Pallekele Army Camp attack
The Pallekele Army Camp attack was an attack carried out by the Deshapremi Janatha Viyaparaya, which was the armed wing of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (commonly known as the JVP). The attack was led by Saman Piyasiri Fernando as a part of the 1987-1989 JVP insurrection.
| Pallekele Army Camp attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 1987-1989 JVP insurrection[1] | |
| Location | |
| Planned by |  Deshapremi Janatha Viyaparaya |
| Commanded by | Saman Piyasiri Fernando Adhikari alias Kosala |
| Date | April 15, 1987 |
| Executed by | Patriotic People's Battalion[2] |
| Outcome | Deshapremi Janatha Viyaparaya victory Base sealed off for few weeks |
Background
The Sri Lankan Civil War began in 1983 following years of racial and political tensions between the Majority Sinhalese and the Minority Tamil people in Sri Lanka. The Indian Peacekeeping Force arrived in 1987 following the Indo-Lanka accord. The JVP opposed the arrival of the IPKF and revolted against the pro-Western J. R. Jayawardene led government. They named the UNP government as traitors and created the "Patriotic People's Movement" (DJV) which carried out the attack. Piyasiri later would operate as the leader of the JVP.
Attack
Account of Kosala
As claimed by Kosala, The JVP used to train with machetes and swords but sometimes they would get guns which a mostly T-56 rifles and repeaters. JVP trained members in a rural village and gave them military costumes to enter the Pallekele base. Then they would take the weapons out and start shooting the guards.
He claims that the JVP forced local gun owners to hand over their weapons and "make a patriotic donation" and if not they will die. The name Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna was never revealed during war but instead used the name Patriotic People Movement. They also attacked the Digana bank where they stole a shotgun that was held by the security guard.
The Attack
On 15 April 1987, DJV attacked the Pallekele Army Camp in Kandy. Led by a former soldier, Mahinda, under the directions of Shantha Bandara, the JVP seized 12 Type 56 assault rifles, seven sub-machine guns and ammunition. The attack is reported as "did not cause any deaths" but it's highly alleged that the DJV killed a certain amount of Military personnel. The armed wing was operated by Saman Piyasiri Fernando and Adhikari aka Kosala.[3][4]
Investigation and aftermath
Months later 7 June 1987, Sri Lanka Air Force Base, SLAF Katunayake and the Kotelawala Defence Academy were attacked and weapons and ammunition were stolen while only four of the attackers were killed in the entire series of attacks. DJV claimed responsibility and the Criminal Investigation Department investigation resulted in 13 JVP members arrested. Kosala stated that these weren't against the Sri Lankan army but attempts made to collect weapons and arm themselves for the conflict. He further stated that they also collected weapons using Premakumar Gunaratnam's Tamil faction who attacked the IPKF military base in Kallar.[5]
Weaponry usage
Kosala claims that JVP used to abduct members of the elite social class by force, killed political opposition members or rivals of the party. This attack helped the JVP to be well armed for certain assassinations made the same year. The Army was deployed on the North to fight against the LTTE, this made the Sri Lankan army a vulnerable target of the JVP. The JVP claimed to use the weapons to further attack the deployed India Army. Over 200 trained military personnel was killed and over 400 police officers were killed as many conservative reports say while the death toll is placed at 66,000.[6][7]
References
- "'Divaina, Methek Kathawa'".
- ""Interview with Wilson"".
- Erasing the Eelam victory Part 17
- "Plots to topple the government".
- "Power Struggle".
- Sri Lanka in 1987: Indian Intervention and Resurgence of the JVP. Pfaffenberger B. Asian Survey, Vol. 28, No. 2, A Survey of Asia in 1987: Part II. (Feb., 1988), pp. 139