SF Says Jagath Jayasuriya Committed Crimes During War Time: "I Am Ready To Divulge Information If There Is Proper Legal Process"

September 02, 2017

"Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said yesterday that his successor, former Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya was responsible for alleged crimes during the time of war. 

"Many things happened under him. In fact I wanted to investigate into his conduct. The moment I started the investigation, I was removed from the position as the Army commander," Fonseka said, speaking to the media, in Colombo. 

Although he did not specify the alleged crimes in which Jayasuriya was involved, he said the latter was in charge of supply chains during the final phases of war and the security of LTTE suspects taken into custody. 

"I have information about the crimes he committed. If there is a proper legal process, I am ready to present the information I have," he added. 

The Rajapaksas wanted to use him for various misdeeds. That's why he was made the Army Commander. I categorically stated he was not suitable to be the Army Commander. But the Rajapaksas wanted him," the former Army Commander, now a Minister of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government, added. 

"One of the misdeeds he committed was arresting me after the Presidential election in 2010. Everyone knows how it happened."

Fonseka said the Rajapaksa administration overlooked nearly 17 senior Army officer when it appointed Jayasuriya as the Commander.