Sri Lanka: President Mahinda Rajapaksa accepted the resignation of General Sarath Fonseka
By K.T.Rajasingham
Colombo, 13 November, (Asiantribune.com):
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on principle, has accepted the resignation of General Sarath Fonseka – Chief of Defence Staff, with effect from 01 December 2009 .
General Fonseka informed the President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday of his intention to resign from his position and President has told him personally that he has no objection in accepting his resignation.
Subsequently, the four star General submitted his resignation to Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President.
In his letter General Fonseka had reportedly expressed his disappointment with the government and President Rajapaksa and criticized several decisions taken by the President relating to him.
General Fonseka had also highlighted several other issues including the resettlement of Internally Displaced People, according to a report.
When Asian Tribune contacted Lalith Weeratunga, he told that the Government is studying the contents of his resignation letter and would respond to those issues raised by Sarath Fonseka, when sending to him the letter, accepting his resignation.
In the meantime, a large group of people jeered at Sratah Fonseka yesterday, when he visited the Kelaniya temple.
It is also learnt that Sarath Fonseka in his resignation letter has also requested the President to provide him with the necessary security after he leaves office, because of the constant threat to his life from the LTTE and underlined the need for confidence between the state and the heads of the security forces.
In the meantime a government spokesman told Asian Tribune that a panel appointed by the President to go into the report of the US Department of state is presently investigating thosee allegations raised in that report.
It is reliably learnt that the panel will quiz Sarath Fonseka too even after his retirement from active military services.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
About sense and nonesense
There may be or may not be sense in the arguments about Mahawamsa. Whatever it is we should not forget that it contains a narration on what happened or it happened so. Wikipedia, which is open to editing without proper evidence, is not a narration of what happened but a disclosure of what is spoken about. It is a good source of data for politicians, also known as policy makers, who, according to ILO classification of occupations, do not require formal qualifications.
Narration in Mahawamsa is based on facts and those who know about research would agree that something taken as factually correct today may not be accepted tommorow. Evidence unearthed through Archaeological explorations are becoming more and more conclusive due to advancements in science to determine very accurately the age of artifacts. Hence there is no point in criticising or defending Mahawamsa because its edition is always based on facts not fiction.
What we need today is to accept that there is a country called Sri Lanka; its inhabitants belong to Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, Burgher races; Sinhala, Tamil and English are languages used in communication, Buddhism, Hinduisim, Islam and Chritianity are religeons and so on. Those are facts and they are published by the Department of Census and Statistics. Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and people are free to write or speak about harmony or enmity or any other problems between races, religeons or within communities or disparities and inequalities etc. etc. Comments appearing below the news items in Asiantribune are evident of this freedom.
Let us move forward without abusing individuals, this and that. Constructive criticism should be our motto if are to live harmoniusly in Sri Lanka, which according to President MR, does not have majorities and minorities. Under these circumstances I sysmathize with those who still feel belonging to a minority.
just a note
Eelam means Sri Lanka or the island off the coast of India. "Name Eelam was derived from the Pali (An Indo-Aryan language) form Sihala for Sri Lanka" We are all eelamist, I hope and believe
An Alarmist Eealamist
Your Eealamist nonsense is only as equally alarmist and despicable as the Mahavamsa nonsense of Sinhala Buddhist nationalists. Extremists such as you, on either side, have been the greatest impediment for the efforts of moderates to create and promote just solutions based on fundamental human qualities as opposed to ethno-religious nationalistic nonsense.
Mahavamsa "nonsense"?
To call the Mahavamsa, one of the oldest documented histories of a civilization that has been held as such by Western scholars as well, a "nonsensical" document, is indeed an insult that deserves an apology.
The Mahavamsa carries all the subjectivity of any historical document of those times and has to be treated as such, WITH RESPECT, just like the Bible or Koran or any other ancient document with religious significance. Would Dias reject the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as "nonsense" too?
Religion and nation/state were closely integrated in civilizations of bygone times, and even today, although modern states strive to separate Church and State, it remains extremely difficult since religion or some form of spirituality seems to be an integral human need for survival. Thus, even in these modern societies, religion and the religious texts remain highly respected and symbolic of these civilizations. Thus a new President of the United States takes his oath to serve the nation with his hand on the Bible. Why should not Buddhism of the majority Sinhalese in Sri Lanka be given its due place? It does not mean that there is a lack of respect or space for the other religions which Sri Lanka affords more than many other nations, providing even Govt. Ministries for them.
Why this necessity to denigrate Sinhala Buddhists and the symbols of their culture?
Nonsense of a Saint!
Yes I accept your charges Mr. Dias... Indeed Mahavamsa has been the greatest nonsense for Tamil Eelamists and Jewish-Christians and their local followers for a long time as the Mahawamsa clearly describes the history of Sinhala nation on Sri Lanka and everything on Mahawamsa has been proven correct with the archeological findings.
I believe it is better if you could be careful in selecting words like "nonsense" to describe the sacred book that contain the 2500 years history of Sinhala buddhists in Sri Lanka. You must apologize for your bloody word and we, Sinhalese really demand it! You have also violated your own words "fundamental human qualities" by calling Sinhala nations' sacred book as nonsense....!
Some people who write "balanced" things also could carry venom as well!!!!!!!
Disappointed
I always admired your writing. Even during the height of difficult times, you maintained the sanity and balanced view, in the middle of extreme views. I am disappointed that you didn’t see my point; unless the leaders including the military are sincere, one day they will be exposed. Mere words will not solve problems. Unless, we understand your concerns and you understand our grievances, we are not going to have peace. I have to say the Govt., major political parties in the south are long way from understanding the Tamils grievances and problems. Tamils expressed their opinion when they voted in the municipal elections. Govt and SF view is that his forces rescued the Tamils from LTTE clutches. If that is the case as in the southern election, Tamils should have voted overwhelmingly to the Govt parties. They didn’t. Next indication will come when we have the next election, presidential or parliamentary).
Take for example, overnight SF has become concerned about the Tamil IDPs, Human rights, Law and order, media freedom etc, While he himself is part of the slaughter of Tamils. I know there are opposite view to this. Tamils would have admired, even support SF future political ambitions, if he had advocated for an International investigation as requested by Tamils and rest of world or said he wanted to start the reconciliation process as in Northern Island or in South Africa. Without nether of them; punishment for Tamils and honours for Sinhala leaders and military men and law enforcement/paramilitary personnel is interpreted by Tamils and people like you who are advocating for justice and peace is that the General is only interested in power.
Note: I just read your comment to Gagame’s article; your are spot on
Nice piece of brain!
Thanks for the nice piece of brain (Sa)muthra!
Some people seem to be reading wikipedia too much and they believe it due to their ignorance, something that we all sympathize as Wikipedia is an open source that anyone can manipulate!.
But it is nice to find that (Sa)muthra's "eelam" is different from Prabakaran's one. But the sad thing is that there are no archeological evidences for permanent Tamil settlements in (Sa)muthra's eelam before the 15th century AD.....!
Race is on
Race is on for the Sinhala votes. Tamils have nothing to do with either of them. It is not surprising that only a few months ago, he has been hailed as a hero and patriotic citizen, now being castigated as a traitor and unpatriotic general by all sections of Sinhalese, just because he disagreed with the current govt conduct and governance. He will be treated the same way as how Tamils have been treated by the Govt who have different view on the nationhood and many Singhalese who raised their views against human rights violation, impunity, breakdown of law and order, rampant corruption and disregard to all form international norms.
He has only two options left; contest the election and win it or make a deal with US Govt and live rest of his life in US.
See how history repeat itself; Elephant pass event, followed by the stroke of Ranil’s pen became the start of demise of LTTE and finally the down fall of Parabakaran. During this period, the present day Karuna emerged as one of the catalyst for this domino effect. Similarly, end of war and peace time, has brought the “Sinhala karuna” in general SF form. There will be more drama to follow. Many of the Govt minsters and supporters will be petrified by the SF action and want get out of the Govt camp and join him before it is too late. The domino effect has started. The brothers grip on the crown is getting slowly loosen. Tamils will be watching the drama unfolding from the sidelines.
Dreams and dreams......
Ealamists are so excited now, and rightly so... (Sa)muthra seem to be enjoying endless dreams (he has every right to dream)......
As (Sa)muthra correctly said, history repeats.... whatever happened, Prabakarans may born again, but surely they will be found dead on mud waring only under wares.....!
Anyway it is too premature to call General SF as "sinhala karuna" as he will never go against Sinhalese nor help the Elam, but people who are hiding behind him (Ranil, Mangala, Hakeem) are well known elamists...
Patriotic Sinhalese....., you need to understand what's behind (Sa)muthra's statements. Divided we fall and elamists will rise again... Its your choice this time....
Some Eelamists have never
Some Eelamists have never stopped dreaming.