Chairman of the United National Party (UNP) and former Minister Wajira Abeywardena has stated that the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) killed approximately 2,000 UNP members during its second uprising between 1988 and 1990.
Addressing a press conference at the Flower Road office in Colombo on Monday, Abeywardena cited Chapter III of the Batalanda Commission report, which indicates that about 1,960 UNP members were murdered by the JVP.
He also pointed out that the report highlights the significant damage caused by the JVP to government property, which instilled widespread fear.
Abeywardena emphasized that the Commission’s report reveals that the security situation in the country deteriorated progressively from August 1987, posing a serious threat to the lives of politicians.
He further mentioned that the JVP primarily targeted political figures from the UNP, which was in power at the time, as well as traditional left-wing leaders.
This was also clearly stated in the Commission’s report.
In reference to page 29 of the Batalanda Commission report, Abeywardena also noted that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe made a special statement on Sunday regarding the report.
He clarified that Wickremesinghe had participated as a witness and stated that President J.R. Jayewardene, with the establishment of the Provincial Council system in 1987 or the signing of the Indo-Lanka Agreement, had entrusted the Cabinet with full responsibility for managing the grave situation that arose in the country at that time.
Abeywardena further highlighted that the current Minister of Health had issued a statement acknowledging that the current President cannot reject the Batalanda Commission report and that he accepts its findings. He concluded by stating that, in such a context, all political parties should act with careful consideration.
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