Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, wife slain Minister Jayaraj Fernandopulle and SLFP Organiser for Katana yesterday told The Island that she had never suspected SP Lakshman Cooray’s involvement with the LTTE even after her husband’s assassination.

She said once Cooray had brought to her notice a move to serve him a charge sheet over the assassination in relation to shortcomings in security arrangements.

Responding to queries, she said that Jeyaraj had been invited to Cooray’s homecoming. She said some believed that the minister was an attesting witness at the police officer’s wedding though she could not confirm it.

Dr. Fernandopulle quit a top Health Ministry post on November 9 to take over the Katana electorate. She had urged the police then not to blame Cooray over the killing as she felt that he could not be held responsible for negligence on the part of somebody else. She said that Cooray’s involvement with the LTTE had been brought to her notice only a few months ago.

She said that Minister Jeyaraj had known the suspect’s father, who had been a member of the SLFP-run Western Provincial Council.