President says yes

30 September 2010 02:55 am - 99 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa has today endorsed the second court martial recommendation to sentence MP Sarath Fonseka, government sources said. The second court martial recommended maximum three years imprisonment to the former Army Commander. President Rajapaksa has recommended two and half years in his endorsement.

With President being the Commander-in-Chief, his signature is mandatory to carry out court martial recommendations.

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Comments - 99

lankaman Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:50 AM

does it mean when somebody commits an act of war crime, we should become pseudo patriots and commit another crime by keeping those criminal acts secret? Mediocrity breeds mediocrity

Thasneem Thursday, 30 September 2010 10:45 AM

what a sympathy for SF from the president!!!!

Dheen Thursday, 30 September 2010 10:14 AM

The word "COMPASSION" that is taught in Buddhism has become an obsolete word today.

Roshana Ahamed Thursday, 30 September 2010 09:59 AM

This is absolutely shocking news! I never expected this to happen! This is even more unbelievable than Mervyn getting off scot free!

Ranjith Thursday, 30 September 2010 09:16 AM

Time to implement Capital punishment for betrayors.

IrajCalifornia Thursday, 30 September 2010 07:30 AM

thats what happened to SF

gamarala Thursday, 30 September 2010 07:24 AM

Anyone who eat rice can not accept this action. Those who can remember the war period, can not agree such things happen in this country.All should remember history when make an action in future.

RM Thursday, 30 September 2010 07:04 AM

yes, already SF in our hearts we never release him. we love our war hero.

DXB Thursday, 30 September 2010 06:06 AM

Highly complicated matter :
Some say if some one has done a wrong he should be punished , Another group says since he has liberated the country he should be not punished .... where we stand ??

Sanath R Thursday, 30 September 2010 06:03 AM

Though we already knew the final outcome,it is indeed a sad day in Sri Lanka's history. This is not justice but spite, jealousy plus total fear towards the opponent. We still believe that there is somebody above all of us who can see things clearly and do the needful at the appropriate time.

Noel Thursday, 30 September 2010 06:00 AM

Make KP as Commander of arm forces....This country has not gone to dogs, but dogs have come to this country.

Watchman Thursday, 30 September 2010 06:00 AM

OVER 50% OF THE NATION TOO..!!!

Ryan Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:54 AM

Dear SF, You amply exhibited what you have not learnt in life - Gratitude

Ranjith Thursday, 30 September 2010 10:47 AM

Tough on war hero. And lean on Kudu KIng, KP, Karuna, Pillayan and other gangsters

sltk2004 Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:50 AM

Politicians say a lot of things during election period, but seldom do what they say.

sltk2004 Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:48 AM

This court martial was not about the white flag incident.

Navaratne Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:47 AM

Very sad and no words to explain this unjustice. Definitely all Sri lankan hearts are weeping today. Where is the GOD????

Madey Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:43 AM

MR has to do what as a president and commander in chief has to do. If any decorated general do things against the law or to the oath he has taken in army, the fate would what is ruled by the law. Too bad some people just hungry for power do such idiotic things !!

Saradial Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:41 AM

War hero honored!

Rooster Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:35 AM

Technically he has to serve only 13 months behind bars coz he has already served 17, and on his return thats when we might see all the rats running to their holes.

Wasantha Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:35 AM

MR endorsed the first GCM ruling and cancelled the pension right that SF hardly earned working almost 40 years. Under such a scenario,if SF is allowed to complete 05 years in the parliment, he would become eligible to receive a pension.If he appealed against second GCM ruling before civil court for redress, white flag case is coming behind to send him back to the jail. What a nice plan?.

John Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:34 AM

White flag case will be resloved by the time!

kasun Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:33 AM

yes he is wrong, so he deserved the punishment. but this not mean all others are very clean people in this country

this is a shame day for all Sinhalese people

kasun

Surendra Nawarathna Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:31 AM

Yes SF is a hero but he is not indispensable. But the true story was he never exposed to danger, he was targeted by a suicide bomber right inside his headquarter. Who should be blamed for it? SF never punished anybody for this blunder! He traveled by a helicopter to main Army bases from there by an Armed carrier. What about the officers & soldiers sacrificed their lives and limbs for this cause? SF only gave orders nothing else surrounded by 850 men with 67 vehicles.
SF ran the Army like his private property, punishing all upcoming officers to remain in his seat as long as possible.
This is a "Dhitta Dhamma Vedaniya Karma"

Defender Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:29 AM

This is tit-for-tat done to Maj Gen. Parakrama Pannipitiya.
Every action has a reaction!!

KUmudini Thursday, 30 September 2010 01:27 PM

to remind you that SF was not even in the country when VP was captured . So who won the war for the people . The brave soldiers and their commanding officers .

Same Saturday, 02 October 2010 07:23 AM

There years more enough to get out from MP ship. Play of Politicals.

JM Friday, 01 October 2010 06:04 AM

Well said, Mr.Ranjith

Raja Friday, 01 October 2010 04:25 AM

This should not have happened under any circumstances.

Ganster Friday, 01 October 2010 04:09 AM

God protect SF.Definitely true must be win

roshan raz Friday, 01 October 2010 03:44 AM

that applies to MR and SF as well.

demon Friday, 01 October 2010 02:59 AM

how long a person can dance ?

fxt Thursday, 30 September 2010 06:06 PM

What about Tsunami funds

Roshan Thursday, 30 September 2010 02:30 PM

shame to say a Sri Lankan now....
but remember Newton's Third Theory
"EVERY ACTION HAS A REACTION "

ANURA Thursday, 30 September 2010 02:22 PM

MR AND SF WOULD HAND OVER THE COUNTRY TO A OUTSIDER LIKE SRI WICRAMA RAJASINGHE AND KEPPITIPOLA DID TO THE BRITISH

Elaris Thursday, 30 September 2010 02:08 PM

Hitlers decisions too were endosed by the parliament

John Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:28 AM

SF is the Hero, He should not be trated like this.

Anver Thursday, 30 September 2010 01:19 PM

Yes, only then those who resorted to injustice can go hiding .

Hasiya Thursday, 30 September 2010 12:58 PM

If president MR says Yes.. Of coz we also would say YES

krishna Thursday, 30 September 2010 12:29 PM

God save the GENERAL.

Anura Kumar Thursday, 30 September 2010 12:26 PM

He has already done!!

Anura Kumar Thursday, 30 September 2010 12:25 PM

Including you.

Anura Kumar Thursday, 30 September 2010 12:23 PM

War Heros are allowed rob in Sri Lanka???

Anura Kumar Thursday, 30 September 2010 12:15 PM

don't keep him for 25 years, we dont want to spnd peoples money for him.

Gamaya Thursday, 30 September 2010 11:34 AM

Very true

Ranjith Thursday, 30 September 2010 10:54 AM

Looking at the way country is going down in all aspects proves that SF is the real hero.

Lionel Thursday, 30 September 2010 10:52 AM

For fools who dont understand

Ranjan Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:18 AM

Is this what the General deserves for ENDING terrorism??

Samaradiwakara Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:45 AM

Guess, this is the appreciation he gets for all the good work done for our nation. sad day for Sri Lanka.

perera Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:43 AM

MR did what LTTE failed to.

JM Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:42 AM

This is very unfortunate. SF is a man of grit. Our prayers are with you and your family. People who had millions in vault, former LTTE leaders who killed people in cold blood, people who torched sirasa, siyata, Persons who are accused of bribery etc are all at large with all the comfort. But the man becoz of whom our children can have peaceful future is behind bars. This is poltics at its beast. DISGRACEFUL.

CK Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:39 AM

Are you really a Budhist, please do recall that there is a word call "Dittta Damma".

local boy Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:34 AM

3 years is not enough !

rosh Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:33 AM

You do good things ... you get good things !!!!
You do Bad things .... You get bad things. !!!!
What goes around comes around.

Dr Wickramatillake Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:32 AM

MR, You, DEFINITELY, are heading to be the WONDER of Asia.

malkanthi Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:32 AM

There is a 5/6 of the parliament to endorse this decision!! who are we to voice?? Sadly the Buddhist precepts are not even practiced by the Maha Sanga dont expect from the laymen!

isuru Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:32 AM

General is paying the prize for giving the leadership to a nation which don't have a backborne.

ravi.sella Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:28 AM

dont blame manga ranil or anyone... is general.. baba? does he not know about how our dirty policial system works?

Sanje Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:24 AM

Nelson Mandela of Asia is in the making.

Cotton Hall Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:19 AM

The way to go for a true banana republic.

Prabu. Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:46 AM

He didn't do it alone. He could do it because of the leadership given by MR. Otherwise SF is little known just like other former commanders. We couldn't handle the international pressure and had to stop, every time we were close to win. But MR managed to handle it very well. That is why SF was able to finish as a war hero. He shouldn't have try to Over take MR by any mean, coz MR was the leader of the country and not SF.

C D A Gunasekarea Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:17 AM

Our War Heros in the eradication of Trerrorism from this Country now, fall apart., A resul of the dirty trickish Politicians acts.Where is JVP Leader,Mangala Ranil who paved the way for this sad situation who had used Gen. Sarath Fonseka as a
Cats Paw.!!!

Chandrqa.

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:17 AM

He said in the UN that he is ruling according to the Buddhist precepts. And the Maha Nayakes have promised Anoma Fonseka they will make representations to the President on behalf of General Fonseka. Now it would be interesting to see whether the President is going to adhere to Buddhist principles believing in Ahimsa or go all out to take revenge.

Lalindra Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:14 AM

what????
they all are with the Govt - MR!!!

Adam Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:14 AM

yaaaaaaaaay

Ram Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:13 AM

Good news

sherlock Holmes Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:12 AM

Strategic Thinking, Obstacles should be moved or avoided on the race track ! something which the UNP should learn if they want to survive.

sugath Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:10 AM

What you sew is what you reap.
At last SF has got what he deserves.

Saliya Wickremasuriy Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:04 AM

If MR is a true Buddhist, he will listen to the four Mahanayakes. Let's what will happen.

Ranjan Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:03 AM

Terrorist leaders are given all the comforts including luxury vehicles nad houses. But the General who WIPED out terrorism from SL soil, is to be sent to jail. Do you think by doing such things,you can make this island the miracle of Asia.

gamarala Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:03 AM

What an efficient president

Hirantha Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:02 AM

MR MARK THIS DAY YOU HAVE MADE A BLUNDER!

rosh Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:43 AM

Pls note - This refers to both partes

Janaka Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:23 AM

Whatever said and done, MR is a tough guy, A man got to what a man got to do,

Concerned Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:22 AM

Podi Wije, You amply exhibit what you have not learnt in life - Gratitude!

jayasingha Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:16 AM

Discipline in the forces has to be strictly maintained from top to bottom.This is the message that every one should understand. Other wise this country is gone. Discipline in the forces is one thing and Buddhist principles are another. The two are different.

Gayan Samarasekara Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:16 AM

Well, then SF will also do what LTTE failed to do, in few years time. Let's wait and see.

Binoy Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:14 AM

This is a good lesson for any traitor.

Yehiya-Doha Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:02 AM

30% popularity gone down.

unl Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:02 AM

Well SF said that he will send MR & GR, (two men’s who led this same war) to the jail. Can’t you remember that?

John Thursday, 30 September 2010 05:01 AM

You will be celebrating today. What a dishonourable nation we are.

donduminda Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:59 AM

A leader with a backbone. Well Done. 3 years should be maximized by 10.

hb Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:53 AM

You are giving more credit to the tax payer than the man in the battle field who gave up his life, limb and family to safeguard the nation and its people (including you, the tax payer).

Dasarath Jayasuriya Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:45 AM

SF was a hero and no one argues against that. At the same time, if he was a crook, he should be dealt with. If the Tribunal has found him guilty, he should suffer the consequences. It will be interesting to see how the Civil Court deals with his next case.

Falsely claiming that he is innocent indirectly accuses the military of being corrupt. Remember, SF did not fight this war alone. He was in Colombo (and for over a year in Singapore) when Parami lead the show and paid the price with his life.

By parroting SF's innocence, you are denigrating the current military.

Moratu Puthek Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:00 AM

OKA ITHIN UN EKATA YANNA ISSELLAMA KORANAM IVARAINE..

Prabu. Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:27 AM

SF gave the leadership to the army, not to the nation. It was given by MR. don't forget the facts just because of the political party you support.

Gayan Samarasekara Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:22 AM

2.5 years imprisonment. Then he can't contest the elections, will be expelled from parliament and banned from public office. Openly, this is to eliminate opposition oraganizing under him.

Che Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:18 AM

Both Major Players in this episode, are exactly the same no difference at all, MR or SF, SF would have done likewise, Sri Lanka, has no particular hero, the actual and proper Heroes are those who worked(TAX PAYERS), during the Dark period, of conflict between the LTTE,JVP,etc, most Politicians did nothing but took opportunity and exploited circumstances, the Military no doubt performed and delivered, but all in all everyone contributed,and everyone is a hero.

Manjula Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:15 AM

Has Pilian, Karuna and KP has got what they deserve.

Podi Wije Thursday, 30 September 2010 04:14 AM

Well done Mr. President!!!!! long awaited decision.... but you better go through the recommendations again because the minimum imprisonment period should be more than three years.

Please make it atleast for 25 years....

Lankan Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:53 AM

He is one of greatest sons of mother Lanka. (If not the Greatest in recent time) No doubt about that. But that is not a licence to betray the country by telling white flag story etc. (MALUWA NAHINNE KATA NISALU)

SF Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:52 AM

There We Go.. The 4 STAR GENERAL who ALMOST Lost his LIFE to SAVE OUR COUNTRY and OUR LIVES, has been JAILED for 2 and half Years.. ASK YOUR HEART if THIS is RIGHT? I'm Disgusted..

marlen Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:52 AM

WOW What a decision..KP even has no allegation...SF a prisnor..what a country....

Fayad Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:52 AM

He is a good Gen., but what he said about the white flag issue is betraying the country for political gain.

Prabu. Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:49 AM

They took the advantage of ambitious SF. They all were jealous, because MR was able to do some thing that so many were failed to do. And SF thought that he won the war single handedly, didn't give a damn to MR's strategies, which kept the International pressure away.

namal R Thursday, 30 September 2010 03:47 AM

i am very happy .

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President says yes

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