Rajapaksa thanks Fonseka for support in defeating terror

Rajapaksa has appointed Air Force Chief Roshan Gunathilleke as the new Chief of Defence Staff CDS in place of Fonseka,who spent 40 years in the army. Fonseka,58,had resigned last week,saying that he felt the government has lost trust in him.

In a strongly-worded letter to Rajapaksa,he alleged that he was given the post of CDS,with 8220;no authority8221;,due to misleading reports of a likely coup in the island. He also accused the government of having no clear policy to 8220;win the peace8221; with minority Tamils.

An alliance of opposition parties in Sri Lanka have arrived on Fonseka as their consensus Presidential candidate in the event of an early election. Rajapaksa was expected to advance the Presidential election to cash in on his popularity in the wake of the victory over the LTTE. In a farewell ceremony,Fonseka said: 8220;I will be serving the country in the future8221;.