19 Dec 2014
Positive response on relief for SF: Ketagoda
2014-12-19 21:42:01


Parliamentarian Jayantha Ketagoda who was a member of the Democratic Party led by former army commander Sarath Fonseka said today that both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had responded positively to his request to grant relief to Fonseka.

“I had discussions with President Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary on restoring Mr. Fonseka’s military rank and decorations including his pension. I also requested that the Rs.70 million frozen in his bank account be released to him. They said they will consider my requests positively after the poll. I believe, the release of Dhanuna Tillekaratne’s release today is an indication of that,” Mr. Ketagoda told media at today’s news briefing at the SLFP head office.

Mr. Ketagoda said he did not accept any perks or financial gratuities for his support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the only condition he set for the support was to give relief to his erstwhile former party Chief Sarath Fonseka.

He said he had no doubt that President Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary would fulfil their pledge and provide relief to Mr. Fonseka after the Presidential election if President Rajapaksa was elected on January 8.

Mr. Ketagoda said after the discussions he realized that neither President Rajapaksa not the Defence Secretary held any grudge against Mr. Fonseka as thought by many and was of the view that Mr. Fonseka would be a free man with all his perks and military decorations restored in the New Year.

He added that his only objective of joining the UPFA in support of President Rajapaksa was to get relief for Mr. Fonseka.
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