Sarath Fonseka to be entrusted with country's national security : Sajith Premadasa

Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa today (Oct 10) pledged he would entrust the responsibility of handling the country's security to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

“Sarath Fonseka is not a fake warrior. He is a true hero who defeated terrorism in the country,” Premadasa remarked at his maiden National Democratic Front (NDF) rally at the Galle Face Green in Colombo.

Fonseka, had served as the Commander of the Army during its victory against the LTTE in 2009, and had been imprisoned in 2010 for displaying what came to be known as disgraceful conduct.

"Under our government, the politicians won't decide who should wear the (prison) jumper. It is the courts which will decide that," Premadasa stressed.

He declared that Fonseka would be tasked with defeating the modern form of terrorism and combating the drug menace in the country.

"We will not give any room for terrorism," Premadasa emphasized warning that his government would impose the maximum possible punishment for those involved in the drug trade in prisons.

Field Marshal Fonseka, in response to Presidential candidate Premadasa's remarks, vowed that he would execute his responsibility of establishing the country's security to the fullest.

"We will commit ourselves towards serving the people while laying our life on the line as we did in the past," the one-time Army Commander said while addressing crowds at Galle Face.

He accused the previous government of neglecting the welfare of soldiers, alleging that some high ranking officers who worked under him had been dismissed from office without receiving their pensions after he entered active politics.

"The Rajapaksas who talk about the treatment of soldiers are the ones who dragged me into prison and harassed me for three years," Fonseka remarked.

He pledged to ensure the welfare of tri-forces personnel and their families even after their retirement.