“I Will Be The Common Candidate” – General Sarath Fonseka
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.
It is you! P Perialingam
Weera! Lost your mind?
Kamal, looks like L Weerasinghe has lost his brain.
Mahinda lost Sarath, Pirabaharan lost Karuna,both are traitors.
Nazeer, you cannot be Nazzer, some tamil name (Mainly LTTE) You really got hurt about Pirabaharan. Otherwise will you tolerate Mahinda’s action like protecting Dr. Silva.
Amal! Don’t generalize everything..”some tamil name (Mainly LTTE)”..you need not to be a tamil to support LTTE… Ranil Wickramasinghe, Erik Solheim,..etc. Are these people look like tamil to you!
Amal, Kamal has misunderstood ur comment.
wat Nazeer was trying to say is FROM Mahinda’S PERCEPTION SARATH IS A TRAITOR AND FROM PRABHAKARAN’S PERCEPTION KARUNA IS A TRAITOR.
BUT I OBJECT UR STATEMENT “some tamil name (Mainly LTTE)”
It is unfortunate the grand old UNP unable to come out with a man with popular support, is it because of its polices during the last seventy years including communal politics. Forced to choose a militery man can they come to power.
Edward we live in a world things get changed and you got to believe it.
mr.Edward in a democratic country the gentelman always give and take. mr. Ranil knew president reconganised the opposition in a undemocratic style 48% of population are belong to MR.Ranil he is responsible they did not vote for you, except JVP is one time terror changed to political patry but no education . last election they were king makers but today they have no place in a democratic country
As much as it would be great to see MR defeated I still feel Fonseka is a much more dangerous man than MR. After all the conclusion of the war was with a civilian death count that is as high as 20000. For someone to kill as many for the sake of victory I feel has very little regard for human life. Hence if SF does get elected the current state of racism and undemocratic measures shall sore. The only good point maybe that corruption reduces…
Come on GS, surely cant you remember that MR said immediately after the death of Prabha, that there was zero civillian casualties amongst the tamils. So, what is this rubbish you are saying? However, as you say, it is only 20000, but if this war had continued maybe for many more years it would have been more than this 20000 and would have been from all communities.
Sad to say that many people have no confidence in either Rajapaksa or Fonseka.
Everyone comes in promising a change and that the people will be taken care of, but in the end they only take care of themselves. Sri Lankan politicians are all the same, they leave their position wealthier than when they took the leadership.
The poor people of this country meanwhile continues to suffer. Murders go unsolved, and corruption is at it’s highest. Sri Lanka deserves a leader who cares.
Most of the people have no confidenace at all in either MR or SF.
But MR is a person who has been engaged in politics for last 40 years and behaved under civil society and SF is a person who was behaved under military discipline for more than 40 years.
At least to keep a hope on democracy, it is better the worst MR than Military SF.
Do you still beleive if SF wins he will demolish the executive presidency and get retired within 180days?
It sounds a little immature for the General to say “I can only hope that indipendent election observers and monitors will be vigilant to ensure that a free and fair election is held”. It’s just not enough for a frontline presidential candidate to simply hope for things to be happen. He should have his methods to counter malpractices, or else he could consider himself lost. This is the main reason the UNP has been on the losing side for so long.
Thanks genaral maubima lanka needs mr cleans like you, you are not a traitor neither unpatriot but you are diffently not a ALIBABA like Rbrothers,, we lankan gonna enjoy harmony & freedom of exprestion..
Gen. Fonseka will take the glory of the RAJAPAKSE PAWULA. This is only the begining of the downfall of the Rajapakses. It may take 5 years to bring an end to the dynasty buyt it has started to crack. SF may not win but he will certainly blow holes. He is the ONLY man that can challenge the MR. This corrupt regime must come to an end. 5 Years man 5 years!!
True…! Then SF will take the country towards military dictatorship for next 25 years…..!!!
Rajapakse is the commander in chief. He is responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians in Mullivaikal. Sarath just carried out the orders of Rajapakse. Every Tamil knows it. No Tamil will vote for Rajapakse. This is certain.
Rajan, so true.
we cant stand another dictatorship of Mahinda n family for another 6 years.
Rajapaksha is the commander in chief. He is also the only Hero of this war. Fonseka only carried our Rajapaksha’s orders. So Fonseka is nobody other than a person who found sudden fame thanks to Rajapaksha.
Hey Shehani you mean to say all attacks and covert measures were ordered by MR? All the careful planning and military operations? And that SF merely just carried out orders from MR? My My I never knew MR was of such military mind if that is the case then I guess SF was merely a puppet isn’t it? But then if he is just a puppet I wonder why is MR so afraid and weary of SF. Since you know so much would you know why?
Shehani,
i’m really not into this war victory thing.
its not a big deal, whether MR or SF won the war.
it doesnt matter, all it matters is that the human rights violations of MR and family regime and corruption.
war is different ball game, human rights, democracy, anti corruption is a different one.
no not necessarily, a person won war need to be made president.
We got nothing out of MR except human rights abuse, so y not try SF?
MR ordered to kill the LTTE. But SF killed the innocent civilians by using heavy arms.
I support SF as we need discipilne in the high ranks. It is corrupted very heavily. The people who were voted in to build the country, have built thier familiesbusiness. Specially MR did that. We need to clean it. I believe an army man only can do that. Whatever happened is happened. Let us put aside all the past and reconcile and buid the mawbima. I appeal to the good hands in SLFP to wake up and come out support the common condidate, as an act of repenting for the past mistakes we have made. Leave the cheap politics and let us build the country together.
What is the assurance you could give that if SF will come to the power then ther will not be any corruption among the politicians of ruling government. It’s a pitty if we are talking about the corruption among the politicians in our country as it is becoming a common practice in all over the world. Befor the year 1977, corruption among the politicians was not like nowadays..but look it at this minute…how much are earned through politics even a provincial council minister..?! To me… it is the nature of the present capitalism. Need to change the whole system by 180 degrees if we want to avoid these type of corruptions.
During the first pree conference, SF has clearly admitted to his inexperience in politics and mentioned that he will get the advises from UNP when needed to make the government policies once he come to the power. Also mentioned that he beleives the economic policies of UNP.
What it says to us..? This attempt is just to throw out MR and his government and make some opportunity to UNP to come to the power.
Then my question is does the UNP has a good track record for well discipline & no corruption in their past ? To me ….they are the masters!
Whatever happened,happening and going to happen in the country during the
tenure of UPFA govt,is the responsibilty of it’s Head, that includes even opposition’s weak performances.Top priority has been to consolidate power and in order do that,they used their capacity to split all other major and minor
political establishments, in the name of pseudo patriotism and at any price.
The govt has been in this practice for quite long and it’s going to take double
that time to reverse the outcome.It is easy to destroy but diffcult and sometimes unimaginable to rebuild.Well of course you can sing songs of
difeerent tunes with experience.In my time,I have seen only two democrats in
our country,one is Dudley and the other one an expert strategist JR.If UNP did
not field a candidate of it’s own in this presidential election,the meter reading
gives a signal as to where the country is heading.This doesn’t free Ranil from
answering for his role for the whole episode.
UPFA is responsible for weakening the opposition and democracy by it’s ruthless handling of the political process.
Dear Mr.Muzammil,
Please unite all the people against this so called rajapakse wariga sabha and a General who faught against a gurilla group must know what are the root causes behind the social uprisings. So the Social Wealth should be divided very rapidly among Sinhala,Tamil and Muslims randomly.If you don’t do that the Muslims too will go for an armed struggle.Please unite all the forces against this foolish regime and address the common man.
Palipana,P.Eng
SURREY,BC,CANADA
Well done the General.
We are with you .
Here is a sample of wastage, corruption and mismanagement.
The next calamity Sri lanka needs to eliminate is the politicians itself who are sucking out every penny from all Sri Lankans!
- Mihin air …. lost 6 billion and then given another 3 billion to satisfy the ego of politiciens
- 40 ministers with colombo residencies claim Rs 100, 000 housing allowence and Rs 35,000 electricity/ water allowence
-Foreign minister spends Rs 100 million on foreign trips
- Rs 90 million paid to Mr Thondaman to move to premises belonging to workers congress
- Rs 100 million lost due to fraud at foreign employment ministry and now poor workers asked to leave as no money to pay them ! But no one made responsible!
-Rs 150 million spent on 22 presidential advisors
- 20 ministers having overspent asks for Rs 2.52 billion ( part of over spent is to buy luxury vehicles)
- Govt. unable to account for Rs 1000 million from Maga-neguma project
-SLT telecom loses Rs 324 million in a tender racket
-airlanka catering loses Rs 90000 million last yr from a profit of Rs 4000 million the previous year.
-palaces for presidents family..
- Countrys biggest criminal is a minister.. and no wonder law and order has gone to dogs
This a a different mine field Gen Fonseka but you are the one to clean it once and for all !
Dear General.No game,You will be alert on security.You show the professinalism on your maiden speech.
Are you sure a military dictatorship is better than the present situation of the democracy in this small island ?
We need a change & lawful country.
error- airlanka catering should losses should read Rs 9000
Oops.. sorry again…
Airlanka losses should read Rs 9000 million and not Rs 90,000 million
Shamelessness or hypocrits? YESTERDAY, Ranil/Mano/Mangala tripod was ALL for HRs and anti-war rants, TODAY this bunch is willing to line up behind the warrior who made their wishes go to dust bin!
I just heard the General speak over the news confirming his candidature for the Presidential Elections. There is no doubt that the people of this country are going to support him and make him the next President of Sri lanka.
The government is now on the back foot and already trying desparately using the state mediain its effort to sling mud at the General for coming forward as the common candidate of the opposition to save the country from the RAJAPAKSE HORA PAWUL SAMAGAMA.
I hope and pray that the General will have the courage to stem the rampant corruption ( land grabs/ bribery / distribution of state land to cronies of PA polititions / excessive use of vehicles by MP’s like Dostara -?- Mervyn better known as kudu vermin ) and take action against the perpetrators. In the past it has been the practise for the opposition to cry foul and do sweet nothing when they come into power.This is because most polititions only want to fool the people in order to obtain their votes.
General we want to see a change here as well and please dont let us down. We know that you have done greater deeds during the war and we want to see a continuation of that.
Writter,could let the public know how the general was injured when suicide
bomber attacked – the picture,how severe were his injuries,how he survived
the attack and the medical reports.Then let the voters decide to whom they
vote.Also why attack Trincomalee when general was attacked.Thanks.
I was more towards Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse after he won the ever difficult war against the LTTE terrorists in Sri Lanka. However changed my mind since the corruption of the “Rajapakse family” was was far too high than any other President in the past.
General Fonseka, even though has no political experience, has proved to the nation that he is 100% honest & has completed succcessfully all the time bound objectived given to him by the nation & the President.
In my opinion, that is the type of “LEADERSHIP” this country needs at the moment. An honest dedicated strict disciplinarian as the Top Administrator of Sri Lanka. He will not have the rules just in the book but will practice them.
Many may not like him or his style of managing things. But Sri Lanka needs a strict, dedicates disciplinarian leader in our country like Lee Quan Yu – Singapore or Dr. Mahathir Mohomed – Malaysia. Our present Cabinet of 102 should be reduced to maximum of 25. Mihin Air is a huge “White Elephant” to our economy. The massive foreign aids should be utilized well with more transparency. The leaders should understand that the poor masses who put them in that position not to beat them back every day & night but give them some consolation.
This country belongs to All the citizens of Sri Lanka irrespective or the Religion or cast or creed.
Thank you.
I was more towards Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse after he won the ever difficult war against the LTTE terrorists in Sri Lanka. However, changed my mind since the corruption of the “Rajapakse family” was far too high than any other President in the past.
General Fonseka, even though has no political experience, has proved to the nation that he is 100% honest & has completed succcessfully all the time bound objectives given to him by the nation & the President.
In my opinion, that is the type of “LEADERSHIP” this country needs at the moment. An honest, dedicated, strict disciplinarian as the Top Administrator of Sri Lanka. He will not have the rules just in the book but will practice them.
Many may not like him or his style of managing things. But Sri Lanka needs a strict, dedicated disciplinarian leader in our country like Lee Quan Yu of Singapore or Dr. Mahathir Mohomed of Malaysia. Our present Cabinet of 102 should be reduced to maximum of 25. Mihin Air is a huge “White Elephant” to our economy. The Political “Thugs” should be handled properly by the laws. “Under World” should be eliminated, Drugs should be eliminated from this country. The massive foreign aids should be utilized well with more transparency & honesty. The leaders should understand that the poor masses who put them in that position not to beat them back every day & night but give them some consolation.
This country belongs to All the citizens of Sri Lanka irrespective or the Religion or cast or creed.
Thank you.
This is for all who have Sarath Fonseka on their wish list and solve all our problems. Firstly, Hell will freeze over before SF comes within a mile of winning anything. He grabs the headlines for winning the war but he would have been nowhere without the other forces, the troops and Mahinda Rajapakse’s provision of commitment, resources and intelligense. The difficulty the present government faces to solve all your problems is our electoral system of proportional representation which forces governments to be coalitions comprising of minority interest members who can veto every good intention should they so wish. Not only that you cannot please all the people all of the time, you cannot please all at any of the time with the cooperation of members wildly opposed to your policies.
Fonsey do you think you will be able to stand in the Election. MR will charge you before War crime inquery…No chance. However Good Luck.
“Gen Fonseka says he could not leave the country, “in the hands of a tin-pot dictator” and pledges war crimes probe if needed.
Above is a quatation by General Sarath Fonseka.
General! if you keep this promise the people will vote for you.
RAJAPAKSE AND HIS GOONS SHOULD BE TRIED UNDER INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES
SF the joker of all jokers now. the first candidate to compete in the election without a policy for anything. No problem he can burrow something here, something there…unfortunately it is our country he is bargaining. Wonder whether Gen.Eissonhover sought support from Nazis or in particular parents of Hitler for his campaign.
Mr Fonseka is no different to Mr Rajapaksa, if he wants to succeed and become the president, he will have to resort to telling lies, pretending he could resolve all SL’S problems, I would have had more respect for him, had he not got into politics.
At last the truth!
Dear Shaik,
I Just thought to pass a few words on your comments which looks innocent
approach to a real serious issue here.To be honest with you shaik, I hope you
know very well that we are a democracy and there is absolutely no need for any
leader to resort to any means to slolve country’s burning issues.If he can not
get a comfortable govt out of his coalition,call the opposition to form the govt
and work with them.And if that’s not working either,then no alternative but calling for a fresh mandate.This will be the most respectable way of smooth
handling of democrcy without resorting to manipulations and tactics in a dangerously harmful way that leads to serious irreversible historic damage to
other fellow parties.Governance is not streetfight so that maximum destruction
done.It’s all about wrong political manoeuvring for a wrong purpose which has
now caused some unpredictable events at least for another two three months
and the rest depends on how we progress.Emotions and sentimental approaches should take a back seat on these matters.These are what people
are led to believe in,not intelligence.It’s easy on politicians but depending on it
will be tough on the voters.
Thanks for the informative post – I had fun reading it! I always enjoy browsing your blog. :)
under his command Jaffna witnessed hundreds of forced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and other human rights violations. skeletons will speak out from chemmani and elsehwere in the north.
Dear General. Create a wedsite for your election campain.
We cannot bring those dead innocent people back! Let forget about who died, who killed etc.
The only thing we can do is not to let this happen again. It’s up to the people to decide who can do this, MR or SF?
We got independence in 1948 but not much improvement in the country since then. Why? You cannot blame it all on LTTE. The policies of the governments since 1948 gave birth to LTTE. If the governmet does not solve the tamil peoples issues this cycle will coninue.
you are absolutely correct Kumar, from DS senenayakke to Mahinda, all the Sinhala leaders discriminated Tamils. we need change, I like to give a chance to Sarath. both the Sinhala people and the Tamils have the same rights in the island. we must support Sarath. I know he is a murderer, but Mahinda gave order to kill the Vanni Tamils. Sarath has done its job. people in SL must sperke Mahinda family out of the government. I think that Sarath will provide the right solution to the Tamil people.
Do we need an election now?
please ask from mahinda.
You`re right Kumar, We can`t bring those dead innocent people back!
We can`t elect some one like him. We Jaffna ppl can`t forgive or forget Sarath, Chadrasri or Duglas. I want see them in Haag
What a pathetic bunch of nitwits are Ranil/Mano/Mangala marching behind SF now after having ridiculed him before for executing the WAR successfully which non of my uncles could do
When citizens don’t think for themseleves all the current politicians manipulate them very easily just as Bush used the words ” War on terror”
If the battle is won why not these guys go to the noth and campaign street be street.
I can’t change our country alone. We all need to awake up! I love my country and yet to see all communities live in peace side by side.
If we wan’t our country to be a shining star we need to have a strict law and order. Put all currupt politicians behind bars,
Do not vote for Sarath, he is military dictator, in 2008 he told that this is a sinhala nationa and it belongs to the sinhalese people. so as a tamilan i will not vote for mahinda and sarath, because technically both are same.
My advice to the voters is until and unless you elect an honest and capable gentleman politician like Ranil, there is no hope for SL.
SARATH IS THE IDEAL CANDIDATE TO SEND THE RAJAPAKSE AND HIS GOONS TO THE JUNGLE. SARATH MUST OBTAIN TRUST FROM THE MINORITIES.
Rule the country is not easy not like killing. We know , there is another war with western country’s, Politicaly Mr. Fonseka is under zero, Mr. Fonseka become political snare. President Mahinda is more suitable for the next Presidancy.
Alfred! We had enough of these family Junta. The Sri Lankans are fed up with this family bandysim. Enough is enough let us give a chance to the General and erase this Family opportunists out of politics once and for all. we are not prepared to suffer another 5 years under Mahinda.
Both Mahinde and Sarath are bloody killers. I prefer to send Mahinde family back home. I would like give my Vote to Vikramabahu Karunaratne. He is a moderate man.
We have seen many Sinhala leader more than 60 years. No one is going to solve Tamil people’s problem. All Sinhalese leaders are in the same mind and racist. Please don’t trust any one of the Sinhala leaders. They are living in the Mahavamsam.
THE TAMILS AND MUSLIMS SHOULD GET TOGETHER AND SUPPORT SARATH FONSEKA AND BRING AN END TO RAJAPAKSE FAMILY BANDYSM.
I agree with Snakiliyan. We need change too – Vikramabahu Karunaratne is a right choice for moderate ppl too. what happend to SP Udugambola? He saved our coutry from communist JVP terrorists in late 80`s?
I think the tamils would be better off supporting VK or SF (provided SF tells clearly how he would solve the root cause of tamil struggle)
All the others should be rejected by tamils since I cannot see how the MR, GR & BS clan could solve the issues. They only wan’t to get rich at tamils expense. Tamils do not get fooled!
Dear Hon Mr president,
You wan’t tamils to support you, right? Let the the tamils know what honorable thing you have done to tamils since May 18th 2009 to deserve this?
Dear Tamils,
My only wish is the the Sri Lankan tamil diaspora can unite to support the tamils economic development in SL. I cannot imagine that from GoSL. Feel free to prove me wrong.
It is possible since after all the suffering jewish people did it! Yes we can!!
Sri Lanka is a great nation and an average citizen either sinhalese or tamil are peaceful soles. The problem is the politicians. People you do not need to fight or shout but take a quiet moment and think whether you are doing the right thing for you, your family, your citizens (sinhalese, tamil, burgers) and your country!!
Why you did not give the same advice to Mr.Pirabaharan not to kill thousands of innocent average civillians..He was the main obstruction for the development of lasting peace in this country.Finally now ppeople feel more freedom whether in south or north whether sinhalese,tamil ,muslim or burgers..and go to the east or north and see the development work doing by the GOSL for the innocent tamil civillians ..
Please aske the Hon Mnister of Integration, since he knows him better.
I’ve seen life get taken away by both sides in split seconds with my own eye and do not wan’t to see that happen again.
If it is all happy free why don’t to take a road trip with a western journalist to the north and see for your self.
Ask your self when was the last time you were in the North of Sri Lanka? All you people hear is the propaganda machine of GosL.
As a free man I like to inform you all considering present situtation in country President Mahinda Rajapaksha has to countinue Presidency , Political “L” learn’s more hame full for the country. Mr. Sarath Fonseka is more suitable for the Provinceial Councial candidat not for the President post. We can not compare Jungle battalian with Presidency completely different. corruption’s are all over the world. I think Mr. Fonseka do not no what is the Executive Presidency .
Dear Alfred,
I have no objection to MR as a person and I admire him for his achievements whether its good or bad. But as a president and a politician he alianated the nothern part of the country beyond reasonable doubt.
If he really agrees to the Hin EPDP ministers 10 point plan its a good thing. But knowing the history of our country and politicians its hard to believe that they can deliver what they say. There is always monks and JVP there to screw things up since he needed them to stay in power.
As you mentioned “corruption’s are all over the world” but in the west if it comes out you resign, go to prison or both since there is a thing called FREE MEDIA! In SL either evidence go missing, some strange thing will happen to the person who exposes it, but the culprit will stll keep the job at any cost. Will this make our ountry any better?
Tell me up to now how in how many cases someone got punished by the law of sri lanka for doing harm to a innocent tamil civilian for the past 30 yrs. NOT ONE CASE SOLVED! NO EVIDENCE!! NO ONE WENT TO PRISON!!!
God I love my country I don’t know why you are doing this to our country!!
You cant blame MR for the things happend during past 30 yrs..He was the president for last 4yrs..at the begining he has given his usual friendly hand to the LTTE but they bite it..During 88/89 how many innocent sinhala youths were died ..Cant you remember the fate of surrendered army ,police officers in 1991..Sorry..This paragraph is not enough to list down the events where innocent civillians were killed by the LTTE.
Milk for the goose cannot be sauce for the gander. If Mrs. Bandaranaike could have become the PM & Mrs. Chandrika could have become the Executive President without any political experience, I cannot understand the fuss made about the lack of experience of Gen. Sarath.Fonseka. Let’s be honest; any old mutt cannot command a force of 400,000 men & women officers & other ranks and togehter with sea & air support win the war. As a matter of fact the officers of all three forces undergo rigorous training & refresher courses in prestigious military & allied academies overseas.Therefore one need not worry about the inadequacy of the General to be at the top job. What the country must demand from the General is governance free of CORRUPTION, FAMILY BANDISM, HOOLIGANISM & a country where justice & discipline would prevail. However on matters of financial, foreign affairs, agriculture, health, education, tourism, ports & aviation etc etc there are sufficient specialist in the state payroll who will give off their best given the correct leadership. Just because a person became a card carrying member of a party does not mean anythnig & is certainly no qualification for higher office. Actually, the General once he becomes the President must lay down minimum education qualifications for entry into politics. SL has seen totally uneducated persons in ministerial & other high positions making a total mess of the country. Their priorities are the official vehicles, backups plush offices overseas trips plush houses and regular poojas to the Boss.
General Fonseka, do not get dispirited. You can do the job. Make it known now itself the cleansing will take place in every ministry, department, corporation & authority from the top & you will set the standard. Good Luck & May God Be With You.