Former Army Commander and Democratic Party (DP) Leader Sarath Fonseka today expressed optimism that new President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would restore his civic rights and all his military decorations.


“Both the new President and Prime Minister said so during the election campaign. They even provided exact timeframes and procedures on how and when these will be restored. Therefore, the promise given to the people should be fulfilled,” he told journalists after visiting patients at the Army Hospital in Narahenpita


Meanwhile, he said if DP Parliament Member Jayantha Ketagoda who crossed over to the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) resigned, the vacant seat should be given to the DP.


“Mr. Ketagoda had not informed me about any decision to resign from parliament. However, the seat belongs to our party. We will have to adhere to election regulations on appointing a DP member be it me or someone else,” Mr. Fonseka said.


He said his service to the people will continue whether he was appointed an MP or not. Mr. Fonseka said he took two years and nine months to defeat terrorism while it took only two years and eight months to defeat the previous regime.


“I vowed to topple the previous regime by 2015 upon my release from prison in 2012. We have achieved that today. The promises given to the people will be kept and the soldiers will no longer have to carry out duties outside of their curricula,” he assured the soldiers. (Darshana Sanjeewa)