Jimmy Cliff Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 38 minutes ago, Ranvir said: The tigers eventually got him. Some say it was Norway/Vatican that made the call to off him. LTTE were merely the henchmen.
diga Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 Vatican I understand.. How did Norway come into picture?
The Dark Horse Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 6 hours ago, Jimmy Cliff said: Some say it was Norway/Vatican that made the call to off him. LTTE were merely the henchmen. Nahh it has more to do with India than other countries. No central or state(TN) officials of note attended the particular function when the incident happened.
Gollum Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 “I Intended to Kill Rajiv Gandhi” Says Wijemuni the Ex-Naval Rating Who Attacked Indian Premier in 1987 By Susitha R.Fernando (Vijitha Rohana Wijemuni the Naval rating who attacked then Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi with his rifle butt in Colombo is now running his own record bar and doubles up as an astrologer.He spoke to « Daily Mirror” in an exclusive interview about the his eventful past explaining his motives and mindset) Excerpts : Q. Twenty six years after the signing of the Indo-Lanka Accord now once again there is controversy over the 13th Amendment, the Provincial Council system and arguments for and against their continuation. What is your position today on this? President J. R. Jayewardene signed this agreement against his conscience. He had no option but to sign it. Obviously to win voted in Tamil Nadu, Gandhi on the request of former Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran violated our air space and dropped food in Jaffna. This was a warning to President Jayawardene. Then Mr.Jayewardene sent former National Security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali to the United States to meet President Ronald Ragan. However the US which was more interested in the Indian market refused to intervene in this crisis. President Jayewardene was thus helpless and had no option but to sign the Accord. So even today I am strongly opposed to the 13 A and any move to divide this country. Why should we be scared of any outsider. We have defeated the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world and I see no reason why we be scared of India. We are not a state under India and we should do what we want. We must devolve powers through other local government bodies but should do away with the white elephant of Provincial Councils. Q. Do you see that President Rajapaksa is facing the same problem like President Jayewardene? President Jayawardene had no option but President Rajapaksa is not under such a pressure. We must immediately do away with the 13A. I will have faith in President Rajapaksa, the day he does that. Q. You contested the General Election and had some taste of a political rat race in Sri Lanka. What is your opinion of Sri Lankan politics and politicians? Most of the politicians today are scarecrows. They don’t have backbones. Just look at the cabinet. If the people want to get something done it has to come through the President. Unless the President gets involved a little or nothing happens in this country. The politicians must be responsible for the promises they gave to their voters. The other problem is the quality of some politicians we have. Some of them act like state sponsored thugs while others are involved in anti-social activities openly. Our voters too must take some responsibilty for this situation. They don’t think about values and principles of the politicians for whom they are voting. The politicians are concerned mainly about how much money they can throw in to the campaign and how many posters they can paste on the walls. I dont think any one of the two main political parties have done much to this country. The UNP was continuously in power for 17 years till 1994 and the SLFP or UPFA has been in power for nearly 19 years. We can see what both these governments had done to the country. Q.In your view what are the biggest failures in these governments? Rampant corruption and lack of clear state policies. Our economic policies are changed according to the government’s whims and fancies. We are not self sufficient in most products. Look at India. It is self sufficient in milk and dairy products. India’s state or economic policy and policies on other important issues do not change when the government changes. We must reach that level. Q. You are now a well-known, fulltime astrologer. What made you to pursue with this area? While I was in prison I had ample time to study. So I read lots of books on astrology. It is a science that has to be mastered with dedication and I did so. Today I share my knowledge on a number of private television channels and radios. I also have an office at the Nugegoda Supermarket. Q. It is said that many politicians specially in the East follow astrology seriously. Through astrology do you see any major changes in the Sri Lankan political scene? I have made several predictions earlier and they have come true. I predict there will be major political cange in June next year and a number of government MPs would cross over from the government. Q. You seemed to be a born fighter and right now you have waged a war against the Mayor of Kotte over the proposal to demolish this supermarket? I don’t get involved in fighting unnecessarily. But whenever and wherever an injustice is done, I think it’s my duty to speak. That is why we are protesting against the present Mayor’s move to demolish this supermarket. It is not an unfair or unreasonable protest. We firmly believe in what we do. Q. Coming back to your assault on Rajiv Gandhi. Was it a pre-planned or a spontaneous move to attack the leader of one of the world’s most powerful countries? Can you explain how it all happened? When I was told to join the parade I expressed my reluctance. But I was ordered to take part in the guard-of-honour and I did not chose to be in the front line. In the original list it was one Mahendran, who was to be in the front-line. But he was dropped and I was asked to stand there. On the day of the parade all of us were taken to Janadipathi Mawatha and we stood in two rows and I happened to be in the first row. We were armed with rifles with fixed bayonets. When Mr. Gandhi came on to the stage put up on the pavement of the President’s House, Lt. Mendis who was in charge of the parade invited him to inspect the guard-of-honour and the Premier came there from the right side. Mr. Gandhi was in front and on his left was Lt. Mendis and a member of the Indian Prime Minister’s security was behind. While I was waiting at the guard-of-honour I was restless and angry over what India and Premier Gandhi had done to our country. But it was too late as the accord had already been signed. This had made me more angry and I thought I must do something to avenge the disaster caused to our country. I was thinking how India was helping the LTTE with money, arms and military training. The idea to attack with the rifle struck my mind when Rajiv Gandhi was about two or three feet away from me. Q. Did you intended to kill Mr. Gandhi? Yes. My intention was that because of the damage he had caused to our country. Q. But it was prevented? Yes he saw my shadow and he bent. Actually I think Prime Minister Gandhi knew that we Sri Lankans did not like him. He came to the guard-of-honour with his security guards. Normally state leaders do not go to guards of honour with their own security. Mr. Gandhi was obviously scared. Q. So what do you think now, about what you did 26 years ago? I am glad that I did it. Because that was the only way I could make some protest against India over pushing us to sign the Indo-Lanka Accord. I did it and I had to suffer a lot for it. But there is no regret over what I did. Q. But you expressed your deepest sympathy on the assassination of Mr. Gandhi in 1991? Yes. I did because as a human being I had nothing against the India Premier, but it was against what he did and his opportunistic policies to support the LTTE. Had he not intervened we would have eliminated LTTE long time ago. I sent a condolence message and even the Indian government was pleased with it and Indian government did announce it to the media also. Q. Are you against India? I am not. In fact I am a great lover of Indian music and songs. Most of these cassettes and CDs I sell at my record bar are Indian. Q. How was your experience in the prison? I had no problem in prison as I was allowed to spend my time freely. I even didn’t have to wear the prisoner’s outfit. I know even Gen. Sarath Fonseka had to wear this but I got an exemption. I was wearing a suit similar to a national dress prepared in the prison. Q. Do you have any intention to join politics? I am not happy with the two main parties who had ruled the country. But I am ready to serve the people at anytime.
Jimmy Cliff Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 1 hour ago, diga said: Vatican I understand.. How did Norway come into picture? Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa alleges Norway funded LTTE
maniac Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 This was one of my earliest childhood memories of watching this clip on DoorDarshan news and pretty sure it was on a Black and White Tv.
Stan AF Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 9 hours ago, The Dark Horse said: Nahh it has more to do with India than other countries. No central or state(TN) officials of note attended the particular function when the incident happened. If my memory serves me right, AIADMK - Congress were in alliance and curiously none were present to welcome the PM Rajiv.
Clarke Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 A tiny island's terror groups fought hard and held up some fraction of the Indian military for two years. Insane levels of incompetence during those times. Not necessarily the fault of the armed forces since they would go in without maps, with bad intelligence and so on. One still has to wonder, what prevented encircling their strongholds and suffocating them if India was serious about disarming them.
Gollum Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 3 minutes ago, Clarke said: A tiny island's terror groups fought hard and held up some fraction of the Indian military for two years. Insane levels of incompetence during those times. Not necessarily the fault of the armed forces since they would go in without maps, with bad intelligence and so on. One still has to wonder, what prevented encircling their strongholds and suffocating them if India was serious about disarming them. LTTE was badass, probably the fiercest of its kind ever. Those guys had their own airforce and navy (incl submarines).
maniac Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Gollum said: LTTE was badass, probably the fiercest of its kind ever. Those guys had their own airforce and navy (incl submarines). LTTE were using child soldiers and suicide bombers long before the other scum of the earth like the Pak funded “corporations”,Taliban, ISIS etc jumped on that bandwagon. No matter what their desperation was, Cant justify that or bombing of civilians. Srilankan army were equally ruthless and cruel later on as well in their retaliation and that’s a different debate. They are still terrorists to me. I don’t like Rajiv Gandhi but he was still Our PM and these guys killed him. Edited June 16, 2020 by maniac
Clarke Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 10 minutes ago, Gollum said: LTTE was badass, probably the fiercest of its kind ever. Those guys had their own airforce and navy (incl submarines). Indeed a scary group, but not to the point that it could hold back Indian armed forces if the latter were given clear objectives. If we were serious about defeating LTTE rather than disarming or bringing them to the table, did they stand a chance ? If we were not serious, why send troops there to get killed in ambushes with tyres burnt around their necks ?
Gollum Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 5 minutes ago, maniac said: LTTE were using child soldiers and suicide bombers long before the other scum of the earth like the Pak funded “corporations”,Taliban, ISIS etc jumped on that bandwagon. No matter what their desperation was, Cant justify that or bombing of civilians. Srilankan army were equally ruthless and cruel later on as well in their retaliation and that’s a different debate. They are still terrorists to me. I don’t like Rajiv Gandhi but he was still Our PM and these guys killed him. Don't disagree with you, LTTE started suicide bombing, rest all copied their methods apart from the air force, navy part. Ruthless guys, fierce warriors who roamed with cyanide capsules attached to their chains. Probably have killed more PMs/Presidents than all other terror orgs combined. I was responding to Clarke above, his comments about Indian military.
Gollum Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 3 minutes ago, Clarke said: Indeed a scary group, but not to the point that it could hold back Indian armed forces if the latter were given clear objectives. If we were serious about defeating LTTE rather than disarming or bringing them to the table, did they stand a chance ? If we were not serious, why send troops there to get killed in ambushes with tyres burnt around their necks ? Terrain also matters, they knew their lands better than us and jungle warfare is the most brutal of them all, whether it be the Burmese forests in WW-II or Vietnam. But you are right, maybe we went there half-heartedly and/or without clear objectives. LTTE wanted friendship with India, we too betrayed them often. Sri Lankan Tamils have always loved India, but what do we know about behind the scenes politics? Rajiv got played by that slimy fox Jayawardene.
The Dark Horse Posted June 17, 2020 Posted June 17, 2020 9 hours ago, Stan AF said: If my memory serves me right, AIADMK - Congress were in alliance and curiously none were present to welcome the PM Rajiv. No you're wrong. Karunanidhi (DMK) was in alliance with Congress. Rajiv had come to gather votes against advice that it is unsafe to do so in TN at that time. Karunanidhi was supposed to attend that event but cancelled it. MK Narayanan who was close to Soniya was the IB chief at that time (responsible for Rajiv Gandhi's security).
zubinpepsi Posted June 17, 2020 Posted June 17, 2020 1 hour ago, The Dark Horse said: No you're wrong. Karunanidhi (DMK) was in alliance with Congress. Rajiv had come to gather votes against advice that it is unsafe to do so in TN at that time. Karunanidhi was supposed to attend that event but cancelled it. MK Narayanan who was close to Soniya was the IB chief at that time (responsible for Rajiv Gandhi's security). Sorry that’s not correct. ADMK and Congress were in alliance during 1991 election. 1989’s DMK rule was cut short and a new election along with central election took place in 1991. ADMK won massively due to Rajiv’s death sympathy wave. It was surprising that no big leaders from admk and congress were next to Rajiv during the blast. Only notable injured was Jayanthi natarajan.
Stan AF Posted June 17, 2020 Posted June 17, 2020 1 hour ago, zubinpepsi said: Sorry that’s not correct. ADMK and Congress were in alliance during 1991 election. 1989’s DMK rule was cut short and a new election along with central election took place in 1991. ADMK won massively due to Rajiv’s death sympathy wave. It was surprising that no big leaders from admk and congress were next to Rajiv during the blast. Only notable injured was Jayanthi natarajan. Thank you. You saved me from typing a reply. DMK government dismissed in January 1991. Rajiv Gandhi was assasinated on May 21 1991.
Stan AF Posted June 17, 2020 Posted June 17, 2020 12 hours ago, Gollum said: Terrain also matters, they knew their lands better than us and jungle warfare is the most brutal of them all, whether it be the Burmese forests in WW-II or Vietnam. But you are right, maybe we went there half-heartedly and/or without clear objectives. LTTE wanted friendship with India, we too betrayed them often. Sri Lankan Tamils have always loved India, but what do we know about behind the scenes politics? Rajiv got played by that slimy fox Jayawardene. Well BJP also ditched them by not including Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in CAA. I could see why BJP did it but certainly the treachery from admk is something not to be forgotten.
Clarke Posted June 17, 2020 Posted June 17, 2020 13 hours ago, Gollum said: Terrain also matters, they knew their lands better than us and jungle warfare is the most brutal of them all, whether it be the Burmese forests in WW-II or Vietnam. But you are right, maybe we went there half-heartedly and/or without clear objectives. LTTE wanted friendship with India, we too betrayed them often. Sri Lankan Tamils have always loved India, but what do we know about behind the scenes politics? Rajiv got played by that slimy fox Jayawardene. Correct on all three points, my biggest concern being highlighted. Our leadership must have wanted to be seen as the facilitator and broker a peace deal which required LTTE to be brought to the table in a desired way. We had sympathy for the Tamil cause and hence LTTE couldn't be wiped out. Neither could we punch the LTTE so hard that they had no bargaining strength against SL govt when forced to join the table. We obviously didn't want to go all out against the Sinhalese majority's democratically elected govt either. This throttling business made us lose more than a thousand of our soldiers with peace not being achieved, a catastrophe in my view. Gollum 1
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