By Yohan Perera

Presidential candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka (R) and SLFP (M) Mangala Samaraweera at a press conference yesterday. - Pic. by Kithsiri de Mel
General Sarath Fonseka said yesterday that he would hold inquiries and arrest those who had been behind the killings and assaults of journalists, within 24 hours of assuming office if elected president.

“Some say I killed journalists and harassed them but I will show who is behind those acts and put them behind bars within 24 hours of coming to power,” he said.

General Fonseka made the pledge when he met employees of State media at his office in Colombo yesterday.

He also pledged to depoliticize the State media and make them independent if he came to power.

Countering the allegation that he would create a military government he said it was

I’ll show who killed

the ruling party which is trying to create such a government. He said there were 24 officers of the army who had been given government appointments and four Major Generals slated to contest the General Elections under UPFA ticket.

Recalling how he disciplined the army he said he ordered inquiries on two senior officers who were found trying to enjoy physical pleasure in an illegitimate manner.

Gen. Fonseka also admitted that some ex-army personal were supporting him and

are working at his office. General Fonseka made this point when he addressed the district organizers of the SLFP (M) earlier yesterday.

He said some of this ex officers were arrested shortly just for supporting him.

He said the corruption that is taking place in the country today is like a garbage mountain. He indicated that it was a horrendous task to eradicate this corruption.

“There is no place to dump this garbage,” he said.

Coming up with some details of his campaign he said he had invited SLFP (M) leader to become his campaign manger but Mr. Samaraweera had not accepted this invitation. However he said he is happy that Mr. Samaraweera is playing a role in the campaign.