Mahinda overjoyed at “Gotha Malli’s” escape
December 1st, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse was overjoyed at the escape of Defence, Public Security and Law and Order Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse in a suicide bomb attack on December 1st at Kollupitiya.
[TamilNet Photo]
The Defence secretary was not merely a Government official alone but also the favourite younger brother of the President.
The proverbial saying about blood being thicker than water was very much evident as Mahinda embraced “Gotha Malli” tightly and hugged him speechlessly for more than a minute.
Those who saw the scene were touched at the sight of Mahinda’s moist eyes .Gotabhaya was smiling with relief as his brother clasped and kissed him.
Earlier when reports of an attack on Gotabhaya’s convoy reached him the President was frantic with anxiety. He was seen and heard shouting agitatedly on the telephone.He was visibly upset.
The President shouted out to officers of the security contingent at the expllosion site to inform him about the condition of his brother.
When he was informed that Gotabhaya was safe Mahinda urged the security personnel to bring his brother to “Temple Trees” immediately.
Gotabhaya was put in a Defender jeep and whisked off to “Temple Trees” in a jiffy. Security personnel cleared the way enroute by firing rapidly in the air.
The Defence Secretary was on his way to “Temple Trees” for a National Security Council meeting when the explosion occurred.
President Rajapakse had returned the previous day from his Indian trip.
Many people including Premier Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana rushed to “Temple Trees” to congratulate Gotabhaya on his amazing escape.
Mahinda’s mind was set at ease only after seeing his brother. A much relieved Mahinda was seen telling his younger brother with a smile “They cant kill you”.
Gotabhaya a retired Lt. Colonel and ex – commanding officer of the 1st Gajaba regiment migrated to the USA in the mid – nineties.
He returned last year to assist Mahinda in the presidential election campaign. After the victory Gotabhaya was appointed Defence Secretary and has been virtually master minding the war effort.
Mahinda’s affection for Gotabhaya was illustrated publicly on April 14th this year when family festivity for Sinhala – Tamil New year was telecast. Mahinda was seen chasing Gotabhaya to personally feed him kiribath.
Meanwhile Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, reaffirmed his commitment to the national need of defeating the LTTE’s terrorism in a statement issued after the assassination attempt.The text of his statement was as follows:
“You may already be aware that through the blessings of good fortune, the LTTE terrorists failed in their attempt to take my life today. However contemptible their effort may be, I treat them with compassion.
I take this opportunity to inform you that I am not ready to abandon the responsibility we have towards the country, in the face of such cowardly attacks by the LTTE, and to reaffirm our commitment to the national need to defeat the LTTE’s terrorism.
Far from abandoning our determination and commitment to defeat all efforts of the LTTE to achieve its bloodthirsty aims by grossly misleading the international community; in the face of attacks such as these, I would hesitate to even think of it.
I wish to appeal to all our people and the international community to avoid any action that will demoralize and weaken the determination our brave troops who are ready, at the sacrifice of their lives. To make real the dream of His Excellency the President of building a new Sri Lanka, where all Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people can live happily in peace and harmony.
Whatever obstructions we may face, I wish to emphasize that we should not deviate from the people’s desire to bring about a permanent peace to the country; because peace is the primary need of the nation. I wish to express my gratitude to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the face of this attack by assassins; I wish speedy recovery to the members of the Security Forces and civilians who were injured in this attack; and thank my security personnel who faced up to the challenge of the assassins.
Finally, what I wish to reiterate before you the singular truth that it will never be possible to defeat this great country through the bloody savagery of the cowardly LTTE terrorists. As citizens, I request you to wish all necessary courage and strength to the Security Forces who are your own brothers and sisters, and appreciate the efforts taken by them to safeguard you. I ask you to raise your voice for the cause of peace, to realize your expectations of a peaceful and harmonious Sri Lanka.”
transCurrents feedback : editor@transcurrents.com
transCurrents feedback :Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
Entry Filed under: transCurrents
