General Sarath Fonseka's Letter to the Soldiers-Sri Lanka

1.)A open letter from General Sarath Fonseka to the Soldiers in the Army
2.)Gen. Sarath Fonseka’s resignation letter leaked-Sri Lanka
3.)Gen. Fonseka’s wife too resigns

Earlier his resignation letter was leaked.Here is the Letter to Soldiers.
The message issued by General Sarath Fonseka,
RWP, RSP,VSV, USP, RCUS, PSC after his retirement from the post of Chief of Defence of the Ministry of State Defence, Public Defence, Law and Peace of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Dear Heroes,

Parents, Wives, Children, Brothers & Sisters, Relatives of the Heroes,

Although I cannot personally address the war heroes and their relatives of Sri Lankan Army, Sri Lana Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Police and Civil Defence Force after my retirement from the post of Chief of Defence of the Ministry of State Defence, Public Defence, Law and Order of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, I consider it is my duty to address all of them and bequeath my thankfulness to them.

I have contributed to the maximum for nearly 40 years as an officer of the Sri Lankan Army holding all positions and portfolios to safeguard the freedom, territorial integrity and sovereignty of mother Sri Lanka.

I gratefully recollect that it was you, the dear heroes who assisted me to accomplish victory in all operations with my guidance and strategies.

To eliminate the most dreadful terrorism which existed during the last 30 years all the heroes have contributed who were in service over these 30 years. All of them are the title-holders of this victory we have achieved today. It is not a secret that your sweat, blood and tears shed on behalf of the motherland strengthened the mentality, bravery, tactfulness and courage which contributed to eradicate the LTTE with the military movement that originated with the Mavil Aru operation.

Hence, it should be recognized without any doubt, that the real heroes of this victory are the war heroes. I most humbly state that as a result of correct leadership which I consider was my responsibility and duty as the Army Commander to this heroic army which was enriched with courageous mentality and bravery augmenting them with proper training and new war strategies, using modern arms and war equipment, we have liberated our motherland from this dreadful terrorism.

Moreover, all these war heroes participated in this noble activity with the blessings of their parents, wives, children, brothers, sisters and relatives. Because of this reason all these groups are the shareholders of this victory. I honor these relatives with gratitude for providing their loved heroes with necessary courage and sending to the war front depriving even the little luxuriesthey enjoy, to gain the necessary strength to liberate the motherland. If not for the nearly hundred thousand heroes who joined me on the 4th Eelam War I wouldn’t have achieved this victory.

It has accentuated that Sri Lanka is unique with the most professional and discreet Army which has marvelled the whole world because everybody who acted with an inimitable anticipation. This is a great honor achieved by all of us for which we should honor the war heroes and those who encouraged them.

The war heroes contributed without a proper sleep or food, ignoring hot sun or heavy rains, considering that the motherland is supreme than their lives. Likewise those who bestowed their blessings also ignored their inconveniences longing for the security and peace in the motherland.

I repeat that we have defeated the terrorism accomplishing expectations of everybody securing the motherland and the nation because we had acted realizing that it was the duty and responsibility of everybody.

There are many war heroes who sacrificed their lives or were disabled as it is the duty of all of us to secure our motherland with the sacrifice of our lives of our limbs. We have accomplished this victory with the breath of all who sacrificed their lives or have been declared as disappeared and with the blood shed by the injured. I honor those heroes who sacrificed their lives or disappeared on this behalf. I commemorate them with much grief. I offer my heartfelt gratitude to their loved ones. I bear in mind all disabled war heroes with honour. I also remember that the whole nation honour them.

We should immensely appreciate the assistance received to the Army from the Navy, the Air Force and the Civil Defence Force in achieving this victory. In addition the honourable clergy of all religions and all citizens encouraged us in this activity. We respect all of them.

We liberated the innocent people who lived in the liberated areas as we won the war. In addition we freed about ten thousand youth who were in the grip of the terrorists. The army should be very dedicated to secure their future and rehabilitate them. Similarly all the other armed forces should contribute towards this. Only acting in this manner that the Sri Lankans will be able to live in harmony.

You all faced this war as very professional soldiers. Hence we won this war graciously. We have to maintain this dignity within the army in the future. We should not allow anybody to tarnish the honor of the army and we should not allow anybody to politicize the army. Even though others attempt to blemish us we should remember that we are the real heros of the victory of the war.

I regret very much that I was prevented from paying my gratitude to those who dedicated to end the war that existed for more than 30 years in a short period of 2 years and 8 months and also to uplift the benefits of their loved ones as I had to bid farewell to the Commander's post all of a sudden. I was very much frustrated that I had no opportunity to fulfill this obligation during the short period I served as the Chief of Security Forces.

An official function was scheduled to be held on Noember 26th at the farewell of my 40 years service in the Army. The Commanders of the Three Forces and the Inspector General of Police did not get an opportunity to participate in this event. I wish to mention that it was one reason that induced me to issue this communication. It deprived me the opportunity to extend my gratitude on behalf of the contribution made by all forces and the Police.

My security was decreased to 25 in spite of my request to provide a unit of 100 soldiers because of the threats on my life. On repeated requests it is stated that I will be provided 60 soldiers and 3 vehicles. I have been ordered by the highest authority to vacate the official residence as soon as I have retired. Although many obstacles have arisen to find a suitable rented house some are trying to drag me on to the road. It is a well known fact that a house to be built on your behalf of is none other than giving birth to a mouse after suffering much pain akin to a mountain. I am aware that you are also regretting without a house. This is the reward we have received at the end of much sacrifices for the motherland.

Whatsoever I am aware that you, who demonstrated a distinguished service during the humanatarian operations liberating the innocent people and securing their lives and property as the best disciplined Army which respect without communal differences, will dedicate with your maximum strength for the welfare of the Tamil people. I am confident that you have the necessary strength and courage to accomplish this duty.

No matter whatsoever obstacles will be encountered, I assure that I will dedicate myself to secure the weakening democracy, human rights, media freedom, social justice and secure communal harmony and also will be with you as a shadow for the wellbeing of the future.

I thank you all honourably for contributing together in liberating Sri Lanka from the dreadful situation that our motherland and the nation was suffering and transforming it to a worthy land to live peacefully. I earnestly request you to determine to dedicate your worthy service for the motherland.

I wish you all a bright future.
May the peace in motherland be there forever

Sarath Fonseka

Courtesy: Lankatruth
Gen. Sarath Fonseka’s resignation letter leaked-Sri Lanka
The resignation letter of General Sarath Fonseka supposedly annexed ‘confidential’ was leaked to the media and pro JVP websites today published the contents of this alleged letter.
His Excellency the President
Through the Secretary, Ministry of Defence,
Public Security, Law and Order
Presidential Secretariat
12 November 2009

Your Excellency

REQUEST TO RETIRE FROM THE REGULAR FORCE OF THE SRI LANKA ARMY

1. I, General G S C Fonseka RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc presently serving as the Chief of Defence Staff, was enlisted to the Ceylon Army on 05th Feb 1970 and was commissioned on the 01st June 1971. On the 6th Dec 2005 due to the trust and confident placed on me, Your Excellency was kind enough to promote me to the rank of Lieutenant General and appoint me as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army in an era when the Country was embroiled with the menace of a bloody terrorism and was in a stalemate state after having toiled for a solution politically or otherwise for over 25 years without a success.
2. During my command of 3 years and 7 months, the Sri Lanka Army managed to eradicate the terrorist movement having apprehended an unbelievable stock of arms and munitions and decisively defeating the LTTE and its murderous leadership. which Your Excellency is obviously aware of. I would not be exaggerating to state that I was instrumental in leading the Army to this historic victory, of course with Your Excellency’s political support, which helped to materialize this heroic action. Though the field commanders, men and all members of the Army worked towards this common goal, it is with my vision, command and leadership that this yeomen task was achieved.

3. I do appreciate the fact that the Country and Your Excellency did recognize my services which led to me being promoted to the first ever serving four star general to command the Army, nevertheless the courses of action which initiated subsequently greatly depressed me which I have enumerated in the Annex hereto.
4. Considering the facts mentioned in the Annex and more, which I am privy to withhold, I am compelled to believe that Your Excellency and the Government has lost your trust and faith bestowed upon me for reasons best known to Your Excellency. Hence as the senior most serving military officer in the Country with 40 years of service, such a situation does not warrant a continuation of my duties any longer, thereby I have the honour to request that I be permitted to terminate my services and retire from the Regular Force of the Army with effect from 01st December 2009.

5. Furthermore I have the honour to request that on retirement Your Excellency would be kind enough to grant me sufficient security which includes trained combat soldiers, a suitable vehicle with sufficient protection (Bullet proof) and escort vehicles for my conveyances due to the fact that I am considered as one of the highest priority targets by the LTTE, which they are yet capable of achieving. Also, I wish to bring to Your Excellency’s kind notice that over 100 men, six escort vehicles and a bullet proof vehicle have been placed at the convenience of the former Commander of the Navy, Admiral WKJ Karannagoda. I presume that such arrangements would be made available to me, considering the threat factor I am facing, which Your Excellency is well aware of.

6. I would also wish to quote an example in the case of the former Indian Chief of Army Staff General A S Vadiya, instrumental in leading the Indian Army in Operation Blue Star against the Sheiks at the Golden Temple, Amristar in 1984, was assassinated whilst on retirement in 1986 purely in revenge of his victories achieved. I do not wish to experience a similar incident as I have already sustained serious injuries after the attempt on my life by a suicide cadre of the LTTE. Thereby, I am compelled to entrust you with my security which is requested for life.

7. Furthermore, I would like to emphasis on a statement made by me during my tenure as the Commander of the Army. In that, I mentioned my dislike to be in command forever and also I would ensure that my successor would not be burden with the task of war fighting, which I abided with. Hence, as I have already overstayed my retirement date by 4 years, I wish to proceed on retirement without further delays.

8. Forwarded for Your Excellency’s kind consideration please.

I have the honour to be

Your Excellency’s

Obedient Servant

G S C FONSEKA RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc
General
Chief of Defence Staff

CONFIDENTIAL

Annex A

12 November 2009

FACTORS AFFECTING MY RETIREMENT FROM THE REGULAR FORCE OF THE ARMY

1. Various agencies misleading Your Excellency by stating a possible coup immediately after the victory over the LTTE which obviously led to a change of command in spite of my request to be in command until the Army celebrated its 60th Anniversary. This fear psychosis of a coup is well known among the defence circle.

2. Appointing an officer pending a disciplinary inquiry who performed duties only as a holding formation commander in the final battle as my successor, disregarding my recommendations to appoint Major General G A Chandrasiri as the Commander of the Army who was the then Chief of Staff and an officer with an exemplary service as the Security Forces Commander in Jaffna for over 3 years. This has already led to a deterioration of the high standards I was capable of introducing to the Army, to my bitter disappointment.

3. Appointing me as the Chief of Defence Staff, though a senior appointment to that of a service commander, with basically no authority, except for mere coordinating responsibilities in a manner which mislead the general public of the country and most members of the Armed Forces. In that the Secretary Defence pushing me to vacate the post of the Commander in just two weeks after the victory and Your Excellency insisting me to hand over duties in less than two months depriving me of my morel obligations in revamping the welfare and providing a sound administration to the men who fought a gallant battle.

4. Further, prior to my appointment I was mislead on the authority vested with the CDS. I was made to understand that the appointment carried more command responsibilities and authority than earlier, but subsequent to my appointment a letter by the Strategic Affairs Adviser to the Secretary Defence indicated that my appointment was purely to coordinate the services and not that of overall command. The letter is attached herewith for Your Excellency’s information. Such actions clearly defines Your Excellency’s and the Governments unwillingness to grant me with command responsibilities which leads to believe in a strong mistrust in me, which is most depressing after all what was performed to achieve war victory.

5. During a subsequent Service Commanders Meeting, the Secretary Defence was bold enough to state an unethical and uncalled statement by mentioning that “if operational control of all three services is granted to the CDS it would be very dangerous”, which indeed was a loss of face to me in the presences of subordinate services commanders.

6. Your Excellency, you too made a statement at the very first security council soon after the 18th of May 09 when the battled was declared over, “that no further recruitment would be necessary” and “a strong public opinion is in the making stating that the Country is in possession of a too powerful army.” It was surprising to hear such a comment from Your Excellency in spite of your repeated praise and boast of the war victory. I personally felt that Your Excellency has commenced mistrusting your own loyal Army which attained the unimaginable victory just a week ago. You again repeated the same statement even after I handed over the command. Over these comments I felt disgusted as we even insulted those who made the supreme sacrifice by such comments.

7. The present Army Commander immediately on assuming duties commenced transferring senior officers who immensely contributed to the war effort during my command tenure including those junior officers working with my wife at the Seva Vanitha Army Branch which was clearly to challenge the loyalty of officers and most discouraging to the officer corps of the Army, with a wrong signal being transmitted on my authority.

8. With a pain of mind it was noted that the same Army which gained victory for the Nation was suspected of staging a coupe and thereby alerting the Government of India once again on the 15th of October 2009, unnecessarily placing the Indian Troops on high alert. This action did tarnish the image and reputation gained by the Sri Lanka Army as a competent and professional organization who was capable of defeating a terrorist group after the Malayan Emergency, in the eyes of the World. This suspicion would have been due to the loyalty of the Sri Lanka Army towards me as its past Commander who led the Army to the historic victory.

9. During my absences from the Country (23 Oct 2009 to 5 Nov 2009) being on overseas leave, the Army Headquarters was bold enough to change the security personnel deployed at the AHQ Main Entrance and the Ministry of Defence emphasizing the withdrawal of the Sinha Regiment troops who were attached to me, as you are aware is my parent regiment and supplementing them with other regimental personnel. The Sinha Regiment troops were good enough to provide security to the Ministry of Defence for 4 years and it is surprising to note how the combat efficiency of the said troops supposed to have dropped overnight as per Secretary Defence’s opinion. Further the Sinha Regiment troops numbering a mere 4, non combatants, deployed for vehicle checking duties at the AHQ Main Entrance, were replaced by 14 armed Armoured Corps personnel, whilst a further two platoons were brought in to prevent the 4 non combat Sinha Regiment personnel performing duties, creating a mockery to the general public including to some foreign missions. This clearly indicates a questionable loyalty of troops good enough for duties for over four years purely due to the fact that the troops were from my Regiment. This also indirectly reflects mistrust on me or an indication that the persons concern wish to keep a tab on my movements and visitors to my HQ/residence which is a clear display of suspicion created on me.

10. Further on instructions of the Secretary Defence, troops from the Gajaba Regiment was brought in to the MOD complex which indicated a divide loyalty within the Army and reasons to believe that the Army now being politicized. This is being encouraged by the Army Commander too who thinks that the Armoured Corp troops should over power Sinha Regiment troops.

11. Instigating malicious and detrimental news items and rumors by interested parties including several senior government politicians which led to identify me as a traitor in spite of my personal contribution of the government to change the history of our country.

12. During my absence from the Country, an acting CDS or an officer to overlook duties was not appointed which indicates that the much spoken appointment of the CDS is unimportant to the Government and the National Security Council. If the appointment was of significant important as stated by most, it should have been imperative to appoint somebody to oversee the duties and thereby I am convinced that I have being granted with an unimportant appointment in spite of all the work done.

13. It is with sadness that I note that the ordinary Army which I toiled to transform into a highly professional outfit is now loosing its way. Increased desertions, lack of enthusiasm to enlist (A drop in enlistment rate by 50% is recorded), disciplinary problems on advocating divided commands indicates an unprofessional organization in the offing. During the last two months the members deserted are higher than the recruitment.

14.The plight of the IDPs is also a point of great concern to me. Thousands of valiant soldiers sacrificed their valuable lives to liberate these unfortunate civilians from the brutality and tyranny of the LTTE in order that they could live in an environment of freedom and democracy. Yet, today many of them are continuing to live in appalling conditions due to the lack of proper planning on the part of the government and the IDPs who have friends and relatives elsewhere in the country must be given the choice to live with them until proper demining has been done in their areas.

15.Your Excellency’s government has yet to win the peace in spite of the fact that the Army under my leadership won the war. There is no clear policy to win the hearts and minds of the Tamil people, which will surely ruin the victory, attained paving the way for yet another uprising in the future.

16. The peace dividend the whole country expected at the conclusion of the war has yet to materialize. The economic hardships faced by the people have increased while waste and corruption have reached endemic proportions; media freedom and other democratic rights continue to be curtailed. The many sacrifices the army made to end the war would not have been in vain, if we can usher in a new era of peace and prosperity to our motherland.
Courtesy Lanka Truth