Recently promoted Sri Lankan Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said he was ready to face “any inquiry” over allegations of mass atrocities which took place during the final months of the island's armed conflict, where tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were reportedly killed.
“My conscience is clear,” said Mr Fonseka, who was commander of the Sri Lankan army during the final stages of the armed conflict. Speaking in an interview to the Sunday Leader, he went on to say,
“I commanded the troops and they were much disciplined. I insisted and was very particular about that... We follow the rules like the Geneva Convention on human rights for example.”
“But if there is an inquiry with evidence they can have an inquiry so then we can clear our names. Personally I am ready for any inquiry any where in the world.”
Speaking on the allegations that war crimes occurred, Mr Fonseka went on to say “if any individual has committed any crime having ignored my orders, he is answerable for that not the army,” adding that “as an army we did not commit crimes”.
Since Sri Lanka's new government came into power in January 2015, Sarath Fonseka had all his ranks restored, which were stripped by the previous government, and promoted to become the country's first 5-star general.
Also see our earlier post: 'I planned the entire operation' states Fonseka (12 Jan 2015)
“My conscience is clear,” said Mr Fonseka, who was commander of the Sri Lankan army during the final stages of the armed conflict. Speaking in an interview to the Sunday Leader, he went on to say,
“I commanded the troops and they were much disciplined. I insisted and was very particular about that... We follow the rules like the Geneva Convention on human rights for example.”
“But if there is an inquiry with evidence they can have an inquiry so then we can clear our names. Personally I am ready for any inquiry any where in the world.”
Speaking on the allegations that war crimes occurred, Mr Fonseka went on to say “if any individual has committed any crime having ignored my orders, he is answerable for that not the army,” adding that “as an army we did not commit crimes”.
Since Sri Lanka's new government came into power in January 2015, Sarath Fonseka had all his ranks restored, which were stripped by the previous government, and promoted to become the country's first 5-star general.
Also see our earlier post: 'I planned the entire operation' states Fonseka (12 Jan 2015)