Gunaratnam claims he was tortured

11 April 2012 07:01 am

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) strongman Premkumar Gunaratnam who was abducted and released on Tuesday charged that a group connected to the defence sector seemingly well experienced in abductions took him away from his residence at Kiribathgoa on Saturday.

Mr. Gunaratnam who held a media conference via Skype from his residence in Australia yesterday alleged that he was subjected to sexual harassment from the time he came under the power of his abductors.

“My clothes were removed and I was blindfolded using own clothes,’ he said adding that his hands and legs were chained and was taken into a house where he was subjected heavy questioning.

Mr. Gunaratnam said he was asked various questions by his abductors and was held at gun point and several government officials also interrogated him.

He said he heard the voice of his colleague Dimuthu Attigala who was also abducted but did not see her.

Mr. Gunaratnam said things began to improve on the second day and he was treated better.

“I was even allowed to have a bath on the second day,” he said and felt that his situation had improved because his abductors may have been planning to release him.

Mr. Gunaratnam said he was able to experience the white van culture through this harrowing experience. “Let me tell you that the ‘white van culture really exists and everyone must get together to build a democratic society,” he told journalists.
 
Mr. Gunaratnam vehemently denied reports which said he had surrendered to police and said he was clearly abducted and said he was released because of the pressure mounted by the Australian Government and local political parties.

He confirmed that his real name is “Premkumar Gunaratnam” though he was referred to by many names and said he was compelled to use many names as it was necessary when one is engaged in a brand of politics which embraces a great ideology such as socialism.
Mr. Gunaratnam said he could not extend his visa and was finally deported because of that. But he said the authorities did not follow the regulations that should be followed when dealing with a person who is found overstaying his visa or violating immigration laws.

He said he would be fully engaged in the struggle to change society and reestablish democracy in Sri Lanka. (Yohan Perera)