Fonseka Booted (Exclusive Interview)
By Frederica Jansz
Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Leader General Sarath Fonseka bitterly recounted his ordeal last week. Having been ordered to vacate ‘Generals’ House’ by today, November 22, Fonseka was given a mere week to find alternative housing.
“Contrary to all previous false reports I allowed my predecessors both General Shantha Kottegoda and Donald Perera to continue in this house for three and a half months after they had retired from service” Fonseka said, asserting “Yet, I — as Chief of Defence Staff am being treated like dirt — given a mere week to get out.”
“I don’t in any case want to stay in this place, I am very keen to go,” the General said, adding, “If I choose to go to court on this matter they will lose.” Asked if indeed he might seek legal action against the Ministry of Defence and its Secretary who General Fonseka said is responsible for his current housing predicament he replied, “I might.”
The General has been house-hunting, he said, the whole of last week. “We did find a few houses that were suitable and the owners were initially more than willing to rent to us — but when we went back they refused to rent to me. They had been pressured by them,” Fonseka charged. Asked who “them” was he said, “The Defence Ministry and its Secretary.”
He said he is seeking a house “close to Royal College” as “we plan on setting up our political office also in that area.”
The General, elaborating further went on to say how he was leaving the army after a service period spanning 40 years with mixed feelings. “I am both disgusted at the way they have treated me and extremely disillusioned.” However, on a lighter note the General said, “I was driving around in civilian clothes last week and it felt good.”
But Fonseka maintains his life is at grave risk. “They initially reduced my security to 25. I protested. They then increased it to 60 infantrymen. Again I protested and now they have assigned me a mere 12 commandos — not men that I handpicked. They are all new men. They could be an assassination squad — maybe they are trying to assassinate me.”
Replying a question if the threat to his life is only from the LTTE General Fonseka said, “No. There are the criminals who do politics who can and will also try to kill me.”
Speaking further the General said, “I appealed to the President to take into consideration the very grave and serious threat to my life. The Army’s No. 2 has more security than I today. But the President’s response was, “You are now a civilian.”
“Am I more of a civilian than himself or Gotabaya Rajapaksa the Defence Secretary?” Fonseka asked, his voice filled with emotion.
Fonseka, who resigned as Chief of Defence Staff on November 12 was also in for a further shock when his official cooks were immediately withdrawn hours after his resignation was accepted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Referring to an ugly incident that took place last week involving the Senehasa School spearheaded for children of the military with special needs by himself and his wife Anoma, the General recounted how barely 24 hours before the official opening of the school the event was abruptly cancelled. “All because our names are on a plaque — now they will put their names on that plaque and take credit for a Rs.150 million project that my wife Anoma and I devoted ourselves to accomplishing,” he said.
Meanwhile in a four page long letter addressed to troops on Friday, the former Army Commander said, “I was ordered from the ‘top’ to immediately vacate the official residence. I have faced many obstacles in trying to find an alternative place to reside, as some are hell bent on throwing me out on to the streets.”
“My security has been reduced to 25 despite repeated requests made to increase it up to 100 soldiers, considering the threats posed to my life,” he said in his letter to the troops.
While pledging to be by their side ‘like a shadow,’ Fonseka told his soldiers that he will fight to instill the country’s diminishing democracy, human rights and media freedom.
“Don’t allow anybody to tarnish the reputation of the army and politicise the military. We should keep in mind that we are the real owners of the war victory even though certain people try to insult us,” the former Army Commander said.
This guy lead the war we or the world did not like. So now why are we PUTTING THIS GUY IN THE HEADLINES…….ARE WE IN THE UNP/NGO MEDIA THAT BANKRUPT TO SEEK POWER BY RIDING ON A WAR MONGER……….I AM DISILLUSIONED!
Surely, the people who drafted your letter can find you a house? Why all the grumbling and whimperingnow? Even Prabakaran did not sound like this during his last days.
If you do not have a place to go please let me know. I have a nice house in Colombo you can stay FREE until I return. To discuss this matter please contact me.
Charles…
Sri Lnaka is no a private property of Rajapaksha family. It is time for the Sri Lnkans to identify who the real heros of the war and act accordingly at the next election. Having said that UNP is not an alternative to move the country forward.
Aryubhovewa MahaRajanani! We bow to you forever and ever.No one can tarnish your name.They have forgotten Mahinda Rajapaksha name Should be written in Gold in every Srilankan’s heart.
Are shoping for mahinda
What Sarath.Fonseka want is to divide the sinhalese in to two and military in to two. But his plan will not workout. Sri lankans will never forget President Mahinda.Rajapakse. Man who save the country and the nation. After the next presidental election results Sarath.Fonseka will runaway to Oklahoma. He dont have a house in Colombo but he has one there.
Is Sarath Fonseka getting fair treatment? Every citizen has a right to run for office, even S.F. What has this government to fear if they claim to have destroyed the opposition and if they claim it is they who won the war? Sarath Fonseka does not deserve this step motherly treatment. Let him run for any office if he chooses. Challenging his policies is one thing but this childish treatment is only adding more sympathy votes for the General. I know for a fact, the majority of the Tamil votes are with him.
sarath
stop speaking racism.Our beloved president told in his victory speach that there wouldn’t be no more minorities.So why do you mention SF is going to divide the sinhalese.correct it by saying Srilankans if you want.Enough is enough.No more communalism is tolerated!!!!!!
Srilankan
good answer machan .
Dear General,
It is pity to see that a lion like you whinging. You are the greatest generals of all ever we had. Well, one would expect you to keep your head high having decided to retire. Why do you complain now? You retired because no longer you wanted to be party to the current administration and become a civilian. We respect you a great deal but you can’t have both ways. Find your own home like all of us and keep your head up like a true lion. Try to be a man not a …!!
Then you can also respect his run for office. Do you think this govt deserve your vote for the treatment this General is receiving? Let’s talk about his vision for Sri Lanka and not attack the messenger. The people need to know why and how the General who defeated the L.T.T.E. is getting treated. The General can say what he wants because he is no longer in uniform. And speaking his mind is not whining.
We still need the General to rid of terrorists like Dr. Perve.
I wholeheartedly respect his right to run for the high office. He is a worthy contender. The nation is indebted to him. However, it should be noted that Generals and Soldiers alone cannot win a war. Political leadership is paramount. History has proved it.
He too has the right to say what he likes. But true soldiers never complain nor seek pity; rather they fight with the might. One might, though, wonder! If the rumour is true, the General is going to join those betrayed him and those mighty soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the nation. I wish him well and pray that he will not meet his Waterloo!!!
Dear General,
let the feeble bleet with the goats..howl with with wolf.. you the greatest ‘Lion son” of mother Lanka…. will win the war against.. the most corrupted politicos in the whole world.. .. and will bring the real peace to our beloved paradise isle..good luck my dear General..
General! Please refer the yellow pages you may able to find a house.
We muslims will never vot you for President. To become a President you must get the blessings from the minorities. You killed more than 20,000 innocent Tamil civilians in Velli Mulli Vaaikaal.
Dear General.
The GOSL was correct in asking you to leave the Army Commanders House INSIDE the Army Head Quarters.
The GOSL have rightly given you a chance to live at the Army House at Bullers Lane.
Remember that this is the same place where the Defense Secretary, Navy Commander, Air Force Commander lives.
Hence security wouldn’t be a matter.
Admiral Karannagoda didn’t even whine about a house. As soon as he got his retirement papers, he vacated his official residence and moved to his private house.
Sri Lanka Army is the life of the nation. So General Fonseka please don’t give it a bad name by referring to commandos around you “assassins”. These men will put their lives at risk to save you. These men you call assassins wake up daily not knowing whether they’ll come back home safe. So please have some respect for these men.
We all agree that Sri Lanka is not a private property of the Rajapaksa’s but it isn’t a private property of the Fonseka’s as well.
You are bringing shame on the Army by all your baseless allegations. maybe you had a bitter end but look back at your carreer and be happy.
Stand proud as a Army man with your head high without bringing a bad name to the Heroes of the Sri Lanka Army
Please keep shut & wash your dirty mouth…….its disgusting !!!!!
come on General get a life!
you can win a BATTLE with LTTE and not a WAR with the Rajapaksha Inc.,
you will be a loser my friend !
Dr. K. Kaluarachchi, MEL.
Gen Multi million Fonseka..i think you are taking the Citizens of Sri Lanka for a ride..first reveal your wealth before entering into Politics and the commission your son in law received from the War ..
General,I am sorry to say that most of our Sri Lankan Sinhalese, although they say they are wise are ignorent.They are selfish and proud although they have nothing to be proud of.They do not exactly know what is politics but just brey for some discarded bones.Rhey are not patriots but are selfish traitors.They have no love to the country or religion,but only preach both.So General in a country where the people are as stupid and corrupt as the politicians there’s nothng what we can expect more than mud slinging.I wish U success and know that U are the person to wipe out this corrupt and unjust politics from this country.
Chief, your are ambitious, your victory is because of the generous support you got from people you fault now, it was team work, if ever there is an investigation into human right violaton then they too will have to face it. Political aspiration you should not have just as much the Tamils should not have any claims to be equals with the sinhala people, as declared by you when the war aganist them was in full swing You may call it war aganist terrorism I call it crushing of the just aspirations of the Tamils. They are not prepared to share or part the powers they have and will preserve it to the best of their ablity. After all you are a honorable man they too are honorable men. Both sides not capable of doing any dishonourable acts. Wish you well.l
Killing LTTE terrorists – well that was a MUST and we are glad this ex-General did that very well. After all, he is son of MotherLanka and he did it for the country and NOT for MR GOSL. So, I don’t think we owe him anything extra-special (other than all the perks he has got already) as it is HE who must be thankful for the opportunity to serve the Motherland in that capacity. His problem is now he seems to think he did all that for MR GOSL and NOT for MotherLanka!
Our kind advise to you General is to be more and more careful and take all preventive measure to protect your life first. We are very sorry to note that the political nowadays prevails over everything and anything. May God save you and your family from ill-rotten politics.
It is a real serious situation in the country if army is divided, I feel that this problem could have been resolved if President and others wanted to do so. There are many options according to my belief. One is that former army chief could have been appointed as additional secretary of defence. It appears that authorities wanted to get rid of the former army chief thinking that he would be more popular than the president.
You say “Sarath Fonseka who promised to kill all LTTE cadres now in custody sooner than anybody imagined! “….well, well, let’s not confuse facts here. Killing terrorists should be no different to killing Dengue Mosquitoes in my view. Well done MR GOSL for ridding the nation of that deadly parasites.
Ignorant people like you have contributed to the destruction of Sri Lanka. People who are in custody should either be charged or let go. When the state acts like terrorist it only breeds division and terrorism. Remember one day you could end up on the wrong side of the government and then you will reap the results of your blind hate.
Danduena!
Don’t you remember the darker days of JVP, bodies of sinhala youths surfaced in rivers and canals.
Cremation of bodies without any rituals by roadside by burning tires!
Are you endorsing those killings and unhuman behaviour
Even you labelled tamil youths as terrorist, they are innocent until proven in court. That is democracy!
You never know this rivalry between MR & SF may bring those days back to sinhala youth
Always believe and uphold human rights! it is like boomerang come back and protect you.
SF, Welcome to the real world! You are been very negative, this what happens when you join a bunch of spineless crooks/mutts/idiots, what goes around comes around! You are complaining that you can’t find a proper house, what about the people in camps!!! Now we are all coming to know the real SF! Nothing is permanent in this World, count your blessings and move on with a positive out look. One more point, please don’t send nagative vibes and try to divide SL. If you truly love SL than prove it to all by living it in the right spirit!
I hear there are vacant tents in Menik Farm. It is the most secure place in Sri Lanka!!!
Are you a terrorist??????? Please leave alone our mother land!!!!
You are right, Nandasena. As long as you are a sinhalese, then you are safe there.
IT WILL BE NICE TO KNOW WHAT THE TRUE REASONS FOR YOU BEING ASKED TO STEP DOWN, AFTER ALL THE VICTORIES YOU AND THE ARMY ACHEIVED , AND TO BE TREATED IN SUCH A VILE MANNER. WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND MAY YOU STAY SAFE.
dear sir,we are very great full to you to the services you rendered to this country.you have to care for you and your family.All you have to do is tell to mr MR that you don’t want to get in to politics and don’t worry.then you will be amazed what are the riches he will give.you will become the latest “desha preamia”
Sorry to say but you asked for it. Your comments against minorities and journalists cannot be forgotten But I do have a message for fellow citizens Unless we the people take charge to eradicate entitlement of the elected few, our nation will maintain the pariah status for good, I suggest to fellow compatriots that ensure to vote for the people with substance and ideas; further we must ensure that next govt must not get in the way of journalists, a vibrant journalism can only helpful to a health democracy. I am afraid neither MR nor SF is capable of building nation for all citizens. Just imagine a Tamil citizen calling him or her a proud Lankan, well this does not include Pillayan or other MR Stooges.…may be it is a dream now. But I have a dream ………….
I can find a house for you in Ambalangoda. Please let me know.
Well, Mahinda Rajapaksha must be defeated at any cost. A vote for MR is a vote for thuggery and corruption and a vote Labor Minster Mervin Silva. General Sarath Fonseka is a true Sri Lanka leader who fought valiantly and motivated our troops to end the menace of LTTE. Our Sri Lankan leader are only thinking of staying in power and getting rich and experimenting with our lives. So Mr President, your time to go and you are truly jittery about presidential elections. The war over MR, well done, we have a country to build and time for you step down and let somebody bring law and order to the country. For that we need Sarath Fonseka !
Dear General,
A lot of asian countries always be third world because of curruption. As I know there is no fun in war. I am a Tamil and I left the country in 1985 because I could not live a normal life in Jaffna.
Event though you may have ordered your soldiers to do things which is not within the law as a tamil I am happy to forgive you since ” necessity knows no law. All is fair in love and war”.
Now war is over and of you really support one country for all united (Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims) with dignity for all I will salute you sir. And I will give my life to save you.
Let god bless one Sri Lanka for all sri lankans to live in harmony!
Hi General, this is what’s called KARMA. Once you said Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhalese and minorities can live if they want to, buddy,,,, the minorities are not doing anything niw but your own Majority sinhalese Leaders are kicking your backside. Don’t be a cry baby go get a life….
The way to get rid of corruption is not by sending a general who has himself a son in law – Hicorp, which earned millions from the war. ( read dbsjeyaraj blog ). He is a good general but made a bad choice in getting to be the cats paw for the bakrupt opposition. Even praba made a big mistake by not allowing the tamils to vote in the previous election. So what makes these decisions by the good general valid? In February 2010 await the arcticel Rise and Fall of SF by fredrica herself
Dear General,
We salute you you did a wonderful job in eliminating terrorism.you are a professinal soldier and that is your forte.When you enter civilian life and then rush into Politics then you are in a different ball game altogether.You say that your predesessors were given three months to vacate but they did not enter politics immediately after retirement.You should not tarnish your own image by entering this dirty world of politics.Sorry you will not win this war there is no straightshooters here they shoot you behind your back in this war.
Dear Genral,
Imagine If You are treted in this way,how the tamils and the LTTE were treted by your respected governments until now? God bless Srilanka.
I agree that……… but not for LTTE at all……
Dear General,
Having power and losing that great deal of power is something that is difficult to accept.You are not trying to get rid of nepotism,or to improve human rights,you are bent on making an effort to cling on to power.If in politics you become as ruthless as you were in the acts of elimination of terrorism heaven help Sri Lanka
Dear friend
Personally I lost all confidence after reading the article on this link, http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2009/11/22/every-bullet-fired-innocent-tamil-civilians-fetched-kickbacks-gen-fonseka-family
It is better to wait before making any decission.
Very best fucture to our brothers and sisters.
Very well said Lionel.
I am a tamil. These politicians screwed up the country for decades.
Also one thing you should remember! Military hierarchy is also in the same boat!
If SF love his country and patriotic, why the heck he is holding US Green Card! It is his back up plan. As long as he has the luxury, power and make money in Sri (sorry) lanka he will stay. As soon as he loose those, he has his home in Oklahoma.
Sri Lankans should ask themselves How better off we are now cf 1948 (when SL wasa british colony)? Probably backwards!
Okay there was no LTTE before 1970′s and now after 2009. GOSL Please please rebuild the country and its image instead of destroying it. There will be no excuses.
General you can do it if you understand the game that this is not a war any more.
Gen Can you answer these aligations?
It is all about the commisions taken by your son in law Danuna tilakeratne?
Read the full article at
http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2009/11/22/every-bullet-fired-innocent-tamil-civilians-fetched-kickbacks-gen-fonseka-family
Rtd Sarath Fonseka was the only General who fought the war in true spirit and brought victory to our motherland during our life time in Sri Lanka. As we all know, war was a big business for many politicos in Sri Lanka. However SF did not leave a chance for anyone to do that and he fought the war in ntrue spirit until LTTE was defeated. I think MR did not want war to end this soon as I think he did not get much opportunity to make money from bullets. This is the bottom of the problem in my belief that MR is having with SF. However, I only hope SF will contest presidency and become president of SL and bring low and order to this country soon.
An ungrateful nation we are. The only two fields Sri Lanka have suceeded in is Cricket & War. Look at the plight of Arjuna Ranatunge & Gen Fonseka. Shame on you Lanka.
A lot has been said about a retired Army Officer forgetting the fact that, there had been a larger number like him who retired before him without a whimper. Few posers for this gentleman who is now whining about his official residence; Is it the truth to say that General Shantha Kottegoda was permitted to stay 3 months after retirement. There are officers serving who will testify otherwise. What about the cook General Shantha Kottegoda had after his retirement? Was he allowed to retain him? Then this whole concept about you alone winning the war and your vision paved the way for success etc etc need careful scrutiny. Tell us whether late Generals Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Wijaya Wimalaratne, Lucky Wijeratne, Lucky Algama, Nalin Angammana, Janaka Perera and Ananda Hamangoda (to name a few) did not do anything against LTTE? Why do we call them ‘LATE GENERALS’? Its sad but ironical and sometimes humorous to see the way various aspects of a retirement of a government servant are interpreted. What about those brave officers and soldiers who payed the supreme sacrifice? Do you think that all their next of kin are having their own houses? If you could answer the above perhaps readers would be better enlightened.
Janaka Perera, Sarath Fonseka, Arjuna Ranatunga, Dayan Jayatilake, Muttaih Muralitharan
The question is who is next in that list of step motherly treatment….
Is it Rajapakse himself ?
One Stupid Muslim or one disguised as muslim has commented that muslims will not vote for ‘Sarath’. As a matter of fact a large section of muslims will never vote for ‘Mahinda’, because they know his hypocresy. Muslims of sri lanka are largely “UNP’ers, they will definitely vote for Sarath.
We are really sad because I strongly believe, yo were milead by some idiots?
What made you to go against president Rajapakse?
I strongly request you to announce that you will not be the presidential candidate for opposition.
Politics is the most diertiest job in sri lanka, why you want get it into this boat knowing you are very well respected with in sri lankanas.
Please dont proceed
Dear Gen Fonseka
You should never come to politics as all your corruptions will come out. 3 sunday newspapers reported about your son in law’s arms deals. You have some explanations to do as asian tribune article has everything to prove the case. Including the Hi Fi Life of your kids!!!
http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2009/11/22/every-bullet-fired-innocent-tamil-civilians-fetched-kickbacks-gen-fonseka-family
Sunday times reported
President Rajapaksa had ensured that a team of commandos were flown to Oklahoma, the USA to provide protection to General Fonseka’s two daughters and son-in-law. Soon after the abortive guerrilla suicide bomb attack on Gen. Fonseka in April 2006, US$ 1,500 (about Rs 171,000 at today’s exchange rate) had been remitted every month from the President’s Fund for the benefit of his daughters.
In this backdrop, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was called in this week to investigate some defence deals done by a close member of Gen. (retd.) Fonseka’s family. Allegations centre on several transactions involving a variety of items including one in which a profit of two US cents (or over Rs 2.28) had been made on every bullet and US$ 20 (about Rs 2,280) per shell by a company operated by this close relative. Millions of rounds of bullets were used both in assault rifles and other small arms in the military defeat of the guerrillas. It is also alleged that some of the funds have been remitted to the United States.
I cannot support General Fonseka. He is a military man and NOT a political leader.
I cannot support Mahinda as he is corrupted n not fit to hold this post.
If government take undue advantage of the war, it is justified and same is not justified if it is ‘Sarath Fonseka’. The people, who oppose sarath fonseka for making political capital of his sacrifice, have to undergo a medical check -up for the soundness of intellect. One who has failed in every aspect of ruling except winning war is called the liberator while trying to term the actual liberators as traitors just because they dont toe the same line of this government.
The people should understand one thing the president have so many ministers and secretaries assigned in so many ministries. Many would not disagree if I say they are utter failures. Why only the triple forces succeed? There was “vengeance” a personal vengeance of Sarath Fonseka to revenge that led for the destruction of LTTE. Attributes for winning should definitely go to the forces and general who drafted the strategies.
Cmmon guys treat this war hero like a war hero..if the above contents are true I am dissapointed with the present regime..but I wanted to prove wrong that above is correct..
Fonseka Vs Rajapakse
Portugese dissendent American resident for President Vs
Born and Bread Sinhalese from Ruhuna.
Who would have ity in his DNA to love and defend this land ?
Besides American resident as a President ? American laws (as funny as they are) will apply to our President. No wonder ! !
Mr Fonseka,
Pls understand that u were a public servant who did your well.What would you have done if you were Mahinda’S POSITION.You would have killed many.What you get is very minor compared to what you deserve.We know how you treated chiefs of Navy & Airforce when you were the head of Army.You are a talented big headed racist man.
I am not at all surprised to hear about the fights among the top people, soon after the war!
In a country like Sri Lanka which is far away from civilisation, & decorum people fight – similar to the daily fights in Pettah or Maradana markets!
These people have imposing names in front and behind – like
” General” “President” “Secretary” -making a mokery of the so called post they are holding.
This is fate – you deserve what you get. Applies to any MR or SF.
It is my prediction that SF will not contest on being promised a
Nomination to the Parliament and a Cabinet post by both MR
and RW – The UNP with its Tamil Block this time will see it through.
No DouglaS/Pilliyan/Karuna can wield any more support.
Dear General,
Thank you for liberating Tamils from Tamil terrorism and racism.
Without you, and Rajapkses we would be, still hunting for food under thalaivar !
Under LTTE nothing was built. No future, no rights, no nothing.
You gave us our hopes and dreams.
Please work with GOSL and continue the good work.
Dont fall to new LTTE ( UNA)