Govt. ‘first did politics’ with Fonseka, claims DNA
March 14, 2010 10:19 pm
The government made the first moves to involve Gen. Sarath Fonseka in politics by offering political postings, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) claimed.
DNA media spokesman Anura Kumara Dissanayake told journalists on Sunday that Secretary to the President, Lalith Weerathunga, visited Gen. Fonseka while he was the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in order to offer political posts.
“Lalith Weerathunga requested Gen Fonseka to accept the post of Ambalangoda organiser for the ruling coalition and contest the general election,” he said.
“He also offered Gen fonseka a senior portfolio in the government,” he said.
The former MP from the JVP that is the main party in the DNA also accused the government of failing to find evidence of any conspiracy to assassinate the president and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
The DNA, led by Gen Fonseka, accused the Mahinda Rajapaksa government of engaging in a witch hunt against the former military commander for not working according to President’s political needs.
Gen Fonseka, accused by the authorities of engaging in politics while in uniform and corruption in purchasing arms and ammunitions, is to face court martial on 16 and 17 March.
The accused who boycotted the recording of summary of evidence will not take part in any of the proceedings of the court martial, according to Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
“Our policy is that we will not take part in these illegal court martial proceedings. But our lawyers will take necessary legal action,” he said.
Gen Fonseka’s wife, Anoma, told the journalists that the arrest of her husband was a “malicious revenge by those dressed in white.”
The government has refused the accusations by the DNA.
Director General of Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) Luxman Hulugalle that Mr. Weerathunga might have met Gen Fonseka many times but these issues were not discussed.
“The government did not want to get Gen Fonseka to the politics as he was not a politically important person,” he told BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya.
“If the DNA has any proof, they should come to the military court and prove their accusations,” he added. – (BBC)
