Reuters : Sri Lanka’s detained ex-army chief denies war crimes
Sri Lanka’s detained former army chief on Thursday said there were no war crimes committed under his command but was not aware whether orders came from elsewhere.
Rights groups this week took advantage of the one-year anniversary of the end of the 25-year war to make a renewed push for a probe into possible war crimes violations in the final months of the conflict with the Tamil Tiger separatists.
Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka - ‘Traitors should be given Capital punishment’
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa says the LTTE rump is exploring every avenue to avenge Prabhakaran’s killing on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon last May.
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says anyone seeking to undermine Sri Lanka’s sovereignty should be treated as a traitor regardless of his or her position.
It will be a grave blunder on the government’s part to pave the way for the so-called international community to interfere in Sri Lanka, he says.
The Defence Ministry says that any Sri Lankan promoting an agenda which is detrimental to the country is nothing but a traitor who should be ready to face the consequences.
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa told The Island in a brief interview that traitors deserved capital punishment and no one should shed crocodile tears over them.
He emphasized that the armed forces had paid a heavy price to bring the LTTE to its knees last May and nothing could be as loathsome as producing officers, who had spearheaded the offensive before an international tribunal. More
One India (14/05) - India extends ban on LTTE by two years
UPDATE ON FONSEKA
Indian Express (12/05) – Fonseka presented in civilian court for ‘inciting unrest’
Oneindia – Ex-Lanka army chief Fonseka denies incitement charge
Times Online - Sarath Fonseka rails against ‘injustices’ at opening of Sri Lankan parliament
Jeremy Page, South Asia correspondent
General Sarath Fonseka, the Sri Lankan opposition leader and former army chief, demanded his own freedom and called for democracy and the rule of law yesterday, in his first public appearance since being arrested in February.
The general, who led the army to victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels last year, is in the midst of a court martial that he claims is a punishment for challenging the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a presidential poll in January. He was allowed to attend the opening of Parliament yesterday after winning a seat in elections two weeks ago because he has not yet been convicted of any charges.
“The protection of democracy must begin here in parliament,” General Fonseka told lawmakers after being escorted into the chamber by guards. “The citizens must have freedom of movement, freedom of expression and freedom from illegal detention. I’m also a victim of these injustices.” More
SMH – Fonseka leaves cell for Parliament
Amal Jayasinghe
Sri Lanka’s detained former army chief emerged from custody briefly yesterday for the opening of Parliament.
He accused the government of planning to silence his “fight for democracy”.
The new Parliament opened last night, after the President, Mahinda Rajapakse, cemented his grip in parliamentary polls.
Election results published on Wednesday showed Mr Rajapakse’s United People’s Freedom Alliance had secured 144 seats in the 225-member assembly in the election on April 8.
The final tallies were delayed due to a rerun on Tuesday in two constituencies where violence disrupted initial voting.
Mr Rajapakse’s coalition was left short of the two-thirds majority required for the government to rewrite the constitution, which prevents him standing when his second term ends in 2016.
General Fonseka told the Parliament he would campaign for democracy and the rule of law. He threatened to escalate his criticism of Mr Rajapakse from the floor of the house but predicted the government would soon force through his conviction to muzzle him. More
Times of India – Detained ex-Lankan army chief Fonseka’s wife questioned by CID
Detained former Sri Lankan army chief Sarath Fonseka’s wife Anoma was questioned by the CID officials in connection with the ongoing investigations against her husband.
“The CID questioned her for about three hours last evening,” the Daily Mirror said today quoting reliable sources, after which she charged the government with not sparing any member of her family.
“I was the only one left out by the CID in this case. All our relatives have now been questioned,” the news paper quoted Anoma as saying.
The general’s wife said “under the present political circumstances” she expected questioning by the CID.
“I am ready to face them. I am not scared to tell the truth,” she said.
“The CID had to pause questioning as Mrs Fonseka had to take meals to Gen Fonseka who is under detention at the Naval headquarters,” the report said.
JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has also been asked to appear before the CID, the Fonseka led (JVP dominated) Democratic National Alliance (DNA) party said.
Anoma has told reporters that “Fonseka who helped in eradicating terrorism will not in any way assist terrorists.” She said her husband was suffering from accumulation of phlegm inside the lungs which is very dangerous.
“He has been told to be careful about cough and cold.” “Only I have been granted permission to take food for him. Despite the court granting permission, it is yet to materalise that we have been given a order from the higher ups. I don’t think they have even heard about warm water (required for him),” Anoma said.
DNA General Secretary Vijitha Herath told a news conference prior to the questioning that his party comprises politicians who were ready for any eventuality, and therefore they would not shy away from any of such threats.
Ireland Online – Protestors demand freedom for detained army chief
Times of India – Rajapaksa told ‘fool’ Fonseka to avoid politics
BBC News - No pardon for Sri Lankan ex-army chief Fonseka
NIDHASANA News – Sri Lanka Media Groups Condemns Arresting of Reporter
AFP (17/03) – Protest over arrest of Sri Lanka reporter
AFP (17/03) – Rajapakse rejects early pardon for ‘fool’ Fonseka
TODAYOnline (17/03)- Sri Lanka postpones Fonseka trial
BBC (17/03) – Trial of Sri Lanka ex-army chief Fonseka adjourned
The Associated Press (17/03) – Hearing in court-martial of Sri Lankan postponed
BBC (16/03) – General Fonseka’s wife criticises court charges
Independent (16/03) – Military trial for ex-army chief who took on President
BBC – Sri Lanka ex-judge criticises Fonseka court martial
AFP – ‘No democracy’ in S.Lanka, says Fonseka supporter
Hindustan Times (14/03) - Not easy for Fonseka to come out of army detention: Wife
Times of India (09/03) - Fonseka calls up daughters, suspends fast
The Associated Press (09/03) - Sri Lanka’s opposition leader ends hunger strike
The Hindu (08/03) - Sri Lanka Army completes summary of evidence against Fonseka
Times of India – Fonseka goes on hunger strike after barred from using phone
Former Sri Lankan army chief Sarath Fonseka facing detention under treason charges, now at a naval facility today went on a hunger strike for not being allowed to speak to his daughters on telephone who are overseas.
The Associated Press – Sri Lankan opposition leader on hunger strike
Times of India – Detained Sri Lankan ex-general starts hunger strike
AFP – S.Lanka’s detained leader threatens hunger strike
Indian Express (04/03) – Lanka cricketer house raided for Fonseka kin
All articles from 25/02
The Hindu – Fonseka to face more charges
The Sri Lankan government on Thursday made it known that fresh charges would be framed against the defeated opposition common consensus presidential candidate, retired General Sarath Fonseka, in civil courts under the Penal Code and Exchange Control Act in two weeks.
Minister of Export Development and International Trade G.L. Peiris told a news conference here that the former Army Chief would be charged on counts of fraud, condoning fraud, plotting against the government, creating unrest within the Army and keeping army deserters under his protection.
General (retired) Fonseka is in the custody of the military on a number of charges including treason.
The commander-turned-politician was picked up on the night of February 8 after a raid on his election office by a group of military personnel. The raid and the subsequent detention triggered a furore within and outside Sri Lanka.
One of the allegations faced by General Fonseka is that he had favoured the company partly owned by his son-in-law in award of contracts for defence supplies to the Army.
The CID had informed the local courts that when he was the Army Chief, the General had approved of four suspicious tenders to a firm allegedly run by his son-in-law Dhanuna Tilekeratne.
Hindustan Times – More charges against Fonseka
Indian Express – Charges to be framed against Fonseka in civil courts
Business Week – Sri Lanka Says General Fonseka to Face Civilian Court
Reuters – Sri Lanka opposition coalition splits ahead of polls
BBC – General Sarath Fonseka to stand in Sri Lanka election
Washington Post – Detained ex-army chief to contest Sri Lanka vote
