28 May 2024 06:37 am Views - 147
By Chandrasena Gamage
Governor of Southern Province Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena yesterday claimed that he is aware of the truth behind the killing of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge but will not disclose anything about it now.
He further said he understood the circumstances that led to that assassination after the killing, but he would not mention it now.
He told the media in Ambalantota that he was the government media spokesman at that time and that it was he who broke that sad news to the former President.
“I was preparing to attend a media conference when I heard about Lasantha’s death, and I was in a dilemma, how could I answer the journalists regarding the incident. I immediately informed the President, who was shocked and dumbfounded for about five minutes. I was convinced that the former President or the government was not involved in the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge in any manner. However, I attended the media conference and replied to the queries from the media. I explicitly stated that the government had no hand in it.