I was informed by Dr Vickramabahu Karunarathne that he has been
invited to participate in the 88^th Birthday Remembrance celebration of
Pro. Reg Goodwin, a former Dean of Darwin College of Cambridge
University, held on 04^th December. I knew that Vickramabahu as one,
who read for his Ph.D (Electro Magnetic theory) at Cambridge during
Goodwin’s tennre, accepted an invitation from Goodwin’s Family members
and left for London on 21^st of November 2010. As a leader of the Nava
Sama Samaja party I monitored the schedule of Vickramabahu and I knew
that he took the opportunity also to meet with the NSSP London Branch
as well as London-based supporters and sympathizers of the NSSP. He
addressed several meetings at the request of the NSSP London Branch.

Back home, false and fabricated reports were published in some
sections of the media to say that Vickramabahu participated in a
demonstrations and meetings held in December 2010, in London;
reportedly organized by some sections of the Diaspora to promote
terrorism and division of the country. 6. I was informed by
Vickramabahu that he would arrive on 7^th December 27, 2010 in Qatar
air ways, plane no QR 302 arriving around 4pm. I went to the Airport,
and there were around 40 persons comprising leading Party members,
Lawyers, some members of the clergy etc, at the airport to greet him.

Coming out of arrivals while Vickramabahu was proceeding towards his
vehicle, a gang of persons, some of them wearing uniforms with their
official identity cards hanging from their breast pockets, started
shouting “Tiger”, “Kotiya” etc. against him. They said he betrayed the
Motherland to Tamils. Vickramabahu countered that it was the Rajapaksa
Government which has betrayed the country with its subservience to the
dictates of neo-liberal global forces, the IMF etc. at the expense of
the poor masses of this country. He then got into the vehicle; and
left the airport followed by 4 vehicles carrying most of those that
received him at the air port.

However, the last vehicle with my self and several others inside was
prevented by the Police from leaving the Airport premises. Those who
were in the van were pressured to lodge an entry with the Airport
Police before they left. The Police rejected their refusal to do so.
So the process of recording statements took well over 2 hours and it
was past 7.30 PM. by then and there were visible signals of threat to
their security and physical safety. However no Police protection what
so ever was given despite assurance given by the DIG Dayananda.

When this last vehicle no 253 - 7286 Town Ace left the Airport it
was at once chased on the heels by 2 vehicles. I saw clearly
intention to attack our vehicle. On the way the chasing vehicles tried
their utmost to block and attack our vehicle. At a certain point
between Ja-ela & Kandana where there was a brief traffic jam,
occupants of the two vehicles alighted and came in front of our
vehicle and blocked it. Those who blocked our vehicle, with iron rods
and an axe, mercilessly attacked our vehicle causing extensive damage.

No sooner than the traffic jam eased, with my instructions our vehicle
was driven through at break-neck speed to escape from those enemy
vehicles. We arrived at the party office in Colombo around 9.00 pm

V Thirunavakarasu
Political bureau member of the New Sama Samaja party
27 December 28, 2010

Attack on comrade Vickramabahu and others at the Katunayake air port.

Document on 7^th attack by NSSP

Comrade Vickramabahu arrived, after finishing the UK tour, at the Katunayake air port at 4 pm on 7 Dec, by the flight no QR 302. Through Lankan media various false reports were spread about comrade Bahu’s trip. Government ministers and parliamentarians organised demonstrations in several areas including Colombo, Nathtthandiya and Gampaha. They demanded that comrade Bahu should be banished from Lanka as a traitor to the country. However clearly Bahu has not said any thing other than what he has been saying in this country in the past. It is the understanding of the Nava Sama Samaja party, that this malicious campaign was launched on one hand, to cover up the ignominious treatment the president received in UK, and on the other hand to distract the mass discontentment against the goverment.

As there was suspicion that comrade Bahu could be arrested at the air port, several steps were taken by the party. Firstly lawyers were invited to come to the airport; accordingly attorneys Manjula Pathirajha, Senaka Perera, Namal Rajapaksa and several others were present at the air port. Secondly well wishers were invited to come to the air port. There were party leaders Linus Jayathilaka, Thirunavakarasu and many party members, ex parliamentarian Sivajilingam and several trade union leaders, several leaders of women’s organisations, and many others who answered the call of the party. Altogether around hundred have gathered expecting his arrival. Among them there were media people who saw news value in this event. Santa wijesooriya of e news and Sirasa airport reporter were two of them.

As soon as he disembarked Vickramabahu called Linus. Those who were inside with tickets, Linus, Sivajilingam and lawyers met Vickramabahu first. Then when he entered the common arrival area, the security officers noticed Vickramabahu and they watched him walking past. When Vickramabahu was talking to his well wishers, suddenly few people in black trousers and white shirts with identity cards hanging around their necks, shouted “Vickramabahu why did you joined with Tigers and betrayed our president.” As these attackers surrounded Bahu his supporters quickly got him into a vehicle. When the vehicle departed the attackers started assaulting the party members and the supporters. Though the victims shouted requesting help from the air port security men, they did not take any step to stop the attackers. In the mean time attackers assaulted the media people who were taking photographs of the event. Shanta and Sirasa media person were two of them. Even the women, who were there to greet Vickramabahu, were dragged by the hair and beaten badly.

Since there was no safety, by now all were getting dispersed. Those who were left at the center of the clash got into vehicle 253 - 7286 that belong to Bahu. They tried to leave but the air port police obstructed and forced them to the police station claiming that they must complaint. All those who were in the vehicle have protested saying that they could complaint later, but they should get out of danger first. However policemen have forced them to the police station. Though they were taken to the police station at 4.30 pm they were kept there without taking down complains. While police officers wee watching, some of them higher officers with star signs; thugs entered the police station , brutally assaulted Santa wijesooriya and another person and forcibly took a camera and valuable documents. Since thugs were getting organised out side the police station, victims have requested the police to expedite taking down of complaints; but requests were ignored.

In the mean time Bahu has reached the office in Colombo 2. He was informed of the dangers faced by the supporters kept by the Katunayake airport police. He has called twice the DIG in charge of Katunayake area, to make him aware of the dangers faced and the necessity of protection to the vehicle. Eventually latter has agreed to look into the matter. Air port police has started taking down complains at 7 pm and finished by 8 pm; then they have released the van claiming police protection will be given. As police noticed the van to leave, and also there was no other alternative, victims have decided to leave. But as they approached the police barricade the thugs put a log across the road. However the driver took the van over the log and moved towards Colombo. Immediately, five vehicles with thugs started chasing them. Near Kandana, when van slowed for traffic, thugs got out with iron bars and an axe, attacked the vehicle and damaged it severely. However, driver has continued in spite of attacks and came as fast as possible to the Colombo office. The splendid and clever commitment of the driver Jack saved the lives of these victims. Van damage has been estimated to be more than 150 000 Rs.

On that evening around 9pm insurance people came to the office and took photos of the damage, made notes and gave relevant documents to Bahu. Two days later a complaint was lodged at the slave island police station. It should be noted, before 7^th December Minister of small and traditional industries Weerakumara while participating at TV debate, requested Sinhala Buddhists, that traitor Vickramabahu should be stoned on sight. In that context when one studies all aspects, the conclusion would be that this attack was made with the knowledge of the government, and organised with police support. Kandana police has requested victims to come to the police station. But they were without any police protection. This was conveyed to the police. Later Vickramabahu has sent a written complaint to the IGP, DIG and the airport police, by registered post. Comrade Linus intervened to call political parities trade unions and mass organisations on December 23 to discuss democratic issues involved. This meeting was a success with Bulupitiye Assaji, Yohan devananda, M Sakthivel, Bala Thampo, Mano Ganesan, attorneys at law Chandrilka Kumarage, Namal Rajapaksa, Brito Fernando, united socialist party and others, participating. It was decided to recall a broader meeting with a document giving all details. This document serves that purpose. In addition it was decided to complain to the human rights commission and to send registered complaints to police. These are already done. It was also decided to file a fundamental rights case. This work is going on.

next meeting of the solidarity group will be at MDDR centre, Rajagiriya ON 13 JANUARY.

NEW SAMA SAMAJA PARTY

8 JANUARY 2011