8 November, 2024

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Salawa Blast: CBK In Clarification To Colombo Telegraph Says She Isn’t Responsible

In a clarification sent to the Colombo Telegraph, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has said that the story which we carried on June 5 under the heading ‘Fire At Kosgama Army Camp Causes Havoc, Is CBK To Be Blamed’ is completely false.

Former President Kumaratunga

Former President Kumaratunga

The clarification sent on behalf of her by her Director Media said, “Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former President of Sri Lanka asserts that this statement is completely false, she did not give these orders and it was decided by the Army in 1993, before her Government came into power.”

The Colombo Telegraph story which quoted a highly placed military expert said that Kumaratunga should take full responsibility for this incident, as the armoury was established in Salawa, Kosgama on her orders, when she was the defence minister, despite strong protests against her decision. The establishment of the armoury at Kosgama was deemed as a move against the law as well as against certain standards.

Following Kumaratunga’s clarification, our military expert goes on to say that although the Salawa Army Camp had an armoury, it was Kumaratunga who converted it into a heavy weapon armoury in the late 90s.

The day after the decision was made, her cabinet minister Indika Gunawardena, who lived near the camp told Uvindu Kurukulasuriya, who was then attached to the Ravaya newspaper, about the decision and said this armoury would suffer grievously in the event of an accidental explosion.”Why can’t she set it up in Horagolla instead of shoving it up my sarong?”, he asked angrily at that time.

Soon after the Salawa incident, even former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, “The central armoury of the army was established in this location in the late 1990s by the then government despite protests by politicians in the area like Dinesh Gunawardena and Bandula Gunawardane who warned against the storing of large quantities of ordnance close to residential areas.”

Editor’s Note: The unfortunate incident at the Salawa Army camp has resulted in a blame game, however despite the successive change in governments and despite the defence portfolio coming under several different Presidents, none of them have followed the weapon and ammunition management standards, which has led to the fire and destruction at the Army camp. It is clear from the incident that the armoury was in an unsuitable area, which is highly residential resulting in a massive destruction.

Related posts;

Fire At Kosgama Army Camp Causes Havoc, Is CBK To Be Blamed?

Salawa Army Camp Fire: CID, Army Carry Out Separate Investigations, As STF In Special Defusing Operation

The Reality Behind The Explosion At The Army Central Armoury In Kosgama

Latest comments

  • 16
    7

    I endorse the editor’s note.
    The armed forces and successive governments should accept collective responsibility.
    I can understand CBK’s desire to clear herself as she has been singled out for criticism. But a word of regret or an apology would have elevated her in my opinion.

    • 12
      3

      Just to put the blame on her adminstration not doing it to MR admistration who you guys thought to have done all good in terms of weapons, arms and all the related handlings, is a pathetic issues. Last 10 years they the Rajaakshe brother of all criminals energies made very efforts to go against own folks, but telling and sharing that they are the only ones who are capabple of safeguarding people of the country. Butnot to have taken any step against the armory store is should be made accoutable to Rajapakshe adminstration.
      Now journos that are supportive to Rajakashes are still fear of uttering truth about them. They behave tamed to Rajakashe mafia journlism prevailing inthe country. Hiru or others will also beat the drums in favours of Rajaakshes- is a known fact to any housholds.

      • 0
        0

        What the Sri Lanka Security sector needs today is a comprehensive and systematic review by experts.

        The military sector may be reformed, Re-EDUCATED, revamped and down sized – made lean, ethical and strong to work for peace and reconciliation.

        Gota Jarapasaa wht military dictator in waiting in Sri Lanka had built up a massive military white elephants and juggernaut to protect himself. The military white elephant Gota built up after the Terrorist LTTE was defeated was like the Hambantota White elephants – Mattala airport and sea port – all funded by the Chinese who welcomed build up of a Jarapassa brothers Military Dictatorship in Lanka, to counter-balance loss of Myanmar.

        Sri Lanka had a narrow shave and is luck that Ranil-Sira managed to depose the Jarapassa dictatorship in the making..

        Gota is still playing games with the military and should be locked up.

        Building an armory in a civilian residence area in South Sri Lanka’s Kosgoda and not removing it after war ended, is like having army camps on civilian property in Jaffna and northeast, and Defense Ministry refusing to return their land to civilians.

        Sri Lanka military and its infrastructure and personnel should be comprehensively reviewed, rolled back, and down sized for peace time.

    • 6
      0

      To The editors not.

      Ahm was it not the same CMB Telegraph that carried the story of how Gota fled to Maldives on a sea plane full of stolen loot and how namal and brothers fled to china on 8th of jan. Hmmmm wonder what happen to the editors note then on that false news..one of many by In journalism truth is a process.. Some process

    • 4
      1

      Dear Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga,

      //The clarification sent on behalf of her by her Director Media said, “Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former President of Sri Lanka asserts that this statement is completely false, she did not give these orders and it was decided by the Army in 1993, before her Government came into power.”//

      //”Editor’s Note: The unfortunate incident at the Salawa Army camp has resulted in a blame game, however despite the successive change in governments and despite the defence portfolio coming under several different Presidents, none of them have followed the weapon and ammunition management standards, which has led to the fire and destruction at the Army camp. It is clear from the incident that the armoury was in an unsuitable area, which is highly residential resulting in a massive destruction.”//

      Madame, you are not really responsible, but the army is. They should have followed proper procedures, and made suggestions and recommendations.

      Was the army incompetent a or lazy. Does the army know how to maintain an armoury?

      Remember, Mahinda rajapaksa had 10 years to fix it, if it was a problem, instead of going along with the Mattala Airport and other extravaganza.

      Madame, please stand your ground.

      • 3
        0

        Yes Amarasiri,

        Nobody criticises MR for the issue, but CBK why ?

        Here we see the greater favour being made by prevailing press of the nation. Press in srilanka is caught by a mafia group, we have some more freedom as journalists to be unbiased today than had been prior to 08th Jan 2015. But sadly, some journos except the few like Suranga or the other in SIrasa seems to open their mouths widen when it comes to call a spade a spade.

        I truly believe, [Edited out] and the like have been eternally injected to react so, then only those politicians can consolidate their powers.
        Very same men telling something and behaving shamlessly create new form divisions but following Rajaakshe agendas.

    • 1
      0

      Sekara, you are spot on.

      Why to single out when it is to attack only ?

      This has been going on and on and on… [Edited out] or the like will never ever add their two cts against most abusive Mr: Madamulana for some reasons. That is nothing but against colombo educated folks and village representatives. However, taking to consideration all the recent election results, we have to agree that various fractions of the society had to go against Rajaakshes for diverse reasons. But the brain washes had been done by them would take some people to turn their mind sets. They would not see it right the way it is but having their likes to Rajaakshes, they will remain so at least for few decades. They like teenies in transition age would not want to see the truths by their eyes, even if facts would help them. That is typcial srilanka…. for sure, Rajaakshes only thought of their pocket filling culture rather than playing sound politics that coudl bring all citizens some benefits.
      While the educated being gotten marginalized, pleased any harmful mental grabbers … giving them the fore run places. This curse is boomerranging today… nobody can help stop it… today high crimes have risen to levels as no times seen before.
      If the man to be called as Rajaaksthuma to have won the war, same man and his skills should take the way also to play good politics. Alone the argument makes it clear it was the fault of Rajapakshes,all this reached to this levels. Today though crimes are being investigated, but still not much is being done – to avoid them… rigorous law enforcement can save the nation tha tis what I feel. God bless srilanka

    • 9
      0

      sekara,

      “”But a word of regret or an apology would have elevated her in my opinion. “”

      New Delhi Journos know best. Viper and her ingratitude towards India.

      class wattie amma had to miss that spin O spin.
      as guilty as ever.commander like kussi amma.

      rotten family tree pedigree (at the end they ruled too)
      (they learn this lot at the united nations for free)

      majority of islanders cant think beyond their nose.

  • 7
    10

    The amount of blunders CBK has done to this country, Salava is negligible. (I am not down grade what had happened to Salava, Kosgama my dear brethren in the area).

    • 8
      4

      Man if anyone with a bird brain woudl see it right today, if mEDIA men are free to express – that mountains of blunders that Rajapakshes has made to this nation, even if his term ended civil war – is like sky high. Be it in srilanka or any other counttry leaders within their terms count some huge mistakes. SO is the case with CBK, JR, Premadasa and all, but all together and the failures that Rajakashe has gone due to his deliberative nature is sky earth difference.
      Even today, sums that have been abused in the name of people are not traceable. Crimess and the nature of promoting crimes were sky high. Had the people and people s power failed to send the criminals home, what woudl have been reached to this day – is predictable.
      Reeember the days, Chandiya, Duninda SIlva was also repeating ” aathi garu Rajaakshe … aathi garu Rajaakshe … aathi garu Rajaakshe … aathi garu Rajaakshe … aathi garu Rajaakshe … aathi garu Rajaakshe … aathi garu Rajaakshe … aathi garu Rajaakshe … – and toy pistol men in thuggish costumes were set to drive away fact finding missions of the oppostion ?

      Remember white vanning or any other harms being become day today agenda ?
      Women had been beaten and innocient people s disappearences ?
      If you Max and the folks you reprent should havea a brain the size of need head, the could see it right ? Ballige puthas took the ground only because ones in power wwere no difference to those criminals.

      • 6
        5

        Seelawathie,

        mangala said they know where MR is hiding $18 billion. 18 months have passed and he has not been able to tell where MR is hiding money. May be in a place where he cannot put his hand.

        Duninda said ‘Athigaru Rajapakse. MY3 said ‘Oba Thamai Maha Rajano’. If he was given the PM post, still MR is ‘Maha Rajano’ not ‘Hora Hora Hora’. People in this country have forgotten how the ‘Chaura Regina’ looted my country. Flood victims are homeless, Salawa fire victims are homeless, cancer hospital is asking people to donate money to buy a scanner and yet the government is planning to give Rs.170 laks to ‘Choura Regina’ to put up a building next to her residence. This is poor tax payers money.

        • 3
          3

          Thanks to Chaura Rajina Et al, we have press freedom and some sorta of respectful govt that do some justice to the people while others waiting but with hopes. Unlike in previous days under your PROVEN pal hora – even if women were attacked, no attention were given. But truly saying it has beeen improved to some extent.

          Today, the situation int erm sof rights have been improved to some extents – even if more ot be improved. Civlized folks welcome it, while others like would stay gum as had been before. That is the diversity of the planet. You guys will never see it, efforts being made to turn you to good can take decades. So it is pointless.

          Whoever you are, if youR brain cells are not wanderd to your back side, shoudl WELL know to judge it today than had been before. All high culprits were the front men under rascal Rajapakshes.Today or near future, you will see how it will work for these men.

          Now on a trip to searchf or safer grounds will backfire soon is what I BELIEVE. Gone are the days of culprits.. no chance for them in this land again. basta – crystal clear

        • 2
          1

          Sathya, your parents should have been born culprits to call you so, since you utter everything beyond facts.

          Even if CBK woudl have buiit it, none of them would have been ended up to the manner Hambantota harbour, mattala airport or any other all high lost gigantic projects. The one theater to please Rajaakshe supporters, they built it , today, that is not even hired by many… there were number of other all lost projects sucked the tax payers funds but making rich Rajaakshe kith and kin. So the guys of your kind will never see it right, since you belong to Rajapakshe blood.

  • 6
    0

    success has many fathers, failure is an orphan.

    I have personally witnessed many politicians claiming credit to a successful venture when they had no atom of involvement in it.

  • 4
    0

    The crucial question that is being debated is the CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. The extent of loss of arms, ammunition and the entire ordnance had little connection to locational specifics. Residential density never caused the disaster.

    Majority of the comments to the earlier story suggested sinister stratagems.

  • 7
    6

    Oh Whiskey Madam has just woken up! She must have been trying to remember under whose sarong she had shoved Salawa all these days before jumping to defend herself.

    • 3
      3

      Jayaratne,

      Anyone with a brain would see it right today, all was restricted to anyone went against Rajapkshes during last 10 years, thought all that were in the air were right. So was it that Rajakshe idiots turned the mind sets of vulnerable folks.

      Please CT, dont allow to add the kind of deorgotary terms -whoever he or she was president for this country. Some degree of respect and dignity should be prevailed (moral and ethically) to any presidents regardless of the blunders their adminstrations claimed.

      Just to attck and revenge on her actions taken against, what was not spread against her during last 10 years a tyranical leader governed the nation.
      Today we read, that WE NEED to bring a motion against former Presidnet Rajaakshe in the parliment… so all is becoming clear today… though it moves ina snail rhythm.

      • 4
        1

        CT’s gutter journalism, implying that CBK was responsible for the explosion provoked this needless blame game in the first place. Read the headline of the first article.

    • 5
      4

      Why blame CBK. Mahinda R took over in 2006 with his brother using the army as his personal fiefdom. Why was the necessary change not made at that time. The army higher-ups also should be held responsible for not
      getting this done by the Rajapakses. Or is it they did not understand the consequences – going by the known IQ of most officers in the armed forces now.

      BTW, dear Kudu J, Madam’s drinks are the likes of Red Wine (Bordeaux-Beujolais) and Cognac (Remy Marin) – and the very best from France where she studied/lived for years. The Rajapakse rogues of Medamulana will never come close to this class. Cheap Whiskey and Arrakku are for the Gembas around the Rajapakses and aiyo Siras.

      Ben O.T. Doubt

      • 0
        0

        [Edited out]

      • 0
        0

        [Edited out]

      • 0
        0

        Hello Ben O.T.Doubt
        You seems to be very intimate with madam to know her drinking habits.Can you explain how madam, without working abroad, accumulated so much money to buy a palatial place in london and educated her children in london?
        The money, like the raiapakasas must have , sprited away from lanka.

  • 3
    0

    Still Tamils are abducted and tortured – read Tamil news. A British citizen Tamil been to North on a holiday, got abducted and tortured – may be he refused to give money. Why this stupid fellow went to srilanka and spend pounds in srilanka, instead he could have spent that money in some other beautiful country – there are so many beautiful places in Britain, example Wales, Cornwall, island etc. I have been to island last week, it is such a beautiful place. Until things become normal, I will advise Tamils not to spend foreign exchange in Srilanka. So things are not normal even in good government. Everything in North will come to normal, if the government remove army from North. Our stupid Tamils did not learn enough even after all the losses. Our politicians and NPC members should stop fighting among them and work for the people, life is too short to waste.

    • 3
      1

      May be these occurences are from Tamil thugs.

      While I continue living in Germany and Europe – I hear there are tamil thugs that keep doing their harrasment to their people if money collections are not done accordingly. This is what I get from tamil men and women known to me.

      Anyways, this means not that abductions would never be occured by any other ethnic groups, but I blieve, making use of the chance, thugs and criminals of various kind abuse that way. That to be put to zero, we need RIGOROUS law enforce ment for all.

      – IF ANYONE with allegations be bailed out – it has become a disrepct/disgrace to BAILING OUT as a whole

      – FCID is said tobe doing their job roudn the clock, but we are not satisfied .. not the smidgeon the way they have failed to keep sharks at least years long in jail. Most abusive man to roam in Japan today, FCID or other investigative bodies seem to have made us a LAUGHIG stock by now.

  • 2
    1

    Once upon a time a man called Gota is said to have used a section of the Bandaranayake International conference hall as an armoury to store the illegal weapons of the notorious Avant Garde gang. The story seems to have been forgotten!

  • 2
    0

    Gota or brainless and arrogant idiot brother of Jarapakse should take the full responsibility of the blast. As defence head, he had enough time to shift it to a safe location. Instead, he was heavily interested in king mega commissions from MIG deals and arms supplies. Gota should be sent to gallows for the crimes he committed including this blast

    • 2
      0

      why the press men stay silent when all and sundry are becoming clear that the blame should go to Rajaakshes ? That prove the fears of Jounarlists against Rajaaksshe goons. Like or not they still handle the ground though be away from active potlics. Rajaakshes are born murderers.

    • 1
      1

      Idiamin is believed to have eaten out their folks.

      Srilanken Rajaakshes are no second those idiamin or the like brutal men of the world. i would trust them for any low level tasks – they behave so but they are merciless men born to those Medamulana. They spread only harm related culture.

  • 0
    5

    What’s important is precautionary measures to be taken and maintained, rather than looking for uninhabited areas when arms and ammunition are stored.

    Sri Lanka is a densely populated small country so no one should be blamed for locating them in any area of the country, whether it’s in Colombo or Kandy or Jaffna or down south.

    People living close proximity should be made aware of the danger and what’s to be done in an emergency situation.

    If they are located in our jungles animal rights savers are there to make a big cry; to make the country up side down as elephant life is more valuable than human life for them.

    • 8
      1

      “”a densely populated small country “”

      what are you dreaming of kathurumurunga?
      `small` this alone proves your character of spin.

      Density
      Sri Lanka 332 Persons/Km2;
      Hong Kong 6996 P/Km2; (better std of living; produce fire crackers etc)
      Singapore 8,138 P/Km2 (quality std of living; produce arms,fire crackers etc)

      “”If they are located in our jungles animal rights savers are there to make a big cry; to make the country up side down as elephant life is more valuable than human life for them.””

      In the world only terrorist store in the jungle.
      We the vast majority leave our last will in the name of animals.

      You have proved your net worth- socialista/communist.

    • 1
      0

      An opportune moment to bring animal lovers and humanity haters; rolled into one and termed environmentalists, to their senses.

      The government advised by all its institutions should steer clear of detractors whose segmented screaming brought about the Kosgama tragedy.

  • 0
    0

    Of course!people are responsible for voting her in 1994.

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