Leonard Fonseka, a UNP supporter who operated a broadcasting centre in Kuliyapitiya. had lodged a complaint with the North Western Province DIG on July 11 alleging that supporters of North Western Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera had tried to kidnap him.
He had complained to the Kuliyapitiya Police and North Western DIG Jagath Abeysiri Gunawardana about the attempt. He had later informed North Western Opposition Leader C.J. Alawathuwala of the complaint
“I had been running the broadcasting centre as business. The Kuliyapitiya Urban Council had given me permission. I broadcast the relevant news daily.”
The broadcasts end at 5.00 p.m. I went to Kuliyapitiya bus stand on July 10 after the broadcasts. A convoy of vehicles came towards me at speed when I was there. I identified two persons who got out of the vehicle in a suspicious manner. One person was Saman and the other was T.B. Nishantha. They are close associates of Dajasiri Jayasekera.
“T.B. Nishantha made death threats to me and said that I was the person wanted by them. “Come,we want to finish you,” he said. I was dragged by them, I ran to the nearest police post.
They attacked in the presence of the police officers. They said I would be finished if I say anything about Dayasiri in future “We saved your life because of the police,” they said.
“I was associated with Dayasiri Jayasekera. I did not join the government with him. The reason for this threat is that I broadcast news about the conflicts between Harin Fernando and Dayasiri over the radio,” he said.
“I thought of complaining to the DIG because the Kuliyapitiya Police did not take any action,” he said
When Mr. Dayasiri Jayasekera was asked about this incident, he said, “This is a tactic employed by the UNP to sling mud at me politically”
“This person was a good supporter of mine. I am the one who introduced him to Harin Fernando and Major General Janaka Perera. When I left the Opposition and joined the Government, he tried to attack me through various persons,” said Mr. Jayasekara.
“There was no attack or injury as alleged. Nor a kidnapping. This is a false complaint. The persons including Leonard had been good friends. This incident was due to a money transaction. That is why I had also been involved.” The number of voters (336,000) who voted for me were my supporters during the last election. I am going to file action if they are going to defame me by making false statements,” he said.
In this connection, North Western Province Opposition Leader J.C. Alawathuwala (UNP) said if such threat had been made against Fonseka he would have staged a protest. He said, “Every citizen has a right to express his views. This shows the control of the media by the government. We expect a fair inquiry from the Police regarding this threat.”
(Pushpakumara Jayaratna & Chamara Wimalaratna)