Gotabaya Rajapaksa's imprint on Lanka will not be a footrint on the sands of time
By Ranmali Fernando
After a certain victory in the north, lovable General Denzil Kobbekaduwa came running and embraced him with fatherly affection. Before that the genial General shouted “Yako Gota umba hari yakek ne (Gota you did it)” He was the chosen one even then. Chosen one of the two most loved Generals of our times General Denzil Kobbekaduwa and Vijaya Wimalaratne.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Not only them, this battle hardened officer was loved by another no nonsense politician of our times, UNP minister of National Security, Ranjan Wijeratne. He did not want Gotabaya to leave the Army then. But, Ranjan knew that his hands were tied and it was no easy task to hold back officers like Gotabaya who had fought for the country for 20 long years. Though Ranjan wanted to end the war his leader at the time was not ready for it neither did they have a strategy to defeat the LTTE.
Though the cheap politician in Sarath Fonseka made vain and cheap attempts insult his former boss Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the elections, everyone including Ranjan Wijeratne knew that it was not possible to beat the LTTE then since he did not have wholehearted support and the leadership required. Let us also not forget that Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka never blamed or accused Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He was only full of praise and said the country couldn’t have done without Gotabaya.
Fighting went on. We lost out a lot to LTTE terror. Gotabaya and several good officers left the island. Some retired, some left the three forces, and some perished in vain. But, they left their hearts and souls in Sri Lanka , waiting for a time to return and put an end to terror. Yes. They waited and waited.
Gotabaya was never flashy person. He was simple and very humble. A family man who never even ate cake because he is a true vegetarian. His wife Ayoma is a charming and a simple lady, who stood by him then and now, with all her simplicity. They continue to live that simple life. Meet him and you will understand. I had the honour of meeting him along with several others during a Api Wenuwen Api function.
Their wait was long. The country waited. But, the believable change happened only when Mahinda Rajapaksa won against all odds and predictions defeating a weak Ranil Wickermasinghe who had left his heart in some foreign land. . Mahinda knew he could defeat terrorism and put an end to the misery Sri Lankans were going through. Gotabaya had returned to help his brother during the campaign and concentrated in the Kurunegala district. He had mobilised them well and people in Kurunegala rallied behind Gotabaya to make his brother the President of Sri Lanka.
Only correct decision Chandrika made during her tenure was to make Lakshman Kadirgamar the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka. Mahinda Rajapaksa made such a decision with the appointment of Gotabaya as the Secretary Defence. But, unlike the voluntary 2nd Lt Anuruddha Ratwatte, who accepted a Generalship and wore all kinds of uniforms and ridiculed the three forces, Gotabaya a battle hardened soldier decided to be a civilian Defence Secretary. Let us remember it.
It was a time the Sri Lankan forces had lost heavily men, equipment, morale and the propaganda war to the LTTE. The army could not even recruit adequate soldiers. Using his skills, Gotabaya started the Defence website which became an instant hit and counted the LTTE propaganda worldwide. It gave the true picture to the world whilst Tamilnet continued with its anti Sri Lankan propaganda. With the Api Wenuwen Api campaign Gotabaya Rajapaksa boosted the morale of the forces and the masses and people started to rejoin the army in large numbers.
There was a time when the Army failed to attract even 2000 to join the army. But, it was Gotabaya morale booster where he created welfare funds, housing projects for the forces, schools for their kids, proper place in the society which saw large numbers joining three forces and the police. We are told that he personally supervised them.
Gotabaya also made the forces high tech as never before. Many officers and soldiers who joined hands to defeat the LTTE paid tribute to the Defence Secretary for his vision which saved many lives. The Defence Secretary took care of the forces like a father would do. President Mahinda Rajapaksa had faith in that caring Defence Secretary brother of his and provided everything he could to save and protect his motherland.
People like Anuruddha Ratwatte, Chandrananda de Silva and Austin Fernando could not tell the difference between a real gun and a toy gun, they could not care for the rank and file. But, President Rajapaksa and the Forces had a man who really knew it, who was there in the heart of the battle field and cared for them.
He saw to the welfare of the forces. They were well looked after. He joined the three forces and the Police together at checkpoints and other areas when dealings with civilians. He improved the intelligence service tremendously which was considered very weak at the time. That was a high point of the countries victory against LTTE.
I have seen several articles by Dr Rohan Guneratne asking the country to improve the Intelligence operations saying it will lead to successful eliminating of the LTTE. Gotabaya did it. Let us not forget that he had a very tough task after Ranil Wickermasinghe and John Amaratunge’s foolish actions with the Millennium City debacle killed over 60 Intelligence officers of the Sri Lanka Army.
I would like to say that Sri Lanka should try Wickermasinghe and Amaratunge for it. They can reserve a room next to Sarath Fonseka or may be even Welikada for it. General Lionel Balagalle, General Hendavitharana and the families of all those Intelligence officers (mainly Tamil, Muslim and Malay) will say YES to it. The defence ministry which looked like an old Katchcheri looked like a defence ministry.
Unlike the previous Defence Secretaries he reached out to the masses. Because he could communicate. Gotabaya spoke from the heart. A BBC correspondent in Sri Lanka at the time had described Gotabaya as “Very refreshing” because he was sincere, frank and honest. He continues to be so even today though his detractors try to castigate him. Check why he gets angry?
ONLY when the forces are attacked and his country is looked down and betrayed. We have read in the media how Gotabaya gave a piece of his mind to the Foreign Minister for France, Bernard Kutchner. All for the sake of Sri Lanka.
Mahinda Rajapaksa gave the leadership as the Commander in Chief and his brother Defence Secretary as the head of the defence establishment led the war effort. It was no easy task for him to keep together Sarath Fonseka his Army Commander who refused to speak with his old classmate Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda. (We are told it was due to a difference they had at a swimming meet in Ananda.) But, Gotabaya kept them together He deserves a gold medal for it. He had to do the balancing act because he was well focused to end terrorism from the island nation.
Finally the country was doing well and defeating the LTTE. The opposition saw the winning team and started to target Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Only Gotabaya and his family know what insult the man had to undergo for spearheading the war effort. We are told his simplicity and discipline made him withstood all that. He also knew that he earned the love from the masses. Many say that they have seen tears in his eyes and how he had reached out to help the needy, when in trouble. He must be the only public official in recent times who decided to take a newspaper to court to clear his name. A friend of his said “He got nothing to hide. He will not hide anything. It pains him when people make false accusations. He got only the country at his heart.”
When you know the man you will know who really is. He does not wear a mask. He is who he is. He will be who he is. The man who loves Sri Lanka more than he cares for himself. People who criticize him today should know that they have failed to do an inch of what Gotabaya has done for Sri Lanka. He is a simple but a true hero.
Gotabaya's imprint on Sri Lanka will remain . No one will be able to erase it because his imprints are not mere foot prints in the sands of time.
67 Comments
If he is so good in what he did then why he left Sri lanka for almost 15 years. Hey come on lady it is not Gota but SF who is the real hero, you are hellbent on praising Rajapaksa family. Wait and see history will decide who is right who is wrong.
He is simply a war criminal, hot tempered and killing mechine. He might have some mass support like Hitler used to have at the begining He is very selfish and work for his family ruling, not for the benifit of Sri Lanka. He can't run the show for long time.
ha,ha.
Fine and funny.
You are praising a criminal and a culprit or war crimes.
You know during Hitlers regime also same thing happened, but at last most of the culprits were punished. Now another fascist regime is going on in SL and the Gotabaya has already left his foot print as a war criminal and a person against humanity in the history of Ilangai(Ceylon).
It is unmistakable if you have watched the interview with BBC how he was panicked and reacted regarding the question of war crimes.
Justice will be brought one day and he should be punished for the killings of thousands of innocent tamil ans scores of sinhala civilians.If you have lost any of youe beloved ones your siblings or children then you would understand the pain of these. Even the so called terrorists will have to shy of their number of killings compared to Rajapakhes.
Anyway you are doing your job well as a part of a propaganda machine of this autocratic regime.
Karikalan
" A family man who never even ate cake because he is a true vegetarian. "
But he had no problem killing thousands of innocent civillians. What hypocrisy!! He is and will always remain a dangerous and ruthless war criminal.
Withouot Gota, S.F will be history. Those who do not understand what he did for the country are so foolish or very partisan will never understand anything. He is a man with vision for the country, not for himself. Gota is so capable he will be able to find 10 more Generals like S.F. to do the job. He showed the results, history will be written that way. I 100% agree with the writer. If Gota says something, it always become real.
sometimes people will get sick and tired of seeing whitewashing
fonsekha and karannagoda were not class mates, karannagoda was at least 4 years junior to fonseka.
not only late general kobbakaduwa, we also say the same " GOTA HARI YAKEK" not with the same meaning but " Gota you are a Devil who ruins this country
When will he give up his American passport?
I am telling you , he was an opportunist and if he was so good why did he choose USA.He could have stayed and fought in the war.If not SF these fellows could have long gone.
We need a few more outstanding men in the calibre of Mr Gotabaya Rajapakse. I hope after the General election in April this year Gotabaya will have an influence in getting his brother, President Rajapakse in selecting ministers who will work for the country and not to get rich in 6 years. There should be a good Foreign Minister as an example for a start, I trust you got my point.
Junaideen Az. from Melbourne Australia.
Gota is the man with courage, We are proud of you. With out you Sri lanka in LTTE rule now. You have willpower and will be able to wipe out LTTE from the whole world.
First of all thank you M/S Ranmali.Fernando for writing this article. People who are criticising and insulting Mr.Gotabaya.Rajapakse should read this.
Sir, I wish you a long life and triple gems will bless you.
SARATH.JAYASIRIWARDENA.CANADA
IF THERE WAS NO PEOPLE LIKE GOTABAYA AND MAHINDA JOINT TOGETHER WE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEFET TERRARISM SF CANNOT DO NOTHING IF THE LEADERSHIP CRUMBLED LIKE RANIL WITH INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE WE DID IT AND THE NATION SALUTE MAHINDA AND GOTABAYA THE MOST WITH AND ALL THE SECURITY FORSES PLS EXCUSSE MY SPELLING.SO NO ONE CAN DENY THE CREDIT TO MAHINDA AND GOTABAYA FOR SURE.
It is my pleasure to thank the father of MR, Gota and Basil for the raise and educate of these brave Sinhalese heroes to our country. I humbly honored them and proposed to add their names to the Sri Lanka history. The unity and the family binding empowered these heroes to build the thrust without fear to administer the war defeating strategy and crush the LTTE terror force. Some folks have misunderstanding due to anti party politic criticism. This is time for you to memorise the tragic death of General Denzil Kobbekaduwa; he could not get this type of support; that was the main reason he lost his life and his battalion. So thanks to Rajapaksa family you did it.
You talk after you have done your job. That is what we need. I admire the way you handle/ handled the foreign issues. Hope, you will do everything for nation interest forever.
Very well said Ranmali,
He has been the spearhead of the LTTE defeat. Now that those sore loosers try to sling mud at him for their own mental satisfaction. One should never underestimate oneself and certainly not overestimate as well.
Terror chief Prabha overestimated his idiotic diaspora and the western backing. This victory is not simply against the LTTE but against those nations who supported.(EU's GSP plus is on example where they give Srilanka concession to the value of US$136 million on one hand and their member countries voluntary and involuntary contribution to the LTTE terrorists caused more than a Billion a year.)
He's giving the western war criminals a run for their money!
Gotabaya is indestructible! He can't be bought, he can't be defeated, he can't be manipulated, he can't be cheated. And I'm really glad he's on the right side.
UNP keeps on failing because they never had policies of National Security.
Gotabaya left Sri Lanka because the politicians at that time did not want him to be in Sri Lanka. As Sri Lankans we must thank him for coming back.
Why Sarath Fonseka couldn't win the war before?
Isn't it because the team work and honest commitment of all parties.
Sri Lanka is famous to trample honest workers and forget anything good done by them to some cheap popularity.
No constructive critisism. Always one sided.
May someday Sri Lankans learn to have a good mindset to overcome the problems they have currently.
/* GR who never even ate cake because he is a true vegetarian. */
Thank god! GR did all these military and personal achievements even without tasting any real red meat.
Perhaps we (true Sri Lankans) should start to worship GR's statue next to Buddha’s. ;)
Gota ran away to the US. to save his sorry butt. Then he bad mouth the country which gave him refuge. When accusations comes from the defense secretory US. has to take it seriously. Since he has dual citizenship I wonder what they will do when show up at the immigration counter. I am sure sooner or later he has to visit his kin over here.
Ranmali:
What you have written is the truth about our Defence Secretary Gotabhaya. For once I got to read a true account of his true self. There are many, like the previous two comments to your article, who may think otherwise. But 20-30 years from now this true self of his will be recognized by one and all,and will be looked up to as a true Hero of the Sri Lankan Nation like Anagarika Dharmapala of yester year. A applaud you for writing this piece in all sincererity.
When the battle was hot in Sri Lanka Gota was pumping gas in a gas station in The USA.After 15 years he came back because his brother became president so he can have 100s of bodigards and rob what evar money he wishes.Now he is working hard to cement his family's power for ever so they can do what ever they want with Sri Lanka and it's peapol.
His actions speak more than your writings. The vindictive and ruthless campaign launched against General Fonseka will be written on the sands of time as one of the most despicable acts in moderm Sri Lankan history. It is remiscicent of the treachery of the Sigirya dynasty.
now you tell General Sarath Fonseka has done nothing !! how dare you are as a unbias writer.
this is the last 2 paragraphs of your article which is 100% matching to general Fonseka,
Finally the country was doing well and defeating the LTTE. The Rajapakse regime saw the winning team and started to target General Fonseka. Only Fonseka and his family know what insult the man had to undergo for spearheading the war effort. We are told his simplicity and discipline made him withstood all that. He also knew that he earned the love from the masses. A friend of his said “He got nothing to hide. He will not hide anything. It pains him when people make false accusations. He got only the country at his heart.”
When you know the man you will know who really is. He does not wear a mask. He is who he is. He will be who he is. The man who loves Sri Lanka more than he cares for himself. People who criticize him today should know that they have failed to do an inch of what General Fonseka has done for Sri Lanka. He is a simple but a true hero.
General Fonseka's imprint on Sri Lanka will remain . No one will be able to erase it because his imprints are not mere foot prints in the sands of time.
From which hole have you emerged lady? I have read many of your articles bumming the Rajapaksas. People like you who sing the praises of these criminals are as culpable as those who have committed these crimes. I can tell you by personal knowledge, this man was not even known to the Late Ranjan Wijeratne.
Go back to writing fairy tales for the deaf and dumb.
How much is paid to this person to suck up to this distator of yours
This Author seems to like the Rajapaksa family very much.Wonder why she can't see the reality of events taking place in this country.Hope the administrator will post this on the site.
Ranmali,
Here is ther translation ; " Yako Gota, umbe hari yakek" means " [Devil Gota, you are the right devil]
Yes. Gota is a unsung hero.
Let bygone be bygones.
Nation owes him very much. He was the Hero behind the scenes.
For all I am aware, He was the person who brought together into one pool all the Intelligence information that was gathered. He got all services and police Intelligence gatherers to work together. That was the the success..
I hope, he now continues to maintains a Think Tank & not stop where the war ended.
Lets be thankful for Gota's focus & contribution. Wish, he will embark to mordernise the Tri Services and the Police and the CDF. technology introduced with decipline & dedication and will eliminate corruption. Its a big ask and a task.May those serving have a great future through their professions as professional men in their respective fields.
Whatever the party politics may be, one must recognise & give a Devil its Due. His task to SL are just begining.
May he be guided by the Almighty.
May others continue to sing the praises of this behind the scene unsung hero whilst he continue to work for a better tomorrow leave behind permanent imprints..
I am saddened by the Rtd Gen. SF attitude to life. He has made a fool of himself before my eyes.
When you know the man you will know who really is.
We do know who he really is.
He is one of the worst human rights violator the world has known.
The historians will be very harsh to him.
By the way, how much did you get paid for this thrash?
Douglas de Silva.
History will clearly tell who devided and who united the country. I do not know Gotabaya personally but I have heard people who know him personally, praise him as a true hero and as a very simple person.
When Gota took his oath of office as Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, he became a public servant. As a public servant he cannot make the kind of speeches he does. He talks as if he is the President - I will do this, I will not allow that to happen, etc. It is always I, I, I, an arrogant I. Can any other Secretary to a Ministry make such statements concerning the subjects they handle ? He thinks he is a super Secretary as he happens to be the brother of the President. Yet the writer calls him a humble person. The Establishment Code debars any public officer from making political speeches. In the circumstances, some of his statements warrant disciplinary action being taken against him. How can he be called a hero when he as a public servant is obliged only to follow the biddings of his Minister. If the cost of living is brought down tomorrow, can we call the secretary in charge of that Ministry a hero? He always talks as if he is the Minister of Defence or the President of the Country. All that is because persons like the writer make a God of him. To stop his follies and corrupt practices being exposed, they have imposed a strict control over the media. If the media is given true freedom the government and he would be torn to shreds and deposited in the dust bin. Lansantha was killed because he tried to do just that.
Keep this in mind those of you who enjoy undermining Gota and the Rajapakses !" People who criticize him today should know that they have failed to do an inch of what Gotabaya has done for Sri Lanka. "
crime is crime, according to geneva convention he is suspected criminal.I wonder our Srilankan have no idea what is wrong and right.
Many minister and convicts like SB says, it is betrayal to talk about war crime. Gota are honet buy your heart , how many youths in south and how many abduction and ransom collected by your white van guys for you.
Ugly to see you in a high post, shame on Srilanka.
Gota the most able Defence Secretary in the whole world. What a great man! He achieved the impossible. The Sinhala Traitors still speak ill of him. Without GOTA, Parabkaran would have already taken over half of SriLanka. The Ahelepola's amongst the Sinhalese grudge this man for his scucess. In these traitors we have an enemy within. These traitors should be carefully pursued and identified to safeguard our future as a nation.
This lady has been singing hosannahs to the Rajapakse family. She is even trying to rewrite history using the names of the dead leaders who are not here to deny these false claims.She should change her name to Ranmali Raja paksha. I am sure you are hoping to be our next Ambassador to Malaysia.
If "Gota" is hero of Sinhala people why is he hiding from his own people? How can a "Fernando" be a Sinhala Buddhist?
Hay Anonymous,
Can't you the read article properly? It clearly says why not only Gota, others too left ARMY. Pls give the credit to those who deserve it. I fully agree with this article & it has no bias towards Rajapaksa family.
It is an interesting article and must be read by all.Well said Ranmali. What do Shalini and the other goon know about the real sons of Sri Lanka.
Gotabaya has his own definition of "National Hero" just like the other megalomaniac V. Prabaharan.
Genral Densil Kobakaduwa is national hero. Do not use his name to raise the image of Gotta. Gota is finding a way to drive Sri Lanka towards dictatership.
Gotabhaya is ahero for MR fans. SF is a Hero for SF fans. But one thing Gotabhaya left army and sayed away from army for 15 years. How can such a person who has been out of his field for such a long time plan a Large Scale War against worlds bloodiest Terrorit Organisation?.. It is impossible. Real architect of the war is SF.
Yes. if not for Gotabaya Rajapaksa's foresight and love for the country we would still be living in fear of the suicide bombs of the LTTE, and helpless villagers in border villages will be still hacked to death by the mad murderers of the LTTE. It was all Gotabaya Rajapakasa's work!! Sarath Fonseka could not have achieved anything without the backing he got from the defence secretary. Those who are wise enough to think before they open they stinky mouths know this. Thank you Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa. We owe you big time.
People who criticising Gota are either UNPer or LTTE supporters. Without him Sri Lanka would not enjoy the freedom they have now. it pitty that some people neve appreciate when some one do good things for the country.
Great man, great article. GR is superior to both MR and SF in that his nationalism is genuine and not opportunistic. And he left for the States BECAUSE the leadership was not interested in winning the war. So he would rather leave than allow innocent soldiers be killed for profit. But when MR came, he knew he had the political support to crush the Tigers. GR never demanded medals or recognition and propaganda for him - although Sarath demanded that, and more. And btw tiger supporters, you know who is a war criminal? PRABHAKARAN! GR had him killed and you can't bear it. Suck sh*t.
the writer has been good enough to let us know by throwing a few names as to who have praised gota during his army career though unfortunately not a single one of them are alive today to verify her statement. so this is another case of bullshit to earn some brownie points for a few bucks at state expense.
what we see today is the imminent disintegeration of whatever democracy we had in practice for the benefit of one corrupt family. a family cabal more deadlier than pirabakaran and his ltte ever was. the simple village idiots who are harping on the propaganda dished out by the govt media will realise it too late what really hit them.
Why the author of this article tries to make a good name out of Gotta is not clear to me. All I think studying the manner how he has behaved sofar, he is most aggressive lanken whom we had in lanken history. Be it with BBC or with others, he gives speeches of not humble sort, but an intolent view. This has been clear to many but seems to be not to the author of this article.
Ranmali may have to see the tape of Gota's interview on Lasantha.
She has to see what he said to Somawansa regarding Lanka newspaper and whay Somawansa deserves!
Karma will go around to catch people. Wait and see!!!
Dear.Ranmali,
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR GREAT ARTICLE WITH RESPECT OF THE TRUE HERO OF SRI LANKA AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP FROM PRESIDENT.IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO GIVE TRUE PICTURE OF THE PAST AND WELL AND SYSTEMATICALLY FORMULATED INFORMATION WHAT HAPPEN FROM 1983 UNTIL 2009 END.PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY MUST ACCEPTED THE FACTS THAT WITHOUT PROPER LEADERSHIP WE HAD THIS PROBLEM OVER 30 YEARS.CURRENT PRESIDENT IS THE ONLY LEADER WHO CAN COMPLIMENT REASONABLE POLITICAL SOLUTION WITHOUT DIVIDING THE COUNTRY.
GREAT JOB AND WELL DONE .
People in this country respect him as a military man who lead the war against LTTE. Undoubtedly, he should be rewarded for his duties in this regard. Vegetarian, deciplined by his relegion should not resort to revengeful actions. If he could practice buddhist princiles, people would respect him as a great personality.
Denzil K is not around to confirm or deny "the embrace" the writer mentions.
This is purely an inspired piece in the Goebellesian technique where the raving lunatic Hitler was raised to near deitification and the crazed Austrian transfixed on mythical Aryanism took a great industrial power to ruin.
The Germans still smile at the foolishness of the dream of a "thousand year reich" Possessed men have taken many countries to ruin and destruction until earthly or divine intervention stops them in their tracks.
a classic example of sycophancy totally disregarding facts, the times and the mood of the rest of the people. A record low in that tradition described in Sinhala as "pandang allanawa" translated to Tamil as "Kakkai pudikkiral"
ISS
Randunu
>>But one thing Gotabhaya left army and sayed away from army for 15 years. How can such a person who has been out of his field for such a long time plan a Large Scale War against worlds bloodiest Terrorit Organisation?
In that case, how come SF was not able to accomplish very much in those 15 years while GR was gone, until GR returned?
This man writing as Ilaya Seran Sengutuvan is a sickening hypocrite.The Denzil0Gota embrace story was given lots of coverage in the Sinhala media
This man may not have read it as he is illiterate in the first official language. Instead of admitting his ignorance this person ISS is insinuating that the writer is bluffing
I have frequently noticed that ISS is a pompous personality ponyificating on matters he knows nothing about.
As for Hitler's 1000 year reich ISS should compare the last days of Hitler to last days of Pirabakaran.Lots of similiar things there to digest ISS
Ranmali Fernando replies:
The readers have the right to criticize the writer. I respect that. You only have hatred within you. Some say not to insult Generals Denzil and Vijaya W, they say that they are dead and gone and how they would know when General Denzil K paid tribute to Gotabaya after a victory. That is the sad part.
What you do is keep challenging everything because you hate the guts, courage and determination of the Defence Secretary who stood by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to end LTTE terrorism.
None of us are perfect. People even have criticized Lord Buddha, Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed. May be because we are human. But, there cannot be hatred. Let us not have hatred. One mans food is another mans poison. So why not enjoy both the poison and the food. God Bless.
I have never neither met GR nor SF. But from the past and recent events I have to say that GR is a true nationalist.
I have seen both of them speak and I have noted many things they have said. Leaving aside the politics, when GR speaks about his country, I can see the passion in his eyes. His eyes light up and I've seen him defend. His only weakness is he gets angry when something is said wrong about the nation or the army.
While that should not be the case (needs to be cool), I know many "honest" people who react the same way. Think about it: anger is an emotion that relates to the level of passion (in what you believe in) in the heart. I do not wish to comment on SF (much has been said) other than: he should have kept his 4 stars.
If he had political ambitions (nothing wrong with that) he should have entered the parliament as a gentleman, not as a worrier who wants to battle his former superiors and friends. For the gentlemen who said "If he is so good in what he did then why he left Sri lanka for almost 15 years."
I'd like to say, most of those who leave Sri Lanka leave because they have no choice, other than to leave. I know first hand and I am one of them too, who had to leave (20 yrs ago) but still love my country.
Ranmali,
We have no hatred, but we hate what GR did, the killing of thousands of innocent civillians. You are like the LTTE supporters who continue to praise VP despite the crimes he committed against innocent Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim civillians. When LTTE supporters praise VP you probably feel sick in your stomach knowing the crimes he committed. Tamils feel the same way about the Rajapaksa regime for which the GR was the main architect of the killing machine. He is the "Pottu Amman" of the Rajapaksa regime. Like VP will always be a terrorist, GR will always be a war criminal. They are two sides of the same coin, violent Tamil nationalism vs violent Sinhala nationalism. Violent men will never cease being violent. Just like VP turned his guns on his own people, GR and his brother's regime are doing the same. So go on, praise the violent man.
6,500 – The approximate number of Sri Lankan armed forces who died in combat over the course of the war
10,000 to 12,000 – The estimated number of LTTE cadres died in combat (extrapolated from various press reports)
9,000 to 40,000 – The estimated number of civilian deaths (depending on who one talks to; 9,000 the estimate per the UN)
That is: minimum of 25,500 to a maximum of 58,500 possible loss of lives due to the 18 month war, the average being 42,000, perhaps much more.
Add to the above another:
25,000 + – The approximate number of Sri Lankan soldiers permanently physically disabled in combat
250,000 – Internally displaced people (IDP’s) of which 80,000 are still in camps
These sad metrics only add up to one indisputable conclusion: irrespective of who one’s favorite hero is – Mahinda, Gothabaya, Sarath or any other – by any measure, the war was a human tragedy of monumental proportions. And it is this undeniable fact – whether one likes it or not – that will remain in the permanent imprint on the nation’s collective conscience. This is a good thing, as it is the resulting moral fortitude that will drive enlightened men to do the right things to ensure that never again a tragedy of this proportion ever happens – not through wicked confrontations but through acts of constructive engagements. Such men who strive towards an irreversible peace are the ones who will become the nation’s true Statesmen.
It’s these tens of thousands of victims – all of them fellow citizens, our own brothers and sisters – who hopefully, through their silent guidance inspire us to become righteous citizens for a better tomorrow. They are the truest heroes to be remembered.
Ranmali Fernado Replies:
Madam, I do agree with you.
No one is perfect.
Hitler was not perfect.
Pol Pot was not prefect.
.
Certainly Dr.Gota too is not perfect.
What a joke of an article is this? What is Gotabhaya trying to achieve by popularizing articles showering praise for him targeted at enhancing his reputation? Is this the first step of signaling his entrance to politics?
I hope, we simple, mundane mortals of Sri Lanka, could talk openly about both Gota and SF. I do have a story to tell but unfortunately I cannot speak. That is the price I pay for democracy in Sri Lanka.
I digress to say something else. I am 100% certain that Ranmali Fernando is not a female. This is really Sinhala man domiciled in the US, using his wife's name to safeguard his identity from the readers of TC as well as the US government. Anyway, this same avatar frequents other blogs with other names.
It is the great good fortune of Sri Lanka that we had a Permanent Secretary on whom President can truly depend on, not a equivocating, pusillanimous master of the AR and FR waving the negative factors before taking any positive action, one sees on old fashioned civil service.
I recall the story how Army used to order weapons that used to get lost in the high seas, and later someone finds the tenderer was a bogus firm operated by LTTE. In another story, the Attorney General who negotiated for the Government retires on a fat pension and took up a new career as the negotiator for the LTTE. Not much has changed with in the SF saga, but the Military discipline cole is different from that of lawyers.
His victorious name will join the ranks of the greats in the long story of Sri Lanka, with all her splendid achievements.
Having said that it is time GOta also had some media training. We saw in CBK how well a certain western communication firm trained her to project an image, that inrspired 'trust' and fooled the populace for over two presidential terms.
Time is the true leveller, the lies and fabrications do not last, Gota's name will.
So, So, Gothabhaya was a vegetarian who abhorred even cakes. Even Adolf Hitler
was a confirmed vegetarian. What a coincidence !!! One now wonders whether vegetarianism produces megalomaniacs with genocidal tendencies
The General has said he never made that statement. Why are the Rajapakses insisting he did and put the country at risk?? It is them who are putting the country at risk. Why not arrest the writer(traitor) of that article??!! Probably because the Rajapakse's planted it !!
MR should have been smart and kept him as the commander rather than forcing him to retire. That is how he says thank you!!! People have feelings. This man shed his blood and nearly died thrice for all of us, refused to abandon when the army was going through a bad phase, refused to carry out the suggestions of dismantling the high security zones of the previous government, modified the army and battle tactics, many of them long before MR came to the throne so brother GR can have a role. Wonder how Gotta led his missions without any injury to himself while an officer!!
MR and GR are responsible for the death and expulsion of seasoned warriors like Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera..... SF has to have some support from the international community if he is to avert this fate. He may also be knowing things we may not know yet. After all who cares about the tigers with or without white flags. If SF refused to support mass scale civilian killings, then he is the 'man', he has a conscience and did we as Sri Lankans endorse this? I doubt it! SF has also stated he takes responsibility for the actions of the army as it was not GR ao MR that formulated battle plans. He will also be nailed by any Human Rights tribunal, may be a lesser sentence, never the less some sentence plus the indignity of 'betrayal'. Thus he may be referring to actions that were more serious which he did not carry out. I for one like many Sri Lankans endorsed the wiping out of the tigers, but not any genocide of our minority. MR should have kept him as commander like he wanted without back stabbing. Instead preferred to keep tiger money, KP, Karuna and Pillayan. Justice is a step to integration.... Also some people point the finger at MR for the death of Lakshman Kadirigamar. After all there should be limits to greed and cunning.
Ranmali Fernado , Thanks madam. This was what anyone knows Gota says!
He is the MAN behind eradication of terrorism and who make so called blood hound racist buffoons ball less sissies. Sarath only took care of 30 % of the battle. Sarath fonseka is seriously a dog than a KAruna.
THIS IS THE MAN THE ONLY MAN was IN SRILANKA HAD a BALLS to TELL ALL WHITE ASSES to GO AND FLY A KITE , WHO STOOD BY OUR NATION, who helped True Tamils to save their families, sons, daughters, GOta is the man who said with out a fear, kill all leaches as they are sucking out nations blood and they sucked 30 years of our blood. Every true Tamils I meet in London street today …praise GOTA. He is the Man Who haven’t had another agenda. Who love the true patriots. Who new only killing of killers will be the way to save our country.. who never wanted to drag the war to next generation and keep on looking the bank balance. Even he became a richest man in the world with so called commission on all military purchases country still owe him more! All Donkeys talk utter rubbish and write with hidden agenda.. I have a news for you.. no sooner your pants will be fall down and then we all will see that your asses are bigger than london bridge gate.
GOTA should be THE NEXT PRESIDENT or prime minister , then we can eliminate other blood sucking leeches with deferent agenda. Namely .. RANIL the pons, MAngala pons. Ravi pons, all donkey silvas… et etc.. MR is too kind to this idiots.
Dear GOta SIR!!!!!
YOU are the true Hero and you will always be in our hearts. Keep doing what you are good at it sir! Just take our country to a cleaner place. If you have to discipline few of your owns.. just do it.. Because you are capable of doing that!
Lanka matha Salute you. We all salute you
Long live srilanka.
Shame on you covered tamil and sinhala lttp pons.. wach out.. lions are look out of you all..
Jaya wewa
Gota is now saying that SF had no constructive role in the defeat of the tigers !!\=|! He went on to say on Al Jazeera that there were more capable offocers. !!"'+!
So that means he appointed/supported the appointment of an incapable officer to spearhead the army, thus risk the countr's sovereignty and integrity.
Thank God and luckily for all of us the General delivered. So had he failed was Gotta willing to accept the responsibility ?? or likely to jump off to the US like before ?!!
The man many (including himself) called 'the best General in the world' is suddenly quite the opposite.
This is the capacity of Gotabaya Rajapakse!
Ranmali Fernando
Thank you so much for this great article of yours,I have read many abusing comments made in the colum but despite all that Truth has to prevail no matte what.
It is sad that people abuse him for what he did,It can be also understood that when our Tamil brothers abuse 'gota' they perhaps may have a point thinking actually he did something wrong to their people.
What I do not understand is the stand of the popular grop 'JVP' when they abuse him in the open knowing the facts,
For gotabaya we are forever greatful and truth be told although for some it is bitter he is not a war criminal ,he completed the task of war without making a business out of it.
sometimes in real life people fail to see the truth of selfish they ignore.
thank u once again for u courage to write few lines for a man we and our future generations are forever greatful.
Ranmali Fernando,
Thank you very much for well written article, about a man who was once described by RW
as " Ugly American" but for us average Sri Lankans, he is the most decent and simple hero, who made the way for us to walk freely, without getting blown to pieces by a terrorist Bomber. He will be worshipped by innocent poor people of Sri Lanks for centuries to come. Of cource he will be hated by all who live in lap of luxury, in western countries, hoping to see Sri Lanka getting destroyed by a ruthless, paranoid maniac, who killed his own community leaders, who snatched away little kids from their mothers, while his kids bieng educated with best of facilities.As for FS, he was all praise for GR, before he decided to join hands with his own previuos dversaries.