No relief for Fonseka’s supporters

Thursday, 24 May 2012 

A large number of military personnel who were prematurely retired from the force for their support towards Sarath Fonseka are despondent that the relief anticipated by them following Fonskea’s release would not materialize. Most of the army personnel who were on the frontlines of the war under Fonseka were victimized soon after Fonseka’s entrance to politics.

Members of the “Main Stream” group that consisted of the best military personnel from all battalions in the army formed by Fonseka during the crucial stages of the war were victimized in this manner. Although they worked with conviction to defeat the LTTE without any allegiance to political parties, they were victimized since they worked closely with Fonseka.

Senior Majors General like Dhammika Liyanage, Mahesh Senanayake, Ranjith Silva, Jayantha Perera and Samantha Sooriyabandara were victimized by the Defence Secretary. Also, brigadiers, colonels, majors and captains were victimized in a similar manner. About 218 members of the Main Stream group were prematurely retired and most of them do not even receive their pensions.

The white van operation was signed to follow most of these personnel after being forcibly retired and most of them had to leave the country for safety.

They are disgruntled that their plights have not been discussed during the discussions to secure Fonseka’s release and the media had also failed to highlight them.

Although some of the Main Stream members had arrived at Fonseka’s residence in Thalawatugoda to congratulate him after his release, they have not been allowed I side by the private security personnel deployed at the house.