It would not matter where and when I would be killed, for I have fulfilled my obligation to my motherland. I have paid my debt to my beloved homeland with my sweat and blood; laying my life
on the line, not once – but three times, in order to defend the unity and sovereignty and defeat the monster of separatism. Thus spoke the former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Sarath Fonseka,
the defendant, at the Eeniya White Flag trial. What warranted the printing of his testimony, as a book?
1. Before I Would be
Killed
General Sarath Fonseka
Compiled by Sujith Nilanta
with Introduction by Aravinda Wijedasa
Typesetting and Layout by
Rohitha Bandara Senadheera
Published by
Alternative Media Network
Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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2010 ckjdß 26 ckdêm;sjrKhg Èk follg
fmr wfmka meyer.;a ckudOHfõ§ m%.S;a
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Dedicated to the memory of Journalist Prageeth
Eknaligoda who kidnapped and disappeared on
eve of 25th January 2010...
5. Foreword
It would not matter where and when I would be killed, for I
have fulfilled my obligation to my motherland. I have paid my debt
to my beloved homeland with my sweat and blood; laying my life
on the line, not once – but three times, in order to defend the unity
and sovereignty and defeat the monster of separatism. Thus spoke the
former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Sarath Fonseka,
the defendant, at the Eeniya White Flag trial. What warranted the
printing of his testimony, as a book?
Why did the need arise to educate the general public of General
Fonseka’s testimony, which was delivered through a five-day span to
a special, three member, Panel of Judges of the Supreme Court?
The answers to these two queries are many and varied. The
present Sri Lankan media behaves in a far more atrocious manner
than the prevailed conduct during the rule of Marshal Law when Sri
Lanka was a dominion of the British. These journalists and the owners
of media organizations, who are inflated by their own pretentiousness
gained through the government identification, are either cowardly
stooges of the Rajapakse Government or mere mercenaries. If they
do not belong to either category, why could they not lend an impartial
ear to the candidate who secured over four million votes and was
placed second at the Presidential Election of 2010; the candidate who
was imprisoned barely ten days after the results were announced; the
candidate who obtained over one hundred thousand votes at the April
2010 General Elections and appointed Minister of Parliament; the
defendant, against whom a lawsuit was filed in the ‘Jungle Court’ and
not given an opportunity to plead his case; the defendant who had to
experience regular power outages, meant to sabotage the proceedings
at the Supreme Court, at the second bogus trial?
Why did the ‘Wijeya Newspaper Company’ owned by the
Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe’s uncle and one of the
leading independent newspaper in Sri Lanka, not provide enough
coverage to this important testimony, although they gave prominence
in their publications – Sinhala and English – to a so called agreement
vii
6. between the Democratic National Front candidate General Sarath
Fonseka and S. Sambanthan, the leader of the Tamil National Alliance,
two weeks prior to the Presidential Election?
Furthermore, why did the Editor of ‘The Sunday Leader’,
Fredrica Jansz, recognized as the queen of unbiased journalism refrain
from publishing General Fonseka’s evidence to the public at large? It
is our belief that the testimony presented by General Fonseka to the
three member Elite Panel of Supreme Court Judges, is not a mere
statement of defence, but a testimony of historical proclamation. It
surpasses even the lyrics of the bards and draws comparison to King
Vijayabahu I and his heroic deeds. The future would bring to light
the untold sufferings and atrocities of the thirty year old war to the
general public. In the period of five long and arduous days, facing
numerous obstacles and obstructions to justice, General Fonseka
continued his oratory of evidence to prevent a black mark on Sri
Lankan history from appearing. It seems fairly evident that the devout
Rajapakses have forgotten that even the precepts of Buddhism, which
was propagated in 400 B.C. remained in human minds until they were
printed in the first century AD!
General Sarath Fonseka has served in the Sri Lanka army for
no less than four decades, i.e. from 1970 – 2010. This was a period of
great political turmoil and foreign interference in which General Sarath
Fonseka held office as a senior military officer as well as an official
who had to take crucial decisions regarding national security. In his
testimony, General Sarath Fonseka implores the derisory behavior of
the politicians at this time of national need for unity and integrity.
This is the very first instance in Sri Lankan history that an official
who held a high office in the government has divulged internal secrets
of the regime, in public. Hence it is a milestone in the annuls of the
‘fundamental right for information’ in Sri Lanka. In previous times
when journalists have attempted to investigate these issues they were
faced with expulsion and death threats. For example, Mr. Lasantha
Wickramatunge, the founding editor of ‘The Sunday Leader’ barely
escaped attempts on his life twice but unfortunately was gunned down
brutally in a high security zone in broad daylight. Additionally, Mr.
Iqbal Aththas, who was the consultant editor of ‘The Sunday Times’ is
now residing abroad due to the numerous threats and attempts made to
end his life. It has been one and a half years since the disappearance of
viii
7. journalist, Prageeth Wathnaligoda. The individual, who is educating us
on these incidents is an exemplary war hero who led our country to a
glorious military victory against the separatist terrorists, is languishing
behind bars in Welikada Prison, with no release date in sight! He is
well aware that at any given moment the rulers of this country could
snuff out his life. The decades of dedicated service; medals of honour;
promotions and high offices held by him are of no value at present. If
things cannot get any worse, they have even denied him the right to
draw the pension, that is deserving, for his service.
Sarath Fonseka’s testimony becomes a unique experience
for humankind in various ways. The current Sri Lankan society does
not adhere to democratic ideals of modern equanimity, let alone the
concept of composure preached in Buddhism. If you challenge your
past superior or your former friend on this issue, your destiny would
be a life in prison.
Although you strive diligently for the promotions in
government service, it does not matter how intelligent you are or how
courageous you are when faced with unsurmountable difficulties.
Bear in mind that for the politician who has inherited his position due
to ancestral descendancy, it takes only a matter of seconds to destroy
your position, career, or even life. You may be the outstandingly
sincere official – a role model - in the midst of corrupt, fraudulent and
indolent politicians and bureaucrats, however, it would take a very
long time for you to become an accepted member of the society. The
wait could even mean the sacrifice of your life!
This situation draws parallels with the historical battle against
the British in 1818. In that instance the propagator of the freedom
struggle was the Vedi leaders marshalled by Kivulegedara Mohottala,
but it has been chronicled that the hero of that uprising was nobleman
Keppetipola, who preferred to have discussions with the English but
later decided to take up arms. The emergence of Mahinda Rajapkse
from a mere MP in the 70’s to a Cabinet Minister, a Prime Minister
and finally the Executive President is indeed remarkable. However,
the President’s blatant discrimination and subsequent imprisonment of
a fellow citizen of exceptional military service of over four decades;
a friend who stood by him as a brother and an unconquerable patriot
and hero of our country, is indeed a reprehensible act.
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8. The place for Sarath Fonseka in Sri Lankan history, will be
determined not by the Rajapakse regime but by history itself. Even
as we speak, there are hedging frauds, and gangsters responsible for
importing impure petrol, being investigated. The Sri Lankan history
will soon change its direction. Then, Sarath Fonseka’s testimony
would be ingrained as a historic attestation.
Aravina Wijedasa
10th June 2011, Colombo
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