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US, Norway deny Gota claims

11 February 2010 02:25 pm - 45     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The US and Norway have strongly denied claims raised by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse that both countries had funded the election campaign of former Presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka.

In a press release the Norwegian Embassy stated; that in reference to the interview of Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse carried by Straits Times 11th February, they wished to point out that the accusations made against Norway were untrue.

The statement had added that “Norway has never and will never interfere with other countries’ elections or in any way try to undermine or oust a democratically elected government and president”.

It also said that its ambassador
Mr. Tore Hattrem had today brought up the issue with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Embassy of the United States meanwhile in a press release strongly stated that there was “no truth to the Sri Lankan Defense Secretary’s claims that the U.S. provided financial support to the opposition candidate in Sri Lanka’s presidential election.”

The statement drew attention to previous statements by the U.S. Embassy, wherein which they had stated that the United States backed no candidate but strongly supported a free, fair, and credible democratic process.


It added that in the same spirit the US Embassy now “urge the Sri Lankan Government to protect the rights of those who supported the opposition or other candidates in the election and to ensure the safety and security of representatives of the press.”


The Embassy statement further read that the “free expression of opinion and peaceful participation in the political process are fundamental democratic rights, which all citizens of Sri Lanka should enjoy.”


Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapkse in an interview published today by the Straits Times of Singapore had said that losing opposition common candidate Sarath Fonseka’s candidature to the Presidential election was backed by the US and Norway.

 

For text on the Defence Secretary’s claims: http://www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/news/1572-sf-trial-soon-can-be-jailed-for-five-years.html

 


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  Comments - 45

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  • Friday, 12 February 2010 06:56 AM

    Actually my friend it would be us who will go to hell , if the present situation continued.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 05:45 PM

    disgrace!hanging on the coat tails or the 'saruwalaya' of his brother.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 06:33 PM

    Aren't American citizens expected to be loyal and patriotic towards the USA?

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 06:35 PM

    Never mind if they 'dig their own graves,' but they are putting all the Sri Lankan citizens too, into the 'graves' they 'dig.'

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 06:45 PM

    In protest, Gota will relinquish his US citizenship, to teach the US a good lesson?

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 07:30 PM

    I'm not a big fan of the US, telling us what to do ... but they seem better allies than the likes of Libya or Burma, for example.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 07:31 PM

    However, did Norway ever deny funding the 'Tigers' and trying to safeguard terrorists, who killed dozens of Sri Lankans, over the years? They are yet to publish their non-involvement in this - they cannot do so.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:26 PM

    'Judge, Jury and Executioner'!

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:58 PM

    I fully endorse Kumar Soysa's comments. Norway is not a saint, neither is the USA. Both fancy changing regimes, in other countries. However, it's still not too late for the Central Bank to investigate any funds that might have come into the country, through dubious means (via INGOs and NGOs), during both the pre and post election periods, so that Norway & USA can be exonerated, if such thing like 'funding SF,' did not occur.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 10:23 PM

    The US and Norway are lying ! It's amazing how some people are quite happy to believe their statements, over the statements of the most successful defence secretary that Sri Lanka has ever had. It is probably due to their servility, to the West.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 11:23 PM

    What Gota is saying is true. Sri Lankans are not fools, like the South American countries. People realized this and voted for MR.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 06:29 AM

    Jayashantha,

    Will u pls educate the country by publishing the names of the journalists and the amounts they were or are being paid by Norway, US or any other country to publish articles "against the government of Sri Lanka"?

    Also pls publish the names of the "patriotic" journalists and the amounts and other perks they receive for the service they render in publishing articles in favour of the regime.

    This will help the uneducated Sri Lankans to select articles to read !

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:36 PM

    Yes Kumar is sad that our most of our educated people in Clolobo denying these facts, true we cannot isolated our selves from the world, but that fact should not compramized with our self respect as whole as a country, Let us solve our issues.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 06:58 AM

    yes I am agree with u. We are not a nation go behind europ. Our president also the same. Weare shame about sf. SF can`t let down the country built by MR. SF now staying in proper place. He wanted to put in jail JAGATH DAIS ,SHAWENDRE KAMAL GUNARATHNA & OTHER REAL LEADERS, after becoming president. Now u failed be there for ever.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 06:59 AM

    So how would you know they are lying and our guys are telling truth, It is rather about medieval mentality of modern Sinhalese who love to live in serfdom to Kings right??

    Friday, 12 February 2010 06:59 AM

    Shaik Anwar Ahamath - General Fonseka is not a US citizen. Its Gotabya who is a US citizen. Gen Fonseka has a green card only or residency status in the US.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 07:16 AM

    It seems Fonseka is more acceptable than the "Other" who consorts with " bad guys"

    Friday, 12 February 2010 07:25 AM

    Yes,well said malin.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 07:40 AM

    By going through most of the above comments what I infer is most of our so called Sri Lankans do not make opinions by listening to and reading information with an open mind. Most have cultivated biased minds. Many still consider Sri Lankans as inferior to Westerners. There is a very good article by Prof PA De Silva in a Sinhala newspaper today. As always had been done by this eminent professor he reveals, with facts, why some Western powers have vested interests in our motherland.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 07:41 AM

    Norway and USA and tamil diaspora.....
    give me a break.....

    Friday, 12 February 2010 08:05 AM

    USA gave the Fire Finder Radar system to Sri Lanka to Locate enermy Artilary. We should not make enamies with them

    Friday, 12 February 2010 08:08 AM

    # you just wait.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 08:10 AM

    are you stupit or what!!!!

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:09 PM

    interesting that Norway has not denied helping the LTTE or paying journalists to write against the government. very interesting indeed...

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:37 PM

    Gota you are digging the well to SL !!!!!!! MADA NANAWA.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:37 PM

    Punish this fool. Shame to Sri Lankans. They are digging their graves them selves.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:43 PM

    we know who conspired agaist GOSL, now you cannot even fool a village idiot my these statements as everyone is educated regardings the moves of western powers.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:44 PM

    Sri Lanka cannot survive as an isolated country. It is high time that the so called "Patriots" realize that we need to harmonize with the International community as well.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:55 PM

    It is very unfortunate situation at the this time. we srilankan have no rights to express of our opinion nether wright we are under oppress

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:55 PM

    naked truth comming out

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:01 PM

    I doubt there's any hard evidence of US's support for Sarath Fonseka but their tacit approval of him, justifiably as a US citizen, has evinced a parallel between their support of General Pinochet in Chile and the removal of Aristides in Haiti.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:07 PM

    Gotaa.. please do not consult our country more.. and plerase go home.....

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:07 PM

    When did GR lied? Never!

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:08 PM

    I blame Norway for every life (Sinhala and Tamil) lost from the time of the "Peace Accord" to the end of the war. And these liars are still giving advise and comments!! The sooner we IGNORE them the better it will be.

    As for the US, please read John Kerry's report in his capacity as Chairman, US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, on Sri Lanka. SHOCKING. ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING.

    There are many of my countrymen who feel cheated because SF lost; some are elated that MR won!! But the final loser or winner maybe someone we may not suspect!!

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 02:36 PM

    I am glad Norway & USA responded to these accusations. They tell these pack of lies to Sri Lankan people to collect the votes. Dirty game

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:19 PM

    USA has a history of playing puppets everywhere in South America. Has anyone ever asked himself why USA is hated in the world even after O'Bama had become its President! Norway was always a collaborating country. It was friendly with Hitler. Norway went to Palestine and the problems only escalated. It came to Sri Lanka and nearly broke our country into 2. To hell with USA and Norway!

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:19 PM

    THIS HAPPENS WHEN UNEDUCATED RULES THE COUNTRY

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:22 PM

    Well said, Hash. Not only Sri Lanka but any other country can not survive without international community. But my concern is how come these idiots were selected again by the Sri Lankan fools.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:22 PM

    yes just because we are patriotic, it doesn't mean we should be angry with rest of the world. This is a very bad attitude created by opportunistic politicians.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:22 PM

    they're sick of denying. They know they have been taken as scapegoats for electioneering. they prefer to ignore. wise.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:22 PM

    Gota,
    You are a wonderful Defence Secretary, A brother of the President of Sri lanka (and the minister of defence and recently of the media), A US citizen, A Judge of the Supreme court or the Chairman of the Court Martialling team,

    Do not try to fool the learned Sri lankan voters.Enough is enough.

    You are acting on whose complaint to sue Fonseka?

    You are the complainint, you are the prosecuter,you are the defence counsel and finally you have delivered the judgement by jailing the war hero to five years .Gota, you have failed one more thing in your judgement,;is it with hard labour or simple imprisonment;

    SO THAT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTEST ANY ELECTIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

    The cat is out of the bag ; IS NOT IT?

    The world community will look after you all.

    But one advise; dont loose your US citizenship by talking nonsense

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:24 PM

    US also said there are nuclear weapons in Iraq. Norway donated a radio station,helped to buy planes for tamil tigers. So don't believe they will come out and say we helped SF.

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:26 PM

    Is it so, then would you please let us know who funded MR's election campaign?

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:26 PM

    Fail

    Thursday, 11 February 2010 03:30 PM

    Above all, it is democracy!


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