• Also calls for probe into MP Dr. Archchuna’s LTTE-linked claims 

A complaint has been filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) seeking legal action against all parties responsible for allowing 323 containers into the country without conducting proper checks, some of which are now alleged to have contained weapons that belonged to the late leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Velupillai Prabhakaran.

This was in connection with the recent claim made by Opposition Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna that among the goods included in the 323 containers were weapons that belonged to Prabhakaran, and that they had been brought into the country through Thailand.

In its complaint, the Citizens of the People’s Struggle urged the CID to investigate who issued an order to release the 323 containers which it said was illegal. In addition, noting that it is illegal to execute illegal orders, the organisation sought investigations to find out who imported containers through the Customs in Thailand, the Sri Lankan Customs officers who accepted them, the Customs Director General, and other Customs officers involved.

The Citizens of the People’s Struggle General Secretary Chanaka Bandara Gunathilaka told The Daily Morning that Dr. Archchuna’s statement, regarding which the latter accepted responsibility in the Parliament, should not be underestimated as the nature of this claim makes it a matter of national security. In addition, he explained that Dr. Archchuna’s statement could seriously affect Sri Lanka-Thailand ties, and also the integrity of the Customs in Sri Lanka and Thailand. The letter submitted to the CID further read that Dr. Archchuna’s claims should not be ignored as warnings about the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings were ignored.

Meanwhile, the Public Security Ministry, on 15 June, told The Daily Morning that investigations are underway into Dr. Archchuna’s statement and that he will be questioned about his claims.