Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has made a series of explosive claims about the final stages of Sri Lanka’s war, accusing former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa of attempting to delay the military victory against the LTTE in 2009.

Speaking at an event, Fonseka said that despite sustaining critical injuries during the war, he had been branded a traitor by the very leaders under whom he served.

“I have to make a revelation about the leader who made this statement that I don’t love my country. In 2009, the Sri Lankan Army had surrounded Puthukudirippu from three sides. We only had to advance 10 more kilometers,” he said.

Fonseka recalled that the Army captured Mullaitivu on January 26, 2009, and within 12 hours advanced toward Puthukudirippu from the south. But the following day, he said, Gotabaya Rajapaksa questioned whether he was exhausted and suggested he hand over command to General Jagath Jayasuriya in Vavuniya.

“At that point, we were close to victory. They already knew Prabhakaran and his group were about to be destroyed. But they wanted me to delay their downfall,” Fonseka claimed.

He alleged that despite the Army being on the verge of defeating the LTTE, then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced a ceasefire between January 31 and February 1, 2009. According to Fonseka, the Security Council opposed the decision, but the military was ordered to respect the 48-hour truce.

“The result was that my army had to retreat five kilometers. I lost around 500 soldiers. This ceasefire gave the LTTE a chance to regroup and relaunch their attack,” he said.

Fonseka further claimed that the ceasefire was intended to allow LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and other senior figures to escape, citing alleged discussions with Norwegian mediator Erik Solheim. He linked this period to what later became known as the “white flag incident” adding that these were actions of the LTTE that were later pinned on the Sri Lanka Army led by Fonseka.

“Prabhakaran was a fool. He was convinced the LTTE could rise again during this ceasefire. He didn’t escape — he fought with us,” Fonseka said.

The former Army Commander also accused Mahinda Rajapaksa of political calculations during the war, alleging that the LTTE provided $2 million before the 2005 presidential election.

“In 2005, that $2 million won him the election by 150,000 votes, because Prabhakaran stopped people from voting. Tiran Alles had also gone to the place where this transaction took place. In 2010, during the presidential election he revealed this to the media. Basil Rajapaksa told me about this incident, back when I was Army Commander. An upcountry politician was also reportedly there when this transaction took place. This politician was seen being beaten up on live TV recently,” Fonseka said, without naming the individual.

Fonseka also claimed Mahinda Rajapaksa feared that if Prabhakaran was killed before the 2010 election, Tamil voters would overwhelmingly oppose him, jeopardizing his re-election bid in 2010.

“While you and I were thinking about the country, waiting to celebrate the end of the war, what he thought about was the election. This is Mahinda Rajapaksa’s mentality. And now he calls me the one who doesn’t love the country,” Fonseka said. (Newswire)

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Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will only secure around 01 million votes in the next election, which will be less than that obtained in previous elections.

Addressing a public gathering, Sarath Fonseka revealed that several senior members and activists of the SJB have already started leaving the party, hinting at displeasure within the party. 

“First, Welgama left. Then Champika, Rajitha, Thalatha and Fonsek left. Now the party is only left with ‘yes-men’, who agree to every decision of the party leader,” he said. 

Sarath Fonseka said that it is difficult to embark on a journey to develop the country with such people. (Newswire)

“Our country has become like this due to corrupt politics. Our people delayed taking a decision to change this. It would have been better if they had taken this decision much earlier,” Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said, adding that if the current government fails, the public will… pic.twitter.com/jJovMQzt6K

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) July 14, 2025

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Former Army Commander, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, says he does not agree with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement that all parties fought for peace during Sri Lanka’s civil war. 

The President made the remarks while addressing the National War Heroes Day commemoration held this month. 

Speaking during a televised interview with a local media, Sarath Fonseka said he does not agree with the President’s opinion, pointing out that it was evident that the late LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s actions were not done in favour of peace. 

“If you were fighting for peace, you would not attack the sacred sites of Sri Maha Bodhi or the Dalada Maligawa,” he pointed out. 

Sarath Fonseka further said he also does not agree with allowing commemorations in the North, which was also recently seen in Wellawatte. 

Stating that this would only open up opportunities for militants to reemerge, he added that if the authorities are not vigilant, there is a high chance of terrorism reoccurring in the nation. (Newswire) 

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Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has defended former head of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, Shavendra Silva, stating that the recent sanctions by the United Kingdom (UK) were unreasonable. 

Addressing a public event, Fonseka said that he believed legal action must be initiated against anyone proven to have broken local and international laws.

“There are instances in the past where we have taken such measures against military personnel. Legal action must be taken against those who have abused the power of their uniforms to break laws,” he said. 

Commenting on the sanctions imposed by the UK, Sarath Fonseka said it was understood that no laws, including human rights, were violated during war operations. 

“Shavendra Silva was at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s Civil War. It is known that no murders, human rights violations, custodial deaths, or abuse of power took place during the war. As such, the sanctions against Shavendra Silva were unreasonable,” he said. 

He said that, however, the sanctions against former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and former Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya were reasonable. 

Stating that these officers were not at the forefront of the war, he said there was crucial evidence to prove that they had abused their military powers. 

“I have spoken in Parliament about these two former military officers. Former Army officer Sunil Rathnayake is accused of wrongly shooting a person, and as someone had witnessed the shooting, he killed several members of a family over the incident. He was later pardoned by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, under the protection of war veterans. Wasantha Karannagoda is accused of abducting several youths, demanding ransom, and detaining them at a Trincomalee camp. A former Navy Commander has confessed they were aware of the detention of the youths,” he said. 

Pointing out that these were serious murder incidents, Sarath Fonseka said legal action must be initiated against them. (Newswire)

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There was no threat to Mahinda Rajapaksa’s life, even during the war, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said, alleging that the LTTE had a special connection to the former President.

“No attempts were made to assassinate or bomb him even during the war. Did he wage the war alone? Did we not fight in the war?” Fonseka questioned.

“In 2005, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s manifesto condemned war and stressed achieving peace through talks with Prabhakaran. The LTTE harboured no anger toward Mahinda. In fact, in 2005, the LTTE was given USD 2 million to purchase suicide attack boats. Mahinda Rajapaksa maintained a significant connection with the LTTE. Just before the war ended, he declared a ceasefire—against our judgment—to allow Prabhakaran and other leaders to escape. For these reasons, the LTTE would never pose a threat to Mahinda Rajapaksa,” he alleged.

“As the Army Commander during the war, my entire security detail was removed in 2010 immediately after the Presidential election results were announced. Were there no security threats to me at that time?” he asked.

Fonseka also said that during his prison sentence, he was housed with inmates who were members of the LTTE and received no special security.

“When I appeared in court while serving my sentence, I sat on the same bench as the terrorist who accompanied the suicide bomber that tried to take my life,” Fonseka said.

When questioned by journalists about reports of a planned drone attack against the former President, Fonseka said he could not imagine anyone wanting to assassinate Rajapaksa.

“Drones are expensive, even costlier than MIG airplanes. There’s no reason to target Mahinda Rajapaksa at such a great expense. Countries like the US or Russia could afford such measures, but who would want to assassinate him?”

Fonseka noted that, as the former Army Commander, his current security detail consists of only 17 police officers. “A 30-member team is sufficient for the former President,” he said. (Newswire)

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Presidential candidate Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka has responded to a video circulating on social media of a crowd-less election campaign, saying that his campaigning efforts have been genuine.

In a statement on social media, the former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman said transport arrangements were not provided for his public rally, and that people were not brought in buses by giving out alcohol or meals. 

He further said that around 50 posters about the public rally were put up on the night before the election campaign in areas that do not inconvenience the public. Instructions were also given to install loudspeakers within the premises so as not to cause inconvenience to the public, the MP said.

“Even if it is one person, or five, ten, fifty or even a hundred persons attending my public rally, they are more important to me than a 1000 people, as they are my loyal party supporters,” he said. 

Stating that since entering politics in 2010 he has attempted to strive for development and has had to face several obstacles, Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka said but, if the people of this country are not ready for it, that is their choice.

MP Fonseka further said that since resigning as the Chairman of the SJB, he was invited by many prominent political parties to join hands, but he had refused the invitations as he could not work with such parties against his conscience. 

He pointed out that the video of his election rally circulating on social media shows the public’s political literacy. (Newswire)

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Parliamentarian and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

SJB MP J.C.Alawathuwala confirmed that MP Fonseka had resigned from the designation today.

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka recently announced he will contest the 2024 Presidential Election as an independent candidate.

Earlier this week, the SJB MP also placed a cash deposit at the National Election Commission to contest the election. (Newswire)

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Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka has placed a cash deposit to contest the 2024 Presidential Election as an independent candidate. 

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman placed the bond at the National Election Commission today.  

As of Friday last week, a total of 14 candidates were reported to have registered with the Election Commission to contest the Presidential polls. 

According to the Election Commission, a total of 17,140,354 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the 2024 Presidential Elections. 

The Presidential polls are scheduled for September 21, while Nominations will be accepted on August 15. (Newswire)

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Opposition Parliamentarians Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Patali Champika Ranawaka have refuted reports claiming they are set to join the government.

Taking to ‘X’, MP Sarath Fonseka said reports on local media are inaccurate and that he will not be joining the government.

MP Fonseka also shot down reports of him supporting the presidential candidacy of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that it is completely untrue and baseless. 

“I will not be supporting his presidential candidacy. I request all Sri Lankans to avoid propagating rumours,” he added. 

Also in a post on ‘X’, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said that reports on local media about him joining the government “are baseless and unfound.”

“We will not accept any ministerial portfolio instead will stand for the benefit of the masses,” he added. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sarath Fonseka strongly criticized his party leader Sajith Premadasa, stating that Fonseka’s request to speak in Parliament had been rejected by the Chief Opposition Whip.

“I made the request to speak three days ago and was informed that instructions had been given to prevent me from making any speeches. I was asked if I would work for Sajith Premadasa in the Presidential Election,” Fonseka said.

“I am the public representative who earned the second-highest number of votes in the Opposition. I received 113,000 votes, while the person who rejected my request only got around 70,000 votes,” he added.

MP Fonseka also requested the Speaker to introduce a mechanism to ensure equal opportunities for opposition members to address Parliament. “Only one man in the opposition speaks everyday for 30 or 40 minutes,” he noted. (Newswire)

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The Colombo District Court today issued an injunction order preventing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from initiating action against Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

The court order, effective for 14 days, prevents the SJB from suspending the party membership of MP Fonseka and ousting him from positions held within the party. 

Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana issued the injunction against SJB leader MP Sajith Premadasa, party General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara, Treasurer Harsha de Silva, and National Organiser Tissa Attanayake.

The injunction was issued after taking into consideration a petition filed by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who currently holds the position of Chairman of the SJB.

MP Fonseka’s relationship with the SJB has seen a deterioration in the recent past with reports claiming that there were moves to remove him from the SJB for criticising the party and its leadership. (NewsWire)

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Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has slammed Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader MP Sajith Premadasa on his move to accept former Army Commander, Retired General Daya Ratnayake’s support. 

Retired General Daya Ratnayake, who worked in key positions during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, joined forces with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya this week. 

Commenting on the matter, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka revealed that Daya Ratnayake had played a key part in his imprisonment under the tenure of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

Stating that Daya Ratnayake was former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s confidante, MP Sarath Fonseka further said that the SJB might as well join hands with the former President. 

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka made the remarks while participating in the protest that was organized by the SJB in Colombo yesterday. (NewsWire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena and MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka engaged in a heated exchange of words in Parliament over the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Speaking in Parliament today, Field Marshal Fonseka, who has served as the Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka previously, briefed the House on the procedure followed by the Sri Lankan Defence Attaché in a foreign nation during the visit of his/her country’s President. 

MP Fonseka stated that he was confident that the Sri Lankan Defence Attaché had met former President Maithripala Sirisena during the latter’s visit to India at the time of the Easter attacks.

Stating that he was certain that the head of the State Intelligence Service at the time, Suresh Sallay must have met Maithripala Sirisena in India, the MP accused the former President of hiding in Singapore at a time of threat to national security at the home country. 

Responding to his allegations, former President Maithripala Sirisena denied the accusations, leading to an exchange of heated words between the two Parliamentarians. (NewsWire)

Easter Attack debate : Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka & Former President Maithripala Sirisena clash in Parliament pic.twitter.com/9O5ggREBSP

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) September 21, 2023

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The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has issued an order preventing a group of protesters from entering certain parts of Maradana during a planned protest march to be held today. 

According to the Police, a court order has been issued against 11 respondents, including Parliamentarian Sarath Fonseka, Venerable Pagoda Vijithavansa Thera, and journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara.

The court order issued based on a request by the Police prevents the protesters from entering or marching along Deans Road, Maradana Road, T.B. Jaya Mawatha, Technical Junction and other areas in and around Maradana. (NewsWire)

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