Deputy Minister Reveals Mass Graves and Torture Chambers in Matale

COLOMBO (News 1st); During a parliamentary debate on the Batalanda Commission Report, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Gamagedara Dissanayake, made startling revelations about the atrocities committed at the Batalanda torture chamber.

"As the organizer for the Biyagama electorate and Minister of Employment, Ranil Wickremesinghe led the Batalanda torture chamber, just as other district members managed similar torture chambers in their areas. Specifically, the Batalanda torture chamber was under the command of SP Douglas Peiris, who failed the ASP exam three times. Despite his failures, he was given a triple promotion and made a senior police officer through retrospective legislation, disregarding 130 others. This was orchestrated by Ranil Wickremesinghe and his associates. The accused in this are guilty," stated Dissanayake.

The Batalanda Commission was brought forward, but those involved could not testify and fled abroad using false identities. 

Douglas Peiris, who was in charge of the Batalanda torture chamber, was summoned by the commission. IP Nishshanka, who was also involved, committed suicide on the day he was supposed to testify, said the Deputy Minister.

"Thousands of young men and women were brutally murdered under paramilitary operations. We found 155 bodies buried in a single mass grave. The political leadership in the Matale district was responsible for these atrocities, and they are relatives of the women who speak here (Parliament). Twenty torture chambers were operated in the Matale District. Seven thousand of our comrades were killed. The relatives of those involved in these heinous acts are now trying to present themselves as champions of democracy. Back then, they supported the despicable actions led by Ranil Wickremesinghe and Premadasa. Their fathers and uncles were the ones in power, orchestrating these crimes," Dissanayake added.