Gen Fonseka’s discipline called into question

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Defence Affairs Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday called into question the ethics and discipline of retired Chief of Defense Staff General Sarath Fonseka who is engaging in politics while occupying his official residence after retirement.

Minister Rambukwella made this observation addressing a press conference with regard to comments made by General Fonseka on the search of his official residence which the latter described as uncultured and unethical.

The Minister also stated it was obvious that the act of the retired General was uncultured, indisciplined and illegal as he admitted that he summoned several unauthorized persons and allowed in several unauthorized vehicles to his residence which is situated in a High Security Zone.

Minister Rambukwella said that General Fonseka’s residence was searched on information that there were several unauthorized persons and vehicles. “If the retired General claims it was an unethical and uncultured was it cultured and ethical to keep additional vehicles without handing them over to the authorities,” he queired.

The Minister further stated that the Government was not prepared to ‘come down to the montessori level to engage in disputes over plots of land and things that were gifted and expressed his confidence that General Fonseka too would not come down to that level’.

He expressed his disappointment that a senior officer such as General Sarath Fonseka was being driven by forces with ulterior motives working to a hidden agenda.

Referring to the Rana Jaya Pura housing scheme constructed for the members of all forces, the Minister stated that if any individual was attempting to capitalize on the success of the Rana Jaya Pura project which was the result of a team work it was an unethical act.

He said that the Rana Jaya Pura was just an initial step in a long running project to pay gratitude to the members of all forces who sacrificed and dedicated their lives to free the country from the grip of terrorism.

The project was under a different Department which comes under the Defence Secretary and a team travels all over the country listening to the grievances of the members of wives, children and the parents of war heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country, to select those to whom the houses should be handed over.

The Minister further added that the project was not the labours of an individual but unfortunately General Sarath Fonseka failed to realise that it was team work.

Minister Rambukwella further said the discipline and ethics of General Fonseka was highly questionable as this was the first instance in world history where an Ex -Army Commander was contesting his own Commander- in -Chief.

He also said that former Generals like Denzil Kobbekaduwa and Vijaya Wimalaratne were loved and respected by all irrespective of race or ethnicity as they were very cultured and disciplined. Minister breaking into sporting parlance stated that there were certain players who did not like to accept victory as a result of team work and tried to portray victories as his own success.