The guilty should be punished: SF

29 January 2017 06:05 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Those who had been accused of war crimes must be punished irrespective of their posts and statuses if found guilty, Regional Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said today.

While speaking to the media at the Malwatte Maha Viharaya after meeting the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters at their respective temples in Kandy, Field Marshal Fonseka reminisced how an Army Major was sentenced to death after he was proven to have passed information to terrorists.

The Minister during his meetings with the Malwatte Mahanayake the Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera and the Asgiriya Mahanayake the Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thera explained the development projects in Kandy and other areas.

Accusing that allegations of war crimes had been leveled against the Army after the former ruler and the former Defence Secretary had brought politics into the Army, Minister Fonseka observed that there was no policy of turning a blind eye to the crimes or offences in the Army, except for the instances, where the former rulers had a policy of defending their offending henchmen.

He stated that no allegations of war crimes would have been levelled against the Army had the Army was allowed to maintain discipline among its rank and file.

"There was no threat of electric chair against the former President, but he instilled fear among the people by always talking about such a threat. It was we who commanded and fought the war, it was we who would have been sent to the electric chair, if actually there were such a threat.

“If the former President was taken to the electric chair, that would be a disgrace even to that chair," he said.

He argued that though the former President could bring thirty or fifty thousand people for a public meeting, he would have to muster support of 6.2 million people to topple a Government that has a mandate of 6.2 million voters.

The former Army Commander also reminded that that Karuna Amman, who lined up and killed 600 Policemen when he was in the LTTE, had been appointed Vice President of the SLFP by the former President. (Nadeeka Daya Bandara)

Video by Nadeeka Dayabandara

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 18

Perumal Monday, 30 January 2017 10:43 AM

Then what did Rajapakses do to him? Impersonal vendettas?

damma Monday, 30 January 2017 10:11 PM

You are great you talk as professional Soldier but some people cant understand that... They deceive by politicians.

sara Monday, 30 January 2017 01:34 PM

Well said SF. . But whether we will be say "Well done"

TJ Monday, 30 January 2017 01:25 PM

You are talking like a professional military officer. But how many of our people can understand your logic, when we have the natural tendency to habour criminals protect the offenders?

Soma Monday, 30 January 2017 01:15 PM

He was not commander in chief. That position was held by MR. he was just the army commander

kalawedda Monday, 30 January 2017 12:58 PM

you did priceless job to this country and we admit it with all due respect we do not care your personal grudges. please keep it outside of the line.

Ranger Thomas Monday, 30 January 2017 12:39 PM

With due respect, Field marshal, you are one in many on the same boat calling for justice against wrongdoers but what all of you keep saying gets stone walled, Why ? is the question. Over the weekend FCID said that they too are stone walled because of the lethargy or unconcerned attitude of Banks in foreign Countries protecting the account holders of ill gotten money. Do something is the key word which is not happening.

Guru Monday, 30 January 2017 12:11 PM

Goatabaya is guilty of bringing SF who suppose to retire just before 14 days as a Army commander,

Mk Monday, 30 January 2017 11:35 AM

How ironic!

Arul Sunday, 29 January 2017 09:22 PM

True Patriot

Jans Monday, 30 January 2017 10:19 AM

FMSF we all like you very much must punish all Wrongdoers immediately via DM Android App

Lord Wolfstein Monday, 30 January 2017 10:10 AM

Bold words by FM Sarath Fonseka, who as a commander-in-chief of the armed forces during the last years of the war is at least suspected of approval of war crimes, or have known of them. All these crimes have to be dealt with as soon as possible. Simple soldiers who are guilty, one should consider a pardon, however, the officers, military and political commanders must be behind prison walls for a long time.However SF is a courageous man, who should be given more influence in the government.

Sangaralingham Monday, 30 January 2017 10:04 AM

Life plays it's mysterious game to all of us in many mysterious ways. Nothing is guaranteed or fulfilling if we all take a wrong path at the beginning of our journey. Think before you act so we we were told before crossing a street jump into the pool we all failed as nation still paying the price initiators are up in the ------

pras Monday, 30 January 2017 09:13 AM

from hero to zero the story of SF via DM Android App

Citizen Sunday, 29 January 2017 09:56 PM

Personal vendettas is all he talks about.

Nelum Sunday, 29 January 2017 09:51 PM

As you are only field marshals we have whom were forced to wear “Jumper” in prison, PM should offer you more suitable job in Ministry of defense.

Avisenna Sunday, 29 January 2017 09:34 PM

If one is looking for reconcilation it should by a SA style truth and reciciliatin commission. We are a accused by regimes who are responsible millions of deaths in Iraq Libya Serbia Afghanistan & Syria and poisoned half the world with Orange poison deleted uranium and cluster bombs and who wants every country to be subservient poodles. Our heros saved 300000 people from the biggest siege while terrorists were shooting their own people and sacrificing their heroic comrade. via DM Android App

ceylon Sunday, 29 January 2017 09:28 PM

question is why not punished yet . via DM Android App

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

The guilty should be punished: SF

Comments - 18

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

April 15 declared a government holiday

New Visa procedure implemented

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES