ehema unoth rata kanne Ranil...
Sources from the Presidential Secretariat said General Sarath Fonseka had sent his letter of resignation to the President through the Defence Secretary today (12) claiming he was unable to continue in the post of Chief of Defence Staff since his confidence in the government and the President have eroded. The letter sent to the President has also been copied to the President’s Secretary.
Sources said the letter requesting permission to retire from active military service includes a three-page statement giving reasons for his decision to resign. However, the letter has not stated of his intention to enter politics following retirement.
The General in his letter has emphasized the need for a strong trust between the government and the forces chiefs to sustain the security forces and added that the internal squabbles between the government, the President and himself could result in the deterioration of the level of discipline in the military. He had requested the President to approve his request for retirement with effect from December 1, 2009 in this backdrop.
Sources added the General in his letter had highlighted that it was the duty of the President and the government to provide him with the necessary security as he was under LTTE threat even after retiring from the security forces. The President who had informed the General that he would accept his resignation letter if it is handed over to him had also observed that the government would ensure that the former Army Chief would be provided with the necessary security.
The General joined the Sri Lanka Army on February 5, 1970. He was commissioned in the force on June 1, 1970 and was appointed the 18th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army on December 6, 2005.
Fonseka was promoted as General after he played a key role in militarily defeating the LTTE just three years and seven months after assuming office as the Army Commander.
However, three months after the military victory against the LTTE, the President removed Fonseka from his post as Army Chief and was appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff, a post that has not been vested with any significant powers. The General was displeased with his removal from the Army by the President based on distrust.