Death
On August 12, 2005, around 2300 (UTC+6), Kadirgamar was shot by an LTTE sniper in Colombo as he was getting out of the swimming pool at his private residence in Cinnamon Gardens. Early reports indicate he was shot twice in the head, once in the neck, and once in the body. He was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His hospital report indicates that he died as a result of his wounds.
It is widely believed around the world that Kadirgamar's assassins belong to LTTE, a group banned as a Terrorist Organization by a number of countries including the United States, Canada, India and the European Union primary due to his efforts. An overwhelming majority of Sri Lankans, hold them responsible due to the fact that Kadirgamar was responsible for getting the US among many countries to classify the LTTE as a terrorist organization. The Tamil Tigers have denied responsibility for the killing, and have stated that any damage made to their international reputation by Lakshman Kadirgamar was already done, and they would not risk the cease-fire agreement by carrying out this assassination.
Kadirgamar on many occasions mentioned the LTTE's threats to his life. Speaking to The Hindu on 29 July 2005, he said "They (LTTE) can get me anytime. I get very serious reports things are hotting up".
According to Asian Tribune, on September 5 Sri Lankan police arrested two Tamils, Muttiah Sahadevan alias Devan (Kadirgamar's neighbor's gardener) and Isidor Arokya Nathar alias Babu. The website alleged that they have confessed to having met Charles of the LTTE intelligence and helping out two alleged assassins. The website further claims that this is seen in some quarters in Sri Lanka as proof that the LTTE was behind his assassination. The suspects arrested in his murder case were released after no evidence was found after over two years in custody.
Read more about this topic: Lakshman Kadirgamar
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