Fonseka is unlikely to be allowed to leave
Colombo, Jan. 28: Defeated candidate Sarath Fonseka is seeking asylum in a Western country, probably the US for which he holds a green card, or Britain, but the Sri Lankan government is unlikely to allow him to leave, sources here said. The ex-general left his hotel room, where he was holed up for a day with his coalition leaders, and drove away with his personal security guards to an undisclosed place late on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, the US has taken up Gen. Fonseka’s cause and has sought “a thorough investigation” of Opposition allegations of poll violations. The US embassy in a statement here pointed out that there were “some reports of possible violations of election law” during the campaign, voting and counting, and urged a “thorough investigation of these allegations in accordance with Sri Lankan law and in keeping with the democratic traditions of the country”.“In addition, we urge the authorities to ensure the safety and security of all candidates and campaign workers,” the US statement added, almost backing Gen. Fonseka’s charge that his life was under threat from the Rajapakse regime.
The US of late has not been on Colombo’s list of friends with some ruling party members, and even ministers, dropping hints that the American administration was trying to interfere in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. Many in the government strongly believe that Gen. Fonseka got help from the West in preparing his premature retirement from the military and challenging Mr Rajapakse in the January 26 presidential poll.
A Fonseka aide on Wednesday had said he was in touch with some foreign missions for help. He also mentioned a “neighbouring” nation but India quickly responded denying any interest in saving the ex-general.
Reacting to speculation that Gen. Fonseka might soon leave the country and settle down abroad, the President’s brother and principal adviser, Mr Basil Rajapakse, has indicated that the government would not permit it. “He should remain in the country. He has to answer the people. We have a lot of allegations against him,” IANS quoted him as saying.
At one point of time during the war with the Tigers, and even after that for several months, Gen. Fonseka had enjoyed more security cover than even the President since he was high on the LTTE hit list and still carried the scars of an assassination attempt in 2006. “I am going to hell,” he told a journalist outside the hotel before driving away in a motorcade of just five cars carrying his personal bodyguards since the government withdrew its security cover for him.
Sources said his short-time political allies, the United National Party led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Sinhala nationalist-Marxist JVP and the Tamil National Alliance, have already begun distancing themselves from the ex-general.
R. Bhagwan Singh
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