 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
There was speculation yesterday that Friday’s suicide attacker planned to target SLAF Chief Air Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke as he returned to his headquarters at Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha.
Well informed sources asserted that the female bomber may have had anticipated Gunatilleke to return to his offices after attending Friday’s ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat to celebrate the liberation of Kilinochchi.
Although the bomber was initially identified as a woman, an official yesterday told The Sunday Island that the attacker had been identified as a male.
Had he wanted to target a group of ordinary airmen outside the headquarters, he could have done it easily, they said.
They said that the bomber triggered the explosion as he was pursued by people after his presence aroused suspicion.
Unknown to the attacker who may have had advanced warning of Gunatilleke leaving the Presidential Secretariat just after 5 p. m., the SLAF chief had gone straight to his residence, the sources said. (SF)
