Ddec 2014
Gotabhaya defends ex-military men engaging in politics
‘If terrorists can enter politics, why not forces personnel?’
December 14, 2014, 10:02 pm
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that those who had accused him of using retired military personnel in President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s campaign had conveniently forgotten Sarath Fonseka entering politics while still holding office as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Fonseka held the rank of General at that time.
Defence Secretary said that President Rajapaksa had promptly accepted the former army commander’s letter of resignation when the latter declared his intention to contest the 2010 presidential election.
The Defence Secretary was responding to Opposition allegation that he was using retired service personnel in President Rajapaksa’s campaign.
Defence Secretary recalled the JVP revealing the then CDS consulting them from the US in late Oct/Nov 2009 when Department of Homeland Security sought an interview.
The vast majority of military would support the government because whatever the allegations, no one could deprive President Rajapaksa of giving political leadership to the successful war effort.
The Maithripala Sirisena’s Camp yesterday told the media that Defence Secretary Rajapaksa was using Urban Development Authority (UDA) in President Rajapaksa’s campaign. Addressing the media, Opposition spokesman attorney-at-law Shiral Lakthilaka alleged that the UDA was operating digital screens in Colombo 24 hours a day to promote President Rajapaksa. Lakthilaka said that the Opposition had a list of serving military personnel campaigning for the incumbent president.
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa emphasized that there shouldn’t be any bar on retired military personnel to either contest election at any level or support a political party of their choice. The war veteran pointed out that there were a number of retired military personnel in active politics in addition to the Democratic Party (DP) leader.
The coalition that backed the Opposition candidate at the last presidential election included the UNP, JVP, TNA and SLMC, the Defence Secretary said. Those demanding accountability and good governance never bothered to ask the TNA why it recognized the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil speaking people, he said.
Responding to a query, Rajapaksa said that many retired service personnel had worked closely with different political parties, including the SLFP-led People’s Alliance. Those worried about retired military personnel backing a particular political party had absolutely no qualms about the LTTE receiving political recognition in Dec 1989 during UNP-LTTE honeymoon, the Defence Secretary said. In addition to the LTTE, all other terrorist groups received political recognition to enable them to contest election in late 80s, the Defence Secretary said.
He said that the UDA operated digital screens were meant to highlight the transformation of Colombo since the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009. The official said that those advertisements didn’t carry pictures of him or the President.
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