Preceded by Rohana Wijeweera Name Saman Fernando Nationality Sri Lankan Education University of Kelaniya | Occupation Politician Succeeded by Lalith Wijerathna | |
Died December 29, 1989, Colombo, Sri Lanka | ||
Alma mater University of Kelaniya Political party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna | ||
Saman Piyasiri Fernando (also known as Keerthi Vijayabahu; died December 29, 1989), was the military wing leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna during the 1987-89 insurrection in Sri Lanka, the JVP's military wing also known as Deshapremi Janatha Viyaparaya (DJV). Saman Piyasiri a graduate of the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka later joined the JVP and promoted to the higher ranks of the party, appointed as the militarty wing leader and finally led the party after the death of the founding leader Rohana Wijeweera.
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Notable attacks
The military intelligence of Sri Lanka believes that Saman Piyasiri was masterminded the attacks on military bases and installations during the insurrection.
Death
On December 27, 1989, a special police team, led by SSP Lionel Gunathilake, arrested Saman Piyasiri, along with his mother and fiance, who is a sister of JVP politburo member Daya Wanniarachchi, at Koswatte, Nawala, at a rented house owned by Mark Antony Fernando, who works at SLBC. According to the police sources, the number of military books found inside the house and some of them are not found in Sri Lankan military libraries.
The Sri Lankan government media released on December 29, 1989, as "the leader of the JVP military wing killed along with four other cadres due to the cross fire between security forces and the JVP at their military wing headquarters, a farm located at Hedigama-Suwarapola, Piliyandala".
According to the Rohan Gunaratna Saman Piyasiri was killed by a special team along with two other JVP military wing members Ragama Somay and Pathi the Gampaha District military wing leader. Rohan Gunaratna also stated before his death he managed to deliver a speech to the service personnel around him about the society of Sri Lanka, capitalism and socialism. Rohan further stated, but Saman Piyasiri has not given any single information which could harm the party during the interrogation.