Lasantha’s Daughter Slams Army Reinstatement Of Death Squad Leader

Ahimsa

MAY 17, 2019

“Prabath Bulathwatte‘s reactivation in a prominent post will not only pose a serious threat to and have a chilling effect on those army officers and other witnesses who had the righteousness to speak up against Mr. Bulathwatte’s alleged wrongdoing,” says Lasantha Wickematunge’s daughter, Ahimsa Wickrematunge.

Prabath Bulathwatte‘s reinstatement was announced on May 11 by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake in an interview with news broadcaster Ada Derana.

“I can share what I told Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake. Major Prabhath Bulathwatte has been credibly accused by the CID of running a death squad from within one of the most elite units in the army. Reports filed in court indicate that several of his colleagues in Military Intelligence and many civilians have courageously come forward to provide the police with evidence against him, commenting on Bulathwatte’s reinstatement Ahimsa told Colombo Telegraph.

“His reactivation in a prominent post will not only pose a serious threat to and have a chilling effect on those army officers and other witnesses who had the righteousness to speak up against Mr. Bulathwatte’s alleged wrongdoing. It will also send the wrong message to the dozens or hundreds of capable, military intelligence officers whose efforts were dedicated to winning the war against the LTTE or otherwise protecting Sri Lanka while Mr. Bulathwatte was allegedly occupied with terrorising journalists at the direction of powerful masters for political reasons,” she said.

“Especially in this time of crisis, Sri Lanka’s security forces desperately need capable and professional officers with a track record of going above and beyond to serve their country and not settling personal vendettas. I am confident that the army’s intelligence corps has many such officers to choose from, and need not be cowed by those who want to see Mr. Bulathwatte and his alleged political masters legitimised and going free,” Ahimsa further said.

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