A brother and nephew of the late Major General Janaka Perera, who was previously reported to have been killed in a terrorist suicide bombing, lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Public Security this morning (11). They expressed concerns over the circumstances surrounding his death, describing it as suspicious, and called for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Major General Janaka Perera, his wife Vajira Perera, and 28 others lost their lives on October 6, 2008, in a bombing that occurred during a pivotal period in his political career. After retiring from an illustrious military service, Major General Perera transitioned to the diplomatic service before entering politics.
In 2001, he retired from military service and subsequently served as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia and Ambassador to Indonesia. Later, he entered the political arena, opposing the Mahinda Rajapaksa-led United People’s Freedom Alliance government. At the time of his assassination, he was the opposition leader of the North Central Provincial Council and a prominent contender for the position of Chief Minister, actively campaigning for the provincial council elections. The fatal attack occurred within his campaign office in Anuradhapura.
While the incident was initially attributed to a suicide bombing carried out by the LTTE, recent claims have cast doubt on this narrative. The complainants—Major General Perera’s brother and nephew—asserted that emerging evidence contradicts the earlier conclusion and urged the Ministry to launch a formal investigation.
In addition to filing their complaint, they have also taken steps to inform the President in writing, seeking his intervention in ensuring justice for the late Major General and those affected by the tragic incident.
