Will You Vote For Sarath Fonseka As

by BailaMan (bailaman.blogspot.com)

I must admit I was wrong. I assumed that Sarath Fonseka would not risk his reputation by running for president. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that he would side with an opposition that nearly handed half of Sri Lanka’s land mass and a third of it’s coast to a terrorist group.

The current government maintains that the 2002 ceasefire agreement between the Tamil Tigers and the government in power at the time, the United National Party (UNP), posed a threat to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. This is also the same view shared by most supporters of General Sarath Fonseka and the Sri Lankan Military.

SLBC,

A communiqué issued by the LTTE in connection with the 5th anniversary of the signing of the agreement clearly states the benefits it has received due to the signing of the pact. The LTTE has stated that all factors needed to create a Tamil Eelam state were established through the agreement. The Minister pointed out that these factors include the presence of an exact population, operations of the army and the police, the ability to engage in transaction with other governments and the demarcation of boundaries. Minister Yapa also disclosed on the manner of providing radio channels to the LTTE following the signing of the agreement. The then Sri Lankan government imported ultra technological electrical equipment valued over 100 thousand US dollars and handed them over to the LTTE peace secretariat. Minister Yapa added this fact is mentioned in a book compiled by none other than Austin Fernando, who functioned as defence secretary during the UNP government.

Fonseka too shared similar views of the leader of the opposition and the UNP. However, convinced that he had been dealt with in an unjust manner by the Rajapaksa brothers, Fonseka has decided to resign from his post as chief of defence staff (CDS) and run for president. Although he is yet to admit it, there isn’t a Sri Lankan on this island who feels Fonseka won’t run for president.

In his letter of resignation Fonseka points out that it was Rajapaksa’s paranoia about a military coup which compelled him to sideline the popular commander of the armed forces.

AFP,

Considered a war hero at home for his role in the army’s victory, Fonseka said the government had asked neighbouring India on October 15 to prepare its troops to be deployed in the event of a military coup here.

“This action did tarnish the image and reputation gained by the Sri Lanka army as a competent and professional organisation which was capable of defeating a terrorist group,” he said in his letter, written in English.

The Hindustan Times reports that the Indian Military was put on “high alert” on October 15, 2009, amid fears from Colombo of a coup.

Hindustan Times,

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