• Criticizes SJB leader’s pledge to fully implement 13th  Amendment

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Coming up with allegations against higher-ups of his own party, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday said he was questioned by a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) higher-up whether he will support Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa if he wants time to speak in Parliament.   

“I asked the Chief Opposition Whip to allocate some time for me to speak in the House. He then questioned me whether I will support Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at future elections if I want time to speak in the House. I got time to speak yesterday from the ruling party. I speak only once in three sessions in the House whereas there are others who speak daily in the House for more than half an hour,” Fonseka said.   

“I have not robbed public funds allocated for expressways. I have not accepted funds from casino owners and distributed equipment for schools and hospitals. One cannot develop the nation by distributing various goods. I will not ask the people not to accept these gifts. They can accept but they should not vote for those who are of bad genes,” he added.   

“A new SJB organizer has been appointed to my constituency. This SJB organizer held a dansala for Vesak and distributed arrack from the rear entrance,” he also said.   
MP Fonseka was critical of a pledge given by the SJB leader that he will implement the 13th Amendment to the fullest.   

“We as ex-military men strived hard to maintain the unitary status of this nation but there are others who are trying to create unrest just to win votes. These leaders have genes of those who made 600 police officers surrender to the LTTE. This leader was killed by the LTTE later,” he said.   

He said more than 50 percent of the MPs are corrupt.   

“We cannot expect these MPs to develop the nation,” he said.