Fonseka writes to the troops, pledges to protect democracy
Article Viewers (4470)
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka's former top military officer who resigned last week promised on Friday to "fight for democracy" amid reports he will challenge the president at upcoming elections.
General Sarath Fonseka, who quit as chief of defence staff following a spat with President Mahinda Rajapakse, said he was committing himself to restoring the democratic rights of the people.
"I want to assure you that I will commit myself to protect democratic freedoms which we are rapidly losing," he said in a farewell letter to troops.
"I pledge to work to restore human rights, media freedom, social justice, ethnic unity and peaceful coexistence. I will be by your side like a shadow."
His military drive, which finished in May when the Tiger leadership was wiped out, was strongly criticised internationally by rights groups which claimed thousands of civilians were killed during the fighting.
The government, however, denied any civilians were killed by security forces.
Fonseka said his security had now been reduced to 25 guards from a contingent of over 200 when he was in service. He has also been ordered to vacate his official residence.
The government had previously credited Fonseka for successfully leading the 200,000-strong army to crush the separatist Tamil Tigers, also known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). (AFP)
Comments
It is very sad that the person who spearheaded the army to destroy LTTE, is now trying to destroy the entire nation by spearheading the anti national forces funded by LTTE sympathisers in Europe and US. It is very unfortunate that things are turning out this manner. I suggest that SF must think twice before he move further or seek advices from professionals
Posted By: Jayantha
Dear General Pl be careful, You cannot depend on seceurity from the government. They are just like Yakoos. So pl always remember President J R WORDS( Your protection is in your hand). Good luck NCK USA
Posted By: NCK
what i can write for you sir. very sorry and sad about you,the war hereo like you treating badly.Ex tamil rebels carders like Karuna became a minister and vice president of party. not only that pillion became a cheep minister in provincial counsil, But national hereo like you ,nothing front of whole them. As we know you re storng enough for your way.God Bless u.
Posted By: Channa leelarathna
Sir, you have got two choices. The simple one is to follow Mugabe's or the tough one is to follow Lee Kwan Yew. If you follow the latter you will make this country roar, else we will all end up in the dumps. Good Luck to you Sir!
Posted By: SuranjanL
Sincerely hope and pray that the General Fonseka would not contest, if he is going to contest then not from the UNF. No matter how big the ills of the present government its not worth for him. And the General already have done political miscalculations
Posted By: ajith
Democracy with JVP?, I think this is sad as going-out-of-mind.
Posted By: Rajiv
100 marks
Posted By: raju siwaraman
In the words of John McEnroe, "You cannot be Serious". Did you expect 200 guards to continue now that you are no longer Chief of Defence Staff. I do not know of Army protocol, but I think you must count your blessings you have at least 25 guards as an ex-General. Otherwise as a private citizen you must look after yourself like everybody else.
Posted By: Shaik Anwar Ahamath
Dear General Fonseka, you are and you will be hero in our heart for your contribution to winning war against LTTE. However, you tend to fast eroded respect if you claim that it was you who did all that without acknowledging role played by Navy, Airforce, Police and Civil Defence forces. You will further damage it if you ignore very important strategic role played by Gotabaya and Leadership given by President Rajapakse. We are respecting your patriotic ideolgy more than your actions in the battle front. Remember, entire country love Gen Kobbekaduwa for his patriotism and not because of battle front vitories. If you think that you can bring peace and democracy by joining unpatriotic force, you are sadly mistaken. The mindset of majority srilankans has changed in last couple of years irrovacably towards patritism. Individual difference, personal grievence and discriminations has no place when it comes to matter of national interest and future of next generation. Similar to way that our heroic forces had fire power against LTTE during humanatarian operation, we have unprecidented voting power during forthcoming elections. If much respected Gen Fonseka assumes that we, majority voters decide our future on petty issues and trivials it is a mistake. We are not afraid of changes. However if we are to change statuesquo it must be to move forward...but not for worse or to go reverse. Like you had determination to cursh LTTE, Like President Rajapakse had dermination to give leadership to redeam this country, we general public too are determined to protect what we have achieved. It can only be done with patriotic forces, not otherwese.
Posted By: Vipula Vishvanath
Bravo Sir, we are with you we are worried as your security is being reduced by the government for which you fought. Sir please be careful entire country is watching what this government is doing, it will definitely pay a heavy price for all these follies
Posted By: Lion
Be careful. We are with you Hon. Gen. Fonseka. May Tripal Gems & God bless you!
Posted By: Rohitha
Article Viewers (4470)
General Sarath Fonseka, who quit as chief of defence staff following a spat with President Mahinda Rajapakse, said he was committing himself to restoring the democratic rights of the people.
"I want to assure you that I will commit myself to protect democratic freedoms which we are rapidly losing," he said in a farewell letter to troops.
"I pledge to work to restore human rights, media freedom, social justice, ethnic unity and peaceful coexistence. I will be by your side like a shadow."
His military drive, which finished in May when the Tiger leadership was wiped out, was strongly criticised internationally by rights groups which claimed thousands of civilians were killed during the fighting.
The government, however, denied any civilians were killed by security forces.
Fonseka said his security had now been reduced to 25 guards from a contingent of over 200 when he was in service. He has also been ordered to vacate his official residence.
The government had previously credited Fonseka for successfully leading the 200,000-strong army to crush the separatist Tamil Tigers, also known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). (AFP)
Comments
It is very sad that the person who spearheaded the army to destroy LTTE, is now trying to destroy the entire nation by spearheading the anti national forces funded by LTTE sympathisers in Europe and US. It is very unfortunate that things are turning out this manner. I suggest that SF must think twice before he move further or seek advices from professionals
Dear General Pl be careful, You cannot depend on seceurity from the government. They are just like Yakoos. So pl always remember President J R WORDS( Your protection is in your hand). Good luck NCK USA
what i can write for you sir. very sorry and sad about you,the war hereo like you treating badly.Ex tamil rebels carders like Karuna became a minister and vice president of party. not only that pillion became a cheep minister in provincial counsil, But national hereo like you ,nothing front of whole them. As we know you re storng enough for your way.God Bless u.
Sir, you have got two choices. The simple one is to follow Mugabe's or the tough one is to follow Lee Kwan Yew. If you follow the latter you will make this country roar, else we will all end up in the dumps. Good Luck to you Sir!
Sincerely hope and pray that the General Fonseka would not contest, if he is going to contest then not from the UNF. No matter how big the ills of the present government its not worth for him. And the General already have done political miscalculations
Democracy with JVP?, I think this is sad as going-out-of-mind.
100 marks
In the words of John McEnroe, "You cannot be Serious". Did you expect 200 guards to continue now that you are no longer Chief of Defence Staff. I do not know of Army protocol, but I think you must count your blessings you have at least 25 guards as an ex-General. Otherwise as a private citizen you must look after yourself like everybody else.
Dear General Fonseka, you are and you will be hero in our heart for your contribution to winning war against LTTE. However, you tend to fast eroded respect if you claim that it was you who did all that without acknowledging role played by Navy, Airforce, Police and Civil Defence forces. You will further damage it if you ignore very important strategic role played by Gotabaya and Leadership given by President Rajapakse. We are respecting your patriotic ideolgy more than your actions in the battle front. Remember, entire country love Gen Kobbekaduwa for his patriotism and not because of battle front vitories. If you think that you can bring peace and democracy by joining unpatriotic force, you are sadly mistaken. The mindset of majority srilankans has changed in last couple of years irrovacably towards patritism. Individual difference, personal grievence and discriminations has no place when it comes to matter of national interest and future of next generation. Similar to way that our heroic forces had fire power against LTTE during humanatarian operation, we have unprecidented voting power during forthcoming elections. If much respected Gen Fonseka assumes that we, majority voters decide our future on petty issues and trivials it is a mistake. We are not afraid of changes. However if we are to change statuesquo it must be to move forward...but not for worse or to go reverse. Like you had determination to cursh LTTE, Like President Rajapakse had dermination to give leadership to redeam this country, we general public too are determined to protect what we have achieved. It can only be done with patriotic forces, not otherwese.
Bravo Sir, we are with you we are worried as your security is being reduced by the government for which you fought. Sir please be careful entire country is watching what this government is doing, it will definitely pay a heavy price for all these follies
Be careful. We are with you Hon. Gen. Fonseka. May Tripal Gems & God bless you!
