• MP Archchuna to be questioned

The Ministry of Public Security stated that investigations are underway into the statement made by Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna that the now-controversial batch of 323 containers brought into the country included weapons that had once belonged to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Archchuna alleged that a batch of containers recently brought into Sri Lanka and later released by the Sri Lanka Customs contained firearms and other weapons that had originally been in Thailand and were moved through several locations before reaching the country. He claimed that the goods belonged to LTTE leader Prabhakaran and were brought in through LTTE figure Kumaran Pathmanathan.

When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether an investigation will be carried out into the allegation, the Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala said that Archchuna will be questioned about his claims. "Who would bring in weapons and firearms through Customs? What he (Archchuna) said is totally false. People like him keep repeating stories for political gains. We will not let them spread lies. If anyone makes false claims for political and personal gain, they'll be dealt with."

Making the allegation in Parliament, Archchuna said: “These containers held Prabhakaran’s weapons. They had been in Thailand and were brought back. The diaspora told me the remaining weapons were packed into containers and sent here. I say this responsibly, though I can’t prove it. I may receive threats for speaking out on this matter. But I am not afraid."

Subsequently, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) strongly denied allegations made by Archchuna. In a statement, he dismissed the claims as “completely baseless and false,” stressing that no evidence supports the accusation. He also said that politicising national security would undermine public confidence and stability.