Opposition leader linked to killings

By Alastair Lawson in Colombo

Sri Lanka's opposition leader, Ranil Wickremasinghe, has been linked by state-run media to a series of extrajudicial killings that took place during a Marxist insurgency 12 years ago.

Ranil Wickremasinghe: Already given evidence

The allegations come as the country prepares for general elections that are due after parliament dissolves later this month.

State run television, radio and newspapers have all run reports which say that Mr Wickremasinghe has been accused by a former senior police officer of having links with groups involved in the killings.

They allege that the murders were carried out during the suppression of a left-wing rebellion in Sri Lanka in the late 1980s.

The officer behind the allegations, Douglas Pieris, is now in custody in connection with his role in the running of a detention camp in which members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna rebel group were held.

Mr Pieris had been living as a fugitive in India before his return to Sri Lanka earlier this month.

Opposition criticism

Police have refused to comment on the reports, but official sources say that Mr Wickremasinghe could be arrested any time between now and the elections.

President Kumaratunga failed to gain support for new constitution

The opposition United National Party has strongly criticised what it says is a conspiracy by the government to implicate its leader in torture and murder allegations.

It argues that Mr Pieris was persuaded to come back to Sri Lanka because he was offered an amnesty in return for testifying against Mr Wickremasinghe.

The party points out that the opposition leader has already given evidence before a commission appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to investigate the alleged killings.

The increased level of bickering between the government and opposition in part reflects their mutual distrust following the UNPs successful campaign last week to stop President Kumaratunga from having her new consitution accepted by parliament.

With general elections due to be held around October, the two parties are eager to score as many political points over one another as possible.