Colombo (AsiaNews) - General Sarath Fonseka, the man who defeated the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) accuses President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother of concocting an illegal trial against him to destroy him. He says he is not worried for himself, but for the future of the country.

On 13 August the court martial found him guilty of mutiny and political involvement while still a soldier. For these reasons, the court has requested that Fonseka be deprived of his military titles, honours and pensions.

In an interview with local media, Fonseka commented on the verdict of court martial. Here are some excerpts:

What can you say about the decision of the first military Court against you?

To begin with, we questioned the validity in law of this military Court at the very outset from the civil Courts. From the very beginning I was of the view that the military court was illegally constituted. Even now that is my stance. Next, this case was heard during the holidays of the Lawyers and the Courts. Obviously, all these were not done impartially. My Lawyers knew from the very beginning that those responsible to bring this action against me were making all the groundwork not to mete out a just punishment to me, if any.

The objective of all these actions is to obliterate all my remarkable accomplishments in my 40 year Army career including all the awards, medals and achievements. In other words they want to erase off completely the supreme sacrifices I made for the country and my sincere patriotic services. The foreign countries are laughing at these vicious and vindictive but clownish acts of those responsible. The inference that can be drawn from all these is, it is part of the venomous and vengeful campaign against me carefully orchestrated by the President and his brother Gotabaya Rajapakse, the defense Secretary.

Are you disappointed by these actions?

I am not concerned about the stripping of my official position or pension rights. The pension of Rs. 50,000 per month is not enough to meet the fuel expenditure during the days of political campaigns. Gotabaya has stated with glee that he would drive me to the streets. But, I am certain he cannot do that.

I removed my official uniform after being fully aware of the mentalities of the Rajapakses. Because I was among them for four years, I know their venomous vendetta aims and objectives. I am not worried about my rights and privileges getting deprived. But let all be reminded that none can obliterate the sincere services I rendered to this country and the people with absolute selfless dedication during my 40 years army career.

They are determined to remove my official uniform not for them to wear. I don’t mind if they take them from me and wear them if it fancies their maniacal ambitions. Hence, I am not worried or distraught over these actions and decisions of theirs. What irks and worries me is, if this is the treatment meted out to me, what cruelty and iniquity they can commit on others.

Everybody is scared to talk openly against these individuals. Ministers, top rung officers and officials have talked to me personally and expressed this with regret.

The whole aim and objective of these elements is to jail me within the next two weeks before the next Parliamentary sessions. They have already planned to divest me of my MP position. Of course, these are what I expected. I will carry on my campaign taking this challenge in my stride. Until this method of despotic rule and regime is terminated I will not abandon my struggle.