The Asian Tribune is an online newspaper that provides news and editorial on the current affairs of Asia, with a special emphasis on South Asia but mostly concentrates its news on the current Civil conflict in Sri Lanka.

Publication began in 2002 and was based in Bangkok, Thailand.^[1] It has currently moved to Sweden.^[2]

The editor[link]

The editor, K.T. Rajasingham, is a minority Sri Lankan Tamil journalist. Death threats have been allegedly issued against him by the Karuna Group.^[3]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Asian Tribune

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Sarath Fonseka
New Democratic Front candidate for President of Sri Lanka
Election date 26 January 2010
Opponent(s)	Mahinda Rajapaksa (UPFA) and numerous others.
Incumbent	Mahinda Rajapaksa
Personal details
Born	Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka (1950-12-18) 18 December 1950 (age 61) Ambalangoda, Southern Province, Dominion of Ceylon
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Political party	New Democratic Front
Spouse(s)	Anoma Indumathi Munasinghe
Children	Aparna and Apsara
Alma mater	Madawalalanda Maha Vidyalaya, Ampara Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda Ananda College, Colombo
Occupation	Soldier
Religion	Theravada Buddhism
Military service
Service/branch	Sri Lanka Army
Years of service	1970–2009
Rank	General
Commands	Chief of Defence Staff Commander of the Army
Battles/wars	Sri Lankan Civil War, Insurrection 1987–89
Awards	Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama, Desha Putra Sammanaya (partial list)

Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka, known as Sarath Fonseka (Sinhala: සරත් ෆොන්සේකා, Tamil: சரத் பொன்சேகா, born 18 December 1950) is a former commander and General of the Sri Lanka Army and a former candidate for President of Sri Lanka. As Commander of the Army, he played an instrumental role in ending the 26 year Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009, defeating the terrorist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the process. He later had a public falling out with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and unsuccessfully challenged Rajapaksa in the 2010 presidential election.

Fonseka joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1970 and saw extensive action throughout the 26 year civil war, culminating in a term as Commander of the Army from 6 December 2005 – 15 July 2009. As commander, he oversaw the final phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War, which resulted in the total defeat of the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam organisation. He also survived an assassination attempt when an LTTE suicide bomber attacked his motorcade in April 2006.^[1] Following the end of the war Fonseka was promoted to a four star rank in the Sri Lanka Army, becoming the first serving officer to hold a four star rank.^[2] He has been described as Sri Lanka's most successful army commander.

A few months after the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, Fonseka was appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. While his new post was of a higher rank, Fonseka saw the move as an attempt to sideline him. Amid rumours of his desire to enter politics, he subsequently retired from the post on 16 November 2009.^[3][4] On 29 November 2009, Fonseka formally announced his candidature in the 2010 Sri Lankan Presidential Election. His candidacy was endorsed by the main opposition parties, and Fonseka became the main opposition candidate challenging President Rajapaksa. He campaigned under the sign of a swan, and the slogan Vishvasaniya Venasak (A Credible Change).

Following his election defeat, Fonseka was arrested on 8 February 2010, and the government announced he will be court-martialed for committing "military offences."^[5] He was found guilty of corrupt military supply deals and sentenced to three years in prison.^[6] After serving more than 2 years in prison, Fonseka was released on May 21, 2012.^[7]

Early life[link]

Fonseka was born to Peter and Piyawathie Fonseka in Ambalangoda, a coastal town in the south of Sri Lanka. He in initially attended Madawalalanda Maha Vidyalaya (1955–1957) in Ampara,^[8] later receiving his secondary education from Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda (1958–1965) and Ananda College, Colombo (1966–1969). In school, Fonseka participated in swimming and water polo events, later representing defence services in these sports.

Military career in the Sri Lankan Army[link]

Fonseka joined the Army during peacetime, in 1970, and held a large number of staff appointments. He rose to the rank of Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan army, a post he relinquished to take reins as Commander of the Army in 2005.

During his career, Fonseka, was involved in the operations Balawegaya and Jayasikuru, which led to the capture of the Elephant Pass and Mankulam. The 6th Battalion of his Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, which was under siege at Elephant Pass in 1991, repulsed the LTTE attack with reinforcements. He served as Deputy General Officer Commanding during Riviresa, the capture of Jaffna from the Tamil Tigers in December 1995. Later, troops commanded by Fonseka offered stiff resistance to Tamil Tigers in 2000 following the Fall of Elephant Pass, ultimately having to flee since they were unable to withstand the attack. Fonseka was wounded in 1993 in the Yaldevi operation.

Among other appointments, he commanded the 23 Brigade of the Sri Lankan Army at Polonnaruwa in 1993, he served in the General Staff at Army Headquarters, he was a Centre Commandant of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Brigade Commander in Operation Balawegay, Deputy Commandant of the 5 Brigade Group, Mannar and Coordinating Officer for Gampaha.

"Midnight Express"[link]

In 1993, the Jaffna Fort was under siege by Tamil Tiger rebels. Then Colonel Fonseka led troops in the Midnight Express operation to relieve the besieged position. Several hundred soldiers were saved due to the operation.

Suicide bomb attack[link]

On 25 April 2006, Lt. General Fonseka survived an LTTE suicide bomb attack by a pregnant LTTE operative named Anoja Kugenthirarasah who infiltrated Army Headquarters by attending the regular maternity clinic provided for civilians at the military hospital.^[9][10] Fonseka was seriously injured in the attack, and nine others were killed. The General was rushed first to the military hospital at Army Headquarters, transferred to the Colombo General Hospital and later flown to Singapore for medical treatment. After recovering from his injuries, he resumed his duties in July 2006.^[11]

Defeat of the LTTE[link]

On 18 May 2009, the Sri Lankan military completely defeated the LTTE after 26 years of civil war.^[12] Foneseka played a key role in the final stages of the conflict as Commander of the Army, and is considered as a national hero by the majority of Sri Lankans due to this achievement.^[13][14]

Chief of Defence staff[link]

Fonseka was appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by President Rajapaksa effective 15 July 2009. He was the first person appointed CDS under the newly approved Chief of Defence Staff Act, which was supposed to give the CDS more responsibilities in coordinating the armed forces.

Retirement[link]

Fonseka officially handed over his letter of resignation to the President through the Defence secretary on 12 November 2009. He requested to serve as CDS until the end of the month, He resigned from that post to compete as a candidate for the presidential election which was held in January 2010. He left office on 16 November 2009,^[15] President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Air Force Chief Roshan Goonatilake to succeed Fonseka on 16 November 2009.

Politics[link]

Post-war politics[link]

There were newspaper reports published about General Fonseka entering politics after the war victory, beginning in August 2009. One of the articles explains it as follows, "General Fonseka launches political campaign – I will make a supreme sacrifice to defend my land against the politicos who ever they may be joining hands with India. Now we have a daunting task to protect our motherland from India".^[16] Gen. Fonseka entering politics was a debate even during the war against LTTE.^[17]

Gen. Fonseka was installed as the common candidate by a coalition of political parties mainly United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). Gen. Fonseka however declared himself as a non party candidate.

With support of UNP and JVP Fonseka claimed that he himself defeated the LTTE.

This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Please help to ensure that disputed facts are reliably sourced. See the relevant discussion on the talk page. (March 2010)

Immediately after declaration that Fonseka was ready for candidacy, President Rajapakse called for new presidential election two years before expiration of his term.

Gen. Fonseka, UNP and JVP led a fierce battle against President Rajapakse. They claimed that Gen Fonseka was the real hero who won the war against LTTE and Fonseka government was ready for good governance along with the support of all the minorities , eliminate prevailing corruption under Mahinda Rajapaka government and also promised a massive salary increase for public servants which had been denied thus far. They also promised to change the constitution to remove executive powers from the presidency and transfer such powers to the parliament. Further they promised to establish the 17 amendment to authorise independent commissions as a measure to counter the ongoing mishandling of public money.^[18]

Fonseka suffered a number of setbacks in his election campaign. In December 2009, A news item was published in local newspaper "Sunday Leader" quoting Sarath Fonseka saying that during the final few days of the war against LTTE, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse (who is a brother of the President) gave orders to the army senior officers to execute LTTE cadres who surrendered to the Army.^[19] Due to the massive publicity given in the state media, this statement was taken by the whole country as betrayal of army officers by the retired army commander himself.^[20] Although Gen. Fonseka later issued a statement saying that his original statement has been published by the Sunday Leader out of context, many analysts say that Fonseka lost the election from that moment.^[21]

Meanwhile, in the next attempt government put some evidence before public that Gen Fonseka was corrupt while he was the commander of the Sri Lanka Army. There was evidence that he removed the tender board chairman from the office and he himself became the chairman only to offer all the tenders to a company owned by his son-in-law. Adding fuel to the fire, one of his close friends living in Oklahoma USA "Upul Illangamge" spilled the beans by disclosing to the media in a press conference how the company was formed, registered in USA and Fonseka's son-in-law sold 3 million rupees worth equipment necessary for the war during the final three years of the war. Fonska claimed that the company referred in the accusation has no connection to his son-in-laws company although both companies share one name: Hicorp. But this allegation was on all public & state media supporting the government day and night and it had been used as a mean of discredit his reputation and attempts were also made to label him as a traitor by key spokespeople in the government.

Then Sri Lanka's Tamil political party faithful to LTTE- Tamil National Alliance (TNA) agreed to support Sarath Fonseka in the Presidential Election after having several discussions with both Mahinda Rajapakse and Gen. Sarath Fonseka. Then government disclosed a secret agreement between TNA and Gen Fonseka in which Fonseka had promised merger of North and East provinces and an autonomous status for Tamils in return for the support of the north and east Tamil population in the Presidential election.But opposition leaders prove that agreement was a fake one with fake signatures adapted by another resources.But some Sinhalese reacted with anger to this agreement since the army fought 30 year old bloody war against LTTE only to reject similar autonomous state "Ealam" claimed by the LTTE.Also opposition revealed a secret written agreement between Mahinda Rajapaksa and EPDP Leader Douglas Devananda who was a tamil politician faithful to Rajapakse.^[22]

Sarath Fonseka however sincerely expected that he was set for a massive win on 26 Jan 2010. There were reports that say that he intended to arrest President Mahinda Rajapakse and immediately execute Gotabaya Rajapakse and Basil Rajapakse(two brothers of the president). He booked 70 rooms of a five star hotel some hundred metres away from the President's House for the night of 26 Jan 2010.

This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Please help to ensure that disputed facts are reliably sourced. See the relevant discussion on the talk page. (March 2010)

State Media reports say that a large number (some 400) of deserted army soldiers spent the night with Gen Fonseka at the hotel to enjoy the election results. It was then learned that the whole allegation was false! because the government arrested 9 persons that official body guards of Gen.Sarath Fonseka that provided for his personal security by Army.^[23]

Election results were released by the election commissioner electorate by electorate in the morning of 27 Jan 2010.

After Presidential Election 2010[link]

Sarath Fonseka refused to accept the election results published by the Election Commissioner.^[24][25] He also said he would consider legal action but did not indicate against whom. There are reports that say Sarath Fonseka is making every possible attempt to leave the country as early as possible quoting him saying "I cannot even leave the country, Rajapakse has blacklisted my passport along with my family, including my daughters' who are still studying in USA".^[26] Some newspapers reported that he is seeking asylum in Australia, UK or India. Meanwhile BBC announced that Gotabaya Rajapakse is intending to take legal action against Sarath Fonseka for leaking top secret government information. Later he stated in a press conference that he does not intend to leave the country, rather would stay with the people who voted him to see the justice is established.

On 28 Jan 2010 CID began its new investigations on claims made by several ministers of Rajapakse government that Fonseka was planning a coup to remove Rajapakse in case of close election results on 26 Jan. In connection with this investigation, a media institution "Lanka" run by JVP who helped Fonseka during presidential election was sealed on 30 Jan 2010 by the CID with a court order. Within few days the court accepted the appeal and ordered CID to re-open the office.^[27] Sri Lanka Army has arrested Sarath Fonseka for committing military offences on 8 February 2010.

This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Please help to ensure that disputed facts are reliably sourced. See the relevant discussion on the talk page. (August 2010)

Arrest[link]

Fonseka became a political prisoner after running for presidential election against the current president Mahinda Rajapaksha^[28]. He was arrested at his office in Colombo on 8 February 2010 by Military Police,^[29] and taken into military custody. The military announced he will be court-martialed for "committing military offences" during his time as Chief of Defense Staff.^[30] Military says he will be charged according the SL ARMY ACT, Section 57(1). The military tribunal in which the case was heard has been challenged on multiple issues including the suitability and qualifications of the judges and the hearing of the case during an official holiday period of lawyers (9 August to 13th, 2010), and his lawyers were not present. Furthermore, because the witnesses were summoned during the aforementioned period, the lawyers of the accused never had a chance to interrogate the witnesses. Amidst all these issues, the panel of judges found General guilty of the charges,. Later,on 14 August 2010 the President authorised 1st court martial to strip Sarath Fonseka of all Military ranks. It is reported that an appeal is to be made to the high court soon.

General Election 2010[link]

Sarath Fonseka, Leader of Democratic National Alliance, obtained over 98,000 votes only in Colombo District. It is the 2nd highest individual vote obtaining percentage ever in the Election, 89.0%. General Sarath Fonseka was a Member of the Sri Lankan Parliament, until he was sentenced to serve a two and half year prison sentence which made him unable to continue his membership in the chamber according to the Sri Lankan Constitution. However he requested the Court of Appeal to issue writs against the cashiering, prison sentence and removal from parliament. The petition on the prison sentence was rejected in December 2011 and he appealed to the Supreme Court in January 2012. Other two petitions are still being hearing in the Court of Appeal.

Awards[link]

His awards and decorations include the Gallantry Medals; Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), distinguished service medals; Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) and other notable medal campaign medals; Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operations Medal, Desha Putra Sammanaya and several others.

Sri Lankan awards[link]

In Order of Precedence

• 60px  Rana Wickrama Padakkama
• 60px  Rana Sura Padakkama
•   Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
•   Uttama Seva Padakkama
•   Desha Putra Sammanaya
•   Purna Bhumi Padakkama
•   North and East Operations Medal
•   Riviresa Campaign Services Medal

Personal life[link]

Sarath Fonseka is married to Anoma Indumathi Munasinghe, daughter of D.J.and Eugine Munasinghe of Dematagoda, and has two children Aparna & Apsara.

Hi-Corp Case[link]

High Court judge Sunil Rajapaksa on 15th March 2012 acquitted Sarath Fonseka from the Hi-Corp case, dismissing it by saying that he cannot be sentenced twice on the same offence.

See also[link]

• Eelam War IV
• Sri Lankan civil war
• Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)
• Chief of Defence Staff

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikisource has original works written by or about: Sarath Fonseka

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Official sites[link]

• General Fonseka's Official Website
• New Democratic Front Official Website

News media[link]

• All for the love of a soldier
• Picture Gallery
• Fonseka appointed new Chief of Defence Staff

Audio[link]

• General Fonseka spells out his political ambitions
• General Fonseka speaks about the “corrupt people

Interactive[link]

• Timeline of Sarath Fonseka

Major General Shavendra Silva, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, psc, CR is a Sri Lankan general and diplomat. The current Sri Lankan Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, he was the former Director of Operations, Sri Lanka Army and the General Officer Commanding, 58 Division during the Sri Lankan civil war.^[1]

He was a highly decorated Commando officer, being awarded the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama and the Rana Sura Padakkama at once, a first in the Sri Lankan military history. He was the youngest promoted as a commanding officer. As an officer instructor at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) in Diyatalawa, he trained the first foreign cadets to attend SLMA and went on to become its commanding officer.

During 2002-2004 peace talks he took part in negotiations to open the A-9 Main Supply Route (MSR). With the resumption of hostilities he become the Brigade Commander of the Air Mobile Brigade and later took command of the famous 58 Division and was instrumental in the military capturing several former LTTE strongholds including the Mannar rice Bowl,Vedithalathivu, Nachchikuda,Mulangavil, Devils Point, Pooneryn, Kilinochchi, Paranthan, Elephant Pass,Dharmapuram, Vishvamadu,Suvandipuram, Thevipuram Puthukudirippu,Puthumathalan, Wellamullu vaikkal and the last inch of enemy held Karayamulli vaikkal in the mangroves of Nanthikandal lagoon in the Mullaithivu district. After the end of the war he was appointed as Director of Operations of the Sri Lanka Army and promoted to the rank of Major General.

In 2010, he took up position as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations as the only serving army officer to hold such a post at the time of appointment. As at present he holds the rank and title of Ambassador in addition to his post at the United Nations Headquarters.

See also[link]

• Sri Lankan Non Career Diplomats

References[link]

External links[link]

• [1]
• [2]
• [3]
• [4]
• [5]
• [6]