Sarath Fonseka receives his first punch - a body blow

Former Navy Chief, Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda lands a heavy punch - a body blow on the retired General Sarath Fonseka.

Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda has sent a letter of demand to the presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka, demanding rupees 500 million for making statement at an interview with a private television channel on the 24th of December 2009.

The former Navy Chief said that the statement made by General Fonseka is per se defamatory of him.

In the letter of demand sent to Gen. Fonseka, Karannagoda claims that a remark made General Fonseka about him (Karannagoda) was malicious and has in fact tarnished his good name, reputation and public image, thereby causing him irreparable loss and damage.

The demanded sum of Rs. 500 million should be paid within 14 days and in the event of failing and/or neglecting to pay and settle the said sum legal action will be instituted against General Fonseka to recover the said sum.

The letter of demand sent by the Lawyer of Admiral Karannagoda to Gen. (retd.) further states:

1. That he was the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy form 01-09-2005 to 14-07-2009

2. That he was promoted to the rank Admiral by H.E. the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in appreciation of his contributions in the battle against LTTE Terrorism and being the personality behind the country’s Naval Strategy

3. That after assuming command of the Navy, he changed the modus operandi of the Sri Lankan Navy operations by revolutionizing deep sea operations which ensured the success of naval operations against the LTTE resulting in the destruction of over eight LTTE ships within a year. He introduced the small boat concept which was a tremendous success against LTTE suicide boats.

4. That he has achieved many “firsts” in his distinguished, decorative and unblemished Naval Career, including inter alia the first Naval Officer to be conferred two Masters Degree in Business Administration (University of Colombo) and in Defence studies (Quaid-Azam University, Pakistan). He has also been conferred with an honorary Doctorate by the University of Kelaniya in recognition of his steadfast foresight and single minded determination in protecting the territorial waters of Sri Lanka from LTTE Terrorism and thereby contributing immensely towards the liberation of country.

5. That in the 59 years history of the Sri Lanka Navy, he is the first and the only officer to be considered to the highest seating of the Commander of the Navy, straight from a Naval Area Command.

6. That he is the first ever and the only Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy to hold the prestigious four star rank while in active Naval Service

7. That he has during his Naval career, served as the Commandant of the Naval and Maritime Academy, Director of Naval Personnel & Training, Director Naval Projects & Plans and Director Naval Operations. He was also the first ever Director General (Operations) at Naval Headquarters

8. That he has commanded the four operational Navy Commands (Northern Command, Western Command, Eastern Commands and Co-ordinator in Chief of Security Forces and Police in Trincomalee District and the North Central Command) on seven occasions and has also served as Deputy Area Commander (West, East and North respectively)

9. That as a specialize Navigator, he has held numerous appointments on board Naval Ships, and his career terminated in 1992 on board SLNS Wickrama with the relinquishing of command and duties as Commander of the 7th Surveillance Command Squadron

10. That he has followed a number of courses during his Navla career and is an Almnus of the Near East – South Asia Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defence University, Washnngton D.C., the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Hawaii. The Royal Naval Staff College, UK, and the National Defence College of Pakistan.

11. That he is the recipient of the Rana Sura Padakkama for gallantry. He is also the recipient of the Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Utama Seva Paddakkama for unblemished record of conduct and outstanding service, President’s Inaguration Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operation Medal Clasp I and Clasp II, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemorations Medal, Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Services Medal, Commander of the Navy’s Commendation Badge with 5 stars and the Surface Warfare Badge

12. That in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the nation, upon his retirement from his service with the Sri Lanka Navy, he was entrusted with responsibilities as the National Security Advisor on 15-07-2009 and as Secretary to the Minstry of Highways and Road Development on 20-07-2009 by H.E. the President, and

13. That in consequence of his distinguished career, his exemplary and impeccable conduct , his bravery, and his innovative and strong leadership qualities, he has built and excellent reputation both locally and internationally as a charismatic and distinguished leader and as a brave, smart and exemplary role model.

I am further instructed by my client:

1. That you have given an interview to Sirasa Tv, which interview was telecast via the programme “Janadhipathi Dhura Apekshaka General Sarath Fonseka Samaga” on 24-12-2009 at 09.30 hours

2. That in the course of the said interview you have stated inter alia as follows:

Sinhalese text

3. The said statement when translated to English reads as follows:

When he was asked to go, when he was asked to leave his uniform in 48 hours he cried, truly, like a small child. When I was asked to hand over the Army I did not cry. I was not asked to leave the uniform no. When he was asked to leave in 48 hours he cried. When he was given the letter also he was given a bogus letter purportedly appointing him as National Security Advisor or something similar when he left the Navy when he took it also he took it with one hand from the President, he did not even extend both hands. As he was taking it he said to the President there also that you did an injustice to me. At that time the President got angry and shouted and scolded him again. When he was crying, the Secretary Defence took him to a room in the President’s house and scolded him saying that he has stayed enough and that he should leave now. That is how he was treated. If I was treated in such a degrading manner, I would not have remained to do a governmental job. If I had been treated in such a degrading manner.

4. In particular, my client highlights the following utterances made by you in the course of the said interview:

a. When my client was asked to leave the uniform in 48 hours, he cried, truly, like a small child.

b. When my client was asked to leave in 48 hours he cried.

c. When my client was given a bogus letter purportedly appointing him as National Security Advisor (NSA) or something similar by the President, he took it with one hand, without even extending both hands.

d. The president got angry and shouted and scolded my client (when he said that the President has done him an injustice) and when my client was crying, the Secretary Defence took him to a room in the President’s house and scolded him saying that he has stayed enough and that he (thamuse) should leave now.

e. In contrast, you did not cry when you were asked to hand over the Army and had you been subjected to such indignities you would not have remained in public service.
5. My client states that the aforesaid statement made by you is per se defamatory of him:

a. If false and false to your knowledge.

b. Is intended to bring my client to hatred , ridicule, disrepute and contempt in the eyes of the public

c. Is a false, contrived and a jealous attempt to embellish your rapidly fading public image vis-à-vis my client by a false comparison of yourself with my client in a bid to give vent to our personal venom against my client.

d. Is a vicious, diabolical, and a vengeful attempt to tarnish the public image of my client and to portray him as a weakening prone to emotion, cringing and groveling before authority quiet unbecoming of the Head of the Navy (as he then was)

e. Is intended to portray to the authorities and to the public of this country that my client is a shameless person without any self respect, and unfit to hold a position of high responsibility in public life, and

f. Is intended to damage the high standing, regard and respect my client commands in the country and also with His Excellency the President, the Defence Secretary, the Service Chiefs, the defence establishment and the public service.

I am instructed by my client that you have by your aforesaid intentional and malicious statement, has in fact tarnished my client’s good name, reputations and public image, thereby causing him irreparable loss and damage.

My client reasonably estimates the loss of reputation and good will suffered by him and the pain of mind caused to him as a result of your said defamatory statements of him, at a sum of Rupees Five Hundred Million.

I have been instructed by my client to demand from you and I do hereby demand from you the said sum of Rupees Five Hundred Million

I have been instructed by my client to demand from you and I do hereby demand from you the said sum of Rupees 500 million, to be paid within 14 days from the date hereof.

In the event of your falling and/or neglecting to pay and settle the said sum of Rupees 500 million to my client as demanded above, I have been further instructed by my client to institute action against you to recover the said sum together with the interest due thereon the cost of suit.

- Asian Tribune -