Journalist Christopher Kamalendran who as a part of an investigative report on clashes between rival mosques in the Beruwala area had met with Zahran Hashim where he conducted an interview with the Easter attacks ringleader back in 2009.

The journalist was called upon to provide his testimony on the details of the interview to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the Easter attacks, yesterday (24).

He revealed that several T-56 assault rifles were seen stored at the office premises of the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) where the interview was held. 

These weapons were apparently handed out by former Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah for the protection of the Muslim community during the conflict with the terror group LTTE, but had found their way into the hands of the extremist preacher and his cohorts.

When questioned as to when the weapons had been distributed, the journalist replied that they were handed out following an LTTE attack on a mosque in 1993.

He added that such distribution of weapons to at-risk communities had been carried out since the tenure of President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

Kamalendran revealed that Zahran Hashim’s group was responsible for the demolition of over 100 homes belonging to conventional Muslims during that time period.

However, during the interview, Zahran Hashim had categorically denied any involvement in the incidents.

The journalist added that when he brought the clashes up with the Eastern Province DIG Edwin Gunatilake, the DIG had stated that such clashes were commonplace between Muslim groups in the area.

Further, the DIG had stated that clashes were not issues that could be resolved by police intervention. He had added that due to the clashes being more political in nature, mere public servants were powerless to arbitrate.