Comments on: General Sarath Fonseka Out Soon?

By: David Blacker

David Blacker — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:32:39 +0000

Nothing wrong with the Sinhalese being divided by politics rather than united by ethnicity. And yes, of course SL must cooperate with an international investigation if one is initiated. We can’t afford not to. The idea is to avoid such an investigation being launched.

By: tastyjujubes

tastyjujubes — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:14:19 +0000

I just wrote the above and then went to google news about Lanka and was met with this:

Sri Lanka ‘must face war probes’

Sri Lanka must co-operate with any international investigation into alleged war crimes, ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka has told the BBC, a day after his release from jail.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18156260

By: tastyjujubes

tastyjujubes — Tue, 22 May 2012 07:56:53 +0000

Sarath Fonseka is a symbol of division. Even his release has divided society in general (well, at least Sinhalese society in general) and not united it going by the reaction of various people.

By: Lankan Thinker

Lankan Thinker — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:46:06 +0000

I have a suspicion the government will restore SFs right to engage in political activity since his participation will effectively split the opposition votes – and is unlikely to attract any more support from the government’s SLFP base. This is on top of the positive image the govt can convey for having followed through on the release. Whatever his other faults the Medamulana Machiavelli is a superb political operator, and it is unlikely he signed the release without seeing the political advantages to himself and the ruling party.

By: David Blacker

David Blacker — Mon, 21 May 2012 07:00:29 +0000

Shammi’s right. US pressure has nothing to do with it. Jailing the opposition never looks good, no matter how many charges tou cook up. MR probably is realizing this. Also, note the upcoming elections in crucial areas.

By: shammi

shammi — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:01:04 +0000

Not soft, just pragmatic. The only reason why MR keeps winning elections is the state of the opposition, and the support of a certain “patriotic’ section of the population. MR can’t be unaware that their support is fast eroding with the rising COL and the many recent blunders of the government. He’s probably betting on SF shooting his mouth off as soon as he’s released, and consequently shooting himself in the foot.

I dont see why releasing SF would be a priority on the US list of demands unless the pardon included reversing the conditions that prevent him from contesting in a future election.

I also like the blackmail theory. It goes with my conviction that all politicians today are blackguards.

By: Gungan

Gungan — Sun, 20 May 2012 07:46:38 +0000

I agree. This depicts the situation well.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption-story/18696-cartoon-of-the-day.html

By: tastyjujubes

tastyjujubes — Sat, 19 May 2012 16:04:19 +0000

I just hope he doesn’t go back to shooting off his mouth in a base manner, and trying to bring down the government. We have some political stability now and it should continue for the foreseeable future. I wonder whether he will leave the country for the USA and be their puppet/tattle tale? I guess we will find out soon enough.

By: Sharm

Sharm — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:10:00 +0000

Get real. SF is being released because the US is pressuring the Govt, not because MR has suddenly gone soft.

By: Sri Lankan

Sri Lankan — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:13:19 +0000

“… mainly for daring to threaten Mahinda in a Presidential election”

He did make some statements that may amount to treason in any country. Search google/youtube for Sarath Fonseka Ratnapura speech.

By: Jilebi

Jilebi — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:08:58 +0000

Isn’t SF a US Permanant Resident?

By: shammi

shammi — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:54:50 +0000

Great news. I didn’t believe it would happen.
The general’s lung condition must be bad, and Mahinda knows that the people wont forgive him if anything were to happen to SF, and it was thought that he was denied proper medical care. Epecially these days when the government seems to be doing nothing right.
Or else Tiran Alles has something to blackmail MR with.