Former chief of the Sri Lankan Army, General Sarath Fonseka has declared that he will lead an uprising to oust the government from power.
“I’m definitely asking people to rise up... and overthrow the government by democratic methods,” he said.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Fonseka called Mahinda Rajapakse a “dictator”, accusing the President of persecuting his family and terrorising opposition.
Criticising British PM David Cameron for meeting Rajapakse at the Queen’s Jubilee lunch last month, Fonseka called on the international community to isolate Rajapakse’s government adding that they should “derecognise the government and give protection to the people... if there is a dictator violating human rights and the democracy of the people, I think the world will have to take care of that.”
Speaking of a number of abuses by pro-government politicians such as rapes and murders of opponents, Fonseka highlighted the death of a fisherman when police opened fire on protesting fishermen, including women and children, demonstrating against fuel price rises.
Fonseka also mentioned that ruling party figures have been accused recently of gang-raping two teenage girls, as well as the murder last month of two members of the JVP – supporters of his presidential campaign.
"You have seen how it took place in other countries and how those people were rescued from tyrannical regimes. I hope and pray it will not be like Libya," he said.
Dismissing allegations of war crimes by Sri Lankan troops, Fonseka said of his time as Commander:
"I commanded the army to victory, I planned the operations and commanded the troops...I definitely feel proud."
Fonseka criticised the government for failing to answer to the allegations and said he was himself ready to face any accusations, denying that his army had targeted civilians in the no-fire zone in 2009.
