Witness tells Court Sarath Fonseka told her: ‘Gota ordered them to be shot’ Sunday Leader Editor refers to her interview question on white flag issue:
Posted on October 4th, 2010
Sarath Malalasekera-Courtesy Daily News
The Sunday Leader Chief Editor Frederica Jansz giving evidence before the Trial-at-Bar consisting of three High Court Judges yesterday said that former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka told her during the interview she had with him, (Sarath Fonseka) on December 8, 2009 at Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s elections office at Reid Avenue, Colombo, that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Gota ordered them to be shot,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ referring to LTTE suspects who would surrender.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-My intention was to question Sarath Fonseka about his life and obtain his bio-data and also about the ongoing election campaign. But my last question was about the white flag issue. Then Sarath Fonseka said that Gota had telephoned Brig. Shavindra de Silva and told that not to allow the LTTE suspects who come with white flags to surrender but to kill them.
Later I decided to lead with the story that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had told Brig. Shavindra de Silva,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ the witness said. Examined by Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Navaratne Bandara, the first witness for the prosecution, Frederica Jansz said that she was the Chief Editor of The Sunday Leader Newspaper. She was appointed as the Chief Editor on March 1, 2009 after the death of Lasantha Wickrematunga.
Sarath Fonseka pleaded not guilty to the three charges preferred against him, read out to him by SMA Nafler, for 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.
The three Judges are Colombo High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera, (President), Colombo High Court Judge W T M P B Warawewa and Colombo High Court Judge M Z Razeen.
The witness said that she was attached to the Sunday Times in 1991 later in 1995 she joined the The Sunday Leader newspaper on the invitation of Lasantha Wickrematunga. Sarath Fonseka was interviewed by her during the Presidential Election campaign.
The Sunday Leader management had taken a decision to assist Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s election campaign.
Sarath Fonseka had given a time on December 9 for the interview, but later changed the date and requested her to come for the interview on December 8 at 6.30 pm.
The Sunday Leader Chief Editor said that she went for the interview with Sarath Fonseka to his office with four others including Lal Wickrematunga.
Several pictures of Sarath Fonseka were also taken during the interview, the witness said.
Sarath Fonseka is charged on three counts under the Criminal Procedure Code and under the Emergency Regulations Sections 28 and 29.
On an application by Senior Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, the President of the Trial-at-Bar directed the Prisons authorities to bring Sarath Fonseka along to Court without any other suspects in the vehicle.
Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Navaratna Bandara with State Counsel Yohan Liyanage appeared for the Attorney General.
Senior Attorney Nalin Ladduwahetty with Nilanthi Peiris, U L G Bandara, Mervyn de Silva and several other attorneys appeared for Sarath Fonseka.
Attorney at Law N M Shahied watched the interest of witness Fredrica Jansz.
A P Wijesekera assisted the court by translating the evidence led in English.
The case will be called again on October 6, 2010 at 1.30 pm.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
So now who is the bigger traitor?
SF, face court than run away saying you are sick. Your statement is anyway sickening. ‘Gota ordered to shoot them’!
SF, those who put words to your mouth are now enjoying life. For them you are just toilet paper. At least now repent it and beg the nation for forgiveness.
October 5th, 2010 at 6:09 am
Yes,Lorenzo is correct! Atleast now SF the misguided and fooled Comander by the idiots of UNP & JVP should REALISE THE FOOLISHNESS OF WORKING ACCORDING TO THE WHIMS AND FANCIES OF THOSE TREACHEROUS POLITICIANS AND ADMIT THE GUILT AND SEEK A PARDON AS A GENUINE LEADER!!!
October 5th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Friends,
“Who is the traitor ?” is one qestion.
Prompted by Janz, Ponseka revealed this secret ( whether it is true or not). Bigger traitor is Janz although Ponseka is the main culprit – because Janz set up the trap and foolish, greedy Ponseka jumped for the opprtunity.
Second question is, “who is the hero ?”.
Whatever it is, unquestionably Gota is the hero because these white falg carrying bastards should be killed. If Ponseka did not give that order he is a traitor. If Prabha came with a white flag, Saint Ponseka would let treat him well and take into custody – the act no Sri Lankan would approve. Will Janz approve this ? The judges must have asked this question.
October 6th, 2010 at 9:19 am
The Joke of this week is; RanilW had asked his party members to offer ‘bodhi pujas’ and get the blessings of ‘Triple Gem’ to get Fonseka out of jail. Friends; have you heard him doing so while Fonseka was critically ill after that LTTE suicide attack on him. No.
To understand RanilW’s deceit, we have to recall what he and his cohorts Ravi, Kiriella and etc did while the war raged on. They just ridiculed the entire army and looked down upon Fonseka’s achievements. Another renegade but now RanilW’s henchman, Mangala said Fonseka was not even suitable to be the commander of the Salvation Army. NGOs, Christian Evangelists and the western embassies did everything to scuttle the war. Isn’t it funny that this lot have become Fonseka’s saviors.
President Rajapakse with all his ingenuity had overcome all such draw backs and defeated the LTTE utterly and convincingly. After that this lot was lost in political wildness for awhile. To get out of their rot, they cajoled Fonseka to be their so-called common candidate. What commonality between ultra leftist JVP and the neo liberal rightwing UNP. It was all a political expediency. But together they took Fonseka on an ego trip.
Even now RanilW letter to President is bogus and has ulterior motives. He knows that it will not help Fonseka one bit. It is a political gimmick. He is making use of Fonseka jailing to get out of his own rot. In the divided UNP, RanilW, Karu, Jayalath and et al are in the minority. They have very little life left at the command. They are once again trying to hang on to Fonseka to get out of their depredation. The majority in the UNP, I mean the local Councillors etc are so engrossed on how to rid of RanilW they have no time left for Fonseka. That’s the truth.
As for JVP; no point talking about them: just like Fonseka, Anoma, and their DNA, it is a spent force. What signature collections, even together the bunch cannot but organize a successful rally or protest. Fonseka and his wife Anoma should leave their pride aside and appeal to the commander in chief to have mercy. That’s the real alternative.