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Ranil warns military chiefs :Only security operations in public interest no untoward illicit operations – ‘if you will be fair , we will be fair’

(Lanka-e-News- 08.Jan.2015, 9.00PM) Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe upon receipt of information yesterday that after the conclusion of voting today -the day of the Presidential elections that an army operation is being planned , immediately phoned the army commander and the chief of the army intelligence unit yesterday and warned them to halt such operations and not to hamper a fair and free election, while emphasizing that ‘if you will be fair we will be fair’

The conversation between the opposition leader and the chiefs of the forces took place via a third party. The army commander answering had stated, this planned operation it is not to hamper election activities , but rather after the defeat , since the forces fear that a riotous situation could be triggered by the people against the President , the defense secretary and the Rajapakses , they are getting ready to combat it.

Wickremesinghe has replied that the opposition can take that responsibility of safeguarding the President , defense secretary and their family members , and pointed out , if the forces are being enlisted to protect the Rajapakses , why are the forces being deployed at Beruwala and Negombo?

If the army is engaging in providing security , it is not objectionable , but if they are to engage in disruptive and untoward activities , action will be taken against it jointly with the people , Wickremesinghe asserted.

In any case , the chiefs of the forces who gave an assurance that no military operation will be put in place without a request from the police, went on to say , there is a fear psychosis among the army chiefs that Sarath Fonseka after becoming the defense minister may take revenge on them. The opposition leader had dispelled their fears by making it clear to them that it will be the new President Maithripala Sirisena who will be the defense minister.

When the opposition leader exchanged views with the IGP subsequently , the latter gave an assurance to Wickremesinghe that he will have no necessity to enlist the assistance of the army for security purposes, and he would act fully to safeguard the people. Accordingly , the navy that were deployed for road barriers in the north yesterday were withdrawn on the orders of the police ,and police security replaced them.

Meanwhile , the army that went to take the communication network of a DIG of south was sent back with their mission turned unsuccessful. The Rajapakse team that tried to use about 100 army pensioned officers to conduct an illicit election operation had also gone missing.

Following the exposure of the names and details of this group by Lanka e news and the media, and after the diplomatic officers were apprised of this by the opposition leader , 80 members of the group have abandoned the operations , and bolted. The opposition leader also summoned the diplomatic officers and enlightened them on the obnoxious military plans that came to light yesterday.

In the confusion , Major general Ubaya Medawala who was in charge of Colombo was removed , and replaced by Major general Sumedha Perera a fraud and shameless stooge of Gotabaya .May we recall Sumedha Perera was one who was meted out punishment by court over a fraudulent deal pertaining to a land at Obeysekerapura , Rajagiriya.

Sumedha was an army officer interdicted from the armed service for a long period , and about to be given the boot , when he was called back by Gotabaya to service .Sumedha who was a major when he committed the fraud , was given an automatic promotion to major general in which position he is now.