TEN Reasons why Gen. Sarath Fonseka should be the Next President of Sri Lanka
Posted by Ajith on December 21, 2009
1. HE IS CLEVER: Gen. Fonseka started at the lowest ranks of the army and rose to the very top. Then he ended a 30 year long ‘unending’ war. Need I say more?
Can you imagine even a distant relative of Rajapakse family living in a house like this?
2. HE IS HONEST: Having led the army when it did procurements of unprecedented levels, Gen. Fonseka could have made fortunes for seven more generations, even with 1% cuts. He did not. All he owned at retirement were a 15 perch land at Bokundara, Piliyandala with a house – that cost LKR 1.2 million for construction, a Mercedes Benz, and LKR 641,000 in bank. His wife has bank balances of LKR 23,307 and USD 2,952 and jewelry worth a little more than LKR 1.6 million. He is much poorer than Wimal Weerawansa, MP.
3. HE DOES NOT MAKE UNREALISTIC PROMISES: Voters, more than anything else, hate corrupt politicians who promise sun and moon but deliver stars. Gen. Fonseka is different. He is radically practical. Not the typical politician who robs the votes by exploiting the gullible.
4. HE INTENTIONS ARE NOT TO SERVE HIS FAMILY: Let us not kid ourselves. Why Rajapakse wants power? To make his family grew further – bigger and more powerful. Perhaps he wants to make his family the richest in South Asia. Aren’t we tired of this kind of petty politics? Isn’t this the time to give a chance for somebody who thinks about the country before himself?
5. HE KNOWS THE PULSE OF THE PEOPLE: Ever heard of a national level politician who could row a canoe? This is real Sarath Fonseka, without his uniform. The simple villager, not a “Walawve Hamu”. He knows the problems of the masses better than anyone else – as he is one of them.
The simple villager
6. HE REPRESENTS A NATION, NOT A SINGLE RACE: Can Rajapakse ever say he represents Tamils, or in that case even Muslims? Rajapakse’s JHU supported Peoples’ Alliance represents only the extreme Sinhala Buddhists – not even moderate Sinhalese. On the contrary, Gen. Fonseka’s United National Front, true to its name, represents all ethnic communities at the top level. He will be the only leader capable of uniting this divided land.
7. HE IS FOCUSSED: Winning a war is not an easy game. That needs focus. The Indian National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan to described Gen. Sarath Fonseka as the “Best Army Commander in the world”. Why not utilise that kind of focus to develop this country?
8. HE DOES NOT RUN AWAY FROM CHALLENGES: We all know who left forces, ran away and took USA citizenship in the middle of war. On the other hand, Gen. Fonseka, ignoring the retirement option, after his fatal injuries from an LTTE suicide attack returned, took the leadership and ended the war for the country. Shouldn’t that kind of leaders we need for this country?
9. HE IS ABOVE POLITICS: Unlike Rajapakse, who is still very much within the political game (and thus not approved by nearly half of the country) Gen. Fonseka is above politics. He is not a candidate of this part or that party. He will unite the entire nation under a single flag.
10. HE HAS DONE HIS PART FOR THE COUNTRY: No two words about it. He nearly paid the supreme price for serving his motherland. Isn’t this the opportunity to show our gratitude?
Dan said
Hey Ajith, I generally agree with you, but not in this case. Fonseka/Gota/Mahinda are all equally responsible for the killing of Lasantha and for what was done to many many journalists around the country. I would never vote for Mahinda because of what he has done. I will also never vote for Fonseka because of all the people he has killed. We already have one killer in power. Now we need someone who is not a killer.
wap said
I agree with above 10 Reasons.But I can not give chance to Ranil
SRP said
1. HE IS CLEVER – He has been clever in providing military leadership to army , but his political ability is questioned. He does not have strong experience , nor a firm stand on the political issues of the country.
2. He is Honest – His honesty is now questioned. He said one thing to Sunday leader and now says something totally different. He seems to be in a hate game against Rajapaksha family and his honesty is questioned.
3. HE DOES NOT MAKE UNREALISTIC PROMISES – Up to now he has been. Yet there seems to be some confusion regarding the status of the executive presidency under SF. Some say that he will abolish the precidency , yet SF says he needs some power. So provided that SF elects , this promise has a chance of being a broken promise. On the other hand Mahinda rajapaksha has also fulfilled some promisses he has made to the people.
4. HE INTENTIONS ARE NOT TO SERVE HIS FAMILY – This is also in question. He has already having allegations against his son in law. Now reports surface saying that he mis-used the army resources. If the Rajapaksha’s are trying to establish a family empire , people could always use their votes to remove him.
5. HE KNOWS THE PULSE OF THE PEOPLE – Is the ability of rowing a canoe enough to prove that he knows the pulse of the people ? Does Mahinda walking in the paddy field proves that he knows the pulse of people ? This is irrational in my opinion.
6. HE REPRESENTS A NATION, NOT A SINGLE RACE – He is accused of making racial statements against tamils ? Can you recall ? He is well known as a man who stated that minorities should have different rights from Sinhaleese.
7. HE IS FOCUSSED – He is already out of focus , is abolishing the executive presidency the key need of people. They dont want it at all. He was focused as the commander , it’s not only his focus but the focus of a whole big team where he also was a player. This included navy,airforce,CDF,intelligence,politicians, diplomats and general public.
8. HE DOES NOT RUN AWAY FROM CHALLENGES –
True , as a soldier he has not run away from challenges. Yet there is this infamous story known among defence circles what he opted for when the Jaffna Penninsula was encircled by terrorists. SF’s outrage against Janaka Perera is due to this.
9. HE IS ABOVE POLITICS
We should need a person who has been in the politics. MR has a wide experience in politics and he knows the arena. A player with a good background could do more. It’s problematic whether SF is truly non partisan. I dont blame belonging to a party. Yet i would prefer someone in the game rather than above politics.
10. HE HAS DONE HIS PART FOR THE COUNTRY – Yes He did . Now he is ruining what he did through irresponsible statements he is making. Lets wait and see the tragic fall of the hero. General , as a solider was much more appriciated than the Political general. Through we cannot accept the mud slinging against this great man , he can’t avoid them getting to the ‘dirty game of politics’.