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President asked SF to take up Post of Army Commander: Rajitha

26 April 2017 04:50 pm - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Cabinet Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today the President Maithripala Sirisena requested Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to quit the ministerial portfolio and take up the post of army commander or overall commander for two years to discipline the country.

He told the weekly Cabinet briefing that Field Marshal Fonseka was known as a well-disciplined character in the country and that he would expedite investigations over several issues as well.

Minister Senaratne said the Field Marshal had agreed to quit his ministerial portfolio and take up the post if he was given proper powers and responsibility.

The question and answer session between the media and Minister Senaratne is as follows:

Q. What was offered to him, the post of Army commander or Overall commander?

A. Either of them.

Q. What was his reaction to the request?

A. He told that he was prepared to accept the post if proper responsibility and powers were given to him.

Q. Did he say that he was prepared to quit the Ministerial portfolio and take up the new post?

A. Yes, that is how decisions are taken on behalf of the country.

Q. What is expected from the Field Marshal?

A. He will do it well. Security forces asked us what was this joke happening in the country. They questioned if investors and tourists would come here if this situation went on. They said “Give us more powers. We will take care of Colombo”.

Q. Is it reasonable to give powers to a single person, may be a minister or an official to do this?

A. He will report his decisions to the Cabinet and the Cabinet will implement them.

Q. Is the government trying to create a character like Gotabaya Rajapaksa?

A. No, no, Fonseka is not a brother of the President. He cannot act as Gota did. Mahinda Rajapaksa was afraid of Gota.

Q. Do you accept that the civil administration had collapsed under this government?

A. Yes, people say so. They ask us to take action immediately when we went to our villages.

Q. This government was brought to power to ensure the right to protest.

A. Trade Unions have right to do so. The question is staging protests for political agendas.

(Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 16

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  • Rex Wednesday, 26 April 2017 05:15 PM

    At least, start functioning from onward. Two years lost for nothing!

    DING DONG. Wednesday, 26 April 2017 05:22 PM

    AN EXCELLENT DECISION TO MAKE THE COUNTRY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. CONGRATULATIONS. via DM Android App

    shami Wednesday, 26 April 2017 05:50 PM

    Long overdue the field marshal is the obvious choice to restore law and order.And also esquire why we have the only third world military that stood aside and let their top general be jailed by uneducated uncultured filth?What would general Musarraf have done with the helping Hambantota ?

    sobers Wednesday, 26 April 2017 06:06 PM

    Do it. SF should be given powers to stop unwanted protests which is disturbing the normal citizen.These trade unions are ruining the image of Sri lanka. Also Do what PM Modi did in India. Change the Rs.5000 notes. may be the Black money is in full swing to topple the government.

    Rohan Wednesday, 26 April 2017 06:20 PM

    A very good idea but Fonseka should act impartially. He should be given proper powers and responsibilities. Declare health service as an essential service so that doctors can not stage wildcat strikes. Ban protests staged on political agendas and implement the law of the land irrespective of party politics and personalities. Take the culprits into custody and bring them to book(including bond scammers and their supporters and also the fraudsters of MR regime.)

    concern Wednesday, 26 April 2017 06:56 PM

    Isn't he in ministry of health ?Which he should be taking care of that ministry which is in utter chaos !

    JAN Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:14 PM

    Intelligent move by MS we citizens Warmly welcome SF to come and save this country from Saboteurs via DM Android App

    ceylon Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:14 PM

    give him not the military comander post but defence minister post. via DM Android App

    mithra Wednesday, 26 April 2017 09:18 PM

    Very wise decision for the moment. The ball will start rolling from now on wards we hope. All the former and present culprits who were relaxing and challenging the Govt. will have to get prepared to face the right music. For eg. the dead journalists,Thaajudeen etc. will be able to rest in peace once the justice will be done soon. Govt. should appoint Ms.Ranjan R. and Palitha Thewarapperuma to assist FM.Fonseka.

    willows Thursday, 27 April 2017 08:05 AM

    At last it happened, this is a long overdue step, may we wish all the best FM Sir. We know you can do it. A person who eradicated the most ruthless terrorism from the earth, this is peanuts (political terrorism?0.

    Leo Thursday, 27 April 2017 08:04 AM

    A bold move. SF will either bring in proper law and order to start thinking of a coup. via DM Android App

    mal Thursday, 27 April 2017 08:29 AM

    Exactly, also he should not be given too much power, but work withing the prevailing law and order which is confined only to books.

    Ganesh Thursday, 27 April 2017 08:29 AM

    He is ideal to this type of job and could handle brilliantly using his brain unlike Gotapaya using his bodies to eliminate people overnight .

    Christopher Thursday, 27 April 2017 08:45 AM

    President has taken a wise decision. We all welcome SF to do the needful.

    Sunil Thursday, 27 April 2017 03:17 PM

    Your hoping will be in vain.

    iqbal Thursday, 27 April 2017 04:28 PM

    Great, don t waste time appoint FM asap


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