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.