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FM accepts US, Norway rejections

12 February 2010 10:21 am - 60     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Dianne Silva


Sri Lanka will not pursue the matter of Norway and the United States allegedly supporting the campaign of former Opposition Common candidate General Sarath Fonseka, as claimed by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, beyond the rejections by the respective embassies.

“We have received rejections by both the Norwegian and American embassies and won’t pursue the matter any further,” Minister of Foreign Affairs told Daily Mirror Online.

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

“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”, the Norwegian Embassy said in a statement.

Similarly the Embassy of the United States in a press release 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.”

Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister briefed the Diplomatic community on Thursday on the government’s decision to arrest General Fonseka. “The Government had very strong reasons to apprehend that Gen. Fonseka had acted in a manner prejudicial to the responsibilities of the senior posts he held during his service as a military officer,” he told Diplomats.

The Minister had emphasized that the Military act under which the General was being prosecuted was inline with British military law. “The Army Act No.17 of 1949 was enacted about 1 ½ years after we gained Independence at the point we were establishing what was then known as the Ceylon Army, it was therefore natural that the structure and concepts behind our Army, including the provisions of the Act governing its setting up, should be modeled very much on the lines of British military law,” he said.

The Minister thereafter elaborated on the legal provisions available to the General. “At the time of the arrest, the alleged offences were read to the defendant.  As the investigation proceeds, a Summary of Evidence will be recorded, on the basis of all witnesses having to make their Statements of Evidence under oath.  After the recording of evidence of each witness, the Statement would be read over to him and his signature would be obtained.

The defendant has the right to be present when the Summary of Evidence is recorded on a basic Charge Sheet.  He also has the entitlement of cross-examining all of the witnesses.  As a further safeguard, the defendant is cautioned that he has the right to make a Statement or to remain silent.  He is also entitled to call witnesses to give evidence on his behalf.

At the end of the Summary, the officer recording the Summary of Evidence is obliged to state that he has adhered to all of the provisions laid down in the Disciplinary Regulations of 1950.  The Summary of Evidence then constitutes the basis of determining whether a prima-facie case prevails for the continuation of the process or not.  If there is a prima-facie case, the final Charge Sheet would be framed according to the evidence that has been established.  A copy of the Convening Order, a copy of the Charge Sheet, a copy of the Summary of Evidence and a list of witnesses would be issued to the defendant, prior to commencement of the Court Martial.
 
It is important to note that the defendant has the right to retain any number of lawyers of his absolute choice to defend himself during the Court Martial proceedings.  The Court Martial itself is governed by the Disciplinary Regulations of 1950 and the Court Martial Regulations of 1950, promulgated under Section 155 of the Army Act,” he explained.


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  Comments - 60

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  • Saturday, 13 February 2010 01:33 AM

    But those contries may pursue the matter with out any hesitation. Nobody should mind about Norway, but with USA it is different.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 04:46 PM

    How about framing charges against the CULPRIT who brought discredit to our motherland? Shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Friday, 12 February 2010 05:46 PM

    No apology. Disgrace to our reputation. That is why we will not PERSUE further but will not withdraw our statements

    Friday, 12 February 2010 05:48 PM

    They have to!!!! Ha Ha!! Otherwise how can they go with the begging bowl later!!!
    Mahnida and his clowns have taken oaths to speak "nothing but lies"

    Friday, 12 February 2010 05:48 PM

    Correction, people did not elect them, they elected themselves by rigging the election.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 05:54 PM

    Rohitha, do you have any other choice.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 06:00 PM

    Mr Bogollagama has finally accepted that Mr Gotabaya is wrong.
    Well done Mr Minister.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 06:25 PM

    Pity, I thought we were going to declare war on the US & Norway. Now we have nothing to look forward to! Except Prison for defeated candidates. How exciting?

    Friday, 12 February 2010 06:29 PM

    This does not give a good account of my country to the world at large.People in top positions making allegations on the run.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 06:52 PM

    'Vasi peththata hoiya'!

    Friday, 12 February 2010 07:16 PM

    Who speaks the truth, Gota or FM ?

    Friday, 12 February 2010 09:18 PM

    'Beggars can't be choosers,' Mr. Bogus !

    Friday, 12 February 2010 10:30 PM

    Darn ... Gota made to look a fool!

    Friday, 12 February 2010 11:45 PM

    Mr. Minister, are you admitting to the Americans and the Norwegians that Gota lied?

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 12:52 AM

    WHO IS KING IN BANNANA LANKA??????????????

    M.R OR GOTA

    Friday, 12 February 2010 04:43 PM

    A man who walk in No man area.

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 01:33 AM

    We have a way of saying this in Sinhala. FM (and the govt) hiding the tail behind their backs.

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 01:52 AM

    How about demanding an apology from our government for running their mouths off?

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 02:36 AM

    MR Bogalagama no one bothered about srilanak accept or reject.

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 03:18 AM

    "Absolute power corrupt absolutely"

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 04:04 AM

    # Hilman

    Mr. bogus take care of yourself, because you will be fired for going against Mr. Gota giving inconsistent statement.

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 04:14 AM

    No alternative than admitting .

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 04:33 AM

    correct answer for a weak case

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 05:08 AM

    The pecking order is, Congo..Zembabwe, Sri Lanka in the order of political corruption and heading towards Burma for democracy.

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 05:20 AM

    its an open secret known even to 10-year old that America spends millions of dollars to undermine regimes to their requirements.

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 05:46 AM

    Gota 's words is something meaningful, no need further steps,

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 06:19 AM

    Both SF and Gota hold Green cards. It is a typical Sri Lankan trait to bite the hand that feeds them. What hypocrites. If you are such a great nation why do you need foreign aid. 62 years of independence is enough for a nation to stand on it's own feet. Have some self respect. Admit the fact that Sri Lanka has been destroyed more from within that from outside. Ethnnic divisions can be traced to the 50/50 demand of Ponnambalm, DS's disenfranchising of Tamils, JR's potest against the Banda Chelva pact, etc, the list goes on. Learn from the mistakes of the past, an think of the future.

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 08:43 AM

    On this issue we must declare war against the U S .I am sure we can beat the crap out of the U S forces Don't you think the new old Royalist Armr Chief?

    Saturday, 13 February 2010 09:04 AM

    A BEGGER ALWAYS BEGS AND APPOLOGISES!!!

    Monday, 15 February 2010 04:41 AM

    Bogols - who belong to the "tie-coat", spoon & fork eating, English-speaking party. Bide yr time, and your time will come.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 12:55 PM

    FM, u r going against Gota.Take very care !

    Friday, 12 February 2010 10:46 AM

    Guess its too late now, and the damage has been done.
    We have become jokers in front of the world community.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 10:49 AM

    Ha! Ha! Well Said

    Friday, 12 February 2010 10:52 AM

    The GSP+ never to sri lanka because Norway is a part of the europian union.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 10:55 AM

    At least apology to them for accusing others

    Friday, 12 February 2010 10:55 AM

    Sensible thing to do Mr Minister. After all, you will need a safe heaven in time to come.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 10:58 AM

    Too bad this news wont be shown in government news agencies. They will keep on blaming the west and their influence on SF.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 11:06 AM

    This is what happens when you have bunch of silly people in strategic positions.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 11:13 AM

    Mr Minister, Does this mean, you are rejecting the accusation made by your President's brother ?

    Friday, 12 February 2010 11:26 AM

    True, this not the first time Gota gave such statements without thinking the consequences.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 11:32 AM

    How Ranil changed the MR mind ? Excellent Mr Ranil

    Friday, 12 February 2010 11:44 AM

    Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame on whole Sri Lanka.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 12:02 PM

    Do you have any other opptions?

    Friday, 12 February 2010 12:25 PM

    PLEASE INVESTGATE AND PUNISH THE LIARS

    Friday, 12 February 2010 12:50 PM

    shame on this regime. internationally the country is now listed as a jungle banana republic

    Friday, 12 February 2010 10:43 AM

    Mr Minister, naturally. You have nothing more to do than accept their rejection (warmly). Unless, you plan a trip to the respective capitals on that excuse!

    Friday, 12 February 2010 01:24 PM

    Correction my friend, Norway is not in the EU union.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 01:29 PM

    Please better act together and talk together! Please do not fool the people who have elected you in Govt.Learn to value the democracy and the freedom of speech!

    Friday, 12 February 2010 01:33 PM

    Good one !

    Friday, 12 February 2010 03:02 PM

    is your world community USA and Norway ? read more to get more knowlge

    Friday, 12 February 2010 03:02 PM

    FM be careful!

    Friday, 12 February 2010 03:07 PM

    Either US, NATO or SL army , no one beyond the law and order .

    Friday, 12 February 2010 03:11 PM

    My friend Kish,
    Norway & us diplomats are a main part of this world, so very soon every one can see the consequence of this mater

    Friday, 12 February 2010 03:35 PM

    Who is the serial liar now?

    Friday, 12 February 2010 03:37 PM

    this is what happens when you have people whose ONLY ability is to fool the village folks, in power. You unnessesarily provoke foreign contries for CHEAP political milage.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 03:39 PM

    Accepted.............
    But not out of mind.................

    Friday, 12 February 2010 03:56 PM

    MR Bogala you made your money now you can go home on apral, to Kurunagala

    Friday, 12 February 2010 04:08 PM

    MR Bogalama srilanka was dismised by westran world you are main cause. please stop the most dicrased minister

    Friday, 12 February 2010 04:39 PM

    Why should the Foreiign Ministry accept the rejection by USA and Norway, It was not said by the Foreign Ministry but by the clown Gotabaya Rajapakse,. He should apologise by going on his knees.

    Friday, 12 February 2010 04:40 PM

    Gotabaya should resign as Defence Secretary with immediate effect.


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