Pillayan denies role in Maligawa attack

TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, yesterday denied that he had had a hand in the 1998 LTTE attack on the Dalada Maligawa and expressed disappointment over growing criticism of his visit to the temple and calls for him to apologise for the attack.

“I am disappointed that some sections see this as some sort of political gimmick. I am visiting all religious institutions purely to strengthen ties between the communities. This should be welcomed instead of being criticised,” TMVP spokesman Azad Maulana quoted Pillayan as saying.

Neranjan Wijeratne, the former Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa, was among those who criticised Pillayan’s visit to the temple and insisted that he apologise for the attack, alleging that Pillayan was among those who had masterminded the attack.

Pillayan, who was a member of the LTTE at the time, had dismissed the allegations saying he hoped history would not repeat itself and strain relations between the country’s Buddhists and Hindus.

Mr. Maulana asserted that the purpose of Pillayan’s visit to the sacred temple was to bridge the religious divide in the country and that it had no political motive.

Pillayan says the LTTE intelligence unit masterminded the operation and that it was a regrettable incident.

Mr. Wijeratne had said that people had not forgotten the attack, which he said was masterminded by Pillayan, and added that the Chief Minister should not have been allowed to meet the Mahanayake Theras under these circumstances.

On January 25, 1998, the LTTE carried out a deadly suicide attack on the temple, killing eight civilians, injuring 25 and causing damage to the temple structure.

The Kandy Mahanayake Theras invoked blessings on the new Eastern Province Chief Minister when he visited the temple last Sunday.

The Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera, commended the Chief Minister for giving up arms and joining the democratic process.

Accusing some Tamil politicians of trying to provoke Sinhala - Tamil disputes for political gain in the past, the Mahanayake Thera urged Pillayan to work towards establishing national unity.

Security was tightened in and around the Dalada Maligawa as the militant leader turned politician visited Kandy with a group of security personnel on Sunday evening.

Mr. Chandrakanthan was also blessed by the Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter, the Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera.

The Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter wondered why Sri Lanka’s main communities could not live in harmony in the East -- as they did in Kandy. (ER)