Fonseka's arrest 'politicised'

The United National Party (UNP) and the People's Liberation Front (JVP) have turned out to be the most bankrupt political parties in Sri Lanka's history. Having been rejected by the masses and losing successive elections for nearly two decades, the UNP and the JVP now seem to have realised that they are unable to seek victory in a democratic manner in the near future.

Hence, the two parties are evidently resorting to unlawful and undemocratic means to capture power at any cost. Having seen their declining vote base and the writing on the wall that they do not stand a ghost of a chance at the forthcoming General Elections, the UNP and the JVP are firing volleys from all sides to overcome their losing mentality.

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was arrested last week by the Military Police for conspiring against the Government while being in office, and moreover, for disclosing sensitive military secrets which he is obliged to protect even after retirement.

Nevertheless, the Opposition is trying to 'politicise' the arrest of Fonseka which followed certain allegations relating to violation of Army Rules, under the Army Act, Clause 57(1). The allegations include involvement in politics while serving in the Army, conspiring against the Commander-in-Chief, protecting over 1,000 Army deserters and allegations of corruption in the purchase of military equipment.

The authorities have the right to take such action under the Sri Lanka Army Act. However, the UNP and the JVP, sans any effective strategy to face the Government's challenge at the forthcoming General Elections, are attempting to distort the issue to gain petty political mileage. Merely because Fonseka had been one of the 21 unsuccessful candidates at last month's Presidential Election, he would not get immunity over the law of the land. He cannot act in a manner which threatens democracy and conspire against a democratically elected Government.

Worse still, when a man in military uniform resorts to such acts, people like him should be court-martialled to maintain discipline, public security, law and order.

On Wednesday, the police dispersed an unruly mob of UNP and JVP supporters who attempted to forcibly enter the Supreme Court complex in Hulftsdorp, Colombo. The unruly mob who shouted slogans against the Courts, was led by the UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya.

The protesters who expressed solidarity with Fonseka, had targeted the Supreme Court due to the inherent nature of the UNP to attack the Courts. The police were compelled to use tear-gas to disperse the protesters who pelted stones indiscriminately injuring two policemen and several others. They also damaged eight police vehicles.

Is this the type of politics that the UNP and JVP are now resorting to after their ignominious defeat at the recent Presidential Elections? The fate the Opposition would face at the General Elections scheduled for April is crystal clear.

Hence, the two parties are attempting to intimidate the judiciary and take the law into their own hands. On the other hand, could we expect more from parties such as the UNP and the JVP which have a notorious history of threatening and intimidating judges and burning Court Complexes?

During the J.R. Jayewardene regime the UNP went to the extent of organising their goons to pelt stones at the residences of Supreme Court judges. Thereafter, the JVP burnt the Courts and Government offices during the 1987/89 insurgency.

These parties have now joined hands and are attempting to threaten the independence of the judiciary. Knowing only too well that they would not secure a mandate from the people in a democratic manner, they are masterminding various operations to capture power.

A similar attempt by Fonseka and his goons on the day following the Presidential Election was averted due to the timely action taken by the Government.

The Opposition is now exploring ways and means to discredit and topple the Government in an undemocratic manner. They are using the lawful arrest of Fonseka as a weapon to strengthen their campaign - to create civil unrest and destabilise the country. The JVP and UNP, by organising unlawful protest campaigns opposite the Supreme Court complex have manifestly displayed their motive of threatening the judiciary and attempting to intimidate the judges.

It is the bounden duty of loyal and peace-loving citizens to repudiate such unlawful acts organised by opportunistic Opposition politicians who have been totally rejected by the masses. The opportunists in the Opposition should be taught an unforgettable lesson at the next General Election. They should be shown that unlawful protests to intimidate the judiciary will not be tolerated in the society.

The masses should help the Government to make the UNP and JVP learn this stark fact. If the UNP and the JVP are loyal and peace-loving parties, they would not have organised protest campaigns near the Supreme Court Complex over lawful arrest of a traitor who has betrayed the country. Though the UNP and the JVP are projecting Fonseka's arrest as a politically motivated act, even a tyke knows that it was done to maintain law and order as the law of the land reigns supreme. The International Community should not fall prey to the sinister campaigns of the UNP and the JVP. The two parties are using Anoma Fonseka to play the sympathy card to woo public support. But the masses are cognizant of the circumstances which led to Fonseka's arrest.

It is up to the military or civil courts to determine whether Fonseka is guilty or not. The UNP and JVP should refrain from using Fonseka's arrest as a political tool. Just because Fonseka was one of the Commanders who served during the humanitarian operation it does not necessarily mean that he could get immunity and take the law into his own hands,

The Opposition should bear in mind that the law of the land is supreme and that no one is above the law.