Lanka’s ex-army chief Fonseka joins govt

Jailed by Rajapaksa, honoured by Sirisena

• Sarath Fonseka was jailed after he unsuccessfully tried to challenge a re-election bid by then President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2010
• Soon after toppling Rajapaksa, President Maithripala Sirisena used his executive powers to clear Fonseka of all allegations, including treason and dabbling in politics while in uniform
• Fonseka led troops to victory over the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009, but then fell out with Rajapaksa over who deserved the credit

Sarath Fonseka, former chief of the Sri Lankan army who vanquished the LTTE, has joined the ruling coalition amid indications that he may be inducted as a minister soon.

Fonseka, 65, whose Democratic Party signed an agreement to join the ruling United National Front for Good Governance, said he had “nothing to hide” and was willing to face a war crimes inquiry.

“I have always said that I am ready to face any inquiry,” Fonseka said, adding: “We have nothing to hide. I feel that the allegations must be investigated.” The development comes within a year of the change in government in Sri Lanka that was earlier ruled by former strongman Mahinda Rajapkasa, with whom Fonseka had a fall-out.

The UNHRC has asked for an investigation into human rights abuses by Fonseka’s troops and the LTTE during the final phase of the three-decade war that ended in 2009. Sri Lanka has opted for a domestic inquiry, while the UNHRC has sought an international probe.

Fonseka, who was nearly assassinated by a LTTE suicide bomber in 2006, was pardoned by Maithripala Sirisena days after he assumed office as the President last year.