White flag story deliberate lie -Defence Secretary
Sarath MALALASEKERA
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa testifying before the Trial-
at-Bar hearing Sarath Fonseka’s white flag issue yesterday said that the
Sunday Leader lead story on December 13, 2009 that he gave orders to
eliminate LTTE members who came with white flags to surrender at the
last stage of the war is totally false and a deliberate lie.
“There was absolutely no truth in that story”, the Defence Secretary
asserted.
Examined by Deputy Solicitor General Buvanika Aluvihare the Defence
Secretary said that he had served the Army for about 20 years and
assumed duties as the Defence Secretary in 2005. The LTTE attempted to
give the impression to the world that they were the only organisation
who always looked after the interests of the Tamil speaking people.
“The Sri Lankan Army had always treated the LTTE cadres humanely. Out
of 11,968 LTTE cadres who surrendered to the Army 5,000 had been
rehabilitated including several women LTTEers and five LTTE doctors.
Some of the LTTE suspects had been prosecuted in several Courts,” the
Defence Secretary said.
He emphasised that after 30 long years of battle with the LTTE, it
was due to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s far-sighted advise and counsel
that the Forces were able to liberate the country from terrorism on May
18, 2009. The credit should go not only to the Army but also the Navy,
Air Force and the Police.
The Bench comprised Colombo High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera
(President), Colombo High Court Judge WTMPB Warawewa and Colombo High
Court Judge MZ Razeen.
“Every action and important step was taken during the war after
lengthy discussions with the Three Forces by the President and the
Defence Secretary. No complaints were reported against the Army”, the
Defence Secretary said.
Not a single person attempted to contact him in order to clarify
about the white flag issue which appeared in the Sunday Leader. He never
gave any instructions to Brig. Shavindra de Silva.
Questioned at length about the Sunday Leader story the Defence
Secretary said that the story led to several misunderstandings by
foreign countries. Tamil people living abroad had different views. The
Government had to face several problems internationally due to that
article in the Sunday Leader.
Cross examined by Senior Defence Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, the
Defence Secretary said that when all Army Commanders assumed duties,
their prime responsibility was to take all steps to eradicate terrorism.
Sarath Fonseka was appointed as the Chief of the Army by President
Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Questioned about an article that appeared in the June 2009 issue of
the “Business Today” the Defence Secretary denied that he gave an
interview to that magazine.
Re-examined by Deputy Solicitor General Buvaneka Aluvihare the
Defence Secretary said that KP was arrested by the intelligence division
and brought to Sri Lanka and investigations against him are pending.
Sarath Fonseka earlier pleaded not guilty to the three charges
preferred against him of making a false statement to The Sunday Leader
Senior Journalist Frederica Jansz that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa had told Brig. Shavindra de Silva to eliminate the LTTE cadres
who come with a white flag to surrender during the war.
Sarath Fonseka is charged on three counts under the Criminal
Procedure Code and under the Emergency Regulations Sections 28 and 29.
Deputy Solicitor General Buvaneka Aluvihare with Senior State Counsel
Dilan Ratnayake, State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama and State Counsel Rize
Bawa appeared for the Attorney General.
Senior Attorney Nalin Ladduwahetty with Nilanthi Peiris, Ajith
Pathirana, ULG Bandara, Mervyn de Silva, Wasantha Pitigala, Niroshan
Perera, Namal Rajapaksa, Swarna Bandara and Chathura Anushka Amarasinghe
attorneys appeared for Sarath Fonseka.
The case will be called again on February 7, 2011. SM
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