VIDEO : Death
is penalty for treason in
any country - Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (08.06.2010 - Ada
Derana)
When Adaderana contacted the Defence Secretary
over the much discussed news item on BBC’s Hardtalk, where Sri Lanka’s
Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had reportedly stated that Sri
Lanka could execute General Sarath Fonseka, he said what he had meant
was ‘if Fonseka was found guilty of treason, he could be sentenced to
death’.
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa confirmed that it was in the above context that he
had told BBC during the interview regarding the possible punishment of
death, which in most countries is the ultimate punishment for treason or
betrayal of its armed forces. .....................................>>
‘White
flag’ allegations rejected : "Army did not commit war crimes" – Sarath Fonseka (07.05.2010 - The
Island, SL)
Democratic National Alliance leader and former
Army Commander General (retd) Sarath Fonseka said the Sri Lankan Army
did not commit any war crimes during the conflict.
He said the Sunday Leader newspaper had misquoted him by stating that
"Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had ordered to shoot the LTTEers
who surrendered with white flags" during the final days of the conflict.
"None came with white flags and the army never fired at any surrendees,"
Fonseka told a press conference at the Parliamentary complex yesterday.
Such allegations were baseless, he said. ...........................>>
‘Traitors
should be given Capital punishment’ - Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (06.05.2010 - The
Island, SL)
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa says the LTTE rump
is exploring every avenue to avenge Prabhakaran’s killing on the banks
of the Nanthikadal lagoon last May.
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says anyone seeking to undermine
Sri Lanka’s sovereignty should be treated as a traitor regardless of his
or her position.
It will be a grave blunder on the government’s part to pave the way for
the so-called international community to interfere in Sri Lanka, he
says.
The Defence Ministry says that any Sri Lankan promoting an agenda which
is detrimental to the country is nothing but a traitor who should be
ready to face the consequences. ...............................>>
On My Beat : His heart beats well; cases adjourned to May 24, June 1 - by K T Rajasingham (06.05.2010 -
Asiantribune.com)
Colombo : The drama on Wednesday staged by
Sarath Fonseka in the end fizzled out to the utter disappointment of the
former Army Commander, who is detained in the Navy Headquarters since
February, 2010.
On Tuesday when Sarath Fonseka was taken to Parliament by the Army
personnel, they informed him that transports and escorts are ready by 1
pm for him to attend the second court martial that was to convene at
2.30 afternoons. But Sarath Fonseka purposely avoided the Second Court
Martial proceedings by staying back in the Parliament till end of
session in the evening. .............................>>
Produce Sarath Fonseka before the court martial today afternoon – Second Court Martial (05.05.2010 -
Asiantribune.com)
Colombo : The second Court Martial which resumed
its sitting on Tuesday afternoon directed the escorting officer to
produce the respondent before the Court Martial today at 2.30 p.m.
The court martial pointed out that Fonseka had not made any official
indication over his yesterday’s absence in the Court Martial proceeding.
The Court Martial proceedings against retired Sarath Fonseka which took
place on Tuesday afternoon at the Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters and it was
postponed to today afternoon. ........................>>
Fonseka
says he is victim of ‘unlawful
detention’ (Second Lead) (22.04.2010 10:29 PM ICT - IANS)
Colombo : Sri
Lanka’s former army commander General Sarath Fonseka, who was elected to
parliament on an opposition ticket, said Thursday he was a victim of
unlawful detention and called for safeguards in democracy.
Fonseka, who is under military custody on allegations of conspiracy
against the government and is facing two court martial trials, said at
the inaugural session of parliament that it “should ensure freedom from
unlawful detention”.
“Parliament should also ensure that democracy is safeguarded, human
rights are protected and the freedom of movement is ensured,” said
Fonseka, who was elected as a candidate for the Marxist-backed
Democratic National Alliance. ................................>>
Sarath
Fonseka’s swearing-in is still not clear - Legal pundits say no chance - by K T Rajasingham (20.04.2010 -
Asiantribune.com)
Colombo : The swearing of Sarath Fonseka as the
Member of Parliament on 22nd of this month when the new Parliament is
convened is still unclear. It is unclear whether he will be ever sworn
in as he is faced with knotty legal problems to overcome.
Asian Tribune learnt that already Sarath Fonseka’s lawyer as well as
Vijitha Herath, the Secretary to the newly formed Democratic National
Alliance have written letters to the Secretary General of the Sri Lanka
Parliament Dhammika Kitulgoda, urging him to arrange for the swearing of
Sarath Fonseka, who is held under custody at the Naval Headquarters by
the Sri Lanka Army. ..............................>>
On
My Beat :Fonseka’s letters
are smuggled out for vilification campaign - by K T Rajasingham (23.03.2010 -
Asiantribune.com)
Colombo : Reports emerging from Oklahoma reveal
that Sarath Fonseka, the former Army Commander, is involved in a
vilification campaign against Sri Lanka Government and against Sri
Lanka’s armed forces.
Asian Tribune further learns that he has managed to smuggle out of the
Navy Commander’s Chalet, where he was presently held, nearly 20 letters
to his handlers in the West. ............................>>
Govt.
probes news leaks from Fonseka - Probes who smuggled out what to
whom (23.03.2010 - Daily
Mirror, SL)
The government is investigating how
interviews by retired General Sarath Fonseka were leaked to the media
while he was under detention at the heavily guarded Naval Headquarters
in Colombo, the Defence Ministry said yesterday.
General Fonseka is alleged to have smuggled out documents to Britain’s
Channel 4 TV station and a weekend newspaper claiming that he had been
hauled before a court martial on cooked up charges and was being treated
worse than a common criminal. ............................>>
The continuing saga of the two Saraths - by Rajiva Wijesinha (21.03.2010 - Sunday
Island, SL)
It was vastly entertaining to read on March
14th an article by former Chief Justice Sarath Silva which claimed to
provide ‘A Legal Perspective’ on the Arrest and Detention of General
Sarath Fonseka. It concludes with a masterly peroration that is
symptomatic of the brilliant but it seems deeply flawed mind which
dominated our legal system for so long.
The first sentence of that last paragraph characterizes General Fonseka
as ‘a candidate nominated for the Parliamentary Elections’. The
implication is that this is somehow relevant to the legal action taken
against him, whereas surely a former Chief Justice must be aware that
contesting elections should not be a shield against justice. .............................>>
