Lohan allegedly threatened the Embakka Vidyala Nilame, Gamunu Walisundara during a dinner hosted by Lanka Tilaka Nilame, Mohan Panabokka at Hotel Mahaweli Reach in Katugastota.

Prior to the dinner, a meeting was held in the hotel, which was chaired by Dennis Ratwatte. The main purpose of the meeting was to muster the support of other Nilames and state officials for Dennis Ratwatte to serve another term as the Nilame for Vishnu Devale.

The meeting was convened by Mohan Panabokka. According to Maligawa sources, a Nilame cannot seek another term in office at the age of 70. Sources said Dennis, who is 69 this year, will not be eligible to serve another term.

"Dennis whose term is expiring in the year 2000 wanted to resign now before he reaches the age of 70 and re-contest the election to serve another five-year term", Maligawa sources said.

The Sunday Leader learns that a request by Mohan Panabokka to Gamunu Walisundara to deliver a speech in support of Dennis Ratwatte was refused which led to the organisers compelling Walisundara to stand up and make the speech.

Walisundara who was forced to stand up had refused again, stating, "I cannot support Dennis Ratwatte. Neither would I allow him to become the Nilame again since he would reach the age of 70 next year and it is against the traditions of Nilame elections".

Dennis Ratwatte who was accompanied by his wife, had allegedly shot back at Walisundara. "You are a big-mouthed fish. I would kill you like a fish". Lohan Ratwatte who was also accompanied by his wife, had allegedly, waving a pistol like object said, "You mother fucker (ube ammata hukanda), I would shoot you to death".

Walisundara, fearing for his life, walked out of the dinner trailed by two armed bodyguards of Lohan Ratwatte. Walisundara told The Sunday Leader that a complaint was lodge with the Kandy Police on October 10 but police had failed to take action so far. A senior policeman attached to Kandy confirmed a complaint had been made but said since the incident occurred at Katugastota, extracts of the complaint had been sent to Katugastota police station.

A spokesman for the Katugastota police said that action would be taken after examining the complaint. The Sunday Leader learns that the police has treated the death threat as a minor offence and recorded the statement under police ordinance three. The complaint number is CIB 3 123/159.

Walisundara had also lodged a complaint with the central province human rights commission stating that police has not taken action since the compliant was made. He told The Sunday Leader "I don't think the police would take action since the complaint has been made against the country's deputy defence minister's son and his brother".

Lohan Ratwatte was initially one of the main suspects in the Joel Pera murder case. Pera, a rugby coach of a leading rugby football club in Colombo was assassinated at a casino in Colpetty.

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