Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka stated that he would not accept any position in the current government, emphasizing that such roles should be given to those who directly contributed to its victory. During an interview on a national television channel today (19), Fonseka clarified his stance and explained why he chose to stay out of government appointments.
“That doesn’t A GROUPGROUPmean I’m unwilling to help rebuild the country — I’ve always been ready for that. But there is a group that was dedicated to bringing this government to power. They are the ones who should hold office. It would not be appropriate for me to step in now and interfere with this ‘flower garden’,” he remarked sarcastically.
Fonseka stressed the importance of involving capable individuals, especially from the military, in addressing national challenges:
“Every army has its exceptional people, and it’s those people who should step in at times like these. Sitting in a chair with a few laws around you won’t fix anything. You have to face the situation head-on. I was hands-on during the war, and people with that kind of commitment can help minimize threats like drugs and other social issues. But those fall under public security — national security is the responsibility of the armed forces.”
He warned about the continued threat from LTTE sympathizers operating abroad:
“If, after spending so much, LTTE loyalists are still active overseas, what’s to stop a new suicide squad from forming? That’s a potential threat in the future. We must remain vigilant.”
Commenting on the state of leadership in the country, he said:
“We need the emergence of strong leaders. This country has yet to produce the right kind of leadership. We still don’t see them.”
Fonseka also expressed concern over the current state of Sri Lanka’s military, comparing it with modern forces abroad:
“We once built an army that ran toward the battle, not away from it. But today, our military lags far behind those of developed countries in terms of technology and equipment. If we want to talk proudly about national security, we are in a very backward position. No country will take responsibility for defending us. If another country attacks, no one will come running to save us in a day. Look at Ukraine — even against a powerful Russia, they are still fighting.”