What Mahinda Rajapakshe Told General Sarath Fonseka, The Day Before His Resignation

by Voice In Colombo (landlikenoother.blogspot.com)
This was reported in Sunday Lankadeepa on 15th November 2009. None of the internet sites reported this discussion in English language, so I decided to translate it into English and post here.

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President Rajapakshe has invited General Fonseka for lunch on Wednsday (11th November) after the defense council meeting. This was the first such meeting, after the return of general Fonseka from his US tour.

Only the president and the General was having lunch together. They have talked for more than 45 minutes. General Fonseka has stated about some of offensive comments made by government ministers about the General, and he sas complained to the president about Gotabhaya Rajapakshe’s comments in a staff meeting of the SL Army. General Fonseka has told the president that he was deeply concerned and depressed by these facts.

Then the president has told General Fonseka “Sarath, I understand. You might be in great depression of these things. We haven’t done any wrongs to you. We’ve been good friends during the war time. I treated you as one of my own brothers. I still think that you are one of my own brothers. Don’t fall into the traps of those who pulled your leg during the war time. Be careful”.

After some more discussions, the president has asked General Fonseka “Sarath; are you really going to contest for the presidential election?”

The General has replied “Yes sir. I’ve decided to come as the common candidate of the opposition”.

President replied to General Fonseka “Sarath I wish you all the best. But, you will regret of this decision one day. I will definitely win this election Sarath!”.

After this comment president has further told General Fonseka “Sarath, I’ll tell you one thing. If one day you get into trouble because of this decision; only your wife and children will be there for your support. All other admirers who comes after you will never be aside by you. On that day, if I remained the president of this country, I will definitely help you on anything”.

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This is how it was reported in Lankadeepa, which is NOT labeled as a pro-government media. (In fact the paper is owned by the Wijewardena family, includingRuwan Wijewardena; the western province councilor of UNP).

It is said that, this discussion (in which SF admitted to the president that he is going to contest) was the nearest reason for General Fonseka’s resignation decision. UNP has requested Sarath Fonseka, not to resign from the CDS post, until the president declares a presidential election.

I learned from few of my friends in state media (Rupavahini and Lakehouse) that the president has ordered all the state media, not to criticize General Sarath Fonseka or any of his comments to gain political advantage for the president in the up coming election. President has ordered the state media to treat him as a hero of our motherland, who contributed a great deal to rescue our country from terrorism.

More details: landlikenoother.blogspot.com