2015 general election candidates signed agreement with Zahran : Hizbullah

The general election candidates in the East had signed an agreement in 2015 with Easter Sunday attack mastermind Zahran Hashim to garner his support, Former Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah told the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) yesterday.

By Sandun Jayawardana

The general election candidates in the East had signed an agreement in 2015 with Easter Sunday attack mastermind Zahran Hashim to garner his support, Former Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah told the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) yesterday.

Giving evidence before the PSC looking into the Easter Sunday attacks, the former Eastern Governor acknowledged that he met Zahran in 2015 while campaigning for the 2015 Parliamentary Election.

He pointed out that he failed to secure a seat during the 2015 Parliamentary Election because Zahran had campaigned against him for breaking the agreement.

"He called all candidates who were contesting the elections for a meeting. At the time, he was not a terrorist but the leader of a religious group. He could muster 2000-3000 votes and as such, all the candidates, including those from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and others went to the meeting."

Mr Hizbullah said the candidates each signed an agreement with Zahran which included 'conditions' that candidates had to accede to garner his support. This included the prohibition of using music and fire crackers at election meetings and having separate seating arrangements for men and women. All the candidates signed the agreement as they all wanted his support, the former Governor stated. 

Zahran however, broke off the agreement with him (Hizbullah) after some of his supporters played music at his election meetings, Mr Hizbullah alleged.

He also told the PSC that additionally, Zahran may have decided not to support him as his support base included a large number of Sufi Muslims, who Zahran and his supporters did not agree with. 

"I lost the 2015 Parliamentary Election by 121 votes. I lost about 2000 votes on account of Zahran. When I was appointed to Parliament from the National List by President Maithripala Sirisena, Zahran and his group held protests in the East. I am the happiest to know that he has died as I can win the next election easily without any trouble from his group," Mr Hizbullah claimed. 

He further claimed that during the 2015 Presidential Election, Zahran supported then common candidate, Maithripala Sirisena. "I supported then President Mahinda Rajapaksa but Zahran supported Maithripala Sirisena."  

(Pic by Sameera Weerasekara)