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Sri Lankan general behind Tigers defeat may stand for president
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by lalith | November 12, 2009 at 10:05 am
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The general who masterminded Sri Lanka’s victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels in May resigned from the army yesterday and strongly hinted that he would stand against President Rajapaksa in an election due by April.
General Sarath Fonseka is a highly controversial figure, hailed by most of the Sinhalese ethnic majority as a national hero, but accused by many ethnic Tamils and rights activist of committing war crimes in the final stages of the 26-year conflict.
He fell out with the President when he was removed as army chief and transferred to the largely ceremonial post of chief of defence staff in July in what was seen as a move to curb the powers of the military.
Yesterday, the highly decorated veteran announced that he had tendered his resignation, effective from December 1, to President Rajapaksa, who officials said was planning to accept it without delay.
“I gave my retirement papers,” General Fonseka told reporters. “I have been serving my country in the past and I will serve the country in future as well.” When asked whether he planned to stand in the election, he said: “I can’t comment as I am still in uniform. I will decide my future once my retirement comes into effect at the end of this month. I have the same basic right as anybody else.” His resignation follows local media reports that opposition parties had picked him to run as their presidential candidate — before which he would have to resign from the army under Sri Lankan law.
If he does stand against Mr Rajapaksa, he would probably divide the support base for the ruling alliance which has been riding a wave of popularity, especially among Sinhalese, ever since the end of the war.
After being the architect of the Sri Lankan war against the ruthless LTTE terrorists, Fonseka is with the idea that President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government humiliated him, in the form of various acts.
It is not known whether the General will contest the forthcoming Presidential elections opposite President Rajapaksa.
After tendering his retirement papers, Fonseka proceeded to a most venerated temple, the Kelani Raja Maha Vihara to take part in religious activities.
On his return from the temple, the rear vehicles of his convoy was pelted with stones by a mob organized by a Government Minister. This mob has also shouted pro Mahinda Rajapaksa slogans after the convoy left.
This action has been highly uncalled for as the General is yet to announce his political ambitions, if any. People in Sri Lanka are wondering why the Government is panicking in speculation.
The mob organized by the Minister has backfired. Many Sri Lankans are furious about it. Even without announcing his candidacy, Fonseka has scored a goal with the help of the Government. If this is the way the Government of Sri Lanka is going to react to speculation, then they are off to a poor start.
Asian Tribune learnt that the resignation letter was handed over to Mr. Lalith Weeratunga the Secretary to the President.
Sarath Fonseka had asked for his resignation to be effective from December 1.
He had offered his resignation immediately after attending the official welcome ceremony for the visiting Myanmar General Than Shwe.
It is learnt that in his letter of resignation, he has indicated 16 reasons to take such a decision.
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Nihal Muller (not verified)
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lalith
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israeli.agent
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Nihal Muller (not verified)at 23:36 on November 12th, 2009
"......he has indicated 16 reasons......." The 14th point about IDPs and the 15th & 16th points about the ethnic harmony are interesting !!
at 09:15 on November 13th, 2009
I am awre that the 16 points could have been lengthened to about 21. He stopped at 16.
How about point no:10? Is this because the elections are round the corner?
at 04:37 on November 16th, 2009
Lalith,
By the way it was not written by him. But by the UNF coalition.
What I'm shocked at is YOU out of all people endorsing this joke of a political manifesto in the guise of a "resignation letter" written by a bunch of jokers who were licking the feet of Prabhakaran not so long ago. You remember what Mano Ganesan was doing not so long ago? Wow I don't think you have some memory issue... but this has to be something else. And I can guess what it is too.
at 05:59 on November 16th, 2009
You voted Mahinda last time, right? :-)
And I can guess what it is too.
In addition to being a wonderful photographer, you are into fortune telling too. ;-)
at 08:14 on November 14th, 2009
Have read somewhere that people are either good or bad at different levels. For Lalith's benifit , someone good as a platoon commander may not be good at leading a battalion - and vice versa.
Can the general do the political circus the it should be done, if at all he throws his beret in the arena?
.Agent.
at 04:31 on November 16th, 2009
There can never be permanent peace in this country under Sarath Fonseka who unabashedly said on national television that Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhalese.
at 05:58 on November 16th, 2009
True.
We don't know whether Fonseka is contesting yet. Doesn't this look like speculation? The Govt and many of its supporters worried about Fonseka's possible entry into the race.
Let's see how it works out.