In his first interview after the military Court decision
-The Defense secretary was clueless until KP was brought to Katunayake
(Lanka-e-News, Aug.19, 2010, 12.28PM) The first military court appointed by the President on the instructions of Army Commander Jagath Jayasooriya found the former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka as guilty on the three charges filed against him. Accordingly, the President Mahinda Rajapkse ratified the decision of the court to strip Gen. Fonseka of all his official posts.

Lanka e news succeeded in conducting an interview with Fonseka, the first of his after the court decision. Hereunder are the details of the interview which was conducted in the Parliament premises:

Q
What can you say about the decision of the first military Court against you?

A
To begin with, we questioned the validity in law of this military Court at the very outset from the civil Courts. From the very beginning I was of the view that the military court was illegally constituted. Even now that is my stance. Nowhere in the world, in order to hear a case against a four star General, two star Major Generals have been appointed. By this action, what resulted was an unprecedented despicable breakdown of the Army traditions, tarnishing the Army’s image, denting their valor and slinging mud at the Army.

Next, this case was heard during the holidays of the Lawyers and the Courts. Obviously, all these were not done impartially. My Lawyers knew from the very beginning that those responsible to bring this action against me were making all the groundwork not to mete out a just punishment to me, if any.
Against the main witness Minister Johnston there is ample evidence to testify that he conspired with the LTTE members to assassinate the President. Indeed, we even took up this matter in the Security Council. But, what he declared was I used insolent and traitorous language against the President.

The second witness, ‘Taxi Abey’ is a faceless, character less individual of the underworld category.

The next witness who gave evidence was Lakshman Seneviratne who is rebelling against the UNP leadership. He related, I requested him to secure UNP nomination for me. Need I ask him to get me UNP nomination ?
The objective of all these actions is to obliterate all my remarkable accomplishments in my 40 year Army career including all the awards, medals and achievements. In other words they want to erase off completely the supreme sacrifices I made for the country and my sincere patriotic services. The foreign countries are laughing at these vicious and vindictive but clownish acts of those responsible. The inference that can be drawn from all these is, it is part of the venomous and vengeful campaign against me carefully orchestrated by the President and his brother Gotabaya Rajapakse, the defense Secretary.

Using a group of spineless cowardly individuals of the Attorney General Dept and the Army, they are relentlessly and cruelly stabbing me from the back and ‘pummeling’ me from all sides by framing false charges, now that I am driven into a tight corner by these ungrateful, opportunistic, callous and ruthless elements, who have no qualms about forgetting all the patriotic contributions of even a war Hero in a second, because it militates against their personal selfish ambitious agendas.

Q
Are you feeling sorry that these groups are unnecessarily persecuting and prosecuting you exploiting their inordinate and iniquitous powers and privileges.?

A
I am not concerned about the stripping of my official position or pension rights. The pension of Rs. 50,000/- per month is not enough to meet the fuel expenditure during the days of political campaigns. Gotabaya has stated with glee that he would drive me to the streets. But, I am certain he cannot do that.

I removed my official uniform after being fully aware of the mentalities of the Rajapakses. Because I was among them for four years, I know their vicious and venomous vendetta aims and objectives. I am not worried about my rights and privileges getting deprived. But let all be reminded that none can obliterate the sincere services I rendered to this country and the people with absolute selfless dedication during my 40 years army career.

They are determined to remove my official uniform not for them to wear. I don’t mind if they take them from me and wear them if it fancies their maniacal ambitions. Hence, I am not worried or distraught over these actions and decisions of theirs. What irks and worries me is, if this is the treatment meted out to me, what cruelty and iniquity they can commit on others.

Everybody is scared to talk openly against these individuals. Ministers, top rung officers and officials have talked to me personally and expressed this with regret.

The Defense Secretary had told, he is taking this action to teach a lesson to the Army and to reform them. The irony of it is, this is the official who fled the country and was not in this country for 15 years when he ought to have been here in the thick of the war on behalf of the country who is telling this and purportedly seeking to reform the Army. In other words, he is trying to say, the Army was not performing their duties duly. This is an insult to the Army and the country. My greatest worry is the foreboding haunting me about the future of the people and the country.

The whole aim and objective of these elements is to jail me within the next two weeks before the next Parliamentary sessions. They have already planned to divest me of my MP position. Of course, these are what I expected. I will carry on my campaign taking this challenge in my stride. Until this method of despotic rule and regime is terminated I will not abandon my struggle.

Q
It is rumored that the UNP had openly invited you to join them. Have you received such an Official invitation?

A
No one has discussed officially in this regard.

Q
In case there is such an official invitation, what step would you take?

A
My anticipation is not to change to a party which is more lofty. Rather to be wherever I am and expose the deplorable and despicable political games of the rulers to the world. Hence. I will decide where I ought to be.

Those who leveled charges against me in the military Court are members of the UNP. Therefore nobody can say, that by my going to the UNP my problems will be solved. If the UNP is prepared to march forward to solve the country’s problems, we can work with them. That does not mean that I must join them.

I will never take any decisions on my own. The ideas and advice of my voters and those who are around me are most worthy to me.

Already the UNP is in a muddle. They must resolve their issues. If they take me to their side, I will also become a shareholder in their chaos and crises.

Q
KP who is now in custody has stated that during the period between 2003 and 2009, he remained isolated from the LTTE International activities. What have you to say about that, as a former Army Commander.?

A
Because KP was with the LTTE that he was able to become the successor to Prabahakran after the latter’s death. He was entrusted with the control of the LTTE international activities. When he was arrested too, he was the leader of the international chain. As his arrest was a joint operation of several nations, I am unable to say anything on it.

Until KP was brought to Katunayake, the defense Secretary was totally in the dark that such a thing has occurred. That alone demonstrates how much involved he was in the arrest of KP.

According to our security intelligence units, KP could not be arrested through their efforts. It was through other methods he was handed over to this country.

Q
The Govt. has planned to hand over the north East development programs to KP despite having knowledge of the fact that KP wrought monumental havoc and disaster on this country. What is your opinion on that?

A
This is absolutely unlawful. It is tantamount to treason. He had committed grave and countless crimes against the country and the people. Therefore he must definitely be punished. The President has no right to take unilateral decisions against the rule of law and the constitution. If the President is transgressing the constitution, measures should be taken against him too. Because KP supplied arms and weapons in ship loads to the LTTE that our many innocent soldiers died. Innocent people too fell victims. For these unpardonable crimes of KP, he must be meted out with the most grave punishment.

These arrangements have been made not to grant an opportunity for KP to take to politics. Can he do politics with the TNA or the UNP?

Those responsible for these arrangements have taken away all the funds in his possession, all the assets under him, Bank accounts funds and transactions, and released him. When there are representatives elected by the people, why is KP a noted terrorist being being given in charge of the North East development programs.? This is an act of unalloyed treason