Son-in-law’s arms deals:

Wimal challenges Fonseka for debate

*Threatens to expose details if challenge not taken

*People should know the truth

Wasantha Ramanayake

National Freedom Front (NFF) Chairman Wimal Weerawansa yesterday challenged Sarath Fonseka to a live debate on arms dealings by Fonseka’s son-in-law. Addressing the media, Weerawansa claimed that although Fonseka played down arms dealings by a company owned by his son-in-law as of little importance, it was not so.

The NFF leader claimed that he has evidence that the company had major involvement in arms dealings and invited Fonseka to name two representatives to a live debate on the issue. “I know he is busy with his campaigns, that is why I am asking him to name two representatives for the debate,” he clarified.

“Then the NFF will then name two representatives.”

Weerawansa expressed hope that Fonseka would respond within one week; however, in the absence of any response he would make the details of the transactions public.

He noted people should know the truth about such arms dealings by Fonseka’s son-in-law since Fonseka is contesting the forthcoming Presidential election. The NFF Chairman also said Fonseka was habitually contradicting his own statements. He claimed that Fonseka had earlier made a statement to a certain newspaper that a ship carrying ammunition for Sri Lankan Forces had been sent back on Fonseka’s orders. According to Weerawansa, Fonseka in an interview with a television channel recently said that the Defence Secretary had made that order.

Weerawansa said that the second statement was closer to the truth since as soon as the war was over Defence Secretary Gotabhya Rajapaksa had advised companies that arms and ammunition were no longer needed.

Weerawansa also said that Fonseka at a rally at Ratnapura recently made another contradictory statement with regard to the shooting of civilians.

NFF Media spokesman parliamentarian Mohamed Muzammil alleged that there are anti-democratic attempts by Fonseka and his allies to buy over members of the UPFA and NFF provincial councillors. He warned the voters to be vigilant of such moves by the Opposition.