The attempt of establishing a Tamil Ealam state carving out from the Northern and Eastern provinces from Sri Lanka developed into a monstrous war since the eighties. Since then Sri Lanka experienced atrocities and brutal attacks of separatist terrorism. Thousands of lives were lost and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced. Terrorist attacks destroyed a large amount of assets and properties of the land. This separatist terrorism was so cruel that it assassinated not only state leaders of Sri Lanka but leaders of neighbouring countries. This terrorism became so strong that it declared a de-facto state in areas it grabbed by its ruthlessness. It was recognized as the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world. 

The security forces of Sri Lanka that fought with the LTTE organization that brought about a monstrous destruction to the country were able to liberate the whole island on 18th May, 2009. Almost all top leaders of the LTTE died in the battlefield while the security forces were able to free hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians who were in the grip of terrorists. It was Maj. Gen. Sarath Fonseka who was then the Commander of S.L. Army who gave the leadership to this brilliant victory. After the end of the war Maj. Gen. Sarath Fonseka was promoted to the rank of General and was appointed as the Chief of Defense Staff.

Gen. Sarath Fonseka was born on 18th December, 1950 and he joined the SL Army in 1980. During his service in the Army he took part in 'Balavegaya' and Jayasikuru' operations and was able to liberate Elephant Pass and Mankulam. The name of Sarath Fonseka is recorded in the history of Sri Lanka Army in relation to the victories of Elephant Pass in 1991 and Jaffna in 1993. During the 'Yaldevi' operation in 1993 he was critically injured. Sarath Fonseka was appointed as the Commander of SL Amy on 6th December, 2005 and led the Army till 15th July, 2009. On 25th April, 2006 he was subjected to a suicide attack by the LTTE. However, he was able to save his life and return to the battle field. It was under his command that SL Army was able to march forward to defeat LTTE terrorism and achieve a glorious victory.

Gen. Sarath Fonseka retired from the Army on the 15th July, 2009 and was appointed the Chief of Defense Staff. He wrote a letter to the President on 12th November, 2009 seeking permission to retire and on the 16th of November, 2009 he retired from his service.

Gen. Fonseka believed that democracy and good governance should be established after the military victory and said the biggest challenge before the country then was building a civilized society. However, when Gen. Fonseka saw that the country was heading towards dictatorship, nepotism, family bandism and corruption instead, he came forward to free the Motherland from such evils. Accordingly, Gen. Sarath Fonseka entered the presidential election of 26th January, 2010 as an apolitical common candidate promising to fulfill a number of democratic reforms including abolishing of the executive presidency. According to official results of the presidential election Gen. Sarath Fonseka polled 4,183,185 or 40.15% of the votes cast and was placed second. However, the election was full of frauds and corruption and Gen. Fonseka rejected the results. Within a few days after the results were declared masses all over the country agitated stating the results of the election was a fraud.

When mass agitations reached the climax Gen. Sarath Fonseka was arrested by the Military Police while he was in his office on the 8th of January, 2010. He is being detained by the Army and it is stated he would be taken before a military tribunal. However, no charges have been filed against Gen. Fonseka yet. As Gen. Sarath Fonseka has retired from the Army he cannot be arrested by the Army and his arrest is illegal say lawyers. At present Gen. Fonseka is being detained at SL Navy headquarters and the meager facilities provided to him have even deteriorated his state of health. Recently the judiciary directed that Gen. Fonseka be given medical facilities and access for his lawyers. However, the government continues to keep Gen. Sarath Fonseka under detention undemocratically as well as against common social ethics.

Sri Lankans throughout the world are struggling against this undemocratic and villainous act. We expect your contribution to get freedom for Gen. Sarath Fonseka, who is the hero that turned the history of Sri Lanka on a new path.