Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has called for an impartial investigation into the murder of Sunday Leader founder editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.
Delivering his inaugural speech in parliament, Fonseka said that the previous administration tried to send him to the gallows saying he was connected to Wickrematunge’s killing.
“Both, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa have accused the former Army Commander of been involved in this killing. We are not scared, we are not scared of false accusations,” he said.
Fonseka called on President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to conduct an impartial investigation and punish the people behind it. “I am certain the police and the CID have the ability to conduct this investigation properly,” Fonseka added.
Incidentally, Fonseka made no mention about some of the other attacks against journalists, including that of Keith Noyahr, the then Associate Editor of ‘The Nation’ newspaper, who was abducted and severely beaten up immediately after he wrote an article titled ‘An army is not its commander’s private fiefdom.’ It is alleged that Fonseka was directly involved in the abduction which happened in May 2008.
To listen Fonseka’s speech click here
Samuel Jayaweera / March 13, 2016
But in the day still being on the FCID premises, Gota asks why not SF is intested in the investigations of Lasantha. The man who yelled to the bbc interviewer … who is lasantha…. seems to be making every effort to hang the murder onto SF. This they have been trying for all the years – to us SF s reactions are authentic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLU5_18h8GY
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Bensen Berner / March 13, 2016
dear Samuel Jayaweera
Very apt observation. Bensen
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Randy / March 13, 2016
Samuel it was Ranil and Josef Michael who accused SF of killing Lasantha at the parliament soon after the killing.Ranil used to say that SF had sent 8men to kill Lasantha and it was on Hansard.Looks like you people who accuse MR and Gota were born after that.Why Ranil keep his mouth shut now nobody knows!
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SAMA / March 14, 2016
RaniL may have got wrong. He is also human being.
To that time, Ranil was on the opposition and SF was on the side of MR.
Today, whatever being said, SF is ready to go for an investigation to find out who killed Lasantha. I really dont think so – looking at all the way how SF added his thoughts not only yesterday but also whenever he added. those were the truth, but Rajapakshes were never like leaving blunt responses to any of the allegations. Even today, Rajapakse senior to OFFSPRINGS seek roundeabouts when answering even tiny questions.
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Burt / March 14, 2016
You should be happy that this manic at least now remembers Lasantha’s name.
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Sylvia Haik / March 14, 2016
If there was an iota of evidence against SF in the Lasantha murder, the Rajapakses would have hanged him dry at the first opportunity. Gotobhaya is unusually worried at an investigation. There must be something he wishes to hide.
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sama / March 15, 2016
Thanks Minister SF to loud the message of the right thinking portion of the nation.
Like or not, as SF reiterates, Invesitgations based on all the menitioned murders and incidents should be done. Then only we will all have free not to leave them to allegations.
Like in the darker days of MR regime, we must not wait any further to do what is due.
Today, Daily Mirror or other tabloid run by Rajapakse Proxy men are on an attack to current regime. As SF louds, I also agree withthe manner MY3 Ranil do the job but I wish this could move rasch than letting us waited.
Why not Thadjueen killers be brought before courts ?
Why not Rajapkashe money grabs be brought before courts ?
how many more months we have to wait to see tangible steps taken by rulers.
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Jagath Fernando / March 13, 2016
Let’s investigate all killings including the last phase of the war.
As a Sinhalese I want to know the truth about the last few days of the war.
People in power have got away with murder for too long in this country !!
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Sinchoappu / March 13, 2016
Not all killings but all the high profile abuses deliberately carried out by Rajpaakshe Regime. Rajapakshe regime was accountable for the investigations on the previos regime.
If we would go for all the crimes since indepencne, nothing would work.
Better to start with the killings and all arbitory perpectrations done by Rajapakshes up to 08th Januaray 2015.
People have been waiting Rajaakshe to bring evidence if Lasanthas murder was carried out by SF: SF is the most honest person being in the field to declare anything and everything He has nothing to hide. Those who just prevaricate have lot to hide – please journos why not you interview let alone today – Maharaja et al.
Please be ready with all the set of questions that stay unanswered, the nation would be grateful to you for all the new evidences. We only want fair justice. Basta
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Native Vedda / March 13, 2016
Jagath Fernando
“As a Sinhalese I want to know the truth about the last few days of the war.”
You are in for a rude awakening.
Would you be in a position to handle the situation if you found out that your neighbour, your daughter’s boy friend, your friend, your uncle …. were the perpetrators?
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Socratis / March 14, 2016
I totally agree with Native Veda.
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MOHAMED MARZOOK / March 13, 2016
A welcome suggestion. Such a wide investigation and punishment of those responsible will give the message to anyone currently in power or to be to avoid resorting to summary killings.
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KA Sumanasekera / March 13, 2016
Here is a good one..
Field Marshalla Fonny says’ Batalanda PM’s impartial Yahapalana Police is capable of finding out who killed Lasantha Wickrematunge..
Heheheheheeee..
Was the Field Marshall doing stand up comedy to relax. after doing long shifts to kill 1000 Tigers a month…
That works out to 35 Tigers a day..
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Native Vedda / March 13, 2016
KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera
“Was the Field Marshall doing stand up comedy to relax. after doing long shifts to kill 1000 Tigers a month…”
Alright, did Gota kill 1000 tigers a day just after they had surrendered to the armed forces?
I think theoretically it is possible.
However we need evidence from independent judges to prove his achievements, so that we can request the Guinness book of records to enter his name.
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Sylvia Haik / March 15, 2016
KA Sumanasekera You are indeed an idiot that sways with the wind. I remember you saying that SF was a coward and spent the last days of the war in China. Come on, which is correct, what you said then or what you are saying now? Some day you’ll realise all these Rajapakse boot-licking had been in vain as they are all gone for good.
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mevan / March 14, 2016
The public knows little or nothing even of what happened to Prabhakaran and his family in the last few hours, although there must have been plenty of witnesses. At least for the sake of history, there must be an accurate record of what happened during those last few days of the war.
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Gamarala / March 14, 2016
Politicians change their tunes to suit the ground considerations. That is the nature of their profession.
It is the people who quarrel to protect the previous statements of these politicians who are the real fools.
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Saman / March 14, 2016
No doubt at all.
According to Minister Sarath Fonseka’s statement, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is definitely responsible for all killings that happened during the regime of MARA.
Gotabaya must be brought to justice soon and incarcerated for life.
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Mihiri Fernando / March 14, 2016
Saman, they are all so feared by the speech to this date. I think Rjaapakshes may work on a wave of assisinations in the near future to silence current sharp voices. Lasantha s murder was truly done by Gota. Mervin silva had opened his cesspit shortly after new govt was formed last year. Even if the man s thoughts are not credible, there should be some information in his.
Rajapakshes killed not only tamils but also sinhalese, muslims and everyone. They are born with killing talents. They behave sober to fool the nation further along the argument
” man who had been away from the country- for a period such as 1.5 decades to call himself as a war pioneer – should be a lecture to fools”.
Those stayed in the country and fought the war to the end should have every knowledge the way war had been fought and how to fight against the enimies. Just because he had low level computer knowledge not even having gone through an University education, to call himself as a computer expert- to the very same intoxicated folks is an ultra joke.
But the handful of journos did the job well – in sowing the lies as painted them so cemented have now worked properly – even today, significant fractions living in the most educated Province still believe, war was fought by GOta and his brother. Lies can twisted the brains of the poor easily as no other country in SL.
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shankar / March 14, 2016
if fonseka wants an investigation, ranil please go for it.A high profile figure like lasantha’s cold blooded murder in broad daylight in the heart of the capital city is a shame and bad image for this country and has been on the backburner long enough.Though all the damage to the country’s reputation cannot be undone,the perpertrators being punished at least will give some confidence to the rest of the world that we have not sunk into a banana republic.Investor confidence in this country is the single most critical factor for the prosperity in the future.If the new administration is considered weak then investors will desert this country and capital flight will take place to more safer ones.
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Eddy_Editor / March 14, 2016
Any possibility of directing me to get a complete English transcript of what Field Marshal spoke at his inaugural speech in Parliament.
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justice / March 14, 2016
An impartial probe and findings therefrom, can come only from a ‘hybrid court’ – one which has jurists of eminence from abroad.
This is why, such a court was accepted by Sri Lanka by sponsoring the resolution proposed by USA at the last UNHRC meeting.
Sri Lanka has nothing to hide/cover up.
Hence, the sponsorship.
Field Martial/Minister Sarath Fonseka and others can testify.
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vishvajith / March 16, 2016
Sir, the trail leads to you.Your comrade in arms, who fought alongside you Gotabaya Rajapaksa is on record on the subject.
And then, you were in command during the end of the war and after the war. The white flag incident, the busloads of those who surrendered and are now dead; You were in command.
Now, if I were you, I will retire, go home, visit all the temples, give dhana, build a temple, get as much merit as you can; you need it.
You were in command, you are responsible.
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pink lips / March 17, 2016
Keith WAS kidnapped, [Edited out], and tortured on his orders. He was complicit in Lasantha’s murder too. He, MR, and GR were all a gang. Keith is embarrassed by this shock he won’t even talk about it now because it’s humiliating for any decent man to be [Edited out]. SF is the man who got his wife to kneel down in front of guests. He assaulted cooks when he was commander at many camps and one cook was secretly taken to the naval host in trinco to cover it up. He’s a brilliant General and military strategist but is fairly narcissistic and demented and a sadist. A VVIP once said that he feels SF is a cad. Now this same VVIP is adoring SF .politics.
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