Fonseka suspects censorship

22 April 2010 10:59 am - 59 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin AUDIO

Member of Parliament General Sarath Fonseka said there was an attempt to slap a media censorship on his attendance in parliament today and he will raise this issue at the next parliament session.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mirror online via telephone after attending the inaugural session of parliament today, General Fonseka said that he had all the right to speak in Parliament and a media censorship on his attendance was a violation of the privileges offered to an MP.

“They want to put me into prison and are trying to remove my present parliament membership. If I have a right to speak as a member of parliament what has the Defence Ministry got to do? That is violating the privileges of a MP. The Defence Ministry is violating the constitution by trying to apply a media censorship on my attendance to parliament,” the General said.

Democratic National Alliance Member of Parliament Vijitha Herath confirming to Daily Mirror online that there was an attempt to slap a media censorship on his party leader’s attendance in parliament today, maintained that that attempt was a violation of the fundamental rights of an MP.

“This move is completely illegal and a violation of media freedom and General Fonseka’s fundamental rights. We will definitely raise this in the next parliament session,” Herath said.

Fonseka further alleged that there were moves by the Defence Ministry to put him into prison thereby removing his membership as a member of parliament.

Meanwhile, when questioned about his health, General Fonseka said that his health was ‘not in good condition’ as doctors were performing minimum tests on him with the limited facilities available within the Navy Headquarters where he is currently being detained.

“I had been getting treatment from certain doctors in the army who knew the background to my injuries and ailments. They have now made sure that those doctors do not come to me but luckily some specialists managed to come last time from the General Hospital. But they (the government) want them to do minimum checks only with the limited facilities available within the Navy Headquarters. They are trying to keep me away from the basic facilities available in other hospitals,” General Fonseka said. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 59

Thursday, 22 April 2010 08:34 PM

Leslie, please refer any English dictionary and note the difference between 'Convict' and 'Accused.'

Thursday, 22 April 2010 01:19 PM

It's only few hours this general was released from the detention, and he is now trying his best to destabilise the country. We do not want this cry baby for our country, we need the development.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 01:50 PM

SF did not look ill at all when he attended the parliament as stated by AF.
he looked well looked after.

BTW, did he not inquire from Anura Kumara, what happened to the 4m+ votes he received at the Presidential Elections ?

Thursday, 22 April 2010 02:00 PM

Really sorry about the fate of this country !

Thursday, 22 April 2010 02:02 PM

Sick of the system. We still need a Statesman who will lead the country and not just a politician

Thursday, 22 April 2010 02:13 PM

miracle of asia not only for others,but for you also

Thursday, 22 April 2010 02:38 PM

Piyal, do want SL to become like China where people are not allowed to speak freely?

Thursday, 22 April 2010 03:00 PM

There is definitely a censorship. i noticed it at once. Not only in state media but even in the socalled private media.& pls realise he is NOT a convict but only under investigation & arbitrarily detained very unfairly. & MR cant stop him coming to parliament cos people elected him.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 03:10 PM

Govt has better things to do than to pander to SF's ego.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 03:18 PM

in sri lanka no one is above the law of land. it is very clear in the sri lankan constution. that politicians have no rights to interfear in the juducial and justice system. in a domocratic country.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 03:22 PM

me, me, me.

stop this nonsense general

Thursday, 22 April 2010 04:33 PM

He was named 'the best Army commander in the world' by the same people who are now trying to put him in jail - looks like they have things to hide.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 04:53 PM

Leslie is in the distinguished company of the deluded majority!

Thursday, 22 April 2010 04:59 PM

Leslie seems to have no idea about our legal system.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 05:15 PM

Until people like Leslie live in this country, 'jungle law' will exist ...

Thursday, 22 April 2010 01:07 PM

shoudn't the pres be thankful to him after all for winning the war and that, making him indirectly the leader after election and election?

Thursday, 22 April 2010 09:06 PM

I believe that the President is a good person. SF 'rubbed' the President the wrong way. I would advice SF to forget the past and work with the President. I may be wrong, to some people, but this is my observation.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 09:43 PM

Forgive Fonseka? For what? Ending the war?

Friday, 23 April 2010 12:32 AM

We want either Sajit or you to be the opposition leader. Please help UNP to get rid of Ranil.

Friday, 23 April 2010 01:28 AM

General is a person who is very greedy for the power.
Even after winning the war he wanted to build a more stronger Army (question here is ... WHY ???)
President got alarmed by this... that's why he was removed from his post as the head of the army. (this is a very natural reaction from any leader who has a bit of brain).
Anyway I'm against with MR for trying to putting him in the jail. that shouldn't be done. But in the other hand is SF 100% clean(nobody is).

So SF why not bite your own tongue and stay calm to pay your price for your power hunger.

Friday, 23 April 2010 02:41 AM

I hope he is sincere about his dreams and hellucinations!!Censorship and media related activity.I am sure he is not entirely comfortable with his past dealings with the press, editors and reporters!It is good to hear that he is concerned about these freedoms and rights!

Friday, 23 April 2010 03:36 AM

A Convict is someone who has been convicted. He is only still being charged with an offence or offences , and can only be come a criminal once he is convicted.

Friday, 23 April 2010 03:47 AM

since the Law and Security are in their hands everybody has to wait and see. Pitty situation in SL what to do? However as Buddhist people we have a belief in our religion, not immediately,but, oneday the wrong doers will have to suffer with interest.

Friday, 23 April 2010 04:06 AM

It is not very difficult to rub him the wrong way.

Friday, 23 April 2010 04:09 AM

Leslie, even a convicted murderer has right for proper medical treatment. Keep it in mind he is still not convicted.

Friday, 23 April 2010 04:12 AM

Already Wimal Weerawansa has started to taste the pudding called National List.

Friday, 23 April 2010 04:21 AM

Dont worry - the international community is all eyes on us for human/fundamental rights issues. But SF - guard your tongue in parliament - at least till the cases are over. Let Vijitha & Arjuna do the talking. Dont imitate Anura K Dissanayake! MR keep quiet but let WW and frogs do the talking.

Friday, 23 April 2010 04:32 AM

I agree with Lawrance. The President is a good person.
General Fonseka should work the the President and give his best to the people. I also feel for personal revenge of a few persons they are trying to disrepute the government and the President, by prolonging the silly court martial.

Friday, 23 April 2010 05:52 AM

Yes .. Next election, People with IQ shall be allowed to vote.

Friday, 23 April 2010 07:01 AM

Long..long afterward.........in an Oak
Still unbroke.................!

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:13 PM

lets c if he even gets convicted

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:08 AM

Dear General, people are with you. Keep going...

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:16 AM

the people are with you. i will never ever vote in any elections and this is the last time i vote at the presidential election.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:19 AM

LOL Vote or not sri lanka will still run JOKERSSSS!!!!

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:26 AM

Such hallucinations....

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:29 AM

The allegations leveled by SF re. his medical facilities and check ups should be corrected immediately by involvement from very top
If such facilities are needed on doctors' recommendation and not given Government should investigate on whose instructions it was done. Sometimes this could be a plot to tarnish Govt's image

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:30 AM

Is our country's defense ministry or its officials powerful than the Parliament, What a joke, we have the worlds best democracy in the world. general may be telling lies Yah,Yah

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:31 AM

The comment is very ' low '. Thank the president for his generosity; he took oath and attended the first sitting, maiden speech apart. Great expectations!

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:36 AM

Why don't these Yakos stop harassing this poor man? Why are they trying to mess things up for MR?

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:50 AM

Don't worry Sir, good or bad will come to them?? we know how clean you are. god bless you Sir.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:55 AM

Fonseka, keep in mind that you are still a convict and you should be thankful to the President in having brough you for the first parliament session.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:05 PM

Yeah, now we know how clean he is...!!!

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:05 PM

What you have done earlier..... now coming behind you.
Thats called Dittadammawedaniya Karma

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:08 PM

Until proven guilty he is still innocent. You guys have already given the verdict....It seem that jungle law is what you follow

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:13 PM

This man does not know the basics of the law. General is not a convict yet. MR and the clan wants him to be convicted as soon as possible. Leslie you are terribly wrong. Shame, Shame

Thursday, 22 April 2010 11:08 AM

We are sorry Sir……..

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:18 PM

Rajapakhsha victims ; Mangala, Sarath, , Infuture Wimal Weerawansa

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:18 PM

Idiot. Does not know what he talks about. When has Gen Fonseka been convicted?.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:28 PM

Leave him alone, let him exercise his democratic rights.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:28 PM

Your mouth is main problem for all causes. Keep your mouth shut, then everything will be o.k.
""Kohomada Kama, Athi visistai Sir!""

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:32 PM

Is this Leslie is a brother of Dr. Mervyn Silva ??

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:32 PM

This is the govt that sent a helicopter when Vermin Silva's toe was injured two years ago but to our greatest war hero of our time everything is denied.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:34 PM

What has the President got to do with his basic right to attend Parliament - only in Mugabe's land that you need special permission from the dictator.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:37 PM

Leslie, you should first read the Constitution of Sri Lanka before commenting like an idiot. Gen. Fonseka is not at all a convicted person and it was not the President who brought Gen. Fonseka to the Parliament but the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:44 PM

Now we must be kind full to each other forgive fonseka and get all the people to make a country with kind inteligent people only development with road and buildings wont help people that will create social gaps and unrest
so please develop people and make a self dependent economy .think about poor villages,

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:49 PM

It is SF's right to attend Parliament not a gift from MR. It is the people who voted SF in. You do not seem to know the difference between the word convict and accused.

Thursday, 22 April 2010 12:55 PM

we are with you, sir

Thursday, 22 April 2010 01:00 PM

what will happen if this man found guilty before next session?

Thursday, 22 April 2010 01:02 PM

Gen Fonseka is the man who lead the war against LTTE. Karuna Amman became hero and Gen Fonseka became traitor.
This is Sri Lankan style law.Thugs are heroes and honest people are traitors.(miracle of asia) ASIYAWE ASCHAIRIYA....WHAT A SHAME

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Fonseka suspects censorship

Comments - 59

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