The United National Party (UNP) is calling for an international level investigation into the bomb blast in
Speaking to the media in
The UNP has accused the government of ignoring repeated requests for a stronger security detail for Gen Perera.
"The government must take full responsibility," Mr. Attanayake.
"They did not give him adequate security for political reasons."
“The LTTE, Pillayan Group or any other group or politician may have killed Maj. Gen. Perera, but the foundation for his murder was laid by a top official in the Defence Ministry and the Rajapaksa regime,” Mr. Attanayake alleged.
“Therefore, the incident should be investigated at international level,” he said.
"Top terrorist Pillayan travels in bulletproof vehicles courtesy Rajapaksa government. LTTE breakaway Karuna Amman is given state protection. However, General Janaka Perera who had rendered a great service to the country and nation died as a civilian without any protection."
“The government should take full responsibility for the killing, following repeated safety concerns raised by him due to threats from the LTTE, Pillayan Group and government politicians,” Mr. Attanayake said.
Days before the killing, east chief minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan had been seen in several areas of
"So, how can a suicide bomber enter the town? Whose fault is it that the bomber could not be caught during the search?" the UNP General Secretary asked.
When he had been serving in the army, Maj. Gen. Perera was a hero for the government, but as soon as a he was announced as the UNP's election candidate, he suddenly became a traitor, Mr. Attanayake charged.
His rival candidate Berty Premalal Dissanayake was given hundreds of security personnel, while Maj. Gen. Perera lost even his handful of bodyguards after the election, Mr. Attanayake claimed.
Speaking further, he condemned DIG K.P.P. Pathirana for his statement that the police had not been informed of the opening of the UNP office in
Pursuant to a log entry (4149/2008) at Anuradhapura Headquarters Police, sergeant Udaya Kumara (24993) and constables Bandara (61967), Wijesinghe (54410) and Bandara (34825) had been sent to the location, Mr. Attanayake revealed.
Therefore, DIG Pathirana should resign immediately or the IGP should suspend him, for having misled the country by making false statements, the UNP General Secretary added.
Separately, the leader of the SLFP (Mahajana Wing) Mangala Samaraweera said the Rajapaksa government should take full responsibility for the attack.
The ex-military commander had been facing death threats since the moment he came forward to contest the recent provincial polls, but the government had completely disregarded his safety concerns, Mr. Samaraweera noted.
Since the beginning, the present regime had planned to make his life insecure and it had led to his murder, the SLFP (M) leader said.
