Maheshwaran killing:

Eight suspects arrested

Ranil Wijayapala

The Colombo Crime Division probing into the assassination of Colombo district UNP MP T. Maheshwaran has so far arrested eight suspects, Police Media Spokesman DIG M.K. Ilangakoon told the Daily News yesterday.

The investigating teams also recorded a statement from the alleged gunman who had shot at the MP at the Hindu Kovil now undergoing treatment at the National hospital Colombo.

The gunman sustained injuries in his head in the returning fire from the Police officer providing security for the MP and was later identified by the PC at the National hospital as he was undergoing treatment there.

One civilian was killed an 10 civilians were injured in the cross fire. The revolver suspected to be used by the gunman was also found inside the Kovil premises immediately after the incident. It was confirmed that it was a micro pistol commonly used by the LTTE pistol group.

"Vital details relating to the incident was divulged by the suspected gunman in his statement given to the Police," DIG Ilangakone added, declining to give details.

"It was fairly a lengthy statement as he was questioned from yesterday morning to evening," the DIG added.

According to initial investigations the alleged gunman, a resident of Jaffna has been living in Wattala area for a few years.

"Police commenced questioning the other suspects arrested on Wednesday," the spokesman added.

The funeral of slain MP T. Maheshwaran will take place this evening at the Hindu section of the Borella cememtary. His remains are now lying at his residence in Wellawatta.
 

US condemns killing of MP, bomb attack

The United States condemns the assassination on January 1 of Thiyagarajah Maheswaran, United National Party Member of the Sri Lankan Parliament.

We express our sympathy to the family of Maheswaran, his Parliamentary colleagues, and the people of Sri Lanka. We urge the Government of Sri Lanka to investigate the circumstances of this killing and to arrest and prosecute those responsible without delay, the US Embassy said in a news release.

The United States also condemns the deadly attack on January 2 in the Slave Island area of Colombo that killed and injured numerous persons, including members of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and civilians. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims. We call on all parties to seek a negotiated, peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Archbishop condemns killing of MP

With the dawn of the New Year we have already witnessed two tragic incidents in Colombo itself. This clearly indicates that war and violence are not going to be the path to permanent peace.

It is very clear that we have to seek a political solution to the crisis we are facing. We must confess to a sense of profound disappointment at the long delay on the part of the powers of the South to offer a consensual solution to this long drawn conflict, Archbishop Oswald Gomis said in a news release.

Whilst we witness daily killings, abductions and other forms of social crimes, the whole process of democracy is getting eroded. Therefore we strongly urge the powers that be to accelerate the process of finding a lasting solution immediately, he said.

We extend our deepest sympathy and condolence to the bereaved family of T. Maheshwaran MP and also to the families of those killed tragically in the Slave Island bomb blast, he added.

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna...

The Mahajana Eksath Peramuna unreservedly condemns the brutal killing of T. Maheshvaran, Colombo District MP. This dastardly act had been carried out with the dawn of 2008 in a Hindu Temple, a reputed place of worship of the Hindu sisters and brethren.

In fact Maheshvaran had been at one stage a Minister for Hindu affairs and it is all the more regretful. MEP Leader and Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said.

Maheshvaran articulated the espousal of the problems of the people he represented vociferously and with pungency, that too was in the parry and thrust of parliamentary debate.

He was a parliamentarian who endeared himself to all parliamentarians representative of the various parties despite political differences and out looks, the message issued by the MEP said.

The late Maheshvaran who represented firstly the Jaffna District and subsequently the Colombo District from April 2, 2004 up to the time of his death has acquitted himself well as a keen Parliamentarian.

The killing of Maheshvaran has struck at the roots of the democratic process. It is this threat that the people of this country must unitedly contribute to eliminate, the Minister said.

The MEP sincerely conveys the deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Maheshvaran, the children and the members of the late Mr. Maheshvaran's family added the message.

Dr. Rajitha Senaratna...

Minister for Construction and Engineering Services Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has sent his condolences to the family members of the slain UNP MP T. Maheshwaran from the USA where he is currently on an official visit.

He said the late MP never stooped to the level of being a communalist and had even refused nominations from the TULF to join a mainstream political party like the UNP.

Thus he demonstrated that he was not in fear of the LTTE terror. In fact he openly defied the LTTE by contesting the 2001 General Election from the UNP in the Jaffna district and succeeded in obtaining the mandate of the Tamil people of Jaffna.

But in 2004 he had to contest from the Colombo district amidst increasing threats by the LTTE and once again the Tamil people in the area voted him to power conveying their appreciation.

In addition Minister Senaratne said that late MP Maheshwaran made a significant contribution towards the victory of United National Party in Jaffna district and was the first member from the UNP to be elected from the Jaffna District since 1952.

Even though there were ethnic riots in the South after 1952 the UNP was able to win in Jaffna only because of the late Maheshwaran.