Govt. should probe charges anyway-SF

17 September 2015 07:11 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While rejecting a majority of the war crimes charges in the UNHRC report, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka called upon the government, yesterday, to probe the charges anyway; asserting that there could be isolated incidents which had led to the charges levelled against Sri Lankan security forces personnel.

He said that, as far as he was aware, there had been no killing of civilians who had surrendered during the last phase of the war, as alleged in the report.

“We can’t accept all the charges as true. However, the charges should be probed in case soldiers had been ordered by another military official to kill civilians. I have no objection to probing the charges, as probing them would clear the name of Sri Lanka if the charges are baseless; if not, action should be taken against the officials responsible,” he said at a media briefing.

When asked about his opinion on the UNHRC's call for a ‘hybrid court’ to probe the charges, he said the suggestion had been made due to the seriousness of the charges, and that it was a great opportunity to probe the charges, with domestic help, in a more open manner.

The Welikada riot, the Rathupaswela protest, disappearances, abductions, the mass graves in Matale and Mannar, and the killing of Raviraj and Ekneligoda had also been highlighted in the report, he said.

He asked people not to panic because of the contents of the report, and said it was the duty of the government and the people to assist in conducting a credible probe. “I will provide my support if needed -- in the inquiries and other related areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Field Marshal criticised the Attorney General (AG) and the AG’s Department over decisions taken in connection with some of the court cases, including those involving the Avant Garde Company and the detention of Sajin de Vass Gunawardane.

“The AG has become a joke today. Even the UN report had stressed that the legal system and justice, immunity and equality should be strengthened,” he said.

He also said the people did not seem to be willing to reject corrupt politicians, as most of the corrupt people had been elected to parliament at the general elections. “The people should take the responsibility for this,” he said.(Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 14

GONA Friday, 18 September 2015 06:06 AM

Voters of this country did correct decision not voting for this man as he deserve it

AR Friday, 18 September 2015 07:14 AM

"He also said the people did not seem to be willing to reject corrupt politicians, as most of the corrupt people had been elected to parliament at the general elections"So true

sobers Friday, 18 September 2015 07:30 AM

It is MR regime which messed up the issue. They should have been transparent and had a open minded inquiry.

Lone-Defender Friday, 18 September 2015 10:40 AM

yes but the most corrupt one who sold himself to the foreign countries got only 28000 votes. mean people finally understood the deals behind the 5 stars

Dehan Friday, 18 September 2015 10:42 AM

Go and probe what your masters did to Sri Lankans in 1818 before probing our troops. we love our troops. not the traitors of 5 stars.

Dev Friday, 18 September 2015 10:48 AM

come on mcn do you think those who killed 1.4 million iraqis are interested in justice? no it was revenge from the start.

Jacoob Friday, 18 September 2015 11:24 AM

Hey guys, We are taking about our own countrymen being tortured and killed in a most despicable way. Why for a moment worry about Iraqis et al. Let us first worry about our own countrymen then if there is spare time start worry about others..

Gamaya Friday, 18 September 2015 11:29 AM

As the commander who defeated the tiger outfit, his statement is absolutely correct.

ruwan Friday, 18 September 2015 11:37 AM

Getting jittery? Yes of course you have said that many times. Let the Hybrid judges hear all sides and make a decision.

Dehan Friday, 18 September 2015 11:55 AM

දර පලනවා, රෙදි හොදනවා, මුට්ටි කරගහනවා..

Liberal One Friday, 18 September 2015 12:36 PM

if you think the separatist movement ended when your troops crushed LTTE you are very wrong. You are helping the same separatist agenda you helped to put a stop

Rubert Friday, 18 September 2015 01:28 PM

Where did anybody conduct an investigation after a war? The wars are brutal, mistakes do happen, this is giving into the diaspora.

dillondp Friday, 18 September 2015 02:08 PM

Anney Sarath,,, appreciate much you shut your gap and be silent

kondaya77 Friday, 18 September 2015 09:44 PM

Pearls Before swine !!!

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Govt. should probe charges anyway-SF

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