General Fonseka was only member of national Security Council who opposed early re-settlement of IDPs
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa interviewed by Inderjit Bhadwar
Inderjit Bhadwar: Under what specific charges did your government arrest Gen. Fonseka?
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa: I cannot talk about specific charges because the summary of evidence preceding the charge sheet is now being prepared by the military authorities under specific rules of procedure that guarantee due process and a fair trial. That is the work of the prosecutor.
Q: But because there are no specifics so far, this has the appearance of a personal vendetta.
A: Not at all. Most people are probably unaware of the damage done by the general to our military while he was in uniform, particularly in the way he entered politics.
Q: You mean, he should have stayed out of politics and not challenged the President in the election? What is this damage you speak of?
A: Of course he has that right in a democracy. But he misused his office to pervert the process. Most people tend to simplify this story into three parts – a)he fought a successful war, b)he was the army commander, c)he was arrested because he challenged the president in the election. The real issue is the damage he did is what led to his detention. He politicised the military. We share a proud tradition with India as the only two countries in the region that can boast about a neutral military, but when that tradition was subverted in Sri Lanka Lanka by Fonseka there was no option but to take action against him.
Q: As a war hero he has many admirers who urged him contest…
A: He should have had a clean break from the military and then entered politics. In his utter greed for power he used his position and contacts for his own benefits. He did this while he was chief of defense staff (CDS), and also when he was army commander. He used the army commander’s bungalow to conduct political activities and kept military resources made available to him in his official capacity for personal political use.
Q: What do you mean by political activities? And why the seeming haste to arrest him?
A: While he was CDS he was talking to commanders, senior officers, and there were complaints of a few soldiers saying he was asking them to work for him. He was clearly using the military for political purposes. If we did not act on this we would be signalling that in future others can get away with this. The tradition of a neutral military so precious to us – and to India—would have been destroyed.
Q: Can you be more specific about your phrase “using soldiers”?
A: Soldiers at lower levels manning roadblocks were stopping vehicles and seeking votes for the general. Most of them were very young people recruited during the last three years, and when their own commander contests they’re in a very confused state. In fact he tried to gather support even among army deserters to whom he gave shelter.
He was actively doing this while he was CDS. He was using officers and soldiers to conduct surveys and compute vote percentages to measure his support within the army, and this started while he was still army commander. That is why, when we found out, we acted swiftly against 15 senior army officers who were sent into compulsory retirement.
Q: Aren’t there other very serious allegations that the general was planning a coup and assassination of the President and his family?
A: Well, those are covered under civilian law and are the subject to procedures of criminal investigations which are a separate procedure. The general’s arrest is in connection with offences he committed while he was in uniform.
Q: But why was it necessary to surround his hotel with troops after the election results were announced?
A: He created that situation. He booked 70 rooms in the Taj hotel, another 70 in the Cinnamon. What for? We sent security around the hotel because we wanted to avoid post-election violence. During that time (former Prime Minister) Ranil (Wickremesinghe) spoke to me and I told him “we have not arrested you or him, you are the people who booked that hotel.”
We later found out that the security officer at the hotel, a former army army person, erased all the CCTV recordings and then altered his own attendance registry to cover up.
Q: The world, particularly the Western media and human rights groups are highlighting his arrest and charges of a vendetta.
A: I’d like to know why they didn’t highlight his public statements during the election when he was openly saying he would arrest the President if he is elected and put him and his ministers in cages.
Q: There were corruption charges against him when he was army commander that he was using his position to influence officers in the army to purchase arms from his son in law Danuna Tilekeratne’s company HiCorp International. Why didn’t you arrest him then?
A: Well, the details are only now coming out because there’s been a falling out among the suspects.
Q: His supporters say the general is being punished because he spoke out on a quick political solution to the Tamil issue, on war crimes, and the speedy resettlement of the IDPs (internally displaced persons).
A: I wish more journalists would do their homework. Why don’t you simply analyse his speeches while he was still in uniform immediately after the end of the war, and those he made when he became a candidate? His first speech to soldiers was that they had not lost their lives and shed their blood just to allow politicians to implement political solutions, “we will not allow this.” Is this not an attempt to mobilise the military against the political system? An Indian army commander making this kind of statement would have been sacked immediately.
Q: But then he entered politics.
A: His tactics changed from planning a direct military takeover to attempting to grab power through political means.
Q: How do you react to his allegations that you ordered your troops to shoot down in cold blood LTTE leaders who were surrendering with white flags?
A:Again, study the record, do your homework. Earlier, he said something else. He gave a lecture to his old school after the war and told the audience that the political leadership was trying to protect LTTE interests by asking them to surrender “But it was a war situation and they had to be killed.” Now, he reverses his stand, talks about a political solution and says I gave orders to shoot people waving white flags of surrender.
Q: What really happened?
A: This was supposed to have happened on the last day – May 18, 2010 – the day Prabhakaran was killed. The LTTE leaders were now trapped in an area 400 meters by 400 meters, about 200 of them, surrounded by the military. It is late at night, past midnight. Make a mental picture of this. Can you see them coming out with white flags in this dense jungle in pitch darkness? The situation was that some terrorist cadres counter-attacked.
Prabhakaran was trying to break out and escape to the lagoon, his son went in another direction. At the same time 10,000 surrendered cadres came down from one side. In this kind of situation in the thick of battle, can you expect a young recruit, barely a month into battle, to recognise a senior LTTE cadre and make a decision as to shoot him selectively or spare him?
Q: The war crimes issue is still being kept alive, do you recognise it as an issue?
A: Yes we recognise what a war crime is. If you use the pretext of war for revenge killings, abductions, ransom, if that is done under the pretext of a military operation it is a crime. And we have arrested, tried and punished soldiers for this. We have put officers in jail for this. But there are situations over which we have no control. They claim, for example that we bombed a hospital. If a hospital is marked as a hospital and we deliberately bomb it, that’s wrong. And we did not. But look at the last phase of the war. The LTTE was trapped in an area of one square kilometre, and in this situation of fighting it is difficult to control a stray bullet hitting a hospital. Moreover in a situation like this there’s no question of patients or civilians in the area. One has to understand the ground situation in such close combat.
Q: Many western countries are still insisting on a war crimes trial.
A: These appear to be the same countries that wanted a regime change in Sri Lanka.
Q: Why? And why would they want to back a military man?
A: Three aspects to this. First, there is a very powerful and moneyed diaspora with LTTE sympathies that plays a crucial role in these countries, participates in their vote bank politics and media. Second, because Sri Lanka did not tow the line on certain strategic policies; and third, the human rights lobbies pushing war crime trials to which they believed the UNP, supporting the general, would be more amenable.
Q: Are the general’s criticism of your government’s treatment and rehabilitation of IDP’s a source of real concern to you?
A: The reality is that when he was in uniform the general was the only person on our Security Council who opposed the early settlement of the IDPs – the only person. He kept arguing it was a huge security risk. That’s the only reason that the resettlement of IDPs was delayed. While as CDS he opposed heir release, he later made common cause with the opposition which was using the IDP issue to blame the government during the election.
Q: What finally happened?
A: My view was that the newly liberated areas like Jaffna, the peninsula, the East were safe and IDPs could be sent back there early. Fonseka had a firm “no.” So I said let them at least go to temporary camps in the eastern province. We released thousands of them but Fonseka ordered them dragged right back to the original detention areas. We were under pressure from the UN and other countries but the general kept arguing “security.”
Finally President Rajapakse himself intervened. He said: “What security are you talking about? Here are 300,000 people in these camps, some 20,000 pro-LTTE as well as cadres have already escaped. So where’s the security? I want them resettled immediately!" ~ courtesy: Tehelka ~
44 Comments
Gotabhaya speaks like the sole owner and guardian of the country.Just imagine what happened to ordinary people, when they have unlimited access to power.It is totally destroys themselves and the country as a whole.These people dont know the meaniing of democracy even?
From this interview it is clear that there are no specific charges aginst the General except on a vague charge of 'politicising the military' on which count the govt too is guilty. The army act states that action can be taken to arrest a person within six months on any acts committed. When there are no such offences known or charge sheeted, how can this be applied?
4 mths down the line 100,000 refugees are still in the camps and the rest are living in shacks by the roadside, so it is not possible to blame the General for all the actions of the Govt.
This guy is guilty of war crimes, there is no doubt what so ever.
He is lying.
Probably looking for an exit strategy.
His tactics won't work any more
He is talking like he is 100percent correct and the Gen Fonseka has made many mistakes and should be punished.but the same people promoted Gen Fonseka as the Chief of defence(WHich is powerless) ,Offered secretary postswhiel ofeering miniter post to Karuna Amman ,and PIlleyan.These all were done tbecause government was infear of defeat and they wanted to silence him instaed of taking into politics,
WHATEVER GOTA SAYS TO DEFEND HIS ILLEGAL ACTIONS, I FEEL THIS IS A DIRECT REVENGE ACT JUST BECAUSE THE GENERAL CHALLENGED THE PRESIDENT IN AN ELECTION. THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR THE GENERAL VOTED AGAINST CORRUPTION AND NEPOTISM. IT APPEARS THE DICTATORSHIP IS GOING TO STAY FOR EVER, AND ONLY GOD HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE IT.
Well, SAPUMAL Gota is the gurdian of the nation as long as he bear the job of Secretary to Defence.
There are more than four million people in the country
who won't budge an inch to take your words.At least
another million would have joined by now to to reject
your justification.You know why? Cicumstances are a
compelling testimony that prsonal vendetta backed by
election victory was the culprit.How are you going to
arrest him if he became the president in the election?
What will happen to your charges?Clearly you did what
he wanted to do to you when he is at the wheel.Law
would have given him the same opportunity to frame you.Still, even when that happens,people will know that it was vendetta.People don't read the law books
for their conclusions,they will go through the traditions.I'm not a favourite of Fonseka but I don't buy your story because the way he was handled, has the
trade mark of vendetta and set a historic irreversible example of breach of tradition.
gota is talking like, other people never read or write like hambathota villagers. he is blaming SF for politicising the army,he has forgotten how is our srilanka police.people will remember SF as a true hero !
Gota is lying from top to bottom. This is a guy who ran away to USA instead of fighting for his country. Gota and Basil both did not have decent jobs in the USA. Now they have come back to destroy our country. SF stayed in the army and gave his full life to destroy Ltte. Gota's friends are Karuna, Pillayan and KP. They are the killers of many Sri Lankans. Ltte money is with KP and Gota & Rajapaksa's going after those billions. More Gota talk, more people see that there is no true reason for SF's arrest.
So many Sri Lankan Government employees directly involved in last election, including Gota. All of them used government resources for election in support of MR. This is complete violation of Law. If SF to be punished for using his office for political gain there are many government employees deserve the same punishment.
It seems to be only a twenty minutes interview. We are not in a position to give a clear openion what the government's plan and how they are going to charge Mr. Fonseka. At least if we can hear two more different interviews probably we can have better idea how the government is going to nail him down. At this point the only thing we know that the government is not allowing him to get away easily.
Sarath Fonseka was in the Army, he has raped over 70 women soldiers since 1975 to date and 3 of the committed suicide. Presently he is assaulting his wife Anoma by using a cane when she advices not have sex with other women, later she attempted 4 times to commit suicide by taking sleeping pills. Most of the medals Fonseka is wearing today have been obtained illegally and he has recommended himself for that. During the war Fonseka had a hidden agenda with Norway and Sweden to make way LTTE terrorist leaders to escape by sea using U boats thru the lagoon. He ordered Navy to not to come near Nandikadal lagoon. However Admiral Karannagoda found out this and barricade the terrorists escape root with 5 rings of navy boats. Sarath Fonseka was so mad for this action and ordered Mjr Gen Prassanna Silva, not to allow any Navy boats to come to shore. And not to give water to the boats. There for All sea man has to swim from the boat to the shore for shift changes. And work the next 12 hrs with wet cloths. However Prassana Silva secretly helped the Navy by giving water. The last two weeks of the war this mad man Sarath went to China for illegal arms deal abandoning the war front. Therefore according to the military Law Sarath Fonseka has to be demoted, with held his pension, seize his properties and finally has to be shot at diyathlawa parade grounds.
some 20,000 pro-LTTE as well as cadres have already escaped.
some think interesting news!!!
SF is a power hungry and a greedy individual.He grabbed the post of CDS although according to seniority it should have gone to ex Navy Commander Karannagoda. Even Ranil understood this man's power hungryness and pushed him away from his allaince.He betrayed his own soldiers by saying(accused war hero Shavendra of killing LTTE leaders by his brigade)and accused MR and Gota although amonth ago SF praised both of them as great leaders who gave the leadership in the process of destroying LTTE. A lier and a vengeanful individual who could do anything for money.That was one reason Chandrika never wanted him when she was the President.
SF is a power hungry and a greedy individual.He grabbed the post of CDS although according to seniority it should have gone to ex Navy Commander Karannagoda. Even Ranil understood this man's power hungryness and pushed him away from his allaince.He betrayed his own soldiers by saying(accused war hero Shavendra of killing LTTE leaders by his brigade)and accused MR and Gota although amonth ago SF praised both of them as great leaders who gave the leadership in the process of destroying LTTE. A lier and a vengeanful individual who could do anything for money.That was one reason Chandrika never wanted him when she was the President.
I guess Gotabaya will say anything against SF as now the Rajapaksa's have a personal grudge against him. Eventhough MR won the election by a large margin, one should definately question as to why he's doing this to SF and his family. This basically proves that MR and his goons didnt win the election legally, so now MR and his goons have to make sure that they do everything to stop SF from contesting. So they will try to say all kinds of things about SF to discredit him and make sure he doesnt contest the elections.
Now they are looking for a 2/3 majority. Imagine where this country will end up if these power hungry, revenge seeking group of thugs get 2/3 majority? But I won't be least surprised if the gullible people of this country end up giving them just that. Most Rajapaksa supporters get their justifications straight from state media. It does not matter that these arguments don't add up. They swallow it bait, hook and sinker.
The problem with democracy is that when the short-sighted outnumber the more thoughtful population the latter has no option but to get a good front seat on the deck and watch the ship hit the iceberg and pray to God that it won't sink.
I seriously doubt what he said in this interview.... how can he say Sf is gonna be charged for politisation of the military.... when the government is itself doing it openly on a wide scale including the police... senior military officials even appearing on state media to sling mud at Fonsekas election campaign even MR"s son yoshitha took to the stage to campaign which means he should be given compulsory retirement as well along with the rest of the officials who took the stage to support the president... there is more than enough evidence to show whats really going on in this country!!! It was a pity questions were not raised on this aspect!! wonder how he would have reacted?
GOTA HORRA,HE HAS LOT OF MONEY,HE RANWAY FROM ARMY....KOTTINTA BAYAAAAAAAAAAAY
.
The guy seems to be scared to death.
:-)
Gota become A serious joker of the century!!!
He says:
"The reality is that when he was in uniform the general was the only person on our Security Council who opposed the early settlement of the IDPs – the only person. He kept arguing it was a huge security risk. That’s the only reason that the resettlement of IDPs was delayed."
Q1.
Gota was the defence sec and MR was president during these days. They were the onece took decision. We can bring them to court for risking 300,000 people's life by taking wrong decision.
Q2.
Why then still 130,00 IDPs are still in detention camps? (Still the same General asking you to keep quite?).
Q3. Why still young people are getting arrested? Some escapes came back?
He says
"some 20,000 pro-LTTE as well as cadres have already escaped"
I know you are saying the same General is responsible for that? Where they have gone. US and EU and Aus is it? 20,000 people? May be SF might have done some travel arrangments to them?
This guy is bluffing. The Rajapakse bro & compamy changed thier minds from attempted coup and assasination to 'politizisation of army'. I am sure they will end up charging SF for a parking violation during his tenure.
These Rajapaksa idiots are still straggling to frame faulse charges aginst great GENARAL SF.
As a regional journalist, and knowing asians, i thought all asians were good at Mathematics....yes the indians are people who dominate maths but Sri Lankans I am not sure.
in the final battle, 400 sqm x 400 sqm = 160,000 sqm This is where 10,000 tigers were bolted up ??????. And before that in a hospital zone.."But look at the last phase of the war. The LTTE was trapped in an area of one square kilometre, "...100 metres square x 10 (TEN) metres square ....so was this hospital ataccked much before the final battle ? and in the final battle you had a land area of 160,000 sqm that was being attacked which means before that...you were attacking a larger area and still managed to attack the hospital in particular...or ...in the final battle you are attacking only 1 square kilometer..and a hospital within this, meaning that you wilfully attacked a hospital ..WHAT ARE YOU SAYING !!!
These contradictions are the stuff of a war crimes probe.
Srilankanaws people are an exception to maths and logic unlike indians...? or we have conflicting statements...facts
GR’s real thoughts (part 2):
I understand that some of Diaspora people are not happy about me and my bros. Suck it up people. We are making arrangements to have your next visit memorable. Did you hear that even NY times selected Sri Lanka as the best place to visit?
When you book your next flight to Sri Lanka, make sure you travel through Maninda airlines. If you take any other foreign airlines then you could be considered as traitors to our mother land. Once you arrived, you should stay at Rajapaksa hotels. If you haven’t heard about it then too bad you don’t know what is happening lately in your country. Opps. I’m sorry; Sri Lanka is not your country any more. Srilanka belongs to Rajapaksa and Co. It’s a private property now. As long as you have money, you could visit here and spend your money. During your stay, if you get sick then you should go to Rajapakse private hospitals. If you are from South or you hate people from Jaffna then you should take a lovely helicopter ride from your luxury hotel to an IDP camp. Due to some legal issues we can not spell out all excitements that you would experience there! Please come and visit us ASAP.
GR ;)
A war crimes tribunal is the only manner in which the TRUTH will be forced to be exposed, now that the one time sensously dancing in each others arms partners have had a parting of ways.
Let Sri Lanka, also take its rightful place in the annals of the war crimes tribunals like the few others who are and have been brought to justice for their dastarly deeds when they wore a military uniform or had power at their beck and call.
If good old Gota, is innocent as he says he should not be afraid to front upto an enquiry.
It is now high time that the truth is exposed on this whole cowardly saga. a j.
It is like the pot calling the kettle black. The Rajapakse regime has politicized every other state institution, from the Police , to Rupavahini and the list goes on and on... Sadly there is a culture of abuse and misuse that is prevailing in our country.
Gota and his brothers building hotels and buying properties all over in sri lanka where did he get all this money from? and he was just a (emp,)worker at
7 or 11 a grocery store in USA have you think about it where this money comes from? these guys are number one crookes.........
waz
Gota cannot speak proper english how did become a Defence Minister as I watching
the BBC news sometimes ago his speech was sinceless.
buhary
I am ex Army. Gota as an Army officer participated in only one major miltary operation.That is the Vedmarachi operation about which the pro Government newspapers are gloating about. He always held Administrative positions where as Sarath Fonseka was always on the front line in the war against LTTE. Sarath hated admin posts and wanted to be in the war front. He was a fighter.I will ask whether Gota had fired his gun even once against the LTTE. He was a officer who was assaulted by his own soldiers in his battalion when he was in the Sinha regiment.Then he retired from the army and went to USA. His only qualification to be the Defence Secy was his relationship to the President. Now he has sent all those officers who fought in the front line during his absence from the country on compulsory leave. Some of them injured in the war front were rendered jobless and homeless within oneday. Is the way you should treat your soliders who fought in the war when you were living in comfort and safety in USA. It is Gota who politicsed the position of the Defence secy as well as the army.I never ever believed that Sarath is the right material to be the President of the country. He was a fine solider and if not for him we would be still fighting the war.
Feel so blessed to have such a courageous, determined, patriotic Lankan as the Defence Secretary. Thank you so much for what you have done so far and what you continue to do to protect the country from unpatriotic power greedy monsters.
My sincere wish is for the trio (Mahinda, Gotabaya & Basil) to be given the opportunity to protect, build & lead the country for years to come, as you can't wish for anyone, more patriotic, determined & courageous.
Please amend the constitution of Sri Lanka to enable the people of Sri Lanka to elect Mahinda Rajapaksa as the President as many times as they wish, without restricting it to just two terms.
This person did warcrimes with the knowledge of the media. It is his Stupidity, He should have done them secretely. But because of greediness for Sinhalese Natinalists votes he made published it. He wanted to be a hero among Sinhalese. Now the boomarang has come back. He cannot escape. Oneday he will be in Haigue.
What a joke. President Brother is Gota and he is evaluating the arrest of SF who ran againt his brother.This guy must be thinking that we are all stupid. He talks about politicising the Military.
Is that why he removed over 200 military officers in one go and installed his yes men.
Brothet appoints brother. 5 star democracy my foot.
I am saying this again that Fonseka is a good man, the $525,000.00 American dollars were brought to help the poor people buy food. He however tried to bite the hand that fed him. Mahinda made him Commander and then a 4 Star General and then Chief of Defence Forces. The last position may not have power but it was a great position for him to retire and live happily ever after with free land in Colombo and a 120 Security contingent. Was he happy no? He wanted more ,like Oliver Twist and more and more. .,.Lord Buddha said : "Craving(desire) leads to sorrow, craving leads to fear, he who is freed of craving, will know neither sorrow nor fear! Anyway I feel for the man hope dear Mahinda will let him go free for the sake of old times...Kushta Rani, Alli Babba Mang,Ali Babba
Anonymous,
Dont become another worshiper like Mervin Silva.Gotabhaya is just a politically appointed govt. servent.(Thanks to his brother) If countries secretary of Defence become the guardian of all nation, thanks to god...save our soul! WHENEVER THESE GUYS OPEN THEIR MOUTHS...WE HAVE TO PAY THE PRIZE!
something better and be a useful citizen.
Dear friends, If Mervin Silva and Anurudda Ratwatte are murders, why are they not charged? Do not say things that come to one's mouth willy nilly.Its tantamounts to defamation. This is like the computer gil mart thing? Why no more talk about computer fraud? Is it because reconcillations have proved correct or because the world monitoring body have accepted the outcome? people talk of corruption too but nothing had ever been proven. Corruption is everywhere even in most American , European countries and even their presidents have been taken to courts for corruption. I suppose the US $525,000.00 found in Fonseka's relatives safe came from hard earned money runninng an appe kade in Battaramulla? With Love K. Rani
It would be better for Sri Lankas image if you do not appear on TV especially facing foreigners because you cut a sorry figure. I felt ashamed the way you spoke and of your choice of words. I expected more polish from a man who spent more than 10 years in USA. With all that power had gone to your head you scream to get your point across. You would be nothing if you were not the President's brother. Of course he is more humble than you and is a friendly face. You would have never achieved that positions with your personality and qualification.
I am sure you would become speechless if anyone questions about your army career. There is nothing you could talk about other than holding administrative posts in the army. Now you are taking revenge from the army by sacking the good officers who stayed on and fought the war.
Your brother killed Sarath Fonseka politically but you revived his political career by arresting him for unknown crimes. Who advised you to arrest him. That was a politcal blunder. Also it was not cricket. Did mahinda paly cricket for Nalanda College or Thurston. If he had done any sports you will not treat the loser like this.
You are talking of SF politicising the Army what about your brother politicing each and every institution including the Attorney Genral's Department, Rupavahini and etc.Please advise your brother to comply by the 17th amendment to the constitution. Please know that no one will be in power for ever. Look at what happened to Prabakaran. In his day he eliminated all his enemies and whom he thought is aginst the concept of Eelam. Today no one knows what happened to his body or to his children. I am a great believer in Karma. When you are in power do the right thing like DS and Dudley did. After your death you will be appreciated even by your political enemies. But I should tell you that no one has told that you are corrupt. But your younger or elder brother Basil does not have a good reputation.
Have you noticed his version of the story for why they surrounded Cinnamon Grand with a battalion and on that day they gave the reason as providing security for the safety of Sarath Fonseka and now he is charging with senseless attempts of a coup!!! why were there no counter questions to his argument? or he should have been nailed!!! too bad even after living 15 years in USA he hasnt brushed up in his english and i heard he never even came for holiday to Sl in those 15 years..... so long for patriotism and nationalism
save this country from these raja hora family
Here go again
Many or rather a majority of commentators here are untreatable,sore kapuwath kola UNP types who due to blind faith chose to ignore that Rajapakse brothers ended terrorism,ended the biggest honey pot of corruption-the war stupid!
Now there is a new twist to the story of the LTTE leaders who were comming out with white flags to surrendered being killed. Now Gotha says they were comming with white flags in the middle of the night so how can a solider with three months experinec in the war could identifiy the leader to a normal fighter. All these time the story was they were asked to surrender with white flags and put their hands up and come out slowly in the early morning which they did. Now the early morning has become middle of the night. I dont believe a word he said in the interview with Indian reporter. LTTE leaders are smarter than Gotha they knew very well that the soldiers can not see white flags in the night and they would have never come out in the night to surrender. Gotha ordered the killings because Gen.Sarath was out of the country at that time so Gotha is now using a new twist to the orginal story. He is a number one lier for sure.
These guys keep on saying to the foreign reporters that 20,000 LTTE supporters and fighters have escaped from the camps. I am pretty sure maximum about 500 would have escaped buy bribing the soldiers who where manning the camps after the war. The rest of the prisiners about 19,500 where taken for questining and excecuted and their bodies burned. This the real count on the so called 20,000 escapees. This is another coverup by government to account for the 20,000 missing people from the camps. These things will come up when the criminals are charged in the Internationla Court of Justice.
"Prabhakaran was trying to break out and escape to the lagoon, his son went in another direction. At the same time 10,000 surrendered cadres came down from one side. In this kind of situation in the thick of battle, can you expect a young recruit, barely a month into battle, to recognise a senior LTTE cadre and make a decision as to shoot him selectively or spare him?", says Hon Gotabhaya.
But, we were told immedietly after the incident, the white-flag carrying LTTE leaders were shot at the backs by the lower level LTTE cadres for the betrayal. Now Hon. Gotabhaya puts the blame on barely trained soldiers.
In the interview Hon. Gotabhaya said, "...study the record, do your homework. Earlier, he said something else." Sounds like a good advice for the man himself.