Former minister Mervyn Silva told Criminal Investigations Department that former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was involved in the killing of former editor of Sunday Leader Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Speaking to local media, Silva stated that he gave all relevant information to the CID.

Silva added that Gotabaya Rajapaksa intensely hated Wickrematunga and knew about the incident. Rajapaksa acts on gossip that reaches his ears, Silva added.

The former Minister on January 17 filed a complaint with the CID against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s brothers, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated on January 8, 2009 by four assailants who stopped him on his way to his office at Attidiya.