rajapaksa.
First Emil-Basil meeting
Alles had then informed Emil of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s desire to build a link with him and introduced him to Basil. Emil had then been introduced to Basil at Alles’ office.
According to Alles, Basil and Emil had then met at his office on several occasions and the discussions were mainly based on how to receive the LTTE’s support for Mahinda Rajapaksa during the Presidential election. After a few meetings, Emil and Basil had built an excellent friendship.
Basil assures to give anything to the LTTE…
Basil had then informed Emil that then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa wanted to provide the LTTE with anything it needed in order to strengthen his relationship with the organization. Emil had then promised to respond after consulting the leadership.
Basil had also said the only thing expected from the LTTE in return was to ensure a boycott of the election in the North.
Basil meets Emil with Rs. 180 million
Emil had then informed that the LTTE was in need of boats and needed Rs. 180 million for it. Alles said that it took a while for Basil to find the money. However, Basil had after a few days asked Alles to inform Emil that the money will be provided.
Dollars from a country close to the LTTE
Alles said the money received for the election campaign from a neighboring country were brought in dollars, rupees and travelers cheques in two traveling bags.
He further noted that he revealed the whole story when he was arrested and the Attorney General dropped all charges leveled against him after the revelations were made.
Prathapasinghe requests for letter to release Dushantha
Alles said that he was asked to give a letter claiming his statement to be false by then CID Head Prathapasinghe in order to release Dushantha Basnayake from the Mawbima newspaper, who at the time was in police custody.
Uduwe Dhammaloka knows all
According to Alles he has given an affidavit to Presidetn Mahinda Rajapaksa with all these details on February 10, 2007, which was signed by Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero.
Namal-Emil photograph
Alles observed that he was under threat due to the belief that the photograph of Namal Rajapaksa and Emil Kanthan was released to the media by him, as they have told the Dinamina newspaper that the photograph was taken at his residence. According to him, if the photograph was taken at his residence it would have been released earlier.
Death threats
The reason for revealing every thing to the media according to Alles is the threat to his life by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa. He said the grenade attack on his house was the first step.
More evidence
Responding to a question posed by a journalist, he said he had more evidence to bring out more than a statement and that it would all be made public if he was continued to be harassed.
Mahinda responsible
He said that Mahinda Rajapaksa would be responsible for any harm that could befall his family members and himself. He added that his death could not be decided by Mahinda Rajapaksa.
SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera also attended the press conference.
2010 | 01 | 25
He made this revelation at a press conference held at his residence, which was attacked at No. 43, Galpoththa Road, Koswatte, Nawala, on Sunday (24).
He said the transaction was done according to a request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Alles said that he first met Emil Kanthan in 2002 following an introduction made by then Minister Jayalath Jayewardena. Emil Kanthan at the time
Alles said then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had pleaded with him to identify some one from the LTTE who could carry out transactions on behalf of the LTTE and to introduce him to his brother Basil Rajapaksa.
First Emil-Basil meeting
Alles had then informed Emil of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s desire to build a link with him and introduced him to Basil. Emil had then been introduced to Basil at Alles’ office.
According to Alles, Basil and Emil had then met at his office on several occasions and the discussions were mainly based on how to receive the LTTE’s support for Mahinda Rajapaksa during the Presidential election. After a few meetings, Emil and Basil had built an excellent friendship.
Basil assures to give anything to the LTTE…
Basil had then informed Emil that then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa wanted to provide the LTTE with anything it needed in order to strengthen his relationship with the organization. Emil had then promised to respond after consulting the leadership.
Basil had also said the only thing expected from the LTTE in return was to ensure a boycott of the election in the North.
Basil meets Emil with Rs. 180 million
Emil had then informed that the LTTE was in need of boats and needed Rs. 180 million for it. Alles said that it took a while for Basil to find the money. However, Basil had after a few days asked Alles to inform Emil that the money will be provided.
Dollars from a country close to the LTTE
Alles said the money received for the election campaign from a neighboring country were brought in dollars, rupees and travelers cheques in two traveling bags.
He further noted that he revealed the whole story when he was arrested and the Attorney General dropped all charges leveled against him after the revelations were made.
Prathapasinghe requests for letter to release Dushantha
Alles said that he was asked to give a letter claiming his statement to be false by then CID Head Prathapasinghe in order to release Dushantha Basnayake from the Mawbima newspaper, who at the time was in police custody.
Uduwe Dhammaloka knows all
According to Alles he has given an affidavit to Presidetn Mahinda Rajapaksa with all these details on February 10, 2007, which was signed by Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero.
Namal-Emil photograph
Alles observed that he was under threat due to the belief that the photograph of Namal Rajapaksa and Emil Kanthan was released to the media by him, as they have told the Dinamina newspaper that the photograph was taken at his residence. According to him, if the photograph was taken at his residence it would have been released earlier.
Death threats
The reason for revealing every thing to the media according to Alles is the threat to his life by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa. He said the grenade attack on his house was the first step.
More evidence
Responding to a question posed by a journalist, he said he had more evidence to bring out more than a statement and that it would all be made public if he was continued to be harassed.
Mahinda responsible
He said that Mahinda Rajapaksa would be responsible for any harm that could befall his family members and himself. He added that his death could not be decided by Mahinda Rajapaksa.
SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera also attended the press conference.
