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DI-P04-29-12-(CI)- Vna.Qxd

DI-P04-29-12-(CI)- Vna.Qxd

4 Wednesday 29th December, 2010 ad the armed forces failed on the Alston said that the SriLankan tial poll as the government had manipu- The on Feb 8 arrest- seeking the suspension of the detention Vanni front, wouldn’t Government’s arguments used to dismiss lated the result. Addressing the media at ed Gen Fonseka, over his alleged involve- order and the release forthwith, was Hhave been figured in classified US the video, aired on Britain’s Channel 4 in the party headquarters, he said that the ment in a conspiracy to overthrow the sought in a fundamental rights violation diplomatic cables or earned the wrath of August 2009, were flawed. government had won the election government and assassinate the incum- application filed by Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, a section of the international community. “Sri Lanka has consistently denied the through computer fraud (jilmart). bent president lawyer Shamila Perera and Fonseka. Unprecedented criticism directed at authenticity of the footage, but two of Elections Secretariat rejected though the government was yet to charge The Court said that in considering the Sri Lankan political and military their investigators were members of the Amarasinghe’s claim on Jan. 29. The him. The Military Police moved him to the submission made by the Attorney leaderships over alleged ‘war crimes’ in Sri Lankan military,” Alston was quoted police raided Fonseka’s cam- Navy headquarters, where he was held General, Mohan Peiris PC, that there was the final battle in May 2009 and accusa- by Al Jazeera as saying. paign office and took into custody 13 ex- for several months before being trans- a ‘Summary of Evidence’ inquiry con- tions regarding para-military operations The Rajapaksa Camp brought in army personnel. ferred to Welikada. ducted against the General, under the Sri during the Eelam war IV revealed the retired Captain Upul Illangange, living in Close on the heels of the debilitating UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Lanka Army Act, and on the basis that extent of US opposition to Sri Lanka’s Oklahoma, USA, on Jan. 12 to vilify defeat at the presidential poll, the UNP- has, in a telephone conversation with the interim relief sought for in asking for successful war strategy. JVP-TNA alliance collapsed with defeat- President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Feb.9, release and the final relief sought in the Whatever the international commu- ed Fonseka challenging UNP leader Ranil expressed concern over the arrest of petition were similar, the Court at that nity and a section of the Opposition may Fonseka in at parliamentary General Fonseka and the dissolution of stage was not inclined to grant interim elections. The UNP made an abortive bid Parliament. relief for the release from detention cus- to field Fonseka through its electoral list, Ban Ki-moon announcing his plan to tody. though the former Chief of Defence dispatch his top political official to opted to give leadership to JVP-led Colombo for further dialogue, urged the MARCH Democratic National Alliance (DNA). The President to respect the due process of Former Chief TNA declared it would go it alone, while law regarding the case of the retired Justice Sarath N. the SLMC threw its weight behind the General. He called on the Government in Silva said on March UNP. Colombo to guarantee the personal safety 1 said that detain- On the recommendation of Defence of Fonseka. Ban ki-moon also urged ing of General Upul Illangange lashes out at SF Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Rajapaksa to keep his commitment, set Sarath Fonseka for President Rajapaksa appointed Maj. Gen. out in a joint statement with the UN last over three weeks General Fonseka and his son-in-law Chief of Staff of the year, “to ensure concrete proposals for a was illegal accord- RW and SF share a light moment Danuna Tilakaratne over irregularities Army, as part of measures taken to political solution of issues with the ing to the Article 13 in arms and equipment procurement ensure stability. Tamil community in the north and to of the Sri Lankan say, the country experienced genuine process. A furious Fonseka hit back. ensure full accountability for any crimes Constitution. He peace after 26 years of bloodshed thanks Unfortunately for the former Army FEBRUARY against international humanitarian law said that according to the armed forces victory made possible Commander his verbal duel with Minister of or abuses of human rights.” to the Constitution, by resolute leadership given by President Illangange and the tone of his speech Agriculture (non- He took note of the progress in the supreme law of Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence caused irreparable damage to his cam- Cabinet rank) returning displaced persons to their the country, a sus- Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. paign. Hemakumara places of origin, but added that more pect or person taken Sarath N. Silva Although there had been significant A group of armed police officers on Nanayakkara needs to be done in this regard. into custody has to political and economic developments in Jan.13 searched the editorial office of resigned from his Goons attacked a large crowd of be produced before a Court of law within 2010, the event, which changed post-war after receiving a tip portfolio on Feb.1. Opposition supporters going in proces- 24 hours. Sri Lanka, was by the split in the off regarding printing of, what a senior The respected politi- sion from the Technical College Junction, Silva was addressing the gathering at Rajapaksa Camp caused by General police official called, illegal posters pro- cian declared he Maradana to the Superior Court Complex Gen. Fonseka’s office at Rajakeeya Sarath Fonseka. Had the Sinha Regiment moting a candidate contesting the forth- would not contest On Feb 10. The police fired tear gas to dis- Mawatha in Colombo after launching the veteran remained with the Rajapaksas, coming presidential polls. The police any future election. perse the crowd. The protest march coin- online petition demanding the release of 2010 would have been a dull year. apologized and left in a hurry after see- He said he resigned cided with Mrs Anoma Fonseka moving Gen. Fonseka. ing heaps of posters promoting President on medical grounds. the Supreme Court against the arrest and Had Fonseka remained in the JANUARY Rajapaksa. Originally from detention of her husband Sarath Rajapaksa Camp, the former Chief President Mahinda Rajapaksa reit- National Freedom Front (NFF) the United National Fonseka. Justice could have been considered by the Hemakumara erated his commitment to better relations leader , MP, on Jan. 17 Party (UNP), he UNP leader Wickremesinghe met joint Opposition as a possible challenger with countries which supported Sri revealed that he had both photographic extended his support President Rajapaksa on Feb. 12 at Temple to President Rajapaksa. Lanka’s war against LTTE terrorism to and audio evidence to implicate UNP to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s gov- Trees to discuss among other issues, the St. Anthony’s Holy Relics brought bring peace to people. In his New Year National List and Muslim presidential ernment with 16 other UNP arrest of Gen. Fonseka to Sri Lanka and taken to several parts of message, he emphasized the importance candidate, MP Myown Mustapha, and Parliamentarians in Jan 2006 and was On Feb. 16 Gen. Fonseka moved of having good relations with those who presidential advisor Nazeer Ahmed in an appointed a non Cabinet Minister of Supreme Court challenging President recognized and respected Sri Lanka’s sov- attempt to bribe NFF member, M. Agriculture. Rajapaksa’s re-election citing pay hike ereignty while encouraging his govern- Musammil, MP. Elections Commissioner for workers, meals at Temple Trees, ment to move on the path to peace and Mustapha quit the presidential race on prosperity. Jan 15 to throw his weight behind Opposition Leader Ranil General Fonseka. Wickermesinghe expressed the hope all The STF Sri Lankans would get relief from the recovered two T-56 heavy cost of living in the New Year. His assault rifles and 54 New Year resolution is to usher in a new hand grenades from era for people to enjoy their rights. Bodhirukkaramaya, Wickremesinghe said the people hoped a Buddhist temple St. Anthony’s Holy Relics for a new government that would uphold at Maligawatta on a free and just society. Wickermesinghe Jan 23. The police the country, including Mannar and called for an end to nepotism and promis- arrested ten per- Army headquarters on March 11 ing to preserve people’s rights in the New sons including the announced Gen. Fonseka would face Year. chief incumbent of seven separate charges pertaining to his Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) the temple. The gov- alleged involvement in politics while members, former Deputy Education ernment alleged the being in active service and irregularities Minister Murugan Sachinandan and R. arrested persons in procurement of arms. The then Yogarajan, joined General Fonseka’s Musammil reveals were involved in Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Prasad presidential election campaign. UNP plot General Fonseka’s Samarasinghe said that there would be Opposition presidential candidate campaign. two courts martial comprising same Fonseka appeared on State-run Eye Presidential election on Jan. 26. members holding the rank of Channel on Jan.1 at 8.30 pm to explain The Rajapaksa Camp blatantly exploited General. the circumstances in which he quit the General Fonseka’s inability to exercise In the run-up to April 8 parliamen- service. his franchise in the final three hours of tary election, UPFA candidates clashed President of the Upcountry voting. General Fonseka and his advisors with colleagues for preferential votes in People’s Front and Cabinet Minister of by failing to inform the public of him not spite of President Rajapaksa ordering Community Development and Social being registered as a voter played into the them not to cause trouble. Had the ruling Inequity Eradication, Periyasamy hands of the Rajapaksa Camp. coalition settled disputes among its lead- Chandrasekran, MP, passed away on Elections Chief Dayananda ing candidates in the provinces, the 2010 Jan.2 morning. Dissanayake declared President General Election would have been the He was 53 years at the time of his Rajapaksa winner at the presidential race most peaceful electoral exercise since the death. by an overwhelming majority of over 1.8 introduction of the PR system during the He was thrice elected to Parliament million votes. JRJ administration. from the Nuwara-Eliya District. He was The Army surrounded Cinnamon President Rajapaksa called General first elected to the House in 1994 and Lakeside, where General Fonseka was Fonseka a fool in a wide ranging inter- helped former President Chandrika staying and arrested nine soldiers provid- view with Ravi Velloor of the Kumaratunga to form a government. ing security to the former Army He was imprisoned in 1993 for his Commander. Fonseka declared that alleged connections with the LTTE and President Rajapaksa’s victory was unre- BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO later released. alistic and unacceptable and went on to The on say his life was under threat. Dayananda Dissanayake on Feb 3 abuse of State media, army top brass on launched a scathing attack on major Jan.6 declared its support for General In an interview with The Daily TV,false claim on polls day, violence, political parties for what he called the Telegraph in the immediate aftermath of intimidation, discarded ballot papers, gradual deterioration of political culture General Fonseka’s defeat, a former Tory public officers carrying out propaganda in the country. He asserted that politi- advisor James McGrath who was sacked campaign, abuse of state property and for making a controversial remark about counting without agents. London’s Caribbean population, revealed The petition requested the Court to his involvement in the Opposition cam- declare the return of Mahinda Rajapaksa paign. The Daily Telegraph identified as undue and to declare Sarath Fonseka MR campaigns in Jaffna McGrath as one of the masterminds the duly elected President of Sri Lanka. behind Fonseka strategy. Interestingly the petition conveniently based Straits Times. James McGrath, who has worked for dropped the much discussed computer The President said that Fonseka had David Cameron, Boris Johnson, the fraud charge. come to see him on November 16, 2009 London mayor, and George Osborne, the Mrs. K. M. S. P. Ekneligoda, wife of and when asked whether he was going to Prageeth Ranjan Bandara Ekneligoda, on contest the Presidential election, he said TNA pledges support to SF shadow chancellor, was in Gen. Fonseka’s Polls Chief declares MR winner campaign room, at night on election-day, Feb. 19 com- he had not yet decided. The President had Fonseka. TNA leader R. Sampanthan said compiling alleged reports of intimidation plained to the then told Fonseka that one day his politi- cians were the bane of the country. that his party would throw its weight by supporters of President Rajapaksa Court of cal backers would drop him and leave Dissanayake said that the rot started behind General Fonseka because and advising on strategy in the run-up to Appeal about him in the lurch. with the introduction of the 1978 President Mahinda Rajapaksa bluffed the Election Commissioner’s declaration. the disappear- Government goons on March 22 Constitution of the Second Republic of them for the last four years. If Gen Fonseka had won, much of the ance of her afternoon pelted stones at the head office Sri Lanka. Since then there had been a Sampanthan’s move was supported credit would have gone to McGrath, who husband since of the Sirasa TV and Radio at Braybrook general deterioration of standards, he by heads of the ITK, ACTC, EPRLF and has played a key role in sharpening the January 24, Place, Colombo causing damage to some said emphasizing that the vast majority TELO. They accused Rajapaksa of being campaign since his arrival last month. 2010. vehicles parked in the premises. of those elected to Parliament after 1978 engaged in a time buying exercise and McGrath told The Daily Telegraph,he The peti- A section of the employees retaliated could not be compared with their prede- did nothing to resolve the problems and said he did not have any qualms about tion said that by throwing back the stones at the attack- cessors. “There aren’t gentlemen in poli- grievances of the Tamils. supporting Fonseka. the missing ers before the police intervened. The tele- tics today,” he said. Father of the slain LTTE leader On Jan. 28, JVP leader Somawansa person had vision interrupted its regular pro- He dismissed the Opposition charge , Veraswami Amarasinghe claimed that his outfit been a car- gramme to telecast the attack and the of computer fraud, malpractices and him Thiruwengadam Velupillai, passed away would not accept defeat at the presiden- toonist and a arrest of some of the attackers. All on Jan.6 at the Panagoda Army being threatened at gun point at the polls. writer with arrested suspects were given police bail An incident in the Hatton police Cantonment. He was 86 years of age. Media activists demand Lanka-e-news within 24 hours. area revealed the government providing The army took into custody Ekneligoda’s release website. He The Braybrook Place office had been Prabhakaran’s parents in a welfare vil- police bodyguards to Maharaja employee had actively targeted earlier. During the attack several lage in Menik Farm, Zone 4 in Settikulam J. Shri Ranga, who hosts a popular Tamil campaigned for General Sarath Fonseka Sirasa employees received injuries. in July last year. political talk show Minnel (Lightening) at the last Presidential poll. A heavily armed gang caused heavy UN Special Rapporteur on extraju- on Shakthi TV. A vehicle belonging to The petition added that Eknaligoda damage in a raid on Sirasa studios at dicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Shakthi TV, too, was damaged in the inci- had been previously abducted by persons Pannipitiya in January 2008. The police Philip Alston urged Sri Lanka to allow an dent. Ranga received government patron- who travelled in a white van on August are yet to arrest the culprits, who carried impartial investigation after he conclud- age in spite of contesting the parliamen- 27, 2009. out the attack. ed that video footage allegedly showing tary election on the UNP ticket. The Supreme Court on Feb 23 Country celebrated independence security force members executing LTTE refused the interim relief, to release Continued tomorrow cadres last year was authentic. Opposition strategists on Feb. 4 General Fonseka. This interim relief,

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