Sri Lanka’s former commander of the army denied rape and torture by Sri Lankan security forces had taken place whilst he was in charge, stating he could “clarify” any allegations.
The newly promoted Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka declared “there were no rapes, no torture during my command during the war” but admitted that there have been “a couple of allegations”.
He said in an interview with the Guardian that his “intentions are clear”. “The army as a whole, I can give the assurance that we never committed war crimes,” he added.
“The allegations are there,” he said, adding that “we have to clear our name”, indicating that he would welcome an investigation in to war crimes.
“I did everything in good faith,” continued Mr Fonseka. “My job was to save the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the country. I have done it.”
The final stages of the armed conflict saw tens of thousands of Tamil civilians killed and hundreds of thousands subsequently detained by Sri Lankan security forces.
See more in our earlier posts:
Revisiting May 2009 (18 May 2015)
Orgy of massacre, rape, torture and mutilation in final days (27 July 2011)
Also see:
'I planned the entire operation' states Fonseka (12 Jan 2015)
'I am ready for any inquiry anywhere in the world' says Fonseka (31 Mar 2015)