No attempt by Sajith to patch-up : Fonseka

By Easwaran Rutnam

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, says he is still on the fence on contesting the upcoming Presidential elections but is willing to take the challenge and put the country back on track.

Asked how he intends to put the country back on the right track, Fonseka responded saying there is a need to fight corruption and also bring about discipline in the country.

He noted, for example, most motorists don’t know how to drive on highways and drive like they are driving along a small, gravel road.

In a live video interview broadcast on Daily Mirror, Fonseka said that there has not been any attempt by SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa to resolve differences with him and move forward.

“Even if I am reluctant to speak he must invite me and say let's forget the differences, patch up and move forward together. But it's not happening,” he said.

Fonseka also reiterated that he has reservations about Premadasa running for President nor is he willing to work with President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the UNP leader has aligned himself with the Rajapaksas.

He also said that he will not resign as the SJB Chairman right now as he does not want to abandon his supporters in the SJB.

The MP noted that during and after ‘Aragalaya’ the public pushed for a change in the political system yet that change has not come through the existing leaders in Sri Lankan politics.

“So, there is a duty for me to stick my neck out and take the responsibility and make some sacrifices, if there is a requirement,” he said.

Asked about his relationship with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Fonseka said that he has no personal issue with the President as it was Wickremesinghe who brought him to politics.

He also acknowledged that the Government under Wickremesinghe is doing its best for the country, yet questions remain.

“When many people refused to take over, Wickremesinghe faced the challenge. In certain areas, we have achieved certain favorable results. But I don’t think we have fallen on the correct track still,” he said.

Fonseka also responded to allegations of war crimes said to have been committed during the war against the LTTE.

He said the allegations are exaggerated and if 40,000 people were killed as alleged, then the skeletal remains of these people should emerge somewhere.

However, the former Army Commander said there were some isolated incidents that occurred after the war and he had launched an investigation on one such incident but could not complete the probe as he was removed from his post.