HOW Indians played SL like a violin.
The Sri Lankan General Sarath Fonseka who led troops to victory, defeating Tamil separatists after decades of war, was
replaced on the advice of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who conveyed to Sri Lankan leadership that he had received credible intelligence about the possible coup against the Sri Lankan government.
Well-placed sources in Colombo disclosed to The Nation on Monday that after the annihilation of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on the night of 21/22 May 2009, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Sri Lankan leadership on telephone and discussed matters in the contest of intelligence.
Indian Prime Minister warned that intelligence reports indicated that democratic institutions in Sri Lanka were under threat from Sri Lanka Army (SLA).
“SLA and General Fonseka have become too powerful. The situation is dangerous as it sometimes happened in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where military got control of democratic institutions,” the sources revealed while quoting the conversation that took place between Indian PM and Sri Lankan leader.
Above all, Indian Prime Minister also advised the Sri Lankan political leadership that they must act swiftly and order changes in senior leadership of Armed forces.
It is quite obvious that India was not happy with Sri Lanka’s unprecedented victory that could lead to peace and domestic stability; thus denying India’s leverage in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs. India was also displeased with Sri Lankan leadership for the killing of large number of Tamils during the war and for not fully implementing the 13th amendment that meant grant of autonomy to Tamils in the North and East. It seemed a well thought-out strategy that was carefully crafted by Indian Intelligence Agency RAW in Colombo and New Delhi to steal away the rejoicings of Sri Lankan nation in the aftermath of a grand victory against LTTE.
Reportedly, during the course of ground operations, General Fonseka had ignored President’s concerns on different occasions. Indians cashed on the opportunity and created an unfounded fear among the President who got scared and made abrupt changes in Army’s leadership, without realising the consequences in the process.
