SL must co-operate with int’l probe-SF

22 May 2012 09:01 am - 46 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka must co-operate with any international investigation into alleged war crimes, ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka has told the BBC, a day after his release from jail.

He said some Sri Lankan leaders were ‘hiding their faces’ over the conduct of the war, as if they were guilty.

But Mr. Fonseka, who led the army to its 2009 victory over Tamil rebels, denied thousands of civilians were killed.

In a BBC interview, his first on a one-to-one basis since being freed on Monday, Mr. Fonseka said that the attitude of some Sri Lankan leaders gave the world the impression that they were guilty of something.

But Mr. Fonseka said that he - and not the country's political leaders - was in charge at the end of the war and that he would not be "scared to come before anybody" asking questions about the end of the war.

He rejected accusations that thousands of civilians were killed in the closing phase of the army's offensive.

The former army chief said he wanted to be involved in politics to change what he called Sri Lanka's ‘corrupt political culture’ - even if he didn't get to serve as president or be re-elected to parliament.

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 - 46

Kalu Sudda Tuesday, 22 May 2012 07:19 PM

The good old general is about to become the white man's patsy.

Bigfoot Tuesday, 22 May 2012 01:35 PM

This is common sense. This is not the times of Vijaya or Dutugamunu. The world is one open space for everyone.

Noor Tuesday, 22 May 2012 01:49 PM

They are sleepless nowadays... hahha

LASANTHV Tuesday, 22 May 2012 02:01 PM

THANK YOU SIR ,

Kondebandapucheena Tuesday, 22 May 2012 02:04 PM

He need lots of Advice's how to be a Politician but He don t need any advice to be a Soldier

dude Tuesday, 22 May 2012 03:33 PM

maaan.... he really shld consider taking a long vacation

adare Tuesday, 22 May 2012 03:34 PM

Exactly. Pls don't take our country before the heels of the western powers. We all should support MR who stood agaisnt all odds to finish the war!

roger Tuesday, 22 May 2012 03:37 PM

Hard talk has made the request tooooooo many times to the presidential Secretariat and has been denied. So only choice left for the BBC to parachute to the Araliya Gaha gedera

David Guru Dev Tuesday, 22 May 2012 03:45 PM

The whole nation is indebted to Mr. Fonseka as well as Mr. Rajapakse. Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims all were fed up with terrorism. Does anybody like their children to be killed by war or terrorism?

billy Tuesday, 22 May 2012 04:07 PM

yes lets get rid of our govt, lets usk us and sudda to govern us,.. im sure many would love it here

jaya Tuesday, 22 May 2012 06:08 PM

READ IT PROPERLY GENERAL IS CORRECT OUR COUNTRY NEEDS TO CLEAR ITS NAME AND STOP BEEN A GADAFFI COUNTRY

Sri Minnal Tuesday, 22 May 2012 06:32 PM

Sir , please understand the war was won without evidence. It is very wrong to say no civilians are killed. Don't follow the foot step of Gotha

Tokyo Tuesday, 22 May 2012 01:35 PM

Well said sir! What we need is a co-operative stance rather than proactive Stance. This is an clear example to show how he matured politically.

Dee Wednesday, 23 May 2012 02:50 AM

Come again please!

Dee Wednesday, 23 May 2012 02:51 AM

If we cant do it, let someone who can do it get about it.

Dee Wednesday, 23 May 2012 02:54 AM

At least he didi not run away from the war and hide in the U.S.

SL Wednesday, 23 May 2012 03:13 AM

his denying the fact more 40,000 civilians were killed..

Devaka Wednesday, 23 May 2012 03:14 AM

The loose cannon is back.

buffaloa citizen Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:26 AM

While terrorism needs to be wiped out, it also does not mean the wiping out of thousands of innocent civilians which amounts to war crimes.

buffaloa citizen Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:27 AM

It is better than becoming a chinese puppet.

Jan Chandra Wednesday, 23 May 2012 04:29 AM

You must be joking. You got to go to the West to see what equality there is for the darkies.

smn Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:20 AM

First of all General needs a rest.

Nodrog Wednesday, 23 May 2012 08:04 AM

tell that to the terrorists who murdered tamils and conscripted children.

billy Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:13 PM

yes we should let any tom and dick out there to come and investigate out domestic issues just because of some mere allegations...what a national leader in deed!

Real peacea Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:09 AM

He delivers the first blow to remove the tarnish to our country.

J.D. Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:26 AM

The Change is close by........ so the people of SL will live a scare free and peaceful life very soon....

E Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:29 AM

Now this is a roar of a true lion!!

buffaloa citizen Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:34 AM

As long as it is the truth, he does not have to worry. Only the leaders doing the criminal war need to worry.

pradeep Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:36 AM

first missile !

Diaspora Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:28 AM

Thank you, Go On! Bring the truth out.

Nan Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:29 AM

Oh no..here we go again

wimal Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:29 AM

Sri-Lanka needs nothing to hide. As SF says must answer the questions of imperialists and implement real democracy in the country. Reconciliation is also agreeable.

dias Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:35 AM

Why don't BBC make a Hard talk program with our Hon president over the UNO Resolution, Democracy and war crimes topics.

Nodrog Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:55 AM

No, he needs to learn the art of diplomacy.

Mi Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:02 PM

wimal and mervyn are you there?

Wara Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:06 AM

Sir, You need to master the art of making statements quickly...

Aney Machang Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:10 PM

Fishing in troubled waters again!

Suren Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:26 PM

Who said about the WHITE FLAG !! thing to the world ? .... Maluwa nahinnea kata hinda lu !

Nodrog Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:30 PM

Are they trembling at temple trees.

Susantha Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:34 PM

I think that SF is going in the wrong direction again. One can donate blood but not brain...

TMA Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:43 PM

Probably U didn't read the whole thing

Maru Yaka Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:43 PM

Every politision has a hidden agenda! now what could our Generals be...

Rosh Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:57 PM

more of a "toothless" lion to me

lal Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:59 PM

A military genius. A political amateur. Yet, shoots from the hip. Please learn when to open the mouth and when to keep the lid on.

SL Man Tuesday, 22 May 2012 01:14 PM

Has he learned from his past mistakes? Who are the "some leaders" he is alluding to in his statement? A big mouth is all that is required to destroy a man or a country.

Vik Tuesday, 22 May 2012 01:14 PM

Of course he has to say that. After all who worked hard to get him out? SF is only a puppet of US & its alies.

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.

SL must co-operate with int’l probe-SF

Comments - 46

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

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’

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings