Sarath Fonseka is certainly a great war hero, but that does not absolve him from being condemned for irregularities.
Posted on October 8th, 2010
by Charles.S.Perera
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There is a large number of people using the plight of the former army commander Sarath Fonseka for their own political benefit, but they are either aware, or are blind to the fact that by supporting Sarath Fonseka and trying to put the President and the Government into an embarrassing situation they are indirectly helping the interested western powers to disrupt the progress seen never before in our country under any of the rightist or leftist political leadership since the Independence.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ After the several electronic media such the Sri Lanka Guardian, Lankaenews, Daily Mirror, Lakbima, Lanka News Web, GroundView, the BBC, and then the reactionary politicians and their political parties, it is the Buddhist Monks who have taken up the cause of Sarath Fonseka. The Catholic Church not wanting to be left out has also put its weight on the side of the former Army Commander demanding his release from the Prison.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, as for the Buddhist Monks it should be mentioned that they have to be cautious in defending those suffer by proposing euthanasia , or from court decisions by release as they may be paying for their past kamma, which each one of them have to suffer through. Even the Buddha avoided intervening where a person has been made to suffer, as the flow of kamma should not be stopped as it is best left to be expiated at its own length of time.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha thero may be well aware of the ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚« fate ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚» of King Seniya Bimbisara. His son the Maghada King Ajatashatru wanted to kill his father to ascend to the throne. He therefore imprisoned his father and deprived him of food and later killed him. The King Seniya Bimbisara was a great devotee of the Buddha, and after him King Ajatashatru to became a devotee of the Buddha. If the Buddha wanted to, he could have intervened to save the unfortunate King from suffering, and death at the hands of his son. But kamma has to be allowed to end by itself so that no part of it remains to continue in another life term.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Therefore the Buddhist Monks should devote themselves to their religious occupations and leave the government in the hands of those who have been elected by the people to govern.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sarath Fonseka is no doubt a great hero of our motherland who played an important role in the elimination of terrorism, but that does not mean every act of his that had put the country into difficulty should be accepted with arms folded. The elimination of the terrorism is undoubtedly a great historic event for which thousands of soldiers, and numerous others have sacrificed, some with their limbs and others with their lives. There may be few families in the south that have not lost a dear one in the military operations to eliminate terrorists.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The elimination of terrorism was an event unique in the world. It gave us the Sri Lankans a great occasion to rejoice that great victory over ruthless terrorism. But that great heroic victory of our soldiers for which many contributed was marred by Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s greed for power at any cost and discrediting the armed forces by making a false statement that he had heard through a press reporter that the Defence Secretary had ordered to shoot any surrendering terrorists. This most revoltingly blameworthy remark has brought disrepute to our Armed Forces. It is now material for the Western countries waiting to take revenge from the Government and the Armed Forces for eliminating terrorism, to accuse the Armed Forces for war crimes.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is unpardonable even if Sarath Fonseka is an acclaimed war hero. Therefore it is right that the law of the country be it civil or military take appropriate action against him for his misdeeds.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, the President is large hearted and will not deny him a pardon provided it is he who asks for it. It is necessary the demand for a pardon comes from him or one who is close to him so that the Government will have the guarantee that Sarath Fonseka will not commit any reprehensible act to further embroil Sri Lanka, once he has been pardoned.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He is unfortunately in bad political company. His companions the JVP leadership only wants something to hold on to , which is Sarath Fonseka to keep afloat in the flood waters of politics in which they are already sunk up to their necks. The UNP hecklers are always there with sarcastic smiles to make a public show of their political presence getting petitions signed to get Sarath Fonseka released from the prison.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The UNP highjacks every situation for their political benefit, be it someoneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s coffin, a petrol price hike, 18th Amendment, PresidentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s visit to America, or now Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s prison term. As for Ranil Wickramasinghe the opportunity provided by Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s prison sentence is a god send, as for the moment the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-so calledƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ UNP rebels are not calling him to step down from his leadership chair.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Of all those people who shed crocodile tears for Sarath Fonseka, there is only one who genuinely wants Sarath Fonseka saved from being confined in the prison. That is Anoma Fonseka, but she does not know where to turn. If she were to appeal to the Prersident Mahinda Rajapakse for a pardon, it would certainly be granted and Sarath Fonseka would be released from the Prison.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But that would not be in the interest of the JVP as it will be their political end. As it is, it is Sarath Fonseka that enables the JVP to exist as a political party. Therefore, they will stop Anoma Fonseka or Sarath Fonseka appealing to the President for a pardon.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is the self conceit of Sarath Fonseka that keeps him from asking for a pardon from the President. He should understand as much as those defending Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s interest , that the demanding pardon is not from the man Mahinda Rajapakse but from the President, therefore from the people for putting his motherland and its defending Armed Forces in to disrepute and for being disrespectful to thousands of Soldiers that gave their lives to free the motherland from the peril of terrorism.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sarath Fonseka was a good military leader, and perhaps it is in his blood. But he is a very poor politician, definitely not made for a political role in the country. During his Presidential election campaign he was carried away by the large crowds that had attended his meetings to the extent that he had once said that he could not have lost the Presidential election as there were large crowds at his meetings. He put the defeat to a Computer mess-up.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He probably does not want to ask for pardon from the President because of the people signing the petition sponsored by the UNP, and JVP, and the crowds thronging around the prison van that brings him to court, which may give him a psychological satisfaction that makes him believe that he still has a chance to become the President of Sri Lanka one day. Further more the Tilvin Silvas, heraths and Amarawnsas may be feeding him with false hope.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Another problem Sarath Fonseka is faced with is his interview to the Sunday Leader during his election campaign. Frederica Jansz is probably working for the Agenda of her Western retainers. The only piece of evidence the anti Sri Lankan Western countries have, to attempt to take the Government of Sri Lanka to a tribunal of war crimes is Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s statement that the Defence secretary ordered the shooting of the terrorists seeking to surrender.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sarath Fonseka later denied making such a statement. But Frederica JanszƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s continued affirmation that he did make the statement, may give a certain credibility that such a statement had in fact been made by Sarath Fonseka even if it was what he had heard from a third party.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is enough for the anti Sri Lanka countries of the Western to make an attempt to bring a case against Sri Lanka Armed Forces before a Criminal Tribunal even if it would not be acceptable being only hear say evidence. Hence Frederica Jansz is certainly not doing anything against Sarath Fonseka but against the President and the Government Armed Forces. She is no patriot.
October 8th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
It is unfortunate Ven Sobitha, for whom I have a great respect have fallen into this mess. He should know better than any of us that Kamma befalls on all of us including Sarath Fonseka for our sins commited at some point in our lives. Bikkhus must stay away from ‘dirty politics’ . He should know no one is above the law. SF has been found guilty in a military court that he has got himself involved in fraud due to his greed, so let him suffer. His problem is his foul mouth. The people living in glass houses must not throw stones at others. . As you say, MR is not an unreasonable person and he would even pardon him if the family stop being foolish and ask for pardon. Doesn’t he remind you of Guththila and Moosila. Thanks Charles
October 8th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
The bottom line is that the vindictive Rajapakses are coddling terrorists such as KP and others, while treating the great General (he will always be a four star general in people’s minds despite the utter stupidity of trying to remove his title) as if he were a common criminal. Don’t get giddy you supporters of the Rajapakses, what goes around comes around.
October 8th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
The law must prevail. Let it not be one sided. When MR investigates and sends all the bribe takers and the guys like mervyn who took the law into his hand and tied a public officer to task then we can respect this man. If not he is yet again another cowardly politician who has used the law to get rid of a political opponent.
October 9th, 2010 at 10:33 am
In a foreign journal I have read as Maduluwawe Sobitha said “… the former army chief is the one that saved the country from terrorism.” Our Ven Sobitha ought to know better. So, I was compelled to write a comment to correct that statement: I said; it should have been corrected as Fonseka is also ‘a hero’ but not ‘the hero’ that saved the country.
Now Getting down to the nitty-gritty of the matter; true, Fonseka took charge of the army and vanquished all the LTTE terrorists. But without the Air force that neutralized many a LTTE bases as well as LTTE commanders like Selvam etc, and the Navy that scuttled LTTE arms supply lines, and the Civil Defense Force that prevented terrorists attack on the civilians at the boarder villagers, and the police that kept LTTE human bombs away from our cities, the job wouldn’t have been done. Above all without the job done by the secretary of defense who meticulously coordinated all those entities and supplied all the paraphernalia needed for our armory LTTE may not have been beaten.
There is another important point: When Piripaharan thrust his last war on Sri Lanka, Fonseka was in hospital in Singapore. So, who led the army in that initial success? It was Maj Gen Parakrama Pannipitiya. Surely Maj Gen Pannipitiya should have been a war hero and treated him as such.
Fonseka is a jealous man. He hated Pannipitiya for taking credit for chasing LTTE from the East, perhaps not giving due credit to him. So, as army commander, Fonseka instituted a court-martial against Pannipitiya on the same count as he himself is now found guilty and on several other counts not directly related to the war. Pending the court-martial, Pannipitiya was kept in a small cell for months. Pannipitiya’s wife Achini says; Fonseka had persecuted her family. She and her children were driven to a dire situation for they were denied of their quarters. Isn’t it a consolation, at least, Fonseka family has no problems with money or lodgings in his moment of despair?
Army source says there had been over five thousand court Marshals during Lt Gen Fonseka’s tenure as the commander of the army. And some of them are still in jail. How many of those court Marshalls were fixes like that of Pannipitiya, only Fonseka knows.
Whether the court-martial action against Fonseka or its verdict is right or wrong is a matter for Supreme Court to decide. The same way Pannipitiya appealed to the Supreme Court, Fonseka too could appeal to it for justice. The same way Pannipitiya was found not guilty for all the alleged wrongdoings but a flimsy charge of misuse of a vehicle, who knows, Fonseka might be able to get out of his mess. Else, Fonseka and Anoma can leave their pride aside and appeal to the commander in chief to have mercy for their wrong doing.
October 9th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Charles of course he was a hero but not anymore in our minds. This stupid, dangerous,jealous,power hungry person cannot be our President in our dreams even. Our country cannot afford to have a person of his calibre as a head of state because of their violent behaviour. For his stupidity he should pay the price like a hero for his crimes. If he is not guilty he should asked his son in law to come out from his hiding place and face the justice. Babloo and Jana maybe dreaming to have this traitor as President of my beloved homeland but their hopes and dreams will never comes true in their life time. Rajapaksa will rule our country for many more years by the time he finish Sarath and Ranil will be R.I.P. or they both have to run and hide in the west like Babloo and Jana. These two garbage collectors have forgotten their past when they were eating Thosai and wade in the jungle, now they are eating meat and drinking wine in the west these two stupids think that they can teach a lesson to our great President. Come to your senses and be like K.P.and support this Government without go behind traitors to our Motherland. Nobody can save your General except MR our true Sinhala hero. Tell him to say SORRY and asked for pardon like a true soldier.