“I Am Being Treated Worse Than A Common Criminal”- General Sarath Fonseka
By Our Political Editor
General Sarath Fonseka
Imprisoned in a Naval apartment for over six weeks, the beleaguered
Retired General Sarath Fonseka says that he is being treated worse than a common criminal.
“I am incarcerated within these walls for daring to uphold democracy and good governance. The treatment afforded to me is shocking and a common criminal would perhaps be treated better. I am confident that I am the legitimately-elected president of Sri Lanka. Due to irregularities in the electoral system, the people of Sri Lanka have been robbed of the effects of a vibrant democracy. However, this is a temporary glitch. I have petitioned the Supreme Court with my concerns and have asked them to consider the possibility of annulling the result,” Fonseka said in response to written questions posed by The Sunday Leader.
Vowing to continue what he called his constitutional right to enter politics, he said, “I was entrusted with the task of returning peace to Sri Lanka. When I delivered that elusive peace and defeated the shackles of terrorism from this island nation, with the help of a disciplined, intelligent and committed armed force, I was hailed as a hero. Yet when I wished to exercise my constitutional right to resign from the Army and enter politics, I found a most undemocratic union against me.”
In a statement to The Sunday Leader in which he handwrote a request to have it translated into Sinhala and Tamil too he adds, “When I decided to continue with my quest to return democracy to Sri Lanka, through the parliamentary elections, I was arrested. The very people who talk of democracy, the rule of law and good governance and those responsible to the people, have had me arrested in an attempt to silence my entry into the parliament. I am confident that no matter where I am, I will continue with my efforts to return Sri Lanka to a true democratic state. That was my desire before. That is my desire now. That is my desire for the future of all Sri Lanka.”
Fonseka meanwhile appealed to the United Nations for help writing, “I appeal to the Secretary General of the United Nations as well as to all governments who are committed to fair play, good governance and to the people of the world to help protect me from the flagrant injustice that has been imposed upon me. In no other practicing democracy has this ever happened before.”
The government has run into a series of problems in trying to prosecute General Fonseka in a military tribunal with the General’s lawyers raising a number of legal challenges. While the government claims that the General is being held in a luxury flat used by a former Navy Commander the General maintains his current accommodation is not fit even for a common criminal.
You had acted like a traitor, having let down your own forces soon after the war ,by your comments to the media.That would merit treatment more than that of a common criminal.One reaps ,what one sows.This is the inexorable law of Karma.
Does United Nations Secretary get involved in the internal affairs of USA, UK, Iraq or Afghanistan? Sarath thinks he can get covered under USA, UK or UN after betraying this country . So far we have seen only a verdict of 1 court..several more are being heard now…he has to come out with the truth..what he told Sunday..he cannot say 2 stories in court…he has to choose 1 path…
Don’t cry every citizen has to face the law of the land, if any act of crime is done. You have the money and other means at your disposal, it is up to you to prove, you are not a criminal. So far the evidence including the large sum of US Dollars found in a bank vault shows you are involved in certain acts outside the boundaries of law. Even, I have watched the interview given to BBC from your pathetic status. I hope you understand the “Smoking Gun Theory”. So stop crying and let the Nation deal with more important issues including time to understand what is MR’s hidden agenda.
Well done – its time to experience the other side you murderer. I am so happy for you SF , you deserve much more than this.
You are a criminal and you need to be treated that way !!!
Liar and big farce…. it now looks to all of us that you are really cry baby… shame of you the card board hero…
Wow!!!!! –
SF, I pity you.
Most fo the tamils has gone through the same plight of yours just being a Tamil.
They did not ask any of the above you have been asking.. ie, wanted to be the president of SL
And they are still in jail for NOTHING! you cry for Democracy????
In Sri Lanka People can think with their clear mind but cannot open their mouth or move thier tongue and say any word or words which is against this Government. If someone does, this person becomes non existing without any trace. The truth is under trial and this trial will go one till this Government is ousted by any means. The World knows this without doubt. The question is, how long will this go on like this? It depends. People will take action soon. Otherwise there will be a way soon.