Uvindu Kurukulasuriya
The triumvirate comprising President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Army Chief Sarath Fonseka was hailed for providing political, administrative and military leadership respectively in the triumphant war against the LTTE.
One camp said Rajapaksas, not Fonseka, deserves credit for the military victory. Another camp said Fonseka, not the Rajapaksas, deserves credit for the military victory. Victor Ivan divided the victory credit into three portions, the larger portion to Mahinda Rajapaksa, the second larger portion to Gotabaya and the third to Fonseka. Well known political commentator Gamini Viyangoda wrote that the Rajapaksas have not fought in the battle fields like Dutugemunu, so it is unfair to give the large portion to the Rajapaksas. Some argued giving credit does not require taking it away from someone else. It is not a finite commodity. Refusing to credit Fonseka or the Rajapaksas is wrong.
D.B.S Jeyaraj a well known commentator wrote subtlety, but analytically; President Rajapaksa made two crucial appointments at the onset of his presidency in anticipation of a savage war with the LTTE. One was to make his younger sibling Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Defence Secretary. The other was to appoint Sarath Fonseka as Army Commander and extend his tenure. Gotabaya an old soldier himself held Lt. Colonel rank when he quit the army in 1991 and migrated to the United States of America. Although a US citizen Gotabhaya returned to serve his brother and country with a missionary zeal. His objective was to defeat and destroy the LTTE and rid Sri Lanka of a menace plaguing it for decades. It was at Gotabhaya’s behest that Sarath Fonseka was made Army Chief. He was scheduled to retire as he would have reached the mandatory age 55 on December 6, 2005. But Gotabhaya persuaded his brother to make Sarath Army Chief because Fonseka was the best man to lead the army at that point of time. There was also Fonseka’s colossal arrogance. He fancied himself as a combination of Hannibal, Alexander, Julius Caesar, Napoleon and Rommel. In Sarath Fonseka’s self-perception he was Sri Lanka’s greatest military treasure and all glory was due to him alone. It was the “I, me., myself alone” syndrome.
But still the big question remains. Who was the main drive behind this victory? Was it Mahinda or Gota or Fonseka? Certainly Mahinda wasn’t. I recall my own experience with Mahinda Rajapaksa. If I’m correct he only gave an interview re: Ranil Wikremesinghe’s peace process to me. It was published in “Peace Monitor” (Sama Vimarshi) at that time. While President Chandrika Kumaratunge and Mangala Samaraweera were subtly sabotaging the peace process and publicly criticising it, as the leader of the opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa has given fullest support to the Norwegian led peace process. He didn’t believe a war victory was possible. Then who was the main force behind the war victory?
Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim answered the question last week. Addressing a Oslo seminar followed by the launch of the evaluation report of the Norwegian Peace effort in Sri Lanka between 1997 and 2009.
Erik said “No one. Maybe with the exception of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, but he’s the only person I can mention who thought a military victory was possible. No one in Colombo thought it was possible. I was very close to Indian intelligence and an enormous amount of time throughout this process and never, ever did any Indian official hint that a military victory was possible until mid 2008. Then they started, I observed the change in M. K. Narayanan and others and gradually shift into the position that may be, still maybe the government can wipe out the tigers military victory. Before that no one thought it was possible, the United States thought it was impossible, USA, India and Colombo thought it was impossible, so again a complete change from what we all based the peace process on until that point.”
Now we know why Gota is so powerful and why Mahinda is so beholden to him. So, thanks to Solheim, problem solved, Gota is the hero. But one thing is there. I would like to quote a comment among hundred comments on Colombo Telegraph.
“That’s exactly what our hero Gota did. He killed the Rat by burning the house.”
Courtesy The Sunday Leader
Kamalika Rathnayaka / November 20, 2011
Exactly, ” He killed the Rat by burning the house”
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Ramani Perera / November 20, 2011
Good one Uvindu!
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Harsha - Japan / November 21, 2011
not a genuine hero
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Raja Hevawasam / November 20, 2011
It is very interesting that Solheim says ” I was very close to Indian intelligence and an enormous amount of time throughout this process and never, ever did any Indian official hint that a military victory was possible until mid 2008. Then they started, I observed the change in M. K. Narayanan and others and gradually shift into the position that may be, still maybe the government can wipe out the tigers military victory. Before that no one thought it was possible, the United States thought it was impossible, USA, India and Colombo thought it was impossible, so again a complete change from what we all based the peace process on until that point.”
India was behind the scene !
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TP / November 20, 2011
The Sri Lankan government by not negotiating a political solution with the Tamils with are going to let either India or the US take over our beautiful country. This will be used as an excuse to walk into out country and take all our natural assets. A military base and a presence in the strategic Sri Lanka is the ultimate desire for India, China and the US. I hope foolish Mahinda understands this before the US strikes a deal with the TNA and gets control of strategic Eastern and Northern ports.
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Sinhaya / November 20, 2011
Dear Idiot TP.The foolish Mahinda has 100 times more brain than your whole family tree. Instead of giving him the due credit you are using these comments to insult him. Mahinda is a hero who save the country from a barbaric thug. There is no other version for that story.
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SAM / November 23, 2011
Dearm on, as you did during the last 30 years. RIP with LTTE
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SAM / November 23, 2011
Dream on you “dead LTTE spy” as did during the last 30 years..RIP with LTTE
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Thambimuttu - US / November 20, 2011
Gota had the military strategy and MR had the poloitical. Both combined together worked out well. Credit goes to both in ending this war and dawning us a peaceful era.
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Lucky / November 20, 2011
@Thambi, read what the writer says; I recall my own experience with Mahinda Rajapaksa. If I’m correct he only gave an interview re: Ranil Wikremesinghe’s peace process to me. It was published in “Peace Monitor” (Sama Vimarshi) at that time. While President Chandrika Kumaratunge and Mangala Samaraweera were subtly sabotaging the peace process and publicly criticising it, as the leader of the opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa has given fullest support to the Norwegian led peace process. He didn’t believe a war victory was possible.”
so, its not Mahinda.
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Peter Casie Chetty / November 21, 2011
I was a part of the journalists who saw things happen. Mahinda was for the peace process because Chandrika and her people were playing “hide and seek” for fourteen years in power. The loses were great. Elephant Pass, Killinochchi, Pooneryn. The LTTE got full control of the Vanni and the “President” was barricaded in Queen’s House and Temple Trees. It was only when Gotabaya joined the plan and the LTTE started playing War or Peace that the Government decided to go all out and wage war.
If there was no Gota, no Sarath Fonseka and No Mahinda Rajapakse… we would still ahve been afraid to go anywhere because the LTTE were all over.
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Gamaya / November 20, 2011
You are wrong Mr Solheim. Majority of Ordinary Srilankan thought that Military victory is possible against LTTE. But successive governments deliberately ignored people’s opinion.War was a business for the LTTTE and the Srilankan leaders till Rajapakshas came to power.The government of Srilanka and it’s people determined to eradicate the LTTE, because LTTE killed hundred of thousands of innocent Sinhalese. Mr Solheim You didn’t try to stop killings. You all are onlookers.The destiny of our mother land will be decided by the Srilankan people, Not by external forces.
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Gamma W Nawala / November 20, 2011
In recent anals of history there came a man called, Mahinda Rajapaksa from the South, who saved the nation and presently leading it to paths of development. His belief and love for the nation and his strong character amidst international pressure that stood between victory and defeat. This is manifested by the huge electoral support he enjoys and bound to swell in the coming years with the majority of patriotic Sri Lankans. He naturally relied on his brother a war veteran to deliver the results through capable military officers and brave men and women. The rest is history. This is why the defeated parties, their backers etc are bringing in war crime charges in pure vengeance.
SO , IT IS H E MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA, NOT THE GOTA
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Wimal Gamlath / November 20, 2011
MR/GR/SF and co, did the right thing and kicked the tigers behind right royally that solhiem & co are still smarting from the anal hemorrhoid it caused them.
oh poor SF :(
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Malaka / November 20, 2011
When Sarath Fonseka was appointed the army commander in presence of Gotabhaya, he inform that he is going to fight the war, the way he wants, not according to politicians wishes. So Gota toe the line with Sarath and had to feed him with the necessary requierements to finish the war.
Therefore it is not Gota who finished the war but Sarath with his experience in the war field. How can Gota give orders to Sarath to finish the war when he was out of the country for nearly 20 years and without knowing the army officers abilities. So the credit should go to Sarath, as he had a vision to finish the war with his experience. That is why he promoted capable junior officers over the senior officer. The message Gota took to the international community that war would be finished is the message of former army commander Sarath Fonseka. So please do not get miss lead by not knowing facts.
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Ivan Abeykoon - Kandy / November 20, 2011
You are absolutely correct. That is what was happened.
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Upul Abe / November 20, 2011
Utter rubbish. Fonseka never believed the war could be won. He was supportive but constantly said how “their will be an insurgency” and how the LTTE could never be truly defeated. Fonseka was good at implementing the strategies and tactics of others, he himself was incompetent when it came to strategic planning and operations.
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Upul Abe / November 20, 2011
His immense lack of ability was best seen up on his return from surgery in 2006 from Singapore (courtesy of GR) where he wanted to (forcefully that is) make is “mark on the war” and gave us the Muhamalai debacle straight away: 200 soldiers died in what was a random operation he ordered out of the blue that served no greater purpose and carried out without telling the Military command or the Air Force. Thus the LTTE ended up happily raining artillery on our soldiers –Fonseka even cut off communications with the SLAF for the field commanders because he wanted all the credit for himself. He was always a pathetic strategist hence why he always failed in whatever he tried himself (see his election campaign itself). He was ruthlessly efficient at implementing OTHERS plans, tactics and operations, not ones he created himself which always ended in disaster –we got 3 more Muhamalai debacles thanks to him, hundreds of good young men lost for nothing thanks to Fonseka’s arrogance and selfishness, their name scared painfully later in December 2009
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Lal Kumara / November 20, 2011
If Mahinda was a foolish leader. then prabhakaran will be still alive in a seperate Tamil Country.
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Kalu Albert / November 20, 2011
Sarath did not fight the war with the Army alone. Don’t you remember there was a Navy, Air Force and the civil brigade?. They all fought the war. Who fought the political war? When every Tom Dick and Harry came asking us to stop the war who fought them? Who carefully manipulated India, China, Pakistan etc. and got everything we wanted? Come on people! give credit to everybody who contributed.
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kumi / November 20, 2011
It was not Gota THAT WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY BUT SF WHEN VP WAS KILLED . HE WAS IN CHINA HOLIDAYING WITH HIS FAMILY . SO WHO DO YOU THINK GAVE THE ORDERS TO ELIMINATE THE TERRORISTS . IF YOU HAVE AN OUNCE OF INTELLEGIENCE YOU WILL BEGIN THINKING ON THE RIGHT LINES .
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Kala Abewickrama / November 20, 2011
Uvindu is absolutely correct , Solheim talk to all most all stakeholders, so he knows the facts and the truth. that is why he made such a remarks. remember, Richard Armitarge/ Narayan and Milinda Moragoda all were present at that seminar.
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silva / November 20, 2011
militory vicctory id due lot of sacrifices made by soldiers on the ground. All above mentioned personalities can take credit for giving leadership at differant level. But the sad thing is after the war Mahind Rajapkse and family behave as the country as their family property and robbing country and it.s people and abusing the law and take revenge from the peoplewho have differant views
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Palith F / November 20, 2011
GOTA HERO…..My left foot.
This guy ran away scared like many Army guys to greener pastures and never came back for 15 years. when General Sarath Fonseka went with an old AK47 and stood his ground in very hard conditions in the North. You guys make this Col. Gota a hero for giving instruction from a AC room…..So the 15 years services to the nation when Gota was a broad by General Sarath is just forgotton?………What make a Hero is the accumulation of all years of dedicated service to the Nation. Wake up all you crap writers.
‘Missing in action’ boy, Gota a HERO?…..Not in my book.
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Edirisingha / November 20, 2011
hey Palith, it was Gota who made him General, so respect it. if Solheim can, y can’t u?:( respect the truth man!)
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Cynthia / November 20, 2011
Palith F, you are right.
You say ” ‘this guy ran away scared…”.. yes ! Everyone knows , that is why he was named
BAYA -GOTA..How did he become a Hero ? He became a hero by giving orders to hunt Karuna and the
rest of the animals.But now, he protects the same karuna he hunted to become a hero!!
That is dedicated service to the Nation!
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sam / November 23, 2011
Dear Cynthia,
Come on! we need undivided people’s voice for next fifteen years to maintain hardly fought victory .
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yakandawela - Nuwaraeliya / November 21, 2011
Shouldn’t some accolade be also made to the supoport roles played by India, China, Pakistan, Israel, Russia and 15 other nations for supplying arms, planes and training in winning the war. Ultimately it was Politics that helped triumph!
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SAM / November 23, 2011
Not your left Foot, your puke hila.
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fernando / November 20, 2011
Its a personal revenge by politicians , Lets fight to get SF released soon
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Minoli / November 20, 2011
Good for Sarath. He deserves it, he should have stood by the truth. He told the truth about the white flag case and later denied his statement to safeguard the culprits, so he deserves this sentence, he should have got more.
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Jayasekara / November 20, 2011
Despite all the efforts taken by the govt, they do not have any solid proof to victimize Mr. Fonseka. These reasons prove that Mr. Fonseka is far better than the political thieves, working against him. The nature will look after those people for their sins.
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Kalani / November 21, 2011
Let see how he burns the drug rats…One rat escaped to Singapore.
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Edwin / November 21, 2011
“That’s exactly what our hero Gotta did. He killed the Rat by burning the house.”
If LTTE would have done that they are terrorist because this is gotta he is a hero.
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gamarala / November 21, 2011
Any one can say many stories.But As President,he must approve the things.Gota is one man show.Mahinda can not argue with him for his work.SF was good comander.At the end he steped in to western mafias trap.gta is the hero.How many comanders in past regime?Even Sf served to Chandrika and what he did?Some one have to run the show as positive way.Gota did it.
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Jasi / November 21, 2011
Thank you, Sad to see a hero behind bars but again should politics his cup of tea I don’t know cold be bad advise. But we Sri Lankan should salute the General for the job well done!
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Pali / November 21, 2011
Before the elimination of the LTTE all played as a good CRICKET TEAM. Following the victory MR has the full responsibility to give the credit to the TEAM PLAYERS. But what happend? He(MR) wanted the full credit for himself. All the problems were created by MR himself.
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Perera / November 21, 2011
Most Sri Lankans beleive that the Norwegians are liars and most of us knows that it was SF who 1st stated that the LTTE could be defeated and it was because of his aggression towards the LTTE he was transferred from Trincomalee to Colombo during the time of President CBK and it was General SF and General Janaka Perera who prevented the LTTE from overrunning Jaffna in 2002 as such General SF is twice a war Hero and there cannot be any dispute that all 3 contributed equally to vipe out the LTTE
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vikum / November 21, 2011
Wiping out LTTE is very simple because India is all out to do it and Rajapakse brothers did it like village chandiyas. Utilizing all the weak clauses
of the JR’S selfish and foolish constitution to become the king of Sri Lanka.
The basic political science is even kings were thrown out of power by the
people.All human beings have to die and they have to pay for all the sins
committed.LTTE is not come from the sky it was created by the chauvinistic
Sinhala politicians of Sri Lanka since independence.Please find out the
root cause of this problem and solve it otherwise the consequences will be
more serious than LTTE.Democracy is the rule by the majority with the full
blessing and support of the minority.Mother Lanka will prosper only when
the Sinhalese and Tamil people live equal brothers and sisters.They all are the children of mother Lanka.
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sam / November 23, 2011
Dear Vikum
Just grow up! Leave petty party politics aside , whether blue,green,red so on, At this juncture we need to unite as Helayo to wipe out invaders and west who come out with different theories.
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Dushantha Kurera / November 23, 2011
It was not only Mahinda, Gota and Sarath fought the war but the Diplomats like Dyan /Arinath/ Mahinda Sam also were key to a team effort victory. Sarath Fonseka cannot say “I” as he would have been in retirement if Gota did not sanction his extention. Sarath Fonseka did a great job to implement the strategies with the help of the Other Commanders but he fell to the opposition camp for “Greed” of becoming the President. “Kiri Mutiyak Dowala goma tikak damna wedak”…… He is surrounded by the Pamankada and Medawachiya people !!!!!
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S Gunawardena / November 23, 2011
It was SF who said even in CKB’s time that LTTE could be militarily defeated. Now Norvagien Tiger is going to Kade to Rajapaksas.
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