Until 2007 end the war was waged with the weapons bought earlier; The payments for the purchases made by the present regime shall be finished only in

Until 2007 end the war was waged with the weapons bought earlier; The payments for the purchases made by the present regime shall be finished only in 2020 -Sarath Fonseka
(Lanka-e-News, Dec. 07, 2009, 8.40PM) The following are the views expressed by Prseidential common candidate Gen. Fonseka at a debate when he was questioned by a weekend newspaper on his career in the army and the present administration.

Were the war strategies mapped out by you? did strategies come from the top?

If I had not done them alone, it cannot be said it was by Gotabaya Rajapkse. He fled from the country in fear of the war. The terrorist were not that deadly at that time. They did not have weapons at the period he was there. He fled to America and worked as a computer operator and earned a few rupees. There were Junior Brigadiers under me. They had 25, 30 years experience. How can a computer operator who had been doing computer work for 15 years came from nowhere and lead an armed Force?. Where on earth has a defense Secretary conducted war operations?A defense Secretary means an administrative officer. How can he fight a war?. To fight a war ,anyone must wear a uniform and a cap. How can you carry out war operations wearing a tie and seated in an air conditioned room ?
Augmenting power of the Forces, promotions and arms imports were handled by the President. What have you to say to that ?

If that is so, all politicians, people and parties must be allowed to examine the documents to see whether rams and weapons as claimed were purchased. What were the weapons which were bought?

Because the army strength was increased by about a lakh, T 56 rifles and small weapons had to be procured. But, War Tanks, Multi Barrel, artillery guns were not bought during this period. All those were bought during Cahndraka Kumaratunge’ s time. There was a shortage of 122 cartridges. We had to get down 122 cartridges of a different model. China gave us 12 artillery guns free with these purchases. The Govt. did not pay for them. Until end of 2007, weapons purchased earlier were used. During Gotabaya’s time, purchases were made with our authorization only from 2008. Later 50, 000 Multi barrel rocket we used. Of them 30, 000 were there already earlier. This Govt. therefore got down only 20,000. It will only be in 2020 the payment for these purchases will be finished.