Sarath Fonseka by Perambara.org. SRI LANKA, Colombo, November 29 – Former Army Commander and the subsequent Chief of Defence Staff Lt Gen Saratth Fonseka today announced that he would be challenging President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the January 26, 2010 Presidential election. “Can I win? Yes, I can,” Fonseka told a media conference attended by over 100 media personnel. (Amantha Perera/Perambara)

By Our Political Editor

General Sarath Fonseka will formally announce his candidature today Sunday, November 29, at a press conference convened at the Jaic Hilton at 11am.  Speaking to The Sunday Leader, General Fonseka said he would today announce his candidature as the Common Candidate for the newly formed United National Front (UNF), a combination of 12 parties floated this month with the explicit objective of combating the “corrupt and despotic Rajapaksa family regime” and switch over to a parliamentary style democracy.

“I don’t have a political party but since a party symbol is necessary I will represent some small faction which is a part of the Alliance,” Fonseka said, adding the party per se is not important.

“I would like to kick-start my campaign from a historical city — preferably Kandy or Anuradhapura and thereafter come to Colombo,” the General said.

Asked how he believed he would fare against a well oiled state propaganda machinery pre-election, Fonseka said, “I am certain they will resort to violence. As well as large scale rigging.  The IDPs will be issued Identity Cards to vote but I am certain they will not be given those cards, instead they will be given to pro-government supporters to use.”

“I can only hope that independent election observers and monitors will be vigilant and ensure that a free and fair election is held to uphold democracy,” he said.

Fonseka scoffed at measures initiated by the government last week lifting road closures for all VIP traffic with the exception of the President. “They did this on purpose so I cannot travel,” he said, asserting, “my life is at grave risk — they even withdrew my motorcycle outriders last week threatening them with leave of absence if they did not report back with immediate effect.”

“My supporters have since purchased four motorbikes with riders to serve as part of my fast diminishing security,” he said.

“If they say I killed Lasantha let them show some evidence…”

Asked if he had any hand or is guilty of the assassination of former Editor-in-Chief of The Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickrematunge General Fonseka said, “let them show one shred of evidence that I was involved in or responsible for the killing of Lasantha — I am prepared to face any inquiry.”
Asked if he was responsible in anyway for any or all of the assaults carried out on journalists in the last two years Fonseka replied, “this is part of a smear campaign not just against me but against the entire Army.  This is what he, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is doing.  He is insulting and degrading the entire Army — forces, men I led — disciplined men who had absolutely no involvement in the harassment, intimidation or murder of a single journalist in this country.”
“We all know who is responsible.  The drug barons — the kudu karayas — controlled and protected by politicians with clout,” Fonseka said, refraining however from naming any one person.