Extracts from the speech delivered by Cyril Mathew, Minister of Indus­tries & Scientific Affairs, on June 9th 1981, after the Jaffna Library was burnt and the Jaffna MP’s house attacked

Mr Deputy Speaker, at the outset I like to express to the Member of Parliament for Jaffna (Mr V Yoges­waran) our deepest regret at the damage done to his property. At the same time I am happy that he is not altogether destitute in that his parents have had the foresight to leave him more than Rs. 5 million worth of pro­perty in Colombo City.

I intend to prove that there is no difference between the 'Tiger' terrorist movement and the Tamil United Liberation Front. The TULF is a political organi­zation doing business in assassination, robbery and general crime across the Northern Province and the Eastern Province, along the same corporate lines as any business undertaking. This is a syndicate with ramifications all over the Island. They coolly order the murder of their political oppon­ents, their big business is murder, robbery of cash from banks and jewe­llery from pawn-shops. Assassinations are ordered by Tamil United Libera­tion Front politicians, lawyers and professionals in high places. In the assassinations they talk of following Gandhian principles. Their assassi­nation orders are carried out by a killer squad trained in the Middle East. The triggermen cross over to South India the moment the job is accomplished. The killers of the exter­mination department of the Tamil United Liberation Front have their hideouts in South India where they are provided by the Tamil United Liberation Front with a house to live in, allowances and a South Indian wife during their period of rest and recreation in South India.

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Cyril Mathew, Former Minister of Indus­tries & Scientific Affairs of former President,

J.R. Jayewardene’s Government 1977

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The Tamil United Liberation Front murder syndicate has its tentacles in the Police Department, in the Treasury and in various Government Departments where they obtain information and pass it down to help in planning a robbery or murder or to impede police raids or to ambush police raiders or to delay and block the development work of the Government corporations. Sometimes this syndicate is composed of Tamil United Liberation Front lawyers, professionals and politicians who pay lip service to principles of jurisprudence and the principle of an accused being considered innocent until proved guilty but hold ‘kangaroo courts of justice’ to summarily deal with the too talkative or errant members of their triggermen and hangers on.

Then Sir, they forget all the princi­ples of jurisprudence, principles of equity, principles of natural justice, principles of an accused being considered innocent until proved guilty. Without even hearing the accused they have the final say on life and death. Once the sentence is passed by the ‘kangaroo court’ of the Tamil United Liberation Front lawyers, professionals and politicians, the extermination department of the Tamil United Liberation Front goes to work and they snuff out the lives of even their one-time collaborators. I can give you the example of two of the people who have been so disposed of.

On these orders of the Tamil United Liberation Front, Mr Thiagarajah was shot on Sunday, 24^th May 1981. You may remember that on 24^th May, 1972 there was a statement published in the ‘Suthanthiran’ that any of the six Tamil Members of Parliament who voted for the Constitution would not die a natural death. That was one of the orders to kill.

Then, again, you will remember when the former Member of Parlia­ment for Pottuvil crossed over to the UNP what the Hon Leader of the Opposition said on the Floor of this House. It is in Column 728 of Hansard.  He said: ‘We are not turncoats. We have certain principles and policies. You are a disgrace - a disgraceful specimen of humanity. Resign and contest if you can.’            

The killers who tried to shoot to kill Mr Canagaratnam left behind a card saying that he was be­ing killed because he was a traitor to the cause for which he won the seat. Now you see the connection between what he said in Parliament and what was written on this card. That was the signal to kill Mr Canagaratnam.  

(Mr Amirthalingam)            

I am on a point of Order. This statement of his trying to connect my statement trying to get the late Mr Canagaratnam to resign his seat and contest on the UNP ticket if he wanted, with something left behind by somebody who attempted to murder him or who is alleged to have attempted to murder him, is an attempt to insinuate that I was in a way responsible. He said that I gave the signal for that. Unless he is in a position to move a substantive motion making that allegation, he should be called upon to withdraw that.  

(Mr Mathew)

I believe Sir that the Hon Member forJaffna was in India in about August 1980. I am informed that he lived in Sudara Hotel, Mampalam, Madras. I am also informed that he went to Madras as a lawyer to obtain bail for Sinnasothi, a smuggler and financier of the Tiger Movement.            

Darmalingam and Bavanandan, terrorists, were in the same hotel. I am also told that Darmalingam paid the hotel bill. Sinnasothi, the smuggler, had paid Rs 28,000 (Indian) to buy arms and ammunition in Selam, Madras. He also paid Rs 25,000 (Indian) for a boat to smuggle arms and ammunition to Jaffna and to travel up and down. This money was given to Nicholas. Sinnasothi paid for gelignite, 13 one-gallon cans in weight, which is almost 200 pounds­ which was brought to the Northern Province. It was first buried in Kumarakulasingham's house - Kuma­rakulasingham is the President of the TULF - in Elavali, Kankesanturai. The gelignite was later taken to an aban­doned land, where it was discovered by the police. The gelignite was bought to destroy the Prima factory, the Central Bank building, the Katunayake Airport building and factories in the Free Trade Zone.    

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TULF Party Head Office after 1981 torching

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The terrorists had done a recce by going over the ground. Four cans were to be used at the four corners of the Central Bank building, with a time bomb attachment. This would have razed to the ground not only the Central Bank building but also all the surrounding buildings, namely the Inter-Continen­tal building, all the buildings across the road and the buildings on the other side. This dastardly act of wanton destruction was only prevent­ed by the early arrest of the terrorists and the discovery of the cache of gelignite. So we are fortunate that the police discovered it in time.         

It was the same Kumarakula­singham who introduced terrorists to Mariampilai, ex-police sergeant, in whose farm cash, weapons and vehi­cles were hidden for some time immediately after the Neerveli double murder and bank robbery. The cash was later repacked and taken to Kugan's house. It was in Kugan's house that the Neerveli bank robbery was planned. The vehi­cles and arms were in his house for some time. The robbed cash, which was first buried in Mariampillai's farm after repacking, was buried in Kugan's garden. Kugan's father is Yogaratnam, a retired surveyor. The stage for the meeting on Sunday 31^st May was erected about 50 to 75 yards away from Kugan's house. Four policemen - two Sinhalese, one Mus­lim, one Tamil - were shot while the Mayor of Jaffna Mr Viswanathan, Attorney-at-Law, was speaking to the crowd. He was describing the alleged atrocities of the police and he was calling the police ‘Sinhalese dogs’.            

This was the signal and the order to shoot was given. The policemen who were standing on the fringe of the crowd were offered a bench to sit on. They wanted to get them together. The idea of giving the policemen a bench was given by someone on the stage. I am taking responsibility for what I am saying.  

(Mr Sivasithamparam)            

That is absolutely false. There is a case pending in regard to this.  

(Mr Mathew)            

I can tell them the person who gave this information to me, but he would not live 24 hours. They will kill him.            

This very same Kumarakula­singham purchased a power loom for six lakhs. And I am informed that the MP for Jaffna was the guarantor. Let him deny it if it is not true.            

I am mentioning these facts for the benefit of this House and the people of this country so that they will understand what the TULF is up to. Sometime back the Hon Leader of the Opposition visited this same Kumarakulasingham's farm.  

(Mr Amirthalingam)            

Of course he is in my constituency. I went and saw his aged mother.

(Mr Mathew)            

He also made a complaint that Army personnel had plucked 200 pounds of grapes.  

(Mr A Amirthalingam)            

That is a fact.  

(Mr Mathew)            

An inquiry was held and Kumara­kulasingham's uncle had said that Army personnel had eaten a few grapes in the vineyard which had been in fact pruned a few days before.            

Then we come to another individual called Kurambakanda. He was convicted for throwing explosives at the office of the Maha Bodhi Society in India. He was fined and jailed till the rising of Court. He was also one of the accused in the Duraiappah murder trial.            

This same Kurambakanda was appointed a Colonization Officer by the MP for Nallur soon after he was discharged in the Durai­appah murder case. I do not say there is anything wrong. I am stating facts. Now he is in France trying to claim political asylum.            

Then we come to Chelliah Kulasekera Rajasekeram alias Kullam. He was acquitted in the Avro case. Imme­diately after his acquittal he was employed by the Hon Member for Nallur (Mr M Sivasithamparam) in the Co-operative Union, Nallur. 

(Mr M Sivasithamparam)            

No, I deny that 

(Mr Mathew)            

I accept his denial. Then, the three informers who helped the police to arrest Kullam - they want me to give the source of my information, but this is what would happen if I give the source of information - were bumped off. Number 1, Poobalasingam - Bicycle Bala - killed on the 14^th of November 1978; the cycle repair shop is at the Chunna­kam junction at the turn off to the police station. He was one of the police informants in the Avro case. That is what they do to informants. That is why I am afraid to disclose the names of the persons who gave me the information. Informant No.2, Gnanasambandan, was a cousin of Poobalasingham, CID constable 8103; shot dead near his home by two unknown assailants on bicycles. He was one of the detectives responsible for the arrest of the suspect in blow­ing up Avro aircraft at Ratmalana on 7^th September 1978. The third infor­mant, Selliah Thanabalasingham alias Chitty, while returning from the market on a pedal cycle was shot dead; three gun shots on head, neck and abdomen. He was one of the four who helped to arrest Chelliah KulasekeraRajasekeram alias Kullam, acquitted in Avro sabotage case.  

(Mr A Amirthalingam)            

He was one of those wanted as a ‘tiger’ and you say he was the informant. I think you are confused.  

(Mr Mathew)            

Do not get agitated. He was a terrorist at one time. He turned police informant and then he was killed. As if your hands are clean!  

(Mr A Amirthalingam)        

At least in your next birth you will answer for that.  

(Mr R Sampanthan)            

Sir, I rise to a Point of Order. We discussed certain incidents that occurred in Jaffna between 31^st May and the 5^th of June. The Hon. Minis­ter of Lands and Land Development has made a very relevant speech and we wish to reply to the speech that he has made. Many of us want to speak. The Hon. Minister of Industries is talking about past history, of what happened in 1977, 1978, 1979.  

(Mr Deputy Speaker)            

There is no possibility to control this debate if a speaker wishes to go on. It is entirely left to him.  

(Mr R Sampanthan)            

Please allow us to reply.  

(Mr A Amirthalingarn)            

Carry on till doomsday. 

Doomsday is not far off for you, my Friend.             

Just prior to the Karumbachetty double murder and robbery of half a million rupees worth of jewellery from the pawn-shop and the Neerveli double murder of two constables and the bank robbery of Rs 8 million on 8^th January, all the terrorists met and discussed what their attitude should be to the DDC elections and the visit of the Prime Minister. The meeting was in the house of the MP for Jaffna 

(Mr V Yogeswaran)            

I live in the heart of the town, Mr Minister. I am not such a fool. It is just a few yards from the police station. I am not such a fool. I live 50 yards away from the police station. 

(Mr V Dharmalingam)            

It was on the information given by the Minister that his house was burn­ed. He seems to have given such an information to the police and the police burned down his house. 

(Mr V Yogeswaran)            

Now we find what it is. Now we know. You are the man responsible.  

(Mr R Sampanthan)        

You got it done. You are responsi­ble.  

(Mr M Sivasithamparam)            

In fact, the police who were burning the house of the Hon Member for Jaffna said he was harbouring terro­rists. Now we know who gave that information. That is the important thing. The people who burnt the house said, ‘We are burning your house because you harbour terrorists.’ We now know who gave the infor­mation.  

(Mr V Yogeswaran)            

I reiterate that I live 50 yards away from the police station. I am not such a fool to have a meeting there. I completely deny that I had a meeting there. Let him withdraw that.  

(Mr Deputy Speaker)            

You must accept his explanation.  

(Mr Mathew)            

I accept it, but I have always said in this House and I say it today that there is no difference between the Tamil United Liberation Front and the ‘Tiger' terrorist movement.            

Umma Maheswaran, the first accused in the MP for Pottuvil Canagaratnam shooting case, proc­laimed offender, wanted for the murder of BastiampiIlai in the quadruple murder case, was the Secretary of the Tamil Youth Front, Colombo Branch. 

(Mr A Amirthalingam)            

Who? 

(Mr Mathew)            

Umma Maheswaran. 

(Mr A Arnirthalingam)            

That was long long ago. We have not seen the colour of this man for years. 

(Mr V Dharrmalingam)            

Many insurgents were in your party. They are your own people who held very responsible posts.  

(Mr Mathew)            

When the Leader of the Opposition and his wife went to Madras to attend a wedding he was received by Thangadorai, leader of the TELO.  

(Mr A Amirthalingam)

I deny that. It is falsehood.  

(Mr Mathew)

Besides what I have said on the Floor of this House, I have got further evidence to prove the connection between the TULF and the terrorists from the Sansoni Report.  

(Mr V Dharmalingam)              

Table the report.  

(Mr Mathew)            

The report is a published document   

(Mr V Dharmalingam)            

Then why do you want to refer to it?   

(Mr Mathew)            

I want to refer to it so that people who have not read it might know its contents from HANSARD.            

At page 35, paragraph 188, this is what is stated: ’I have also been puzzled by the rousing welcome receptions with which the leaders of the TULF greeted the released detainees. No distinguished member of that party could have expected to be received with greater enthusiasm. The case presented by Senior State Coun­sel was that these youths who were suspected of violent crimes and of being security risks were in fact active members of that party or its supporting Youth Organization and they should be treated as one group. The youths com­prised the spearhead of the party, dedicated to the commission of violent crimes against all persons who opposed the aims of the party or supported its opponents or hindered the achievement of the party's objectives.’          

In paragraph 243 of the Sansoni Report you find this: ‘It is both regrettable and significant that no sympathy or regret was expressed by the TULF or by the terrorist youths over the deaths of these officers. Equally disturbing is the fact that none of these murders has been solved, no culprits have been traced, and no evidence has been forthcoming in regard to the circumstances under which the murderers did their foul deeds. What is indisputable and points the finger of guilt against the TULF and their youthful allies as the culprits is that, in meeting after meeting held by the TULF and their associates, the speakers have repeatedly attacked the Police and referred to them as "Police dogs". Not a single case has been mentioned where any Sinhalese has used this term of abuse against the Police in the Northern Pro­vince.’            

Then there is a very interesting· report in the ‘Sun’ of Wednesday, 25^th July 1979. This is what is stated at page 11 of this newspaper: ‘TULF Youths suspected of terrorism were garlanded by leaders after being released. According to a statement made by S Pushparajah. the suspects involved in terrorist activities, youth of the TULF organization, were accorded a grand wel­come at Jaffna railway station on their arrival following the period of detention. But Pushparajah who was also released was not given a welcome and garlanded by the TULF leaders. Mr Amirthallngam and a number off MPs of the TULF were present on earlier occasions when other suspects arrived in Jaffna after detention. It may probably have been due to the fact that Pushparaj did not belong to the so-called high caste of the Tamil com­munity.’   

(Mr V Dharmalingam)            

Does the Hon Minister know that even the United National Party wanted these people to be released? He was not here at that time. Even the United National Party wanted these people to be released. When they came out we garlanded them. What is wrong in that?  

(Mr A Amirthalingam)            

Sir, may I be permitted to say this? The Hon Minister says that I went and garlanded Kasi Anandan and other persons. I want to make this categorical statement that not one of those young men was ever charged or has been even today taken into custody in connection with any acts of violence. The so-called terrorists who have been taken into custody have never been received by us anywhere. These so-­called terrorists that the Hon Minister mentioned, namely Thangathurai, Kudyamani and so on were never taken into custody earlier, never released and never received by us at any place. People like Kasi Anandan have not been involved in any acts of violence, in any charges of terrorism, and therefore his trying to say that our going and receiving them establishes a connection between the TULF and the terrorists who they allege are responsible for the robber­ies and murders is absolutely false and incorrect. I want to make that very clear.  

(Mr V Dharmalingam)            

That is why the UNP wanted them released. For three years they never said that Durayap­pah was murdered for political rea­sons. The UNP, which was in the Opposition, never said that. 

(Mr Mathew)            

They are the TULF organizers who did all these murders.

(Mr A Amirthalingam)            

Even you organized the attack on the house of the Member for Jaffna. 

(Mr M Sivasithamparam)            

Before we adjourn for the day, I should like to state that it is perfectly clear what the tactics of the Hon Minister of Industries are. I do not think it needs much intelligence to know what his tactics are. I want to say this. A number of Members on this side of the House are ready to meet every one of the allegations made by the Hon Minister. I also want to refer to some important matters, for instance, how my house was invaded by the army and a young man was shot. I want to say that even Mem­bers of Parliament are not safe in their houses in Jaffna.

(Courtesy : SCOPP)