Soon After Fonseka Was Sentenced To Prison, President And Defence Secretary Should Have Resigned!
S. V. Kirubaharan in France
The possibility of a military coup? Picture courtesy www.esquire.com
Most of my predictions that appeared in The Sunday Leader of January 10 (“After The Election: What Will Happen To The President’s Promises?”), have come true. Now I give further analysis and predictions.
Firstly, as I said in my article, the people who voted for the elected President were let down — his promises remain unfulfilled. I presume I do not have to list these — they are widely published in the free and fair media. One such is — rather than removing the ‘Executive Presidency’, more power has been given him by two thirds majority.
Whenever we meet members of the international community, a typical stance is that the Sri Lanka government was unable to do anything on the ethnic conflict, because none of the governments had a two-thirds majority in parliament. Present Secretary of State for Defence of United Kingdom, Liam Fox, worked out an agreement between the People’s Alliance and the United National Party in 1997, aiming to find a common solution to the ethnic conflict.
But the President who has two-thirds majority in parliament, is not bothered about a solution to the ethnic conflict. Like putting the ‘cart before the bull’, the President used the parliamentary majority to strengthen his power, rather than finding a political solution.
As I predicted last January, Sarath Fonseka became a member of parliament, the Rajapaksas prepared a law suit and now he is sentenced to 30 months of rigorous imprisonment. Fonseka may not have dreamt that, one day he was to serve a prison sentence in Welikada. The one time hero who was praised for wiping out terrorism, is today with the same people, against whom he was fighting and who were accused of ‘terrorism’.
Are the charges Sarath Fonseka faced true? If so, firstly the government should take responsibility for keeping a corrupt military commander in service from December 6, 2005 to July 15, 2009. In democratic countries where ‘law and order’ and the judiciary function correctly, presidents, prime ministers and ministers have resigned for mistakes made on their part.
The day Fonseka was sentenced to prison, the President and Secretary of Defence of Sri Lanka, should have either resigned or been charged by the Attorney General for keeping a corrupt General in service. Did that happen in Sri Lanka? And what are the opposition parties doing? They are busy stabilising their own parties at the expense of Fonseka’s term in prison.
What about looking at the reality of military coups in Sri Lanka?
Since 1948, Sri Lanka has seen a coup d’état by the military on January 27, 1962 and two class struggles (revolutions) by the Sinhalese youths in the South (April 4, 1971 and 1987-1989). All ended in failure.
In the recent past, a neighbouring country predicted that there may be a military coup in Sri Lanka. Last month in a press conference, Sarath Fonseka said that a “military coup may arise”. Possibilities of an impending coup cannot be ignored. Valid reasons should be analysed.
Let us consider the failed revolutions in 1971 and 87-89. Where are those who were involved in these failed revolutions? We see only one individual from 1971 and a few from 87-89. Where are the others? The government knows better than anyone else. To fight the 30 years of war, recruitment in the South followed neither procedures nor guide-lines. The generation who had wanted to topple the government, made use of this opportunity and positioned themselves in the armed forces.
Sarath Fonseka knew this fact very well. This was one reason why, during the presidential election, he stood as a common candidate and during the parliamentary election, he co-operated with the JVP and other parties in solidarity with it. He systematically avoided the UNP. Nepotism, corruption, biased judiciary and dictatorships have paved the way for many coups in Africa, Pakistan, Myanmar, Fiji and other countries. Therefore, absence of a military coup in Sri Lanka cannot be taken for granted. Who knows, people responsible for waging a ‘coup’ may be waiting for the green light from an Asian country!
Compared to the earlier civil war, this is worse for the Rajapaksas. The enemy may be everywhere – travelling, eating, drinking and lodging with them. All eggs in one basket could be very dangerous. I presume that Rajapaksas must have taken some precautions. Otherwise they wouldn’t keep a ‘Standby Force’ — Karuna, Pillayan, Douglas and some others with them.
Let us look at the 18th Amendment in brief
If Rajapaksa doesn’t want to be another Fonseka or even Sirimavo Bandaranaike, he should not contest the presidential election for the third term. At the same time, rather than blaming Rajapaksa, that he is preparing to contest the presidential election for the third term, the opposition parties have ample time to prepare themselves for the next presidential election. They should find the lady who will be the strong common candidate. We hope that Rajapaksas will spare the lady from being stripped of her civic rights.
In conclusion, whether Rajapaksa becomes president, Fonseka is imprisoned, or Rajapaksa and the lady contest the presidential election for the third term – win or lose, the ethnic conflict has soon been forgotten by the major political parties and politicians in the South. They are all waiting for the day to say that the Tamil population in Sri Lanka is not large enough to be given any political rights.
By the way, I take this opportunity to congratulate President Rajapaksa for delivering a well memorised speech in the UN General Assembly, double checked by Palitha Kohona and Lalith Weeratunga. The speech received good coverage via the UN webcast, which included the mostly empty seats in the plenary hall.
http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2010/09/sri-lanka-general-debate-65th-session.html
S. V. Kirubaharan, you are ridiculous
Kirubaharan is like a little child. He does know politics or at least about Sri lanka. The President must resign ONLY IF he did not act on SF when the wrong things commited by him come to light. The other significant thing here is that there is no ethinc conflicts in the country any further. Both Sinhlalese and Tamils are living together without any further issues. The ethnic problems in Sri Lanka were only things in the past. One pridiction I can make here. That is Fonseka will be inside for the next eighteen years (at least) UNLESS he will give a firm guarantee that he will not damage the country by his foul mouth. 18 years is taken from three terms of presidency; being two for Mahinda and at least one for Namal.
Monohara must have spelled his name wrongly as Monoharan!
If kirubaharan is like a little child, you are a baby. I don’t think you understand anything.
Kirubaharan has come out with a strong point and you going away from this argument and talking something else!
There is an ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. You are trying to cover a dead elephant with an A4 size paper. It doesn’t make any logic that Singhalse and Tamils are living together! Both communities are divided and only the muslims make bridge between the two.
Who appointed SF to this post. Did the President find ANY wrong doing of SF until he contest the President election.
MR better get ready for another revolutionary uprising against his dictatorial rule. History proves that MR’s type of behavior will not be tolerated by the population without an attempted overthrow by the masses, once it is realized that all the promises cannot be fulfilled
Why is that? President finished off the world`s most dangerous Terrorists?
SF finished the terrorists and now in prison while MR has appointed former terrorists to parliament. Where are the Sinhala Buddhist patriots who were cheering SF and the forces when they were pushing the LTTE to their final doom? I guess we only see them out in force when they are safe in numbers like stoning churches or like in 1957/1983 attacking minorities.
It is very strange to see LTTE members talking in support of Fonseka.
The only way discredit the facts is to say that either they are supporters of LTTE or LTTE members.
One time you bunch nut case were strong supporters JVP terrorist.
Have we lost the right to act according to our conscience?
. But he has been proved guilty and there is no further case for insisting that he must accept his guilt and seek a pardon. Those who are sentenced after a court hearing do not have to re-affirm their guilt. The right to confess or not is available for all those who are charged before courts. So is it reasonable to ask that Sarath Fonseka should accept his guilt and seek a pardon personally when he does not consider himself guilty of the charges on which he was found guilty by the military court. It would not seem to be a matter of legality or a question of legalization although some Ministers make it out to be so.
all these LTTE members are for SF AKILA WIRAJ and JAYALATH JAYAWARDANA represent SF in giniva was entertained by CHANDRAM another LTTE member these LTTE mongols are spreading lies
This type of corrupt govt and leaders wont last indefinitely…
They don’t own the people and thge country..They can’t fool the people all the time..Even some of the UPFA supporters are now regretting and burying their heads in shame..
Ashamed of the present rogue and corrupt president and his illogical and warped actions…It is time for a total change of govt and leaders..We have already had enough….Wont last for the next period till 2016.
Look whois talking. This is not a “support” as you may think. This just to make more divisins. Please be aware. JVP goon swill think this as an advantage. If so, they are badly mistaken.
S. V. Kirubaharan,you are comparing Srilanka from other real democratic country.Srilanka is a democrazy no doubt about it , but only in books.
In real, hardly we can see any single democratic acts and rights for any citizen other than poeple who are favoured by current regime, in other words it is impartial corrupt act.
Who must decide and educated what is right and wrong.Now most of them are jobless, famine , high cost of living etc etc. Who have time to think about this. Our country rulers knew about it.Even cabint ministers are scared?
What a wonder land.
Hi Dayan you known this chap well.
Why dont you start a debat on a public platform than the close door.
Those who do not have guts give there full name should not come with a comment.
Let us have a debate on what is said in this article.
Harry, let the sleeping Neoplolian alone.
Harry, your expectations are wrong.
Dayan is preparing his baggage to go to France as an Ambassador.
This will make Dayan to meet Kirubaharan and have many parties .
This is a smart move by President Rajapaksa.
All pro-Indian activists are going to meet in France and this will work on 13th amendment.
We understand that Lional Fernando tried to meet Kirubaharan in Paris, and it was reject.
If Kirubaharan is really for the Tamil’s right to self-determination, he should not work along with Dayan.
Kirubaharan should not forget that Dayan is the person who worked against the Tamil interest in the Human rights council in Geneva.
We have confidence on Kirubaharan. He hadgood debates with many Cabinet minister of Sri Lanka, including GL Peris, Kheli Rambukkala and many others.
Kirubaharan dont sell your hard work, respect, prestige and many decades as honest human rights activist because you known Dayan well.
We trust you! Dont disappoint your fellow Tamils and the suffering people in Tamil home land.
Well done. Hope this predition come true .
SF punished many uniformed officers,ordered killings of many Tamil civilians,incarcerated many young people branding them as Tigers,
allowed his world famous troops to rape & plunder ..the list goes on,
all for the sake of his masters & his personal benefits. He is just paying for the sin,
thats all. It is true that a mockery of justice had taken place because only that is available in todays Srilanka. True democracy,true justice , fairplay are all history.
People who saw, will reap the benefits, no matter who they are or how powerful they are. No one can escape the verdict of the god, whether one beleives or not. The fun & frolics can only go so far & days are always numbered. No one is omnipotent !
SF or nobody has won anything yet ,they only screwd up everything from bad to worse.Rule of law,good governance, humanity, buddhism everything is gone.Sri lankans will pay a heavy price as there is no choice.
long term this Saga is not for the country and for the family politics and Who cares and one day the country will go back to JVP days in1980′s
All working according to Prabha’s master plan. Well done LTTE. If they can change the path of Sri Lanka to its own destructions they have won the war. SF MR RW BR GR Dog Las Karuna Pil Yarn all are doing it for them. But when SFs turn arrives you will see the stage 2. Stage 3 will be done India Stage 4 China then LTTE will mop up the operation.
This article was expected. The whole idea is to paranoid MR with a military coup, which is the most fearsome word to him. MR made a choice when he sent SF to prison. SF was loved by people and most believed he was the mast mind of the war against LTTE. Sending SF to prison has caused much of them angry. Perhaps, even some members of the military as well. Today the government announced of an establishment of a brand new intelligent unit. And also new task forces have been deployed through out the country. All shows governments doubts of such an uncertain situation.
What’s goes around, comes around!
It is a shame that LTTE leader who was consider as a terrorist ended in a better situation than our war hero SF. I consider that President do not have good advisors. It is a foolish idea put SF in jail. Now it is going to be a long and an internationalised problem.
President you better go back to your secondary school.
The editorial theme for its daring approach of exhibiting the ugly, devilish and culprits of politicians. The legal process in Srilanka will never bring justice to the Tamils as the GOSL has continuously impeded efforts.
What about the tamil rights? What the people and the politiciansar in the South talking publicly? Have we seen a such racist community in this earth?
Dear friends everyday is not christmas!!
Many are interested in SF languishing in jail.
But no one cares for the innocent vicims of this war, who lost their lives.
It is reported that there are 89,000 widows in the NorthEast, with children to be fed and there is no income except for the rations donatedby the NGOs.
Also there are 16,000 amputees. The number of victims who lost their eyes and other injuries is not reported yet.
Why not think of them and help them for a change.
Just a correction.
The number of amputees is 160,000 (not 16,000).
Suresh you should know to differentiate between politics and human rights, justice and democracy.
Here you mix-up many different things to ethnic conflict.
Ethnic conflict has no validity when speak about miss use of justice.
Here S. V. Kirubaharan is clear on his stand on human rights and miss use of judiciary.
We have seen many articles and reports produced by Kirubaharan and his organisation TCHR.
We doubt whether the statics that you are giving here is from his organisation.
Everyone must do their home work before they write something in media.
SF is a smart General but not good in holding handle. This was the short coming on his part.
Look at other top commanders. Today they are ok because they know how to hold handles to fools and idots.
The simple theory is that those who come from uneducate and encivilised background always look for respect. They want generals to remove the hat and salute them. This is not acceptable in military terms. But those inefficient army officer does that for sake of promotions etc.
SF may in Welikadai, but he lives with his respect and prestige. This cant be damage by anyone.
What ever said and done, SF will live in the hearts and mins of every lankan for ever and ever. Where as corrupt politicians will have to live with fear and counting the days for elections, post, etc.
Hope SF will be the man to put democracy in the right direction in Sri Lanka
Kiru – you are dreamer to expect politicians to resign due to error of judgement. Did Bush, Blair or Howard resign despite over half a million Iraqi’s being killed and there were no WMD?
MR who is probably the shrewdest politician in the world or lets say Asia would have seen SF as a possible threat to democracy, and SF’s own folly of shooting his mouth as Mr Clean and threatening to give evidence in a war crimes court got him into jail – so clearly he was not made for politics, but a loose cannon after the war, they’ve parked him in jail
MR has got India and China to invest in SL, so you can rule out a coup. He has China vetoing any UN resolution against SL and the west will fart a round but never get any close to SL
18thA was passed in parliament so what’s undemocratic about that? Why did the UNP abstain? did Ranil have other ideas?
Which “Lady” are you referring to, Mrs SF? or Chandrika? or is it Fredirika Janz who has ok’d your absurd article? MR will be there in term 3 too that is a given
One thing is certain SL has rejected western democracy and heading towards a S’pore style governance – should be ok if the US can back them! but instead its dictatorship cos China is backing us, why don’t you come back home and get real?
Realist this a wrong argument. How can you compare Bush and Tony Blair to Rajapaksa?
Bush and Blair neither imprisoned any of the Miliatary commanders who won the war in Iraq and Afghanistan nor bombed his own citizen in UK and USA.
The lady Kirubaharana is refering in the article is very clear, refering Chandrika. It is not nice to talk about Mrs SF, and Frederica Janz.
The article very clear that the lady is Chandrika.
All because of MR’s greed for remaining in power continuously. Presidential poll was advanced by one year unethically (legal or otherwise) to subject the people to the dilemma between war victory and infinite corrupt politics of the same leadership and win by using the military victory to personal advantage. If this wasn’t done SF would not be in politics and in prison as a result. With what he did to his own hand-picked battle commander who won the war MR has now shifted to reverse gear the war tank which however runs with the same engine, Sarath Finseka …yet there are many wars still to win ! A foolish act .
Husein, The reason behind jailing of SF in not contesting the elections. His utterences & the things he did during elections. If this man is so clean, why can not he ask his son in law to come out & face the reality. We still remeber what he said during the elction campaign. Preparing Bogambara to put Rajapakses in , hanging people on Galle Face etc etc. Also, why did he get the services of the Army deserters? What was he doing in that hotel during the election night with CCTV cameras swithced off? Many more questions. MR may be wrongb but it does not make SF right.
Not only should have the president and defence secretary resigned, they shou;d also be tried and charged..The charge sheets will be endless!
To expect them to resign is a day dream. If they did the skies might fall over Sri Lanka. Not for another 50 years until Namal succeeds. Until then Buddhism forward march along with Sinhala Only. The course has been set through elections the Mahinda way.