Thursday, December 31, 2009

Former Naval Commander demands Rs. 500 million compensation


Former Naval Commander demands Rs. 500 million compensation
The former Naval commander and secretary to the Highways Minister, Vasantha Karranagoda had sent a letter of demand claiming Rs. 500 million as compensation for defamation from retired Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka over a false and derogatory statement allegedly made by the General when he participated in a Sirasa television program.

Karannagoda’s lawyer Athula De Silva has forwarded this letter of demand which also notifies that if this sum is not paid within 14 days, legal action shall be filed.

Gen. Fonseka who appeared in the 9.30 p.m. television program on the last 24th night, according to the letter of demand, when relating an episode involving the President, himself and the Naval Commander, had said ‘when he was told to go within 48 hours after removing the uniform, he cried like a small child. He was asked to hand over the forces to me. I did not cry. I was not told to remove the uniform. When he was told to leave within 48 hours, he cried.’ The letter claims that these references are derogatory and defamatory of Karannagoda and is aimed at conveying an impression that he was a weak individual.

Election of a President in a climate of gross lawlessness and overrunning Presidential dross in the country

Election of a President in a climate of gross lawlessness and overrunning Presidential dross in the country


It is the general consensus that the President is seeking to conduct Presidential elections 2010 riding roughshod on all the laws of the country. It is also an undisputed fact that this is the first time in the history of the Democratic republic of Sri Lanka, constitution has been usurped, election laws trampled and the Elections Commissioner by passed so much so that there appears to be a de facto dictatorship established by the very Govt. which announced the Presidential elections with Democracy and free franchise of the people having no role to play.

A.Introduction
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The abuse of public resources at elections seems to be a continuing activity in every election in Sri Lanka. The Program for Protection of Public Resource (PPPR) in its reports in 2004 and 2005 pointed out the manner in which these activities have taken place and their outcome. The trend seems even more ominous at the current Presidential Election.

It is extremely important that the public resists the use of public resources for election purposes because it is the public who bears the cost of abuse of public resources. The elected representatives are only the caretakers of public property which is at all times to be used for the benefits of the public. Just as the public condemn rape or murder, they ought to condemn and call upon law enforcement authorities to deal with those powerful persons who abuse public finance for personal gain at elections.

The Programme for the Protection of Public Resources of Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), evaluates the integrity of the Presidential Election 2010 in the light of the misuse of public resources/property and non compliance with the directions/guidelines introduced by the Elections Commissioner in that regard.




The Political Environment in which the Election is Held
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The Presidential Election due in 2012 was advanced to 2010 by the President as per the powers vested with him. This election was called at a historically important period, in which the government defeated the LTTE ending a bloodiest civil war prevailed more than 25 years.

The election is contested in an environment where 110 MPs are holding ministerial portfolios. Even after the nominations for the election, the President appointed another crossed over MP as a cabinet Minister. In addition to the Ministries and Departments, there are 168 State Corporations and Statutory Boards along with 93 companies with total control by the government. Directors of these public corporations are appointed by the Ministers and there is hardly any doubt that chairmen and directors of these corporations are appointed on political affiliations rather than on merit. The state owned companies are not subject to the government audit by the Auditor General’s Department and thus not reviewable by any of the finance committees in Parliament.




The 17th Amendment to the Constitution that guarantees an independent public service ceased to exist two years ago. Since then all major positions are being filled circumventing the required screening process by the Constitutional Council. The Election Commission which is envisaged to be established under the 17th Amendment was never formed despite the fact that the present Elections Commissioner has passed his age of retirement. As a result, the Elections Commissioner is tasked to discharge all the duties and responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections. Thus the accountability and the responsibilities of a whole commission are now vested with a single person with limited resources.

Sri Lanka has no right to information law to demand information from the state about its conduct. This prevents a transparent election process where the conduct and expenditure of public officers, institutions and political parties during the time of an election are prevented from the scrutiny of the public eye. Thus the legitimate right of the tax payer to know how their money is spent is veiled with a culture of secrecy.

B. Election Commissioner’s Guidelines & Instructions
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As per the powers vested with him, the Commissioner of Election issued guidelines/directions/notices with the objective of ensuring a free and fair Presidential election. For example

- Directions were issued on 08.12.2009 to all Secretaries of the Ministries, State Departments, Corporations and Statutory Bodies to prevent the abuse of public resources during election time. Among others these directions include nullification prohibition of any appointments, transfers and promotions of employees done or intended to be done on or after the 23.11.2009. These directions were publicly announced by publishing in national newspapers on 14.12.2009.

- A set of guidelines was issued by the Commissioner on 17.12.2009 to the electronic and print media to be observed in broadcasting, telecasting and publishing of matters relating to the Presidential Election.

- A guideline dated 07.12.2009 was issued to the Police Department regarding their duties in relation to the election

Although the objectives of these guidelines/directions/notices aimed at a free and fair election it is unfortunate to note these were observed in breach than conformity. The specific abuses highlighted in this report identify such non-conformities.

C. The Cost of Propaganda
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It is evident that large sums of rupees are invested by the main candidates for their campaigns in the election resulting competing at election a high cost affair. For example a 4 colour poster (medium size) approximately costs between Rs.08 to Rs.12 for a quantity over 100,000 in the initial print. A cost of a 20X20 feet hoarding to be exhibited in Colombo city limits would cost around Rs.300,000/- and a larger hoarding would cost approximately Rs.500,000/-. At present it is not scarce to see hoardings carrying political messages in almost all major junctions in many towns and villages in the country.

It is legitimate and legally accepted norm that such expenses to be borne by the candidates themselves or their political parties/independent group. Under no circumstances it is permitted to use public resources consisted of monies of the tax payers in the country for individual or political party propaganda.

The high cost of involved in election campaigns is a contributory factor for using public property by candidates who have controlled over them. Despite being immoral and illegal, abuse of public property in any circumstances is unaffordable to a developing country like Sri Lanka where burdens may have to be carried by sectors such as education, health or public transport.

Given the huge sums involved in election propaganda, TISL urge the need of political parties disclosing the sources of their funding. Unfortunately, unlike many democratic countries, Sri Lanka does not have law compelling political parties to disclose their funding together with the source.

D. Specific Instances of Abuses
By 30th December 2009, the Programme for the Protection of Public Resources of TISL has received more than eighty (80) complaints from the public and its investigators about various abuses of public property and election laws/guidelines by the candidates.

Thus far relevant verified instances are mentioned below:

01. Temple Trees
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Facilities at Temple Trees, the official residence of the President, are used to entertain people from various sectors for political purposes. At these events, most of the participants were transported to the venue at State expense and were provided with food and in some instances, even with liquor. The President justified such entertainment events where the cost was borne with the public money as a “normal cultural practice.”

Spending public resources for entertainment purposes and to promote candidacy of a party candidate, especially during the time of elections is clearly an unacceptable practice. During the Presidential Election in 2005, facilities at Temple Trees were abused for political propaganda activities by the then Prime Minister (the present President) and the expenditure incurred in those gatherings were never recovered by the State.

Given below are some of the groups entertained at political treats at Temple Trees in December 2009:

7th - Recipients of Swarnabhoomi deeds
8 th - Mediation Board officers
10th – Children of Samurdhi beneficiary families
10th - Officers of the Education Sector
11th – Members of Women Lawyers’ Association
13th - Lawyers
13th - Police officers
14th – Artists
15th - Dairy farmers

(The President also conducted a series of similar gatherings at the President’s House in Kandy, details of which will be given in future reports)

These gatherings are a violation of the essence of the public notice issued by the Election Commissioner on 08.12.2009 preventing the use of public property for the purpose of promoting a candidate during the election.

02. Public Buildings and Machinery

• A property belonging to the Ports Authority situated at 56/1 Mc-Callum Road, Colombo 10 is being used to print propaganda material in favor of the President. The said posters are seen in Colombo city and other parts of the country.

• A large stage to be the property of Sri Lanka Ports Authority was transported to Minuwangoda and used for the public rally on 27.12.2009, patronized by the President. Several employees from the Ports Authority and two vehicles registered as Ports Authority vehicles (registered numbers: 41 – 3995 and GJ – 2312) were discharged for this purpose.

03.Misuse of Vehicles

Vehicles belonging to various public institutions are reported to have been transporting supporters and used for propaganda across the country for the candidate of the UPFA. The vehicles of Sri Lanka Transport Board, different government ministries, departments and local government authorities were abused in this regard. Given below are few such instances:

(a) Nine lorries bearing the numbers WP-LG 4738, WP-LG 4740, WP-LG 4741, WP-LG 4742, WP-LG 4744, WP-LG 4745, WP-LG 4546, WP-LG 4547, WP-LG 4749 of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (purchased in 2009) are being released for election work of the UPFA in the Southern Province

(b) A fatal accident that took place at Koppara junction in Negombo on the night of 12.12.2009 involving a lorry bearing number LG-4608 belonging to the Ministry of Road Development and a double cab bearing no. NB 7414 belonging to the Chief Secretary of the Eastern Province. It was revealed that the lorry was transporting several cut-outs of the President at the time of the accident.

04. Use of Central Transport Board (CTB) Busses

There is almost a pattern of using CTB buses to transport crowds for meetings attended by President Rajapaksa. Two such instances are given below:

(a) The meeting of the UPFA on 27-12-2009, at Minuwangoda (Japalawatta) - Around 26 CTB busses were used to transport crowds free of charge from Nittambuwa, Attanagalla, Mattakuuliya, Udahamulla, Angoda, Wattegama and Teldeniya.

(b) The meeting held on 26-12-2009 in Alankuda Grounds in Kalpitiya - The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), previously displaced from Jaffna and now living in Mannar, were transported by CTB busses free of charge.

(c) Crowds for several meetings in Temple Trees were brought in CTB buses. On 13.12.2009 a large number of CTB buses were used to transport police officers from outstations (in addition to police vehicles) to the temple trees.

05.Use of Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Helicopters

On 24-12-2009, a SLAF helicopter carried Ministers Dallas Alahapperuma & Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa and Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila to Kandy where they participated in a public meeting attended by Technical College Staff, Women’s Organisations and University Employees.

These acts violates the regulation of the Commissioner of Election issued on 08.12.2009 which prohibits the use of government motor vehicles and helicopters/aircrafts for the benefit of a candidate of the election.

06. Misuse of public officials and other public servants for political work

There are reports that many public officials from ministries and public corporations engaged in political party activities. Under the Establishments Code, Chapter XXXII, members of Armed Forces, Police, State Officers and Supervisory Officers etc. are prohibited from engaging in political activities, except to vote at an election. The Elections Commissioner, acting under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution has also prohibited usage of public officials/employees in political party activities pending an election. We give below some clear abuses in this regard:

(a) 71 security officers attached to the Ports Authority in Colombo were released for election work in the Southern Province in November 2009.

(b) Chairman of Airport and Aviation Service Ltd. had verbally ordered middle and minor grade employees of the Airport to go on duty leave to Colombo on 23-12-2009 to participate in a protest rally against a statement made by the common candidate of the opposition

(c) Several serving diplomats and officers of Foreign Service (appointed by the government outside the professional Sri Lanka Foreign Service. However the provisions of the establishment code is applicable to these officers during the tenure of their office) have returned to the country for campaign activities, while still being serving in their posts. One such instance is: Mr. Chandrapala Liyanage who is the second secretary to the consulate in Italy is presently in Sri Lanka and actively engaged in the campaign of the UPFA candidate.

(d) The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, a key public servant of the present government, is actively engaged in political campaign for the UPFA candidate. For example he has addressed a political meeting on 19th December 2009 at a rally in Urapola, Kadugannawa. Among the other speakers were politicians.


07. Information Ministry facilities for the political programme titled 'Esi Disi'

Facilities of the Information Department head office at the Narahenpita is being used for pro-UPFA public discussions/panel discussions attended by professionals, senior public officials and selected individuals with UPFA affiliations. The programme named “Esi Desi” has been introduced to discuss issues having a direct impact on elections. This protramme is operating under the patronage of the Director Information where the entire cost of the programme is borne by the Information Department.

08. State Media

Some of the key officials of few public media institutions are concurrently holding political party positions of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the leading constituent party of the UPFA. This results in considerable amount of public resources in those institutions being used for promotion of one candidate and the policies of UPFA. These officials include:

(a) Hudsun Samarasinghe – Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation who is the organizer for Colombo West of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). He anchors a number of TV/radior progammes which clearly support the candidate of the UPFA.

(b) vSudharman Radaliyagoda – Deputy General Manger of the Independent Television Network (ITN) is the SLFP organizer for Kurunegala District. He anchors few TV programmes based on contemporary political issues which are clearly titled towards the candidate of the UPFA.


(c) Karunaratne Paranawithana – Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Rupawahini Corporation (SLRC) is a SLFP organizer for Ratnapura district.

(d) Lalith de Silva – Reviewer of newspapers for ITN is a SLFP organizer for Colombo district.


Continuation of office of these individuals is a blatant violation of regulations issued by the Commissioner of Election on 17th December 2009 for the Electronic and Print Media. Particularly the regulation 15 states:

“If an individual (employee or any member of the board of the broadcasting or telecasting and newspaper institution) publicly identified holding an office in a political party, such person should withdraw from journalistic functions until the election is concluded and shall not be permitted to engage in any journalistic function at any broadcasting or telecasting institutions. The management must consider the implications for individuals involved in presentations and who are or might become known to the public.”

Further, the regulation20 states:

“The attention of the Chairpersons of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation is drawn to Article 154B(b) of the Constitution, which requires them to take all steps necessary to ensure compliance with these regulations.”

09. Tharunyata Hetak Advertisements

This youth organisation is reportedly receiving high contributions (by way of sponsorships) from several public institutions such as Bank of Ceylon and National Lotteries Board, both of which fall under the purview of the President. The key officials of this youth organization are the President’s sons Namal Rajapakse (chairman) and Yoshitha Rajapakse (vice chairman). A series of advertisements are carried out by this organization through radio and TV highlighting the need of a strong leader for the country. Although the advertisements do not mention a name of a candidate, it is not a secret or difficult to understand, for whom they stand for, given the direct political affiliation of this organization with the President and his regime and the content of the advertisements. The following data presents the number of spots retained by Tharunyata Hetak in the main stream TV channels and the cost involved:



Number of Spots for advertisements by TV Channels
between 1st to 21st December 2009
(

Channel - No. of Spots
EYE - 501
Derana TV - 305
ITN - 908
Rupavahini - 1285
SIRASA TV - 301
Swarnavahini - 254
Total spots - 3554

Total cost of the advertisements during this period, based on regular disclosed rate cards of the channels, amount to Rs.84,027,600/-. We have observed that another amount of Rs.5,842,000/- has been spent on radio advertisements. We note that the cost of political commercial is more than the normal rates disclosed in the rate cards. Further there is an additional cost of production, which has not been ascertainable as at present.

This raises the need to have a transparent political party funding in the country in addition to preventing electioneering at public expenditure.

10. Hoardings and Advertisements sponsored by Public Institutions

A large number of hoardings and advertisement sponsored by public institutions are displayed at various places in the country and published in newspapers supporting the President and his election messages. Below mentioned a few examples in this regard:

Display of Hoardings -
(i) Hoarding displayed at Nugegoda sponsored by the State Trading Corporation

(ii) Hoarding displayed in town hall sponsored by the Presidential Secretariat

(iii) Hoarding displayed in Thimbirigasyaya sponsored by Presidential Operational Office

(iv) Hoarding displayed in Matara sponsored by Sothern Development Authority

(v) Hoarding displayed in Matara sponsored by Ruhunu Radio

Advertisements Published:
(i) Advertisement published in Ravaya on 20.12.2009 sponsored by Board of Investment (BOI), Sri Lanka.

(ii) Advertisement published in Lankadeepa (Sunday Edition) 28.12.2009 sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism

(iii) Advertisement published Divayina on 29.12.2009 sponsored by Urban Development Authority and the Ministry of Urban Development and Scared Area Development

(iv) Advertisement published in Dinamina 29.12.2009 sponsored by Lanka Sathosa.

These are only few examples where tax payer’s money is used for the campaign of a single candidate of the election.

E. Specific Examples for the violation of the guidelines/regulations of the commissioner of Elections

(a) On 23-12-2009, Senior Supt. of Police in charge of Hambantota Division (Chandra Kumara) had, at a conference attended by officers in charge of Police stations in the District, said that no one should be permitted to remove, destroy or deface any cutouts of HE the President and that OICs will be held answerable for any incidents in this connection.

This is a blatant disregard of the guidelines issued by the Commissioner of Election to the Inspector General of Police to dismantle and remove illegal cutouts, banners posters etc.

(b) 650 people have been recruited from Matara District for the Railway Department as temporary labourers. The letters of appointment were issued after the Presidential Election was announced on 23rd of November 2009 but they were intentionally backdated to 17th November 2009 to circumvent the direction of the Commissioner of Election which prohibits any appointment to the government service after the 23rd November 2009.

(c) The hoardings, cutouts and other election related materials continue to be displayed in public places irrespective of the guidelines to the IGP by the Commissioner of Election to remove such materials.

F. Conclusion

The width and depth of abuses of state resources can be easily ascertainable from the above instances. What is of more concern is its impact on the integrity of the electoral process and the candidates who supposedly stand in election stages to safeguards the property and the rights of the people. Therefore, TISL urges the public to raise their voices against the continuation of these abuses

Who is General Sarath Fonseka


General Sarath Fonseka is a war hero who ended 26 years of civil war in Sri Lanka. He was twice wounded in the line of duty, the second time almost fatally. However, he displayed exceptional courage and sacrifice and came back from these injuries to see the war through to a successful finish. Sarath Fonseka has dedicated his life to serving the people of Sri Lanka, putting his own life in harm's way. Even after his retirement he has returned to to serve his motherland one more time. For the first time in many years Sri Lankans have a candidate of exceptional courage, integrity and moral character, a candidate who has proved his unflinching resolve in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles; an officer and a gentleman. He stands in stark contrast to the corruption, hypocrisy and double talk of other politicians. We are at a turning point in the history of our nation, at the brink of a golden age after decades of death, destruction and missed opportunities. Will we let the corruption, thuggery, nepotism and cronyism of the current Government destroy us, or will we join hands with a new leader and usher in an sage of peace and prosperity? The choice is ours.

Who is General Sarath Fonseka?

Full Name: Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka
Rank: First Four Star Generral in the Sri Lankan Armed Forces
Born: December 18, 1950
Military Titles: RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, RCDS, PSC, SLSR
Joined Sri Lanka Army in 1970
Awards/Accolades: Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya,Uttama Seva Padakkama, Desha Putra Sammanaya
Parents: Peter and Piyawathie Fonseka Peter and Piyawathie Fonseka of Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
Early Education: Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda 1958-65, Ananda College, Colombo 1966-69
Family: Wife, Anoma Indumathi Munasinghe, daughter of D.J. and Eugine Munasinghe, and has two daughters Aparna & Apsara

SF kicks off Northern campaign next week


Common opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka will kick off his campaign in the North in the New Year with a religious ceremony at the historic Nallur Kovil on January 2 at 10:00 a.m. It will be followed by a meeting with Jaffna University students and lecturers.
A spokesman for his campaign said leaders of the opposition alliance would also speak at the northern rallies organised to support his candidature.
At noon, on the same day, Fonseka will have a meeting with Tamil and Muslim businessmen of the peninsula. This will be followed by a public rally at 3:00 p.m. near the Nallur Kovil.

On January 03 at 10:00 a.m. he will address a public rally in Mannar Town, followed by a public meeting in Vavuniya Town at 2:00 p.m.
He is also expected to address rallies in Killinochchi and Mullaitivu on January 04, but the arrangements had not been finalised at the time of going to press.

On January 05 he will address a meeting in Batticaloa Town at 2:00 p.m. and a rally at Ampara Town at 3:00 p.m.
The following day he will be in the Trincomalee District addressing rallies in Muttur at 2:00 p.m. and Trincomalee Town at 3:00 p.m.

He is also scheduled to address a rally at Kantale on December 29 at 3:00 p.m. and a meeting at Hingurakgoda at 2:00 p.m. the same day.
Meanwhile Fonseka’s campaign has appointed Noordeen Marsoor as his campaign manager in Wanni. Marsoor who is from the SLMC and was a former deputy minister in a previous UNP government. (RA)

A section of the State media scheduled to meet the General tomorrow


A meeting between a section of the State media and the Opposition common Presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka is scheduled for tomorrow.
The meeting is to commence at 11.00 a.m. at the General’s media unit at Rajakeeya mawatha , Colombo 07.

Govt. is so bankrupt in policies , plans and funds – it is now pilfering the civil defense Force funds too -Mangala Samaraweera


Addressing a Press briefing at the Office of the Opposition common Presidential candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka, today (29) SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera said ,the Govt. has exhausted all the possible lies it can tell , all the avenues of solving the problems of the country and it has exhausted all the public funds , so much so it has now started pilfering the funds of the Sena Vidhyaka fund or the civil defense Force fund.
These are the funds built on the Rs. 250/- pay cut made from the monthly salaries of these poor civil Defense members. These members played a vital role during the war from behind the scenes. They protected the bordering villages by preventing LTTE infiltration .In other words they played an equally important role like the police and the Forces but from the background


.

The members of this fund are youths of the villages who gave protection to the desolate areas against the LTTE . According to information received , There had been over Rs. 1500 million in the funds . These funds allegedly have been used for the President’s election campaign. As the Director General of this Force is Sarath Weerakoon , the UPFA future candidate for Ampara electorate , and is allegedly using these funds at his will and pleasure , we demand the Govt. to clearly explain the true situation in regard to the fund.

Mr. Samaraweera displaying a Mahinda Chintana booklet challenged anyone to prove that at least 10 % of the promises in it were honored by the Rajapakse Govt. He also then showed a schedule which laid down the names of the Govt. officials in the top echelons of the President’s office and the Govt. engaged in election campaigns and their duties which are a flagrant violation of the election laws .Among the many so engaged , were the names of central Bank Governor Nivaard Cabraal, SMD Bandara , Education Secretary, Suhada Gamlath , a Ministry secretary and Dr. P.B Wijesundara , Treasury secretary. There are thousands of State officers who are engaged in the campaign against their wishes because of Govt. pressure . In other words ,the Govt. is using people’s funds , to pay these officers who are illegally campaigning for the President’s election campaign.


No sooner the elections are over and Gen. Fonseka becomes President, than action will be taken against all these top officials for their crimes, he pinpointed

Gen. Fonseka

I nearly lost my life to save country from terrorism ; now I am sacrificing luxurious comforts to save it from corruption and nepotism – Gen. Fonseka



Speaking at a mammoth public rally at Diggana , Kandy , Opposition common candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka said ,earlier, he nearly lost his life in his absolute dedication to save the country from the scourge of Terrorism , now he is on the next task to save the country from corruption , nepotism, indiscipline and lawlessness presently overrunning this country.
In the first campaign, I promised I will not leave the responsibility of wiping out the terrorist menace to another Commander . As I promised I stood by it and completely stamped out terrorism . In my second campaign, I promise that I would wipe out the raging corruption , nepotism and lawlessness . Like in the earlier campaign, I will accomplish this too. In the earlier campaign I had the support of the people . In this campaign too I expect the people to support me, he asserted.




He could have enjoyed all the luxuries and comforts. He had a security contingent of security men ,25 vehicles , a house and all other comforts. But , he decided on this political course sacrificing all these because he realized , politically too he has a duty to save the country from the road to perdition it was fast heading because of the Govt.’s monumental fiscal mismanagement , raging corruption and uncontrolled nepotism .




The General assured that after cleaning the country of terror , his next campaign is to clean the country of
the horrors of economic bungling due to corruption and eruption of lawlessness on an unprecedented scale.
He said his first action will be to appoint the independent Commissions to eliminate politicization which has been the cause of every muddle . Next , he would hold the General election duly in a fair and free manner , and lay the groundwork for the abolition of he Executive Presidency.




A leader who does not respect and promote Democratic norms and Institutions , laws and discipline , anti corruption drives can never develop a country nor do anything beneficial for the people., however successful he may seem in his despotic, selfish and megalomaniac ambitions , he emphasized.

News






Two formidable members of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) , the National Organiser R. Yogarajan and Deputy Minister Satchithanantan have decided to extend their support to the Opposition common Presidential candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka
A formal announcement to this effect was made today (30).

Mission


We will usher in a new era of change, where all Sri Lankans, regardless of race, religion, cast or creed, will have equal opportunities to better their lives in an environment of peace, freedom and security."

About Sarath Fonseka



About Sarath Fonseka

General Sarath Chandralal Fonseka, immensely popular in Sri Lanka and world over, is the former commander of the Sri Lanka Army and the former Chief of Defense Staff of Sri Lanka. Acclaimed internationally as the chief architect who lead his fellow soldiers and officers to victory against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), he was the only serving officer to be promoted to a four star rank in the Sri Lanka Army.

Widely known among his peers in Sri Lanka and globally as a man of integrity, General Fonseka has an unblemished track record as a leader who stood up against corruption, special interests and lobbyists, within and outside the military. In the army he introduced merit over seniority, a first for the nation.

Sarath Fonseka does not hesitate to speak the truth, and throughout his career he has often challenged his friends and foes alike, whether it be his fellow officers or his superiors, and has gained a reputation as a man of honesty and humility.

More importantly, General Foneska is a man who has devoted his entire life to the service of his fellow citizens. Leaving aside his personal comfort and perks, General Foneska has demonstrated that he can, and will achieve what is good for his county and for his fellow citizens.

General Foneska’s experience in military matters made him a very popular figure among all Sri Lankan citizens. Many statesmen admired his courage, stance on military matters, and his astute policy insights into governance and strengthening democracy. As a moderate he has been able to achieve the unthinkable in Sri Lanka’s political history. Due to his determination to put his country before himself, he has been able to unite major political parties and ethnic communities to work with him to guide our beloved motherland to a prosperous future; a place where every citizen regardless of their ethnicity, religion and identity can live freely with pride and dignity.

Friday, December 4, 2009