Ministers welcome release of Fonseka :

‘Democratic and legal process at full play’

Disna MUDALIGE and Dharmasri ABEYRATNE

Ministers yesterday said the release of Sarath Fonseka reflects the smooth operation of the law and due regard for legal processes in a democratic country.

They said President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to release Fonseka is a positive move reflecting Sri Lanka’s commitment towards the democratic process. Commenting on Fonseka’s release they said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has always acted according to the constitution with regard to legal matters.

“The legal process was allowed to proceed without any undue hindrance or interruption,” they said. According to Scientific Affairs Senior Minister and Lanka Sama Samaja Party General Secretary Prof Tissa Vitarana, the action of the President to release Fonseka would end the cynical comments by various groups and individuals over this matter during the recent past. The Senior Minister noted this would provide him the opportunity to enter the democratic political mainstream once again.

He said the people with the passage of time would decide whether he is an able politician and would accept or reject him depending on the impression he has created.

Minister Vitarana said Fonseka would need to prove his capability as a political leader to retain the support of the people.

Human Resources Senior Minister D E W Gunasekera said arrangements to release Fonseka was a positive move which reflected the smooth operation of law in a democratic country. “The main feature in a democratic country is the operation of the rule of law. This is a fine example to prove Sri Lanka’s commitment towards democratic rule,” he said. It is a highly commendable action taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to offer a pardon to Sarath Fonseka. “When commemorating the victory of the humanitarian mission and the unique, invaluable service of War Heroes, the President took this step to release Fonseka as a mark of gratitude to the Security Forces personnel, Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake said.

Dissanayake said Fonseka was imprisoned as a result of misconduct when he was in service and also in his role as a politician.

“In accordance with the civil law in the country, this misconduct was gone into. There is no political interferences whatsoever in connection with the court decision. Every citizen has to abide by the civil law in the country. There cannot be exceptions and no one is above the law. He had to be imprisoned for what he said and did. No one prompted or forced him to speak about a White Flag incident,” the minister said. “However, as a mark of gratitude when admiring the great service of War Heroes, President Mahinda Rajapaksa took steps to release Fonseka,” he said.