Fonseka seeks asylum overseas

29 January 2010 02:32 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 35 Bookmark

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General Sarath Fonseka is seeking asylum overseas including Australia. However Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says his country has still not got an official request.

In an interview with The Australian at his home in Colombo, the former Sri Lankan army chief turned presidential challenger said he had spoken to the US and British embassies in Sri Lanka and was also planning to speak to the Australian high commissioner about the possibility of temporary asylum.

But the man credited with winning the war against the rebel Tamil Tigers last May - along with his former commander-in-chief, President Mahinda Rajapakse, revealed he was being prevented from leaving the country, the Australian reported.

According to ABC news Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says there has been no official request as yet.

"No such approach has been made," he said.

"I think it is very important that General Fonseka be provided with two things - that he be provided with freedom of movement and he be provided with security, personal security in the circumstances that he is in."

Comments - 35

Friday, 29 January 2010 06:57 PM

He has a US 'Green Card' - why doesn't he go there?

3 4

Friday, 29 January 2010 04:21 AM

The visas that were given to some loudmouthed stooges who planned to bolt on the 27th can now be canceled and a visa given to SF.

10 54

Friday, 29 January 2010 04:26 AM

Let us all understand to face competitions with a spirit to accept victory or defeat. By defeating one cannot say he has won. Likewise by winning one cannot say he has won. Cos end of the day every one should be a winner.

Let us practice tolerance & love. Let us not sow seeds of hatred.Cos we reap what we sow.

Sri Lanka we love you.

1 55

Friday, 29 January 2010 04:39 AM

General SF's conduct during the last several months has to be examined by legal experts to see whether any laws have been broken. These relate to security and safety of Sri Lankan political leaders and officials, among other things. General SF cannot be given any special privilege just because he was a presidential candidate. General and his supporter's propaganda was so effective that they started to belive their own lies. That is why the General still believes that he won. It is sad to see my hero in such a situation. Investigations into SF's activities must be completed quickly. They must be not be on imaginary crimes.

71 31

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:04 PM

KALAKADI RAHALU KALAKADI WAHA WEnAWALU.....come on people. this is one of the key individual who brought us peace. No matter how bad a person can be dont forget to appreciate what he did for this nation. Afgan war still dragging despite all the best tools & support in place by both OBAMA n BUSH. It was not only because Mahinda we won the war because of people like SF who draw strategies. Dont ever forget it. Right man became the army chief n fortunately Mahinda was in power. Of course mahinda can share equal glory. But never discriminate a man just because you are loyal for something n looks through colored glasses. SF is a HERO no matter how bad his politics can be...

1 19

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:26 PM

The man who won the war for us is entitled to the security of a former army commander & that is not just 4 POLICE CONSTABLES. he is not asking for any special protection as a former presidential candidate.

for those of u who say that he should accept defeat gracefully just tell me why a defeated candidate is being harassed so badly ?

3 17

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:08 PM

I thought he has a green card in USA?

10 7

Friday, 29 January 2010 05:49 PM

Sarath Wimalasuriya: We'll soon see who converts Sri Lanka into a Uganda.

3 6

Friday, 29 January 2010 06:34 PM

I am surprised at why people speak foul of the Indian Tamils living in Tamilnadu. I agree that a few politicians there support Elam - but that is not the case with the whole of Tamilnadu.

2 2

Friday, 29 January 2010 04:21 AM

Mate, send him to Christmas Island in a boat, like all other inneocent Tamils.

92 33

Saturday, 30 January 2010 06:35 AM

Some Critics are typing rubbish, they should understand
the situation SF is in, he is beign prevented leaving the country, they want to frame false charges, & send
him to jail, thus depriving him to contest Parliamentry
election, Weerawanse want to prevent JVp coming into
parliament with SF s vote base.
All Plans are hatched by Weerawanse.

1 1

Saturday, 30 January 2010 06:45 AM

Asanka, come-on man, stop behaving like a child. Sri Lankan people will never ever allow that to happen. That is why we Sri Lankans did not vote in 'Soory Fonseka'.
I'm sure you are one of those who have benefitted from the free education system and have gone abroad and are living in another country.

1 1

Saturday, 30 January 2010 06:49 AM

Jayantha, you are right. SF was an excellent General. But, a useless good for nothing Politician rejected by the masses.
Satelite and Mangi will never ever be able to make a repair the damage they did to the innocent General.

1 1

Saturday, 30 January 2010 06:51 AM

SF never cared for the country, he wanted to be president to boost his Ego, if he really cared about SL he should stay in the country and help the apposition.

1 1

Saturday, 30 January 2010 06:52 AM

Abdullah, what type of Justice are you talking of??
The American style of Justice that is being practised by the Western World in Iraq and Afganistan??

0 2

Saturday, 30 January 2010 06:55 AM

Bud in Australia
Are you referring to the country where Indian Students are being treated like animals??
The Australian third biggest foreign exchange earner is the 50,000+ Indian University students.

0 2

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:18 AM

Pls do not say SF won the war, enough even a dumbest knows its not true . there are many factors the public must know by now, the war was mainly won by political and joint military leadership not only the army. well in fact army moved in when it was all cleared. intelligence, technology , leadership, organization and political and international cooperation especially india's willingness to end this and foreign non interference in sri lanka's policy and more ...so people dont make SF for what he is not else the people would have realised it ok

1 1

Monday, 01 February 2010 05:07 PM

Although SF has sought assylem in a foreign country, he subequently said that he is going to contest in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. What is this double standard?

0 0

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:11 AM

After much rejoicing and showing the world that we won the war against "the worst terror unit", we now have a situation where the two main players have become enemies!!

So sad for this country because our image is seriously damaged.

8 102

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:42 AM

Balloth Ekka Laggoth Mekkoth Ekka Negitinna Wenawa !.

116 56

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:48 AM

He is having a green card.to go to US. Why requesting asylum. He is having army deserters paid high wages by him for his security. He said that he is receiving only Rs 50,000/= pension. How can he pay Rs 50,000/= for each per month to 70 desertyers and renting a house for Rs 1 million per month. May be money from deals done with his son in law

141 63

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:49 AM

Janaka Perera assasination is an example. He should be protected. I think SL government will not protect him.

42 148

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:52 AM

Seems like some ppl are really scared about wht the general might reveal ........ esp. abt the last few days of war.
Even the biggest dictators were known to fall and brought in front of war crimes tribunals !

36 101

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:54 AM

If SF leaves the country, who will speak on behalf of the poor, the hungry, and the exploited? Who will remind Sri Lankans that we need discipline, moral, political, and economic? Sri Lanka will become another Zimbabwe. But, I do realize that the ruling cartel may try to silence him by assassination, so he should leave the country temporarily.

His departure will be our loss.

45 118

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:55 AM

Is there any restriction on General Fonseka's movements? I dont think so. Does he need security? He should get whatever that he is entitled to as a former Army Commander, if former Army Commanders are entitled to security. He cannot get security as a defeated Presidential candidate. If he feels threatened in some way for being that, he should take up that issue with the IGP.

As regards asylum, why does he need that if he is Green card holder? He could go to the USA anytime. Asking for asylum sounds like a political ploy to discredit Sri Lanka.

70 49

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:02 AM

What a shame. SF has burnt all the bridges with his foul mouth and unprofessional behaviour.

He basically was acting like a child NOt as a politicians.

What surprises me now is how he became a general?

Also he will not be taken seriously anymore by any noe that is for sure.

115 55

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:07 AM

Election Commissioner also will seek Political Asylum !.
Otherwise he will have to go to State Lunatic Asylum at Angoda !.

91 32

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:38 AM

Political Asylum is ready in Uganda !.

157 51

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:12 AM

The faster you leave...the better for mother country...dear sir..please go.....

108 39

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:17 AM

these are Mangala's culprit tacktics. ( dirachcha lanu)

hoping you won't contest in Australia.

god bless

84 34

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:37 AM

Yes We Can Australia

60 15

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:41 AM

Dear sir,
If you have Green card....why not go to USA?

23 57

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:51 AM

You are always welcome to this beautiful country where people can live with self dignity!

23 79

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:57 AM

God bless SRI LANKA ! ! ! A land like no other where power rules over justice !

24 86

Friday, 29 January 2010 04:00 AM

If I see u in Australia... I'll teach u hw hard we worked here to stop the LTTE fundraisers... u went and slept with them... Seek refuge in Tamil Nadu.. not here

101 42

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