Duminda Silva had no intention to kill Bharatha: Ranjan

• He was given liquor prior to the incident
• Ranjan says he has the conversation between him and Duminda recorded

By Yohan Perera

Former MP Duminda Silva had no intention of killing Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, MP Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday. Mr. Ramanayake revealed this to the Daily Mirror and also through an uploaded statement on social media.

“Duminda Silva was given liquor prior to the incident in Kolonnawa and was asked to get into a conflict with Mr. Premachandra by someone who wanted to get rid of the latter.  

Mr. Silva called me and asked me to cross over to the UPFA  and offered that court cases against me would be withdrawn if I crossed over to the government. This is why I was able to find out the truth behind the Bharatha Lakshman killing. Duminda revealed everything to me during this phone call which I have recorded,” 
Mr. Ramanayake said.

He said the phone conversation between him and Mr. Silva took place days before the Kolonnawa 
incident in 2011.

“Duminda Silva was therefore under the influence of liquor and had no intention of killing Mr. Premachandra and had no purpose to achieve by doing it,” he added. 

• He was asked to get into a conflict with Mr. Premachandra by someone who wanted to get rid of the latter
• Mr. Silva called me and asked me to cross over to the UPFA  and offered that court cases against me would be withdrawn