REFUGEE

The President had told an owner of a private media institution that following the end of the war, then Army Chief, General Sarath Fonseka tried to outsmart him and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and upon hearing this, he acted fast and removed the General from the Army to prevent any chance of him trying to capture power through a military coup.

The President had also said that he has showed gratitude to Fonseka and members of his family for his contribution to defeat the LTTE and given vehicles amounting to millions of rupees but would not be given an extension of service come December 18 when General Fonseka has to


retire. A request was also made by the President from the respective media institution owner. The President had requested that news items favorable to General Fonseka not be given publicity by the media institution.