(November 13, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Sarath Fonseka, who led the war against the LTTE as Army Chief, on yesterday ( Nov. 12) Thursday, afternoon sent his resignation letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa possibly to join politics.Here full text of the resignation letter from the General Sarath Fonseka.
Gen. Fonseka’s real letter
His Excellency the President
Through the Secretary, Ministry of Defence,
Public Security, Law and Order
Presidential Secretariat
COLOMBO 12th November 2009
Your Excellency
REQUEST TO RETIRE FROM THE REGULAR FORCE OF THE SRI LANKA ARMY
1. I, General G S C Fonseka RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc presently serving as the Chief of Defence Staff, was enlisted to the Ceylon Army on 05th Feb 1970 and was commissioned on the 01st June 1971. On the 6th Dec 2005 due to the trust and confidence placed on me, Your Excellency was kind enough to promote me to the rank of Lieutenant General and appoint me as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army in an era when the Country was embroiled with the menace of terrorism and was in a stalemate state after having toiled for a solution politically or otherwise for over 25 years without a success.
2. During my command of 3 years and 7 months, the Sri Lanka Army managed to eradicate the terrorist movement having apprehended an unbelievable stock of arms and munitions and decisively defeating the LTTE and its murderous leadership which Your Excellency is obviously aware of. I would not be exaggerating to state that I was instrumental in leading the Army to this historic victory, of course with Your Excellency's political support, which helped to materialize this heroic action. Though the field commanders, men and all members of the Army worked towards this common goal, it is with my vision, command and leadership that this yeomen task was achieved. I was determined to achieve this victory as I wanted to ensure that there is permanent peace and security for the future generation of the motherland.
3. I do appreciate the fact that the Country and Your Excellency did recognize my services which led to me being promoted to the first ever serving four star general to command the Army, nevertheless the courses of action which initiated subsequently greatly depressed me which I have enumerated in the Annex hereto.
4. Considering the facts mentioned in the Annex and more which I am privy to withhold, I am compelled to believe that Your Excellency and the Government has lost your trust and faith bestowed upon me for reasons only known to Your Excellency. Hence as the senior most serving military officer in the Country with 40 years of service, such a situation does not warrant a continuation of my duties any longer, thereby I have the honour to request that I be permitted to retire from the Regular Force of the Army with effect from 01st December 2009.
5. Furthermore I have the honour to request that on retirement Your Excellency would be kind enough to grant me sufficient security which includes trained combat soldiers, a suitable vehicle with sufficient protection (Bullet proof), escort vehicles and dummy vehicles for my conveyances due to the fact that I am considered as one of the highest priority targets by the LTTE, which they are yet capable of achieving. Also, I wish to bring to Your Excellency's kind notice that over 100 men, six escort vehicles and a bullet proof vehicle have been placed at the convenience of the former Commander of the Navy who recently retired. Your Excellency, I do further request that a suitable protected government resident be made available for me to live in. Also it is requested that approval be granted for me to continue occupation of the present official residence of the Commander of the Army - "The General's House" in Bahudhaloka Mawatha until I am provided with a suitable married quarter. I presume that such arrangements would be made available to me, considering the threat factor I am facing, which Your Excellency is well aware of.
6. I would also wish to quote an example in the case of the former Indian Chief of Army Staff General A S Vadiya, instrumental in leading the Indian Army in Operation Blue Star against the Sheiks at the Golden Temple, Amristar in 1984, was assassinated whilst on retirement in 1986 purely in revenge of his victories achieved. I do not wish to experience a similar incident as I have already sustained serious injuries after the attempt on my life by a suicide cadre of the LTTE, in spite of I being injured twice previously during military operations. Though during the operations I conducted myself in a daring manner disregarding threats to my life, on conclusion of the war I have absolutely no intention to endanger my life. Thereby, I am compelled to entrust you with my security which is requested for life.
7. Furthermore, I would like to emphasis on a statement made by me during my tenure as the Commander of the Army. In that, I mentioned my dislike to be in command forever and also I would ensure that my successor would not be burdened with the task of fighting the same war, which I abided with. Hence, as I have already overstayed my retirement date by 4 years, I wish to proceed on retirement without further delays.
8. Forwarded for Your Excellency's kind consideration please.
I have the honour to be
Your Excellency's
Obedient Servant
G S C FONSEKA RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc
General
Chief of Defence Staff
And the real annexure
Here is the full text of the 17-point annexure that accompanied Gen. Sarath Fonseka's letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, seeking to retire. It is different from the version seen and agreed to by opposition parties:
ANNEX 'A' TO
LETTER CDS/1
DATED
12h NOVEMBER 2009
FACTORS AFFECTING MY RETIREMENT FROM THE REGULAR FORCE OF THE ARMY
1. Various agencies misleading Your Excellency by stating a possible coup immediately after the victory over the LTTE which obviously led to a change of command in spite of my request to be in command until the Army celebrated its 60th Anniversary. This fear psychosis of a coup is well known among the defence circle.
2. Appointing an officer pending a disciplinary inquiry who performed duties only as a holding formation commander in the final battle as my successor, disregarding my recommendations to appoint Major General G A Chandrasiri as the Commander of the Army who was the then Chief of Staff and an officer with an exemplary service as the Security Forces Commander in Jaffna for over 3 years. This has already led to a deterioration of the high standards I was capable of introducing to the Army, to my bitter disappointment.
3. Appointing me as the Chief of Defence Staff, though a senior appointment to that of a service commander, with basically no authority, except for mere coordinating responsibilities in a manner which mislead the general public of the country and most members of the Armed Forces. In that the Secretary Defence pushing me to vacate the post of the Commander in just two weeks after the victory and Your Excellency insisting me to hand over duties in less than two months depriving me of my moral obligations in revamping the welfare and providing a sound administration to the men who fought a gallant battle. Due to this action you also denied me of my desire to streamline the career planning of Common Stream Officers whom I wanted to ensure that they are given with career prospects of becoming experts/specialist in their fields.
4. Further, prior to my appointment I was misled on the authority vested with the CDS. I was made to understand that the appointment carried more command responsibilities and authority than earlier over all three services, but subsequent to my appointment a letter by the Strategic Affairs Adviser to the Secretary Defence indicated that my appointment was purely to coordinate the services and not that of overall operational command. The letter is attached herewith for Your Excellency's information. Such actions clearly defines Your Excellency's and the Governments unwillingness to grant me with command responsibilities which leads to believe in a strong mistrust in me, which is most depressing after all what was performed by me to achieve war victory.
5. During a subsequent Service Commanders Meeting, the Secretary Defence was bold enough to state an unethical and uncalled statement by mentioning that "if operational control of all three services is granted to the CDS it would be very dangerous", which indeed was a loss of face to me in the presences of subordinate services commanders.
6. Your Excellency, you too made a statement at the very first security council soon after the 18th of May 09 when the battled was declared over, to the extent that "a strong public opinion is in the making to say that the Country is in possession of a too powerful army, which will lead Sri Lanka to another State like that of Myanmar". It was surprising to hear such a comment from Your Excellency in spite of your repeated praise and boast of the war victory brought about by the same Army. I personally felt that Your Excellency has commenced mistrusting your own loyal Army which attained the unimaginable victory just a week ago. You again repeated the same statement even after I handed over the command. Over these comments I felt disgusted as these comments indirectly insulted those who made the supreme sacrifice during the war victory.
7. The present Army Commander immediately on assuming duties commenced transferring senior officers who immensely contributed to the war effort during my command tenure including those junior officers working with my wife at the Seva Vanitha Army Branch which was involved in looking after the welfare of the troops, was clearly to challenge the loyalty of officers and most discouraging to the officer corps of the Army, with a wrong signal being transmitted on my authority.
8. Your Excellency, I wish to remind you that whilst the Eelam War IV was being fought I repeatedly requested to increase the compensation paid to those Next of Kin of the officers and men killed in action from Rs.150,000.00 which was the amount sanctioned in year 1985, to Rs.500,000.00 as the approved amount is grossly insufficient in the present context. This request was not considered favourably thereby I feel extremely guilty that the Army and the Government at large has not looked into the welfare of those who paid the supreme sacrifice.
9. With a pain of mind it was noted that the same Army which gained victory for the Nation was suspected of staging a coup and thereby alerting the Government of India once again on the 15th of October 2009, unnecessarily placing the Indian Troops on high alert. This action did tarnish the image and reputation gained by the Sri Lanka Army as a competent and professional organization who was capable of defeating a terrorist group after the Malayan Emergency, in the eyes of the World. This suspicion would have been due to the loyalty of the Sri Lanka Army towards me as its past Commander who led the Army to the historic victory.
10. During my absences from the Country (23 Oct 2009 to 5 Nov 2009) being on overseas leave, the Army Headquarters was bold enough to change the security personnel deployed at the AHQ Main Entrance and the Ministry of Defence emphasizing the withdrawal of the Sinha Regiment troops who were attached to me, as you are aware is my parent regiment and supplementing them with other regimental personnel. The Sinha Regiment troops were good enough to provide security to the Ministry of Defence for 4 years and it is surprising to note how the combat efficiency of the said troops supposed to have dropped overnight as per Secretary Defence's opinion.
Further the Sinha Regiment troops numbering a mere 4, non combatants, deployed for vehicle checking duties at the AHQ Main Entrance, were replaced by 14 armed Armoured Corps personnel, whilst a further two platoons were brought in to prevent the 4 non combat Sinha Regiment personnel performing duties, creating a mockery to the general public. This clearly indicates a questionable loyalty of troops good enough for duties for over four years purely due to the fact that the troops were from my Regiment. This also indirectly reflects mistrust on me or an indication that the persons concern wish to keep a tab on my movements and visitors to my HQ/residence which is a clear display of suspicion created on me.
11. Further on instructions of the Secretary Defence, troops from the Gajaba Regiment was brought in to the MOD complex to remove the Sinha Regiment troops which indicated the creation of divided loyalty within the Army and reasons to believe that the Army now being politicized. This is being encouraged by the Army Commander too who thinks that the Armoured Corp troops should over power Sinha Regiment troops again in the Army HQ complex which includes my office and residence.
12. Instigating malicious and detrimental news items and rumors by interested parties including several senior government politicians which led to identify me as a traitor in spite of my personal contribution of the government to change the history of our country.
13. It is with pain of mind that I note that the ordinary Army which I toiled to transform into a highly professional outfit is now losing its way. Increased desertions, lack of enthusiasm to enlist (A drop in enlistment rate by 50% is recorded), disciplinary problems on advocating divided commands indicates an unprofessional organization in the offing. During the last two months the members deserted are higher than the recruitment.
14. Resettlement process of the IDPs was also a point of concern. The IDPs are resettled in an ad hoc manner without proper infrastructure facilities to the dismay of most inmates. The Government has resorted to this course of action merely refusing to incur an additional expense for the betterment of the IDPs. This is indeed a short term remedy to get rid of the IDP issue. I strongly advocated that the resettlement should commence only after proper demining, providing necessary infrastructure facilities and on confirming of the identity of any infiltrated terrorists, thereby ensuring 100% safety and security to the younger generations among IDPs.
15. The conditions in the IDP centers is also a point of great concern to me. Thousands of valiant soldiers including members of the Navy, Air Force, Police and the Civil Defence Force sacrificed their valuable lives to liberate these unfortunate civilians from the brutality and tyranny of the LTTE in order that they could live in an environment of freedom and democracy. Yet, today many of them are continuing to live in appalling conditions due to the lack of proper planning and the reluctance to incur expenditure on the part of the Government.
16. The troop requirement for the resettlement is grossly insufficient and cannot sustain the demanding needs in the resettled areas, thus placing the innocent people in turmoil. Your Excellency's government is yet to win the peace in spite of the fact that the Army under my leadership won the war. There is no clear policy to ensure the security of the Tamil people thereby leaving room to ruin the victory attained, paving the way for yet another uprising in the future due to lack of security arrangements in the resettled areas.
17. Sri Lanka Army ensured the safe custody of approximately 10,000 surrendered LTTE cadres. But it is regrettably noted that so far no constructive action has been taken to methodically rehabilitate them in order to ensure that they get back to the society as properly rehabilitated law abiding citizens.
-Sri Lanka Guardian
 Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Sarath Fons...){kind=link}
Brothers,
Lord Buddah might parden this man but definitely not a hindu God, because he killed many innocent tamils.The sprits of those tamils burried alive will lookafter him even if he is alive or dead.God bless all those innocent people killed in vanni and the mentally ill person killed in Bambalapitiya.
Thank you for publishing this letter as I was a great admirer of Gen Fonseka until reading this.
Now I understand that he is nothing but selfish, greedy & dangerous person, who may even attempt a coup, which we thought not possible in SL. Sadly, he is not intelligent enough to understand that the Victory over LTTE is a collective effort of Army, Navy, Airforce, Intelligence, political will & most of all correct leardership of the presidency. It's pitty that we have to spend so much money for hundreds of men, many vehicles to protect such a person. Shame !
Well every thing said now, you will contest against Mahinda, under the UNF/JVP/TNA so called duped alliance, the merceneries of the Western Imperialists and betray the country, the nation, and kneel to Ranil, LTTE, Hillery and the gang. The you will go to Yankie land and get Citizenship instead the Green one, where are we to go? At our cost your daugthers are studying in USA, poor children are sufferring here. This should not have been your decision, if you did not like being iltreated, just step down and quit, then you would be blessed and will gain much sympathy. The nature will see to the justice over the time.
Don't betray the entire nation and subjugate us to the Ranil, Hillery, LTTE alliance.
Thats all you will do. Excellent General!
Now you have shown your colours!
These unsubstantiated allegations are Fonseka’s childish mind. While accusing the government he also wants escorts to protect him from the LTTE he boasts that he has defeated. If he enters politics, that is the end of that protection for him, because he says he is going to use his civil liberties after he step down from CDS. You cannot have it both ways. He was responsible for Parami Kulathunge’s demise because Fonseka was holding both official bungalows in the Army HQ for his own use. Then Fonseka has gone to extremes of refusing former generals holiday bungalows. Also he had divided loyalty of the troops by this action. Perhaps his yearning for increasing the Army cadres had ulterior motives. In peacetime Sri Lanka when general populous is sacrificing their resources, how on earth this man even to suggest increasing the forces, at comfortable salaries.
Very powerful and also sad letter.
Dear General,
Wish you have better life as a community leader.
People never forget you.
All the best.
Tripple Gem Bless You!
Mahinda
This is nothing new except for UNP propaganda. It seems to have been written to absolve this ungeneral from any wrong doings and blame the government. If not for the support of the government what he could have achieved which is boasting about? He sounds an ungrateful brat when he requests the government for security on one hand and blaming the government on the other. The boasting he is doing about eliminating the terrorists, why is he so scared about his security. By proposing to the government to increase Army cadres he has made a joker of himself. In peacetime Sri Lanka if defense cadres are to be increased who is paying the cost. The burden on the public even for the war is squarely put on the government, but the victories of war Fonseka wants to have it for himself.
Our Beloved General,
Put the country right as you did with the SL Army.
Thankyou for highlighting on kings new clothes.
All the very best.
when The PRESIDENT don't trust the leader of the army who won the war for him and the country ,there is a problem ,if you don't do anything wrong there's nothing to worry about
lets see who wins fare and square
Nathan, Dont talk nonsens!!!!
Cant you remember the masacar of Aranthalawa and Sri mahabodhiya. If so tell us who got killed by god? Praba Isnt it.
The General needs protection from the state and not from the LTTE. This is a known fact which is not declared so!
General, your resignation letter is dictated by Ranil the fox!
I will never ever believe you have written this by your self.
Mahinda mama, I am with you as I did since your election!
Lanka Guardian has chosen not to publish my comments for the last few days for reasons beyond my comprehension. Still, I choose to comment in the hope LG would not stoop to self-censorship to win kudos from those in power or opposition.
The government and the general still stand accused of war crimes but it looks like providence is intervening to mete out justice even though it is coming from within the establishment.
The General obviously feels that since he vanquished the LTTE the majority Sinhala population would vote for him hands down.
But he foregets oen thing. There are seasoned politicians like Ranil W who are used to manipulating situations to keep themsleves firmly entrenched in politics. The general is but a stooge and despite his vast and long-standing military expertise he is but a novive in politics.
To put it more bluntly he is rushing into politics where even fools fear to tread.
I strongly think that Mahinda Rajapakse has been poisoned by his close associates specially the morons like Mervin Silva who fears that the general would eradicate underworld and drug lords in the country if he was given power. It's pity that Mahind Jarapakse is such a short sighted and power greedy person to create a dispute with the General who was a real commander, general and a true spirited military person from whom he could still get a yeoman'service. I would like to point out to both the ploiticians and the General is that the western powers and the LTTE politicians will take adavantage over this situation that was created even before the warmth of the victory has died out.
Greedy politicians think about themselves only and not about the country. This is a very tragic situation Which I doubt we wouldn't be able to avaoid in near future
Sarath Fonseka can and will tackle corruption. MR has failed in this aspect.
He will not have ministers, who spend millions of rupees on Birthday parties, deal with drug lords (even escort them to the airport to ensure safe passage to the UK, import outdated drugs, break tender procedures etc. MR does not have the guts to challenge these guys and kick them out.
Endorse Mahinda and endorse the continuance of plunder and thuggery by these ministers.
Sarath Fonseka can and will tackle corruption. MR has failed in this aspect.
He will not have ministers, who spend millions of rupees on Birthday parties, deal with drug lords (even escort them to the airport to ensure safe passage to the UK, import outdated drugs, break tender procedures etc. MR does not have the guts to challenge these guys and kick them out.
Endorse Mahinda and endorse the continuance of plunder and thuggery by these ministers.
Reply to Aravinda,
My friend the daughters of Gen.Fonseka has not taken a cent from any one apart from their father.How they went America ,the close friends knows.The father sold their land to send them over seas.The girls worked and earned money to pay for their education .Do not measure with the same yard stick everyone.
General Fonseka is honest and has never,never taken any commissions,otherwise he will be a very rich man.
Dr.Wijebahu
Dear Nathan,
Where have you been when tiger terrorist were blasting bombs to kill innocent people in Colombo and other places?.Are you blind or deaf?
Why dont you go and see prabaharan in hell.People like you should be living in hell as you see only one side of things.If there is a war civilians will get killed.That is a fact.Go and learn about wars.
Nevil
Good letter. But its all about me. Didn't the navy, air force, STF, military intelligence win the war?
I thought it was team work.
So the Rajapakse regime had arranged with India to intervene in the event of a coup! Isn't this an act of treachery- something like when our people invited the Dutch to get rid of the Portuguese? Why should foreigners be invited to intervene? The joke is that the coup attempt had been imaginary!A corrupt regime is shivering down the spine. Monks had been asked to persuade Gen Fon not to come forward as candidate.
General Fonseka has a great track record, a professionalism, and an ability that makes him a possible Lee Quan Yu for our poor country.
But General be careful of your life. It is precious to Sri Lankans.
Hi to all peace loving Sri- Lankans,
General Fonseka was an excellent & top officer in the Army up until May 18, 09 but what happened to him after, just like those few professional Tamils in our country after graduating or getting all the help they need from then govt's...kick the ladder or bit the hand who gave help & turned against Sinhalese people & all other races to join EEEELAM. Same way the govt of SL after getting all the hard work done...now they have kicked Gen. Fonseka to the road with the tag of an traitor to the country rather than labeling him as a great General who liberated peace & fun loving Sinhalese,Tamils,Muslims,Burghers, Malay's & any other race who lives in SL, from the ruthless guerilla outfit called LTTE was banned in many western countries even up to date. So we all know now who is the real hero it is the govt or Gen. Fonseka? We are now certain that with the help of former SL prime minister Ranil (UNP),The JVP, some ministers from the present govt and the three armed forces, the STF & with Police personnel retired & present and with the help from countries like U.S, Britain, India, Pakistan & China who knows well what Gen.Fonseka had done to eradicate terrorism from our motherland will give a biggest challenge to Mr. Rajapaksa in the coming presidential elections if he (Gen. Fonseka)contesting as a Independent candidate, All the best to Gen.Fonseka & long live SL as one united country with all the communities.
By, Kanishka Manamendra – F/lance writer.
hay Nathan u must be LTTE bugger which our army missed.u will dead soon as praba.don't worry be happy till that ur turn will be soon.ur dream already finish so its will be dream only.IN SRI LANKA NO MORE LTTE.i don't care who will be president as long as LTTE killers not in srilanka i am happy.Budusarani mage ratata.........
The Gang of four, the three brothers of Mahinda Rajapaksha and his relative in Washington, want his Brother to be the Emperor without clothes in Sri Lanka. Some of these donkeys were merely doing menial work in various places and could not find a decent job to support them. Now they have the undue unearned dignity and status in Sri Lanka. The citizens of Sri Lanka, Sinhalese, Tamils and others sacrificed their lives and sustained unbearable difficulties to achieve the defeat of LTTE. It is the duty of all Sri Lankans to send unforgettable message to this despotic leader and his cronies.
Edward
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