Sarath Fonseka press conference: Questions and answers
Former Army commander and ex- chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka conducted a press conference on Sunday November 29th 2009 at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo where he formally announced his intention of contesting the forthcoming Presidential elections on the Swan symbol
Former chief of the Sri Lankan army Gen. Sarath Fonseka answers questions during a media briefing in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009.-AP pic
Question:
Are you entering politics ?
Answer:
Yes.
Q.
Are you contesting the Presidential elections?
A
Yes. All Opposition parties are wishing that I contest as common candidate.
Q
Will you win ?
A
Yes. I shall win.
The General Sarath Fonseka making his maiden speech to the media at the JAIC Hilton Hotel on 29th, made an official announcement that he is the Opposition common Presidential candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections while answering the questions posed by the media.
Making an official announcement to all citizens of SL, he stated thus; I, Gardhihewage Sarath Chandralal Fonseka under section 31 of Chapter 7 of the constitution of the Democratic republic of SL hereby announce that I shall be the Presidential candidate for the Presidential elections to be held on 26th January 2010 under a registered democratic party with the symbol ‘Swan’in accordance with the laws of the country.
What I ask from the people is to give me a mandate to introduce good governance. Give me an opportunity to abolish the Executive presidency which brought doom to this country. I have no need to be a President who rides on the backs of the people and spend my time continuing to do evil giving false promises as President, while forgetting the expectations of the people. I totally condemn that attitude. The Executive Presidency shall be revoked. People cannot expect any benefit from a despotic President
Hereunder are the answers furnished by the General to questions posed to him by the media.
Q.
What is your symbol for the Presidential elections?
A
My election symbol is Swan. It is a creature which is intelligent and can distinguish water from milk.
Q.
What is the solution you have for the Tamil speaking population
A
This is a question no politician had been able to give a clear answer for years. Dont forget I have resigned the Army just ten days ago. I am not a PhD in History. T he 13th amendment which should provide the answer ought to be amended according to the current times. By discussion with all a solution should be sought. The political parties with me are vigilant about this. As I said earlier a solution shall be found through the Parliament which is answerable to the people..My personal view is the majority should provide protection to the minorities. Their political aspirations shall be fulfilled. The demnds of the majority should not harm the minority and vice versa. Q.
The Govt. is accusing that those who funded the LTTE earlier re now funding you?
A
I am a an individual drawing a pension of Rs. 50,000/-. Out of this amount I cannot carry on my election campaign, you must be aware. Many are helping me financially..Businessmen, people and even small children are helping me. If the LTTE are helping, it is not because of the war, it is because of the programs we have envisaged. If the LTTE are helping therefore, they are welcome.
Q.
What are your plans to safeguard the Tamils’ rights?
A
I answered this before. There is no need of any arguments on this. The constitution provides rights to the minorities. If those constitutional provisions are followed, there shall be no problem.
Q.
What is your idea about the private sector participation for economic resurgence?
A
The private sector is the backbone of the economy.
You cant develop the country neglecting them.
They must be allowed to acrry on their trade freely and independently. When the Govt. intervenes, corruption, bribery etc. rage. You can see this for yourself now.
Q
Will you go to the North for the elections?
A
I am eager to met them if the Govt. provides adequate security
Q.
After you are elected ,what will you do with those who switch from party to party?
A
This type of selfish politics ought to be changed. T hat culture shall be changed. After the Parliamentary elections laws should be passed to preclude this.
Q.
Mangala Samaraweera who is assisting you today, criticized you earlier .
A
Yes, he said, I am not fit even to be in the Salvation Army. When in the Opposition, it is the practice to criticize the Govt.’s ways. That time I was in the Govt. Others are private reasons. But, now we are together to solve far more important country’s general problems. Today, we are good friends.
Q
What have you to say about the assassination of Sunday Leader editor, Lasantha Wickremetunge ?
A
Not only Lasantha Wickremetunge murder, they are responsible for failure to implement the laws duly, earlier and now. It is no point their pointing an accusing finger at me. I was following the discipline as an Army officer. I had no association with the underworld. Neither did I take a pistol or club and display chandi tactics on the roads. If I am elected I shall hold impartial inquiries into these and mete out punishment. It is useless their making accusations against others without evidence.
Q
How is India’s relationship with you?
A
I have an excellent relationship with India. When I first joined the Army as a second Lieutenant, it is to India I went for training. I have undergone training in India on several occasions. I greatly respect the Indian culture. I also love Indian music. In my school days I had a great desire to see Indian films. India is our special neighbor.
Q
What are you going to do about the waste of public funds on Flyovers which are below standard? How are you going to get back those funds?
A
Those responsible shall be subject to the maximum punishment. Measures shall be adopted to avoid such things happening again. The Govt. should recover the funds from those who caused this. Frauds in public funds shall be stopped once and for all.
Q. What is your reply to those foreign countries which make accusations about SL war crimes?
A
We fought the war observing discipline most scrupulously. However, if anyone is saying that the war was conducted wrongly, we shall hold an inquiry.
Q
What is your view on the ‘Mathata thitha’?
A
A Nation cannot progress while being drunk. But, there is also a good side to intoxication. It is okay for parties. But, heroin and drugs shall be eradicated. The future generation must be saved. Those who are trafficking in them must be punished.
21 Comments
What childish answers!! He says that the parties with him are capable of solving Tamils' problem. Who are these parties. UNP & JVP. Whose policy are u going to follow? They are as apart as earth to the sky. True, the corruption must be stopped. But are you ready to fall from the pan to the fire? If he wins (I hope not) there will be chaos in the country. The JVP and UNP will try to implement their own strategy. SF will be a mere puppet or else we are in for a worse dictatorship with SF kicking out UNP & JVP. The known devil is better than the inexperienced and unknown at least for the immediate future. MR cannot go on with the current practice for long. My verdict is give MR another chance until a suitable opponent emerges to challenge him.
doubel salutre to you for your vision and our fullest support to you to send this corrupt government home immidiately
Straight answers from a straight individual. Lets work with him and reunite the nation.
Justice must prevail and people must strive for it.
People must look at each other as human beings first
and foremost and everything else should take a back seat including religious,cultural,academic and class
differences.It would be a himalayan task to put these
things in order in a short space of time,in a country
where leaders are hell bent deviding people on lines that are politically comfortable to them with the ease
of abuse of democracy.This is the records we have in
our hands.
Now,General Fonseka is,contesting the Top Job with the backing of UNP led alliance and JVP,with promises to
do what others didn't do.Justice to all.Tough task which needs strict discipline and enough time.We can see a cat in the bag without any struggle for an exit
at least for now.
In a wider sense,the whole country is corrupt and to make people properly aware and fight it out, it will at
least take ten years and to see the result, another ten
years in a smooth democratic process.No quick fix.Any
overhaul of the whole operation under parliamentary
process has to be at least on a twentyfive year project
May be you want to make it in a much shorter time.In
either case you got to be in command.Let us make it
easy.Executive out.Your plans on the table.UNF and JVP
in the house and where are you?
are corrupt
I think General Fonseka represent as a Presidential candidate is best for the country, MR and gang thought they got a free pass to do whatever they think after the war. Now MR has a good challenge and may be he will loose, never know.
I know we had a bad experience with US and Europe during all our difficult time, if the government change we will have a better way to use them for development of the country.
Also General Fonseka need to answer the questions with wider scope , instead of telling I'll work with LTTE, may be he forgot LTTE is a ban as a terrorist organization.
I think he suppose to say I'll work with all Minorities to unite Srilanka and work towards the progress of my country.
Let’s stop these differences and try to rebuild and uplift Sri Lanka as one nation. Time has come for us to change the way we think & do things. We have lost lot of time over the past few decades lets get are acts together. Don’t call your self “Sri Lankan” if we can’t work together in electing our next president. MR. had his say now its SF turn. We never had a president with military background. Lets not forget the worlds greatest nation is been govern by such great individuals’.
I agree with the comments posted by Dutugemunu. We do not know who Sarath Fonseka is other than he has been a full time army officer. What he has so far said at the news conference will not be accepted by a majority of Sri lankans. He poses a danger to the country. Therefore a known devil is better than an unknown angel.
WE SALUTE YOU . WE LIKE TO HEAR DIRECT ANSWERS FROM POLITICIANS. MAHATHIR AND LEE KWAN YEW GAVE DIRECT ANSWERS THATS WHY THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL AND DEVELOPED THE COUNTRY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY WERE NOT CORRUPTED. GOOD KICK START FOR GENERAL SF.
Please see the red signals. Do not vote for this dictator. Sri Lanka will be in a worst position if he is elected with west controlling him
who ever wins onthing will change trust me guys"" its pointles talking and asking qusition. srilanka never will develope in this genaration beca... they all want to be in power"" cant u see the minestrs jumping like monkes party to party. why they just wana save there asss and to fill there pockets...
Who wrote these questions? A 5 year old?
Current views of SF and his infamous interview to Canada's National post clearly pointed out his weakness in political arena. Only thing is he could be used as a weapon against MR regime by opposition parties. Nobody can simply deny the major role play by the president and defence secretary to defeat the LTTE millitarily. However, they gave a vital space to millitary victory to reap the political benfits and in some cases, (in favourable situation) they acted blindly. So, SF is one the outcome of MR regime. Now he is ready to act as a cheap politician to revenge the MR & brothers. People will realize soon and no doubt he will be defeated by MR who is the hobson choice in Sri Lanka now.
Do you call these answers..specially from a Presidential Candidate having won the war against LTTE and now asking funds from them..SF have you ever thought about the Soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the elimination of LTTE and now you are begging for money ..you are just pathetic..well i had so much respect for you but now i see your real character..you are someone who would do anything to gain power...Shame..don't you think you are devaluing the souls of our war heroes ..
In fairness to the General his public speaking and answering questions is streets ahead of GR, the mediocre lawyer super-ego FM Bogs or even that uncouth PM. He might lack the learning, finesse and elegance of Prof GLP, Amunugama, Palith Kohona or Dayan J. But then in today's political landscape here where buffoons dominate a virtual zombie jamboree, the man is OKK.
As he goes on and move with the sophisticated Ranil-Maithree and the like (that includes the British-educated Mangala) he will learn things are a little greener on the other side of the mountain from the clueless political crowd who sorrounded him priro to Nov 28th - whose IQs look more like weather readings from the North Pole.
ISS
Gen F is a political novice; that's the only attribute which is attractive. The alternatives are MR Brothers on one side and the RW Conglomorate on the other. Gen F requires a brilliant speechwriter and should urgently upgrade his public presentation and oratorial skills. Perhaps someone in the diaspora who has the requisite skills may volunteer. If he can grasp some fundamental improvements in these areas, he is a leader in the making. I also suggest he be advised to watch political leaders of the past (JRJ, NMP ColvinRdeS)delivering speeches. See how the cricketing world dealt with the spin wizz, Murali? The teams watched videos of his bowling and batsmen reaction, repeatedly !!! Now Murali is almost a spent force!
SF a deserves the best respect of all Sri Lankans as WAR HERO Who was instrumental in salvating the country from clutches of LTTE.
But the Country President... it's unfortunately NO..NO.. Any one can see how how he tackled the most basic questions as prospective presidednt..(Sorry to say)
MR was clever to use the right person to do the job and handled whole war under tremendous international pressure. SF was successful because of his bravery, leadership of Army, Support from Air force, Navy and most of all with the leadership of MR. It was a TEAM WORK. Now the war is over, now MR sure deserve another chance to employ right person to right job to get economy front fixed. He might not be very successful, BUT SF is sure to fail (as he admits) with UNP & JVP as problem solvers while he has no knowledge. Once again I'm sorry and it was hard to comment about SF like this while having a sincere respect for his great job to the nation.
The ease with which Gen Fonseka approached the questions at the media conference was highly impressive. Also, his answers were straight and to the point. He is showing good signs of successfully adjusting himself to his new political role.
FINALLY,FINALLY,SRILANKANS HAVE A SLIGHT HOPE OF ENDING CORRUPTION AND RE-INSTATING DISCIPLINE IN THE COUNTRY.HONESTLY,CAN WE EXPECT THIS FROM ANY OTHER EXISTING POLITICIAN?? SO,GIVE HIM(SF),ALL THE SUPPORT AND MAKE HIM THE PRESIDENT.
ANY IDIOT WILL UNDERSTAND A MAN WHO IS CAPABLE OF RULING A 200,000 STRONG ARMY, WILL BE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF MANAGING 200-300 POLITICAL BUM SUCKERS.
J.G.Irugalbandara
SF's debut to politics from the 'Hilton' (what's that venue by the way?) was nothing but pop-gun. A presidential aspirant should have 'launched' his debut on a grand-scale with a lot of people around at a public place. This again shows that his handlers (UNP, JVP etc) cannot do it for him. As for the answers for the questions - were nothing but "wait & see, I'll deliver" type. Without a strategy, without a plan Sarath is just doing another Ranil with no charisma attached. Sad, but a yesterday hero is now a political zero.
who can live with that pension....please take action to increase the amount. It is natural that good General lost his mind and felt suicidal when he saw the pittance he has to manage with, after doing so much to this country....
Understanding the ideas will give you a good picture about the thoughts of the general.
the two main problems seems to be the ideas regarding "Mathata Thitha" and "Solution for Tamils"
Yes we should openly think about alcohol which has been even used by our ancestors. Even current government is using them for their parties and all that. The main thread is from heroin,opium and all. So eradicating them is essential. but the general would have easily said to completely ban alcohol products. Then people will try to categorize him as a dictator. So the answer is quite fair. Think....
Secondly presenting a solution for a huge problem regarding a group of sri lankans is not suitable to taken by one man but it must be taken by a community which is why a parliament is established. Think....