Various parties and groups pledge to struggle “till the end” for Sarath Fonseka’s release
by Melani Manel Perera
The vow was made yesterday during a demonstration in front of the prison where the former general is being held. For Jayantha Ketagoda, a Fonseka’s supporter in parliament, “it is no longer tolerable to see those who destroyed the country and killed thousands of civilians walk free, [. . .] whilst Fonseka [. . .] is still in prison.”
Colombo (AsiaNews) – Men and women of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and religions will struggle “till the end” to see Sarath Fonseka free. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and other opposition parties organised a demonstration to demand the release of the disgraced former army general, who ran afoul of current President Rajapaksa after he tried to run in the first presidential election following the defeat of Tamil rebels. The protest was held in front of Welikada prison, where Fonseka has been held for the past year and half. The general’s wife, Anoma, was present at the event.
For Jayantha Ketagoda, leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and a Fonseka supporter in parliament, “it is no longer tolerable to see those who destroyed the country and killed thousands of civilians walk free”. In his view, the people who “spread terrorism here and around the world, now enjoy freedom and rights, whilst Fonseka, who freed Sri Lanka, is still in prison. We are ashamed about laws that allow such a thing.”
Demonstrators pointed the finger at Kumaran Pathmandan, a former international representative for the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Ealam (LTTE), and Karuna Amman, a former LTTE leader in the Eastern Province, who now enjoy privileges granted to them by the administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Fonseka was jailed on 8 February 2010 charged with irregularities committed when he was commander-in-chief during the war against Tamil rebels.
He tried to run for president and was arrested two weeks after Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected in a controversial poll, criticised by civil society leaders for vote rigging, excessive military presence and a warrant for General Fonseka’s arrest that was announced even before it was issued.
For Jayantha Ketagoda, leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and a Fonseka supporter in parliament, “it is no longer tolerable to see those who destroyed the country and killed thousands of civilians walk free”. In his view, the people who “spread terrorism here and around the world, now enjoy freedom and rights, whilst Fonseka, who freed Sri Lanka, is still in prison. We are ashamed about laws that allow such a thing.”
Demonstrators pointed the finger at Kumaran Pathmandan, a former international representative for the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Ealam (LTTE), and Karuna Amman, a former LTTE leader in the Eastern Province, who now enjoy privileges granted to them by the administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Fonseka was jailed on 8 February 2010 charged with irregularities committed when he was commander-in-chief during the war against Tamil rebels.
He tried to run for president and was arrested two weeks after Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected in a controversial poll, criticised by civil society leaders for vote rigging, excessive military presence and a warrant for General Fonseka’s arrest that was announced even before it was issued.
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