Never Attempted to Rescue Prabaharan – Robert O Blake

Former  US Ambassador in Srilanka Robert O Blake,  when he met and interacted with a  Srilankan Non Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Washington  said,  that he wished to clear the clouds  regarding rumour  and false news disseminated  in Srilankan Media  about alleged attempt by him to rescue LTTE  Leader Prabaharan  from a beach . He said, that he was the US Ambassador in Srilanka  for the period 2006- 2009   and wished to clear certain misinformation  given to Srilankan  people and others.  He said thus:’’ It is true  that I attempted to call  those people displaced to Puthukudiyirupu  beach  and save their lives .  We had a plan to save as much as possible Srilankan civilians displaced from the clutches of the war .This plan was prepared in consultation with the Srilanka and Indian Government . Media in Srilanka knowingly or unknowingly twisted  this  plan  and disseminated  news  that I tried to rescue LTTE Leader Prabaharan and his group.  But the  Srilanka Government  felt  and feared that Peace Envoy Eric Solheim and  myself would be taken as hostages   by the LTTE. Hence, the plan was abandoned . I  believed that it won’t happened’’

He denied the charges  that US Government  helped  Srilanka Government to destroy  LTTE Boats.  But accepted sharing intelligence on LTTE boats .