Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka Justifies Foreign Observers on Domestic Inquiry
Minister for Regional Development cum Former Commander, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament on Thursday that in May 2009, the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa had declared that the War in the North had been won even when chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, V. Prabhakaran, was alive. On Mahinda returned from a foreign trip at the BIA, as soon as he got down from the plane, he bent and kissed the ground. At that time war was not won. On 18th May 2009, Mahinda called me and gave promotion. Mr. Fonseka said he came to know the death of the LTTE leader only after Mr. Rajapaksa informed the House on 19th May 2009 about the end of the War. While I was returning from Parliament on the way home, I was informed that Prabhakaran was killed. Immediately they prepared banners and propaganda materials depicting Mahinda as the Victor. In a play like football match, do we find fault with the team which lost or on victory applaud relevant subject Minister? They have seen to it that no credit came to me for war victory.
Mr. Fonseka reiterated his call for the involvement of foreign observers in the investigation and maintained that the Army had conducted the War in accordance with the accepted standards. If there are individual cases where Army Personnel have behaved unprofessionally and inflicted harm on civilians, it should be dealt with separately according to the law of the Country.
He also demanded a proper investigation into the controversy surrounding the “White Flag killings”.
I don’t hesitate to tell that they gave money to terrorists. If this treason is proved, maximum punishment for it is death sentence. If that is done, Mahinda should be arrested and hanged.