‘Fonseka dithered to accompany Rajapaksa to Kilinochchi’

But Fonseka had shown reluctance saying that the war with the LTTE was still on and no risks should be taken and this the website construed that the former army chief did not have the courage to go to the frontline.

“A recent statement by retired General Sarath Fonseka that he has never been defeated in his military career and was a fearless man has come in for severe criticism in defence circles which are aware of his fear to accompany President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Kilinochchi this year before the conclusion of the LTTE war,” a government website claimed today.

“Gen Fonseka had warned the President to give up the idea as he (Fonseka) had fear to go to Kilinochchi as the war was yet on and had confessed he too had not been there for a long time,” the website said.

“The President had convinced Gen Fonseka saying not to worry or fear as he (Fonseka) would be in the company of the President.” “Finally Fonseka had acceded reluctantly to the request of the President retaining fear in his mind,” the statement put out in the government website said.

“President Rajapaksa who visited Kilinochchi entered history by being the only of Head of State to visit the war torn district during the cruel war,” it said.

The website quoting unnamed defence circles also said that it was Rajapaksa who had declared war on the LTTE after the Mavil-Aru incident.

It claimed that the Army Commander,then Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka was “nowhere in the scene” having been hospitalised after the LTTE attack on him in the precincts of Army Headquarters.

“Even during the final days of the LTTE war,Fonseka had not visited the battlefront they claimed adding that Fonseka preferred to issue directives from his Colombo-based office,” the website claimed.