(Lanka-e-News, Feb.09, 2010, 7.35PM) Addressing a special media briefing today at General Fonseka’s residence, wife of the General, Anoma Fonseka said, her husband General Sarath Fonseka was arrested by Major General Manawadu and his group of front line Army officers yesterday night (08).
But, as her husband is a retired Army officer, he cannot be taken into custody under the military laws, and therefore he can be arrested only by the Police.
As there is now news of his whereabouts or his fate up to this point of time, and as no officer had given her any information about her husband even though she is the General’s wife after he was taken away, this is not a lawful arrest but an illegal abduction by the Govt. she pointed out.
As my husband has retired from the Army, he cannot be arrested by the military. Even if they are to make an arrest, an Officer of a higher rank than he should have done the arrest and in a more decent manner. He was caught by his hands and legs carried, dragged and bundled into the vehicle. This is the way Manawadu treated my husband. When the officers were reluctant to take him this way, Manawadu has shouted at the other officers ‘moova aragena palayan’ (take this fellow away). ‘Is this the gift you are giving to my husband who destroyed the worst terrorist outfit in the world and saved the country for the good of all including you all and the future generation ?’, I wish to ask from the rulers. As long as he wore the uniform he never talked about politics. He respected the Army discipline to the utmost. This Manawadu, the officer also of the Army treated my husband more disdainfully than how he would treat an animal. Though he is of the Army he had not learnt discipline from my husband – he did not know how a senior officer should be treated. All these years I thought our Army was a disciplined lot.
If the Govt. has truly won the elections this is not the way it should celebrate it degrading and disgracing the very war hero who they extolled after the victory. But now he is considered a villain, all because he stood for Presidential elections against the President. According to information we received the Govt. is deeply in its toils searching for charges to frame against him and justify the arrest (abduction). On the 26th night, myself, my daughters and relatives were there with him. If he was conspiring to overthrow the Govt. as the Govt. alleges, will he have all of us beside him ?
Hence, I warn all women that this same fate can befall you and your husband tomorrow. Even to your brother or to your father. As women we must all rise against these atrocities and lawlessness. After my husband survived the LTTE suicide bomber’s lethal attack sometime ago, he has to take his prescribed medicines daily. Even to give those medicines, these ruthless and heartless men and Govt. had obstructed me, she grieved. BY (Lanka-e-News, Feb.09, 2010, 7.35PM)
