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18 August 2014 04:45 am - 3 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
| July 31st this year marked the 25th death Anniversary of Premakeerthi de Alwis, talented journalist, broadcaster and song writer. Since that tragic day, it was widely believed that he was killed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) during the reign of terror. A controversy over his death arose when his widow Nirmala de Alwis published a book tittled “Premakeerthini” in 2009. This controversial issue was set ablaze on July 31 when she told President Mahinda Rajapakse at a ceremony to name a road after Premakeerthi, that the alleged assassin of Premakeerthi lives brazenly ‘in his lap’. The Dailymirror contacted Nirmala de Alwis for further clarification of this serious allegation. She said she has evidence to prove that Premakeerthi was not killed by the JVP, adding that many false rumours had spread about his political principles. Although he was a close associate of President Ranasinghe Premadasa, he has always been faithful to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). While unravelling the controversy over the death of her husband, Mrs. De Alwis also said that she fears for the life of her only son, Poorna Sampath de Alwis. |
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Premakeerthi was a man loved by many in this country. What is the memory you have about him? .jpg)
No one can fill the void created by his death. After his death I lived with his humanity and his fragrance. I could not see anyone but him even after his death. There were many issues financially. But compared to the love he gave us, these issues were nothing.(1)(141).jpg)
What does your son do? Is he following in his fathers’ footsteps?Did Premakeerthi talk about any death threat or of any person who threatened him? Or according to your knowledge did he have enemies or was he under threat?.jpg)
Our lives changed around 2005. That year I found concrete information about people who were responsible for his death. People who were in power covered the reasons for his death. After I found out who is responsible for his death, I wrote the book “Premakeerthini”. I handed over a copy to then President Chandrika Kumaranathunga. Many people assumed the book to be against the JVP because the party was then in alliance with the SLFP. It was a shock for many once the book was published.Did Premakeerthi have any political affiliation or what is the political line he followed?At the road naming ceremony held recently, you told the President that the killers of Premakeerthi are the President’s close associates. On what grounds you make such a serious allegation and what is the evidence you have?But all this time it was the JVP which was blamed. Why did you keep quiet so long?According to your book “Premakeerthini”, President Premadasa intended to appoint Premakeerthi as Chairman of the SLBC. Do you think this was a reason for his assassination?After these revelations have you received any threats?
Following are excerpt from an interview conducted with Hudson Samarasinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation – to whom Nirmala de Alwis is pointing her finger regarding the assassination of her husband Premakeerthi de Alwis. .jpg) There is a serious accusation against you claiming that you are behind the assassination of Premakeerthi de Alwis. What have you got to say about this?.jpg) I checked my personal records. They are claiming that I committed this crime while I was Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) because I felt that my position was threatened by Premakeerthi de Alwis. Isn’t that what this woman is saying? Is there any truth to that claim?No, I was not even the Chairman of the SLBC at the time that Premakeerthi was assassinated. He had been assassinated on July 31, 1989. I became the Chairman of SLBC on December 12, 1989. So you became chairman a few months after the assassination?Yes. So why would I have been afraid at that time? This woman is saying that I killed Premakeerthi to protect my position as the Chairman of the SLBC. But the time he was killed I was not even the Chairman. So, I had nothing to lose. So what reason did I have to kill him? I had no reason at all to kill him. I can’t even imagine killing a man! Did you have a grudge with Premakeerthi?No, I had no grudge with him at all. I had nothing against him. We worked together. I don’t want to respond to this woman’s accusations. I have sent a letter of demand. I am going to send the letter of demand to the newspapers as well. Why?I am going to sue for 500 million rupees. Premakeerthi’s murder case has been heard by the courts and the ruling was given. It was even heard at Appeal Courts. I have those copies with me. It is a crime to accuse innocent people in this manner. Do you have a personal grudge witht Nirmala de Alwis?I was the one who gave her a job when she came and begged for a job after her husband’s assassination. What was your position in the SLBC when Premakeerthi was assassinated?I was an ordinary employee of the SLBC. So why are these accusations directed at you?They are trying to tarnish my reputation. I have no problem. I can bear these accusations. But how can my children go to school? If there is no personal grudge, would a woman make such a serious accusation without any reason?I don’t know what is on her mind or what her intentions are. Maybe it has to do with an issue when she was employed at the SLBC?When she was employed at the SLBC, I was a Parliamentarian. Do you think someone is directing Nirmala?The JVP is behind this whole thing. There is nothing more to this story. I have not started speaking yet. Since I have to go to courts in the future, I can’t speak much. |
bandulaula Monday, 18 August 2014 08:35 AM
Good. As long as you keep your mouth shut you are a gentleman. So keep it shut!
Phantom Monday, 18 August 2014 12:37 PM
So many killers of innocent people are still alive and kicking and most of them are safe in the hands of the govt!!!
Rava Monday, 18 August 2014 02:35 PM
Who is the television station owner she is accusing now?
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