Sarath Fonseka is no challenge to us – Govt.

By Munza Mushtaq
A senior government minister has declared that former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka will in no way prove to be a challenge to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the event the ex-Army Chief decides to contest the speculated snap presidential election.
The comments come, amidst widespread reports of an alleged cold war between the government and Fonseka.
United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha told The Sunday Leader on Thursday that even if Fonseka is to enter the election from the opposition, it was not their problem as they already have a candidate who is President Rajapaksa.
When inquired whether the entry of Fonseka will prove to be a challenge to Rajapaksa, Minister Premajayantha swiftly replied, “Not at all.”
Premajayantha also added that in the event the opposition decides to nominate Fonseka as its contender in a presidential election, it was sad because the UNP which was the country’s oldest party did not have the capability of nominating one of its own members to vie in the election.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued last week Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara denied any conflict between Fonseka and the government.

Lanka editor taken in by CID
Editor of the ‘Lanka’ newspaper Chandana Sirimalwatta was taken in for questioning by the CID yesterday evening.
Police spokesman DIG Nimal Mediwaka told The Sunday Leader that he was not arrested, but was taken in for questioning over a news item carried in the weekly newspaper.
At the time this edition went to press, the editor was still being questioned by the CID.