Field Marshal won’t quit SJB

Field Marshal Fonseka’s meeting with President Wickremesinghe, in early Feb this year, in Parliament, during its reconvening, has fuelled speculation of a secret understanding between them. Denying such claims, Fonseka disclosed he met Wickremesinghe not as the President but the Minister in charge of the Finance portfolio regarding some of his funds held by the government. According to Fonseka, his Feb meeting, on the day the President delivered his latest policy speech, was the third. “There were two other previous meetings regarding the same matter,” Fonseka said, adding that the other officials who dealt with the issue at hand were the Governor, CBSL, Treasury Secretary and the Attorney General. Disclosing the Feb meeting lasted just 10 minutes, Fonseka appreciated the fact that the President didn’t discuss politics at all on all occasions. “Perhaps, regarding the same matter, I may have to meet the President again.” The funds held by the government are widely believed to be received by Fonseka in the run-up to 2010 presidential polls.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka insists he’ll remain with the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) regardless of the continuing dispute with an influential section of the party.

The bone of contention is SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s decision to grant membership to General Daya Ratnayake who served as Commander of the Army (2013-2015) during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s turbulent second tenure as the President.

Tough talking war-winning Army Commander Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka, in an exclusive interview with The Island last week, at his political office at Thalahena, Malabe, discussed the developing situation in the SJB, the unceremonious ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, forthcoming national elections, his contact with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the challenge posed by a resurgent Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna (JVP), predicament of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Gaza war where the US-backed Israel is engaged in a ruthless campaign, despite widespread allegations of committing genocide on hapless Palestinian civilians, by way of relentless bombardments and even by withholding food to them.

Declaring both Palestinians and Israelis have the right to live in their territories, Fonseka stressed that the Gaza war couldn’t be compared with the local brutal conflict that was successfully dealt through military means against the opinion of so many pundits both here and abroad, who openly declared that Lankan security forces were incapable of defeating the Tigers.

The Sinha Regiment veteran, as his family name Gardihewa denotes is from a fighting stock, didn’t mince his words when he questioned the rationale in appointing General Ratnayake, who had been with the Rajapaksas, as SJB advisor on public policy.

Acknowledging that there had been differences between him and the party on some matters of importance, the 73-year-old Gampaha District lawmaker alleged that the situation took a turn for the worse when the party leader brought in Ratnayake, who served the infantry with distinction.

A former military spokesman (2004-2006), Ratnayake served as the General Officer Commanding, 23 Division from Dec 2005 to August 2007 during the campaign in the East.

Fonseka stressed that the party couldn’t have accommodated Ratnayake under any circumstances as he was a beneficiary of successive Rajapaksa administrations.

Asked why he moved court against the party on the premise that the leadership wanted to sack him over his recent criticism of General Ratnayake’s move and what prompted him (Field Marshall) to do so if he felt the SJB didn’t want him, Fonseka said: “This situation was caused by my strong opposition to accommodating General Ratnayake in the SJB. I conveyed my disapproval to the party leader, General Secretary of the party, etc. They ignored my views on this matter. There were several reasons for me to oppose General Ratnayake. He served in different capacities, under the utterly corrupt Rajapaksa administrations, the FM claimed.

Ratnayake also played a significant role in two corrupt military courts which dealt with me. The government reciprocated by elevating him to the Army No. 02 slot over 166 other officers. That was wrong. Therefore, General Ratnayeke received benefits, unlawfully. Ratnayake was one of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Viyathmaga activists. He was a key Viyathmaga speaker. Then Ratnayake received appointment as Secretary to the then Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa and then as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).”

How could the party take in such a person even without asking me, the Field Marshal queried, pointing out that as the person who conducted the successful war against the LTTE, the Chairman of the SJB should have been consulted before taking retired military commanders. That was done in a clandestine way, the Field Marshal alleged.

The Field Marshal stressed that there was absolutely no basis for the party leader’s public declarations that he (Fonseka) acted against the powers bestowed on the party leader by the SJB’s Working Committee. Fonseka questioned the basis for the party leader’s declaration that those who opposed forming of an ex-military organization, within the party, should be dealt with firmly.

Field Marshal Fonseka denied the party leader’s accusations that he talked ill of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa and former First Lady Hema. Field Marshal said that in the wake of a section of the print media reporting punitive disciplinary measures the party intended to take against him over previously mentioned unsubstantiated allegations, he was compelled to resort to legal action to protect his position in the party as well as his organizer’s post.

Fonseka declared: “I have never violated party discipline. My crime was talking against corrupt elements. I have never betrayed the party or its supporters. Those who took corrupt elements into the party were the ones who betrayed the party. Therefore, I will remain with the party. However, there were sorts of harassment.”

Field Marshal alleged that the party leader ordered the Mahara SJB organization not to give him an opportunity to address a recently organized rally. In spite of being present at the meeting on the invitation of the Mahara organizer, the Chairman of the party was prevented from addressing supporters, the Field Marshal alleged.

Quoting those who had been present there, Fonseka claimed that the party leader went to the extent of threatening the organizers that he wouldn’t attend the meeting if Fonseka turned up. Fonseka pointed out that the party leader acted in a way contrary to the court order obtained by him. Therefore, the party leader could be charged for contempt of court, Fonseka said, adding that he received a warm welcome from those present there though the party leader despised him for speaking the truth.

Future plans

Responding to a query on the Field Marshal’s short and long term plans against the backdrop of national elections scheduled for later this year (presidential) and next (parliamentary), the lawmaker said that his intention was for a clean administration thereby paving the way for Sri Lanka to stand alongside with the international community.

Fonseka said that having entered politics, 14 years ago, he was yet to see leaders and their followers working with a vision or a commitment to develop the country. Those who had served as the President since the successful conclusion of the war in May 2009 didn’t really work towards achieving the targets he, as the former Army Chief, expected them to do, Fonseka declared.

The Field Marshal admitted that he was in a dilemma as to what to do in the current circumstances as political parties, in the absence of tangible action plans to meet mounting challenges, simply struggled to cope with developing situations.

Asked whether he felt confident the presidential and parliamentary polls would be held as scheduled later this year and early next or whether there was a likelihood of President Wickremesinghe advancing the general election to this year, the Field Marshall said that regardless of the party they represented MPs liked presidential polls first though a few would take a different view.

Pointing out that President Wickremesinghe is most likely to contest the next presidential election with the backing of a significant section of the SLPP parliamentary group, regardless of the official position of the party, the writer asked Field Marshal whether he was confident of challenging the incumbent President.

Fonseka said that he hadn’t declared his intention so far to contest the forthcoming presidential poll. A section of the SLPP parliamentary group, including members of the Cabine, backed Wuckremesinghe’s candidature. In addition to that group, Wickremesinghe received the backing of some MPs, led by Nimal Lanza, Fonseka said, pointing out that in case the Rajapaksas fielded a candidate of their own their party would be divided. Fonseka explained: “…the President has yet to decide whether to contest the presidential poll. If the President is not sure of victory, he may not contest. The President hasn’t confirmed his intention to contest yet, though there are different views. We know in the past the UNP leader threw his weight behind common candidates on three occasions: me in 2010, Maithripala Sirisena in 2015 and Sajith Premadasa in 2019. Perhaps, Wickremesinghe did so because he wasn’t sure of the political terrain.”

Asked whether Fonseka would get an opportunity to contest the presidential poll for the second time, a smiling Field Marshal said that such an eventuality hadn’t been discussed at all. Fonseka said that he was still the number two of the SJB and that the Working Committee early last year declared party leader Sajith Premadasa as their candidate. That declaration had been made in a hurry at a time when the presidential election wasn’t even discussed, Fonseka said.

The SJB made the announcement on May 16, 2023. Fonseka said that in other countries political parties conducted surveys before making such announcements.

JVP’s unmistakable challenge

Commenting on the status of the JVP-led Jathika Jana Balawegaya campaign, Fonseka said that the Marxist party commanded the support of about 500,000 until recently. However, they appeared to have increased their support among the electorate and now could poll nearly two million votes. Of some 35% of floating vote and young voters, the JVP could secure a significant percentage, Fonseka asserted, declaring the Marxist party posed quite a challenge to major political parties now.

Fonseka asserted that the SLPP must have recorded a significant drop in support, whereas we (SJB) had a 2.7 mn voter base, and the NPP/JJB continued to expand, and all have to consider the developments taking place in post-Aragalaya politics.

Asked whether the JVP could win the next national election, Field Marshall explained: “That is an issue which needed careful examination. Whatever various interested parties say, there are three major political groups now. For the first time there is a genuine third force. The party that secured the largest block of seats at the next general election will have no option but to seek cooperation from other big players.”

Referring to the outcome at the recent Pakistan general election, Fonseka said that political parties here have to be mindful of that situation.

Fonseka declined to comment on the likelihood of JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake winning the next presidential poll. The former Army Chief said that there would be fierce competition among candidates and the electorate would also examine the qualities of the candidates in addition to the performances of the parties they represented.

Responding to a query on the SJB accommodating ex-military officers as if it was engaged in a competition with the NPP/JJB that has attracted a significant number of ex-military officers from a wide array of ranks, Field Marshall emphasized that some definitely didn’t deserve party membership. The NPP/JJB has initiated a unique campaign to attract ex-military personnel and they seemed to be successful in their efforts, Fonseka said.

SF, GR meet and post-Aragalaya developments

The Field Marshal, during a nearly 70-minute interview, discussed his meeting at the height of a public protest campaign to force the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down. In the run-up to the July 09, 2022 explosion of public anger, primarily instigated by outside forces or otherwise, Fonseka said that he received a message from President Rajapaksa, who served with him in the Army during the war. The President’s call was not to discuss the post of premiership but to take stock of the situation in the wake of May 9/10, 2022, violence that caused serious destruction of property. The ministers and ordinary members of Parliament couldn’t come out on to the streets, therefore the President was very much anxious of the security situation, hence the discussion. “If the invitation was to discuss post-Aragalaya political arrangements, I wouldn’t have accepted the President’s invitation.”

After having dealt with the security situation/developments for about one hour at the President’s House, the President while referring to the invitations that had been extended previously, invited the Field Marshall to accept the premiership. The President wanted Fonseka’s help to overcome the crisis and consolidate the government. Fonseka declined to disclose who else attended that meeting though he said the President sent one person to pick him up.

Commenting on Indian and US interventions here and National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa’s allegations pertaining to his alleged covert contacts with General Shavendra Silva (incumbent Chief of Defence Staff) during the unprecedented security crisis, Field Marshal Fonseka was of the opinion that Weerawansa talked irresponsibly.

Denying claims that he talked with General Silva on 13 occasions on the day crowds surrounded the Parliament, Fonseka disclosed they got in touch over the phone thrice. Fonseka alleged that Weerawansa was a habitual liar. By the time I contacted Gen. Silva, the crowds had overrun police barriers and were pressing the Army. Fonseka quoted Gen. Silva as having told him that the situation on the ground was not that good. About 30 minutes later Gen. Silva phoned Fonseka to report further deterioration of the situation and had been worried as his house, too, was within the area of continuing turmoil.

Fonseka said that he advised Gen. Silva to take measures to bring the situation under control but not order troops to open fire at surging crowds under the circumstances. Fonseka recalled how he advised the military, deployed near the President’s House on July 09, 2022, not to open fire.

For the third time Fonseka had called Gen, Silva later in the day but then the situation was out of control though the Army thwarted the attempt to march on Parliament. Fonseka explained that as the former Commander of the Army and an MP he was constantly in touch with the Army. Fonseka explained the facilities provided to him by the Army over the years.

Fonseka said that only a madman would say a former Army Commander talked to a serving General to conspire.

Fonseka mentioned that Sri Lanka was in such a desperate situation it couldn’t overcome the 2022 crisis without heavy international support. Appreciating the support extended by the international community, including India and the US, the Field Marshall emphasized he didn’t see any harm in receiving US and Indian support. Fonseka underscored the pivotal importance of substantial Indian financial and material support that helped the country to overcome the crisis and then make gradual progress.

“We should be grateful to them,” MP Fonseka said, urging the powers that be to secure whatever support the international community was ready to provide to the country.

Fonseka dismissed allegations of Western conspiracy pointing out that those who ruled the country should accept the responsibility for creating an environment for mass scale public rising due to the collapse of the economy.

Fonseka’s entry into politics

The ex-Army Chief said that it was the then Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe who personally invited him to be the common candidate at the 2010 presidential election. Without disclosing where the meeting took place within days after he relinquished command responsibilities in July 2009, Fonseka said the UNP leader was accompanied by the late Mangala Samaraweera.

Fonseka urged that his resignation and entry into politics be examined against the backdrop of the Rajapaksas’ decision to appoint an officer investigated by him, as his successor as well as post-war corruption and ‘deals.’

The meeting with Wickremesinghe was followed by a powwow with the JVP leadership. Fonseka declared that there was no likelihood of the formation of an alliance like the one that supported him at the 2010 presidential poll.

Pointing out that the 2010 alliance consisted of the UNP, JVP, TNA, SLMC and CWC, Fonseka stressed that unlike previous national polls now there were three political forces. The challenge posed by the JVP couldn’t be underestimated, Fonseka said.

Commenting on the possibility of the SLPP fielding a candidate of its own, Fonseka said that at a recent meeting in Matale the party announced Namal Rajapaksa as their candidate. An influential section of the SLPP remained with President Wickremesinghe though some obviously dreamt of Namal Rajapaksa’s candidature. Fonseka expressed serious doubts over such a political experiment.

Asked whether he would like to compare his strategy with that of Patali Champika, Fonseka stressed that though being elected on the SJB ticket the latter operated separately. Fonseka said that he hadn’t even considered leaving the party, while PCR already established his own party though it didn’t have recognition from the Election Commission. “I want to continue with the SJB. In case, the developments lead to the formation of an alliance and the need for a common candidate arises, I wouldn’t refuse that opportunity to be that candidate.”