Gota alleges US, Norway role

11 February 2010 08:43 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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General Sarath Fonseka will face immediate court martial for treason and he can be jailed for up to five years, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in an interview published today.

Rajapaksa, a brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, also told Singapore’s Straits Times that Fonseka had planned to impose military rule and his candidature in the presidential election that he lost was backed by the US and Norway.

Speaking candidly but harshly about Fonseka, Gotabaya rubbished claims that Fonseka played a key role in the military victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May last year. “What he achieved we could have done with any other commander. There were better officers.”

Fonseka was arrested Monday after being charged with conspiring against the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa, his former friend, and creating rifts in the army. Fonseka’s supporters have denied the charge.

The younger Rajapaksa, who as defence secretary oversaw the war against the Tigers, said Fonseka would be charged under the Army Act. “Under the Army Act, any officer can be charged under military act within six months of leaving the military. There are other things we will do under civil code.”

He went on: “The court martial will begin immediately after the assembling of the summary of evidence is done. I don’t know how long it will take because that depends on lawyers. But we want to finish it soon. In less than six months maybe. The severity of the charges is very high. He can be put in jail for as long as five years.”

Rajapaksa said Fonseka worked with politicians and tried to win them over while holding the Chief of Defence Staff assignment. “This was completely wrong because he was sitting in Security Council meetings. It amounts to treason.”

“He was planning military rule… He was completely trying to isolate the politics and take the country on a different path… In his very last stages as army commander he began bringing his people into Colombo and his regiment, positioning his senior regiment people all over… All these things were looking like a military coup,” said Rajapaksa.

The president’s brother accused a section of the West of conspiring with Fonseka, who has accused the Rajapaksa brothers of war crimes in the military campaign against the LTTE.

“We are 100 percent convinced that Western countries with vested interests were backing him. Even the US, and countries like Norway, spent lots of money on his campaign.

“I have proof of the Norwegian government paying journalists to write against the government,” he said. “They have vested interests and used to support the Tamil Tigers in various ways. They also supported Fonseka to try oust the government.”

Rajapaksa also linked Fonseka with the chilling January 2009 murder of Sri Lankan editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

“We know there was no other person (involved). You have to see the circumstances. Some of the media people harmed had never criticized any other person except him or people close to him. Nothing happened to those who had been criticizing me or the president.

“We have a clue whom he has used (in the killing). We are very convinced. In fact, I know for sure. He was definitely responsible for five or six cases (of disappearances) where media people were involved. Now I am going after the people who did the executions. The truth will come out very soon.” (IANS)

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Comments - 26

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:38 PM

Lasantha was screwing Gota and Mahinda on his articles weapon commissions... this guy even warned lasantha several time(s) ... like a psycho he is talking now the other way ...

Friday, 12 February 2010 07:13 AM

Yes gota saying the thruth `cos they worked hard to finish this war when fonseka planing to become president.

Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:27 PM

Very few will agree with your statement: "What he achieved we could have done with any other commander. There were better officers."

Thursday, 11 February 2010 08:26 PM

Then why did you'll particularly choose SF, as our Army Commander ? Perhaps we could have won the war with 'any Defence Secretary' as well ?

Thursday, 11 February 2010 07:02 PM

'Judgment day' will come, pretty soon !

Thursday, 11 February 2010 06:39 PM

Wonder who SF’s boss was, at that time?

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:58 PM

Dont Let Him Out !. Life time is good enough !

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:50 PM

Gota has already sentenced SF ! So he is the JUDGE !!! Anyone should be given a fair trail. What mess is this. We are better off without these idiots.

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:50 PM

All are rubish.but i accept ur last sentence'the truth wil come out very soon'.

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:48 PM

I think everyone is innocent, until proven guilty.... Let the truth prevail

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:47 PM

Darshana

mate do you know the meaning of your name. do not show your dum side.

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:45 PM

You have ordered the arrest and you determine the punishment to be given to SF. You are a brute!

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:42 PM

Dear True Sri Lankan
Dont worry, his brother will be the president for many years to come.so no need to go out. Opposition will be in opposition forever, with Mr. Ranil, the gentleman politico , ha ha ha haaaaaa

Thursday, 11 February 2010 08:54 AM

Is this the verdict ?

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:33 PM

Gota is a just born baby, doesn't know anything about these before, so now they are accepting the war is done to a completion (right or wrong way) by SF. They think we all are idiots that they can cheat by telling fairy tales.

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:32 PM

What Gota Say ! Gota Do !

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:27 PM

I think you should resign your post, with knowing about all those killings, you have hide those from the Sri Lankan people.

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:26 PM

"we have better officers, they fought the war and won, who is this Sarath, see he was the tea maker, " un quote
c'on, do we look like bunch of idiots?

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:07 PM

You blame US and you being US citizen where else can you go if government change. You will have the same fath what SF having now

Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:03 PM

Personal revenge can't go to civil court unless otherwise it goes to military court

Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:09 AM

Tragic end of "Api Venuven Api".

Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:08 AM

We like to hear the otherside of the story too!!

Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:06 AM

Be careful sir, you are begining to sound like Sarath Fonseka!

Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:02 AM

SL Defence Secretary is in a mess. The whole country is awaiting the out-come. I think Gota and the gang should leave the country Immediately..

Thursday, 11 February 2010 08:57 AM

If you knew all these, why on earth did you appoint him as CDS ?

Thursday, 11 February 2010 08:57 AM

Well said Mr. Gotabhaya.

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Gota alleges US, Norway role

Comments - 26

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