The Army has begun to question the line taken by the police in their investigations into the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on Friday August 12, by the LTTE. They believe that the police are trying to blame them for the security lapses discovered after the killing.

Sources said the task of guarding the late minister’s private residence had been entrusted to the Ministerial Security Division (MSD). The late Minister had, on February 21, 2001, in a three-page letter, clearly said that security at his personal residence had to be taken care of by the MSD. His private residence was at Havelock place then, thereafter he had informed the police of the change of residence to No, 36 Bullers Lane.

Sources said only two MSD personnel had been present near the front gate of the minister’s residence at the time of the assassination. Sources said that according to reports, the assassin had waited at the Thalaysingham residence for about three to four days. They asked what the MSD had done all that time. They said the army went only as an advance party.

Sources said that Mrs. Kadirgamar had earlier, on several occasions complained to the Police about the duties and functions of the MSD personnel.

"It is surprising why the CID is yet to question Mrs. Kadirgamar, who was there with the late minister, when he was shot by the LTTE. Why are they trying to cover up their follies?" asked sources.

The CID had questioned over 25 Army Commandos but not the only eyewitness, Mrs. Kadirgamar.

Sources revealed that they had seen a clear pattern emerging from the Police investigations and their questioning. That was that the police were trying to place the blame on the Army. At one point an angry Commando had to walk out because the CID had directly blamed the Army.

Sources revealed that the late minister had spoken to IGP Chandra Fernando personally and asked for a report on the LTTE men caught videoing his Bullers Lane residence three weeks before he was killed. The IGP had sent the minister two photos of the LTTE suspects with their personal details.

But no action had been taken apart from the provision of this information, sources said.