Leader of ACMC Rishad Bathiudeen MP, in his 04 May 2019 interview with IRIDA LANKADEEPA newspaper, called for maximum punishment for perpetrators of Easter Sunday attacks -Excerpts:
Q: In your view, what is the April 21 attack?
A: Very unfortunate for Sri Lanka. A disaster for our motherland. Since some Muslim boys got involved in this it even more painful to us. I am ashamed on behalf of Muslims that such a crime was committed in the name of our religion.I can’t understand why such a crime was committed on foreigners visiting us to help us. This is barbaric terrorism.
Q: How can such barbaric terrorism can crop up from your community? Is there such a background?
A: In 1973 and 87-90 there were uprisings by Sinhala brothers. Tamil youth went to terrorism in 1983. During these times, Muslims did not join such uprisings but supported the government. Therefore we never thought our Muslim youths will go for terrorism one day. These were wealthy educated Muslim youth. They joined international groups like ISIS.We never knew such groups were in existence here. Suicide bombers’ parents too were unaware what their children were doing. Also the behaviours of these youth-an LTTE cadre was known in the village and they kept their own uniforms. But no one knew about these youth. They had a different behaviour. They left for their suicide missions wearing denims.
Q: Whatever you say now, can we believe and accept that a Minister of your level saying that you did not know what was taking place within your community?
A: Our Moulevis have said that the Zahran, and Tawheed Jamath are not part of SL Muslim community. All Moulevis are registered with our community Intellectual Organisation. But Zahran and the bombers were not registered with this organisation. But the Chairman of the organisation together with WP Governor Azath Salley have met our Defense Secretary and handed over CDs with recordings of Zahran’s speeches.
Q: When?
A: I heard it was handed over in January. Azath Zalley says he handed over these evidence when Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was Defence Secretary too, but I have no idea about it.
Q: You did not join them to meet Defense Secretary?
A: No, only Moulevi and Governor went. They informed Defense Secretary that these individuals are connected to ISIS. I do not point my fingers at Defense but the Defense could not catch them.
Q: You knew nothing about 21 April attacks until the time they took place?
A: No I did not know really.
Q: If so then who influenced investigations on Vanathavilluva training camp and and to stop such investigations?
A: I have never spoken to anyone about Vanathavilluva since the day it was reported. I have never spoken to The President, PM or Defense Secretary. I am one of the worst effected by terrorism. As you know in 1990, LTTE evicted 100,000 Muslims from East within a day. Thereafter we suffered in Refugee camps for several years. I represent Muslims affected by such terrorist actions. Therefore I know the gravity of terrorism. Therefore I never supported any terrorists. I have never spoken to anyone about Vanathavilluva and asked them to stop these investigations.
Q: Didn’t you even try to find out what this training camp was about?
A: Defense carried out investigations. Several people were taken into custody too. There were also reports of two missing persons from this place. Since Defense conducted investigations we did not bother to go after this.
Q: There were dialogues and opinions about extremist Muslim gangs in the country. You were not aware nor sensitive to these opinions?
A: Since Defense conducted investigations we did not go after these. But I and Minister Kabir Hashim talked about this in the Cabinet. A Coordinating secretary to Kabir Minister was shot at. Thereafter again I and Minister Kabir talked about this at Cabinet. Minister Kabir also said that whatever was taking place was dangerous.
Q: You dont know Dematagoda Ibrahim?
A: He is a successful businessman in Sri Lanka. He is the President of CTA. With his CTA members he met me for discussions. They tell their issues to me. They met my Ministry Secretary and other officials.
Q: He is in custody today?
A: Yes
Q: Do you agree that you had a close connection with him?
A: The connection I had was official-what I just said. He only met me for official discussions. Also he last met me in 2017.
Q: Insan Ibrahim was his son?
A: Yes
Q: Insan Ibrahim was the Cinnamon Grand suicide bomber?
A: Yes
Q: Is he a coordinating Secretary of you?
A: Totally false. He is neither a coordinating Secretary nor any type of Secretary to me.
Q: But SB Dissanayake MP said so in a press conference?
A: Thats why I said it was totally false. He worked as a coordinating Secretary of me.
Q: You do not know him personally?
A: I came to know him as a son of Ibrahim only after he was reported in the press as a suicide bomber. We did not realise that they were in fact teorrorists. We all know Ibrahim to be a top businessman.I as in media that he has six sons. I never had any personal dealings with any of them. There were no business nor personal dealings with anyone in the Ibrahim family. As a politician I know everyone but did not have personal dealings with them.
Q: Bombs used in Colombo bombings has copper which was issued by a department under your Ministry?
A: This too is a wrong allegation. IDB helps small industries. It gives raw materials, know how and marketing support. IDBsupports any applicant company. All small industries register annually. When they register they bring recommendations from Divisional Secretary and Grama Sevaka. Thereafter another committee assesses their capacity. This committee recommends allocations for each company. Based on committee recommendations that empty cartridge shells were issued to Ibrahim’s son’s company. This system has been going on since 2009.
Q: Insaf received empty shells from IDB using two addresses. Did you help him to do so?
A: Not at all. This approval procedure doesn’t come under me nor seeks my (Minister’s) permission. The Chairman of IDB and his officials approve issuing of these shells. At this point, I as Minister cannot tell them to issue more quantities to someone and less quantity to another.
No one ever requested my permission either. There is no need for my approval. But they talk in a big way after this incident. I have appointed a three member committee to investigate into this incident and report to me. This committee is headed by an additional Secretary of the Ministry. If there is any irregularity at any point I will take action as the Minister. My officials already informed me that they followed the correct procedure. We investigate for any irregularity. We have given all the information to Defense Ministry.
Q: You say you don’t know of Ibrahim or his son the bomber Insaf. But Insaf’s wife’s father is the Treasurer of your party?
A: Yes he is our party’s Treasurer. Insaf’s father Ibrahim was a National list candidate at 2015 General Elections. To my knowledge, Insaf’s wife’s father is a respected businessman and a member of the governing board of our Party. I do not say he has done this type of a mistake. Since investigations on him are ongoing I do not wish to say anything more.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said his cook for 5 years supported in the bombing of him.Fonseka was the then Army Commander. Even he couldn’t stop his own cook of 5 years supporting his assassination attempt. These bombers stay like that. You can’t easily spot them. If an army commander could not spot such, how can a politician like me can spot them? Therefore asking me “How come you did not know about this” is unjustifiable.Terrorism has no race, religion, caste or party. The country has faced a criminal attack here. As Sri Lankans we need to support ongoing investigations to eradicate this terrorism from our country. We believe our party Treasurer is not connected to this terrorism. But investigations are ongoing and if they find him to be responsible he should be definitely punished. We are not against any of these investigations. We support the investigations.We have not discussed with these investigations either.
Q: A house where suicide bombers resided was found from Enderamulla. The house belonged to your sister?
A: I have three brothers and sisters. One died. One is in England. Her husband owns three houses. One of it was rented out after advertising on the internet. It is now reported that the people who rented the house have disappeared. After bombing only we too came to know. My sister is abroad for 5 years. There is no requirement for anyone advertising on the internet to get permission from Defense Ministry or the Police. The person who was in charge of the house was the person who rented it out and it was he who advertised on internet. The ongoing investigations will reveal where is the issue. It was rented in February for two years.
Q: There are volumes of swords found from Mosques. What is happening here?
A: It is wrong. It is wrong to keep swords in a mosque. Investigations are ongoing about these too. Keeping swords and knives inside Mosques is a wrong act.
Q: What is that preparation in your opinion?
A: I saw in the media. I learnt about it from the media.
Q: 50 members from a Terrorist organisation in Turkey came to Sri Lanka. Are you aware of it.?
A: You need to ask it from the Defense.
Q: Turkish Ambassador said he informed the Defense about this 50 terrorists . Then the Defense had informed him that two Muslim Ministers are preventing any investigations.
A: I think you have to ask from Turkish Ambassador about who these Muslim Ministers were. I did not try to impede any Defense investigations.
Q: Burka is prohibited now?
A: Its done under emergency regulations. Our Muslim Intellectual Body asked Muslims to not walk outside with the Burka. Media reported that President gazetted it. The Muslim Intellectual Body needs to discuss with other members of Lankan community and arrange peaceful and reconciliatory processes.
Q: You highlight / show off your party’s MPs and get subsequent SL governments in power to dance to your tune.
A; I don’t do that. Some people make various allegations against me without any proof. They are free to go the the courts and institute cases. Without appearing in front of media and make various allegations, go to the courts and file cases. They don’t do that. I have never influenced by showing off my team of MPs. Aks from any leader of Sri Lanka. We were with Mahinda Rajapaksa for a long time. We gave our fullest support to his war and anti terrorism work. I am one person who gave my maximim support to eradicate terrorism from Mavilaru to Vellamulli Vaikkal. Same for my party ACMC. In 2015 we supported President Sirisena and PM Wicremesinghe’s side and even today we are with them. After October 26 some people such as SB Dissanayke tried their best to get us to support them. But we did not join them. They are still envious of this. I have never called my Party MPs and influenced them.
Q: Some say you should be arrested and that you are directly connected with 21 April Easter bombings.
A: Maximum punishment should be meted out to all who are connected to these attacks. Even some Buddhistm monks declare that I should be arrested without putting forward any evidence. If you can resolve all these problems by arresting me, then go ahead and arrest me. If the (terrorism) issue is resolved by arresting me, then arrest me. This is global terrorism. At a time like this we should unite irrespective of party, old grudges or our colors. I ask everyone to allow for ongoing investigations. These investigations will reveal the truth.
INTERVIEWED BY PRASANNA SANJEEWA THENNAKOON
Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress