Gen Fonseka Sirasa Exclusive Interview

Posted on 25. Jan, 2010 by quynhgiao in Politcians

Presidential Candidate Gn Sarath Fonseka s Interview by Kingsley Rathanayake of Sirasa TV.

About Fonseka

Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka, known as Sarath Fonseka ( born 18 December 1950) is a former commander and General of the Sri Lanka Army and a former Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. As Commander of the Army Fonseka played an instrumental role in ending the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009. He was also the first serving officer to be promoted to a four star rank in the Sri Lanka Army. Fonseka joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1970 and saw action throughout the 26 year civil war, culminating in a term as commander from December 6, 2005 – July 15, 2009. As commander, he oversaw the the final phase of the civil war which resulted in the defeat of the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam organization. Fonseka has been described as Sri Lanka’s most successful army commander, and his run of significant military victories against the LTTE during Eelam War IV led the Indian National Security Advisor Mayankote Kelath Narayanan to describe him as the “best army commander in the world”. On April 25, 2006 Fonseka survived an assassination attempt when an LTTE suicide bomber attacked his motorcade. Following the end of the war he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff, a post from which he retired on November 16th, 2009 which was seen as a preparatory step for an entrance into politics against President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the next Sri Lankan Presidential Election in 2010. On November 29, 2009, he formally announced his candidature and campaigned under the sign of a swan, and under the slogan Vishvasaniya Venasak (A Credible Change).