-By A Special Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -29.June.2024, 10.45 PM) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremasinghe presided over the launch of the book "I Will Not Leave £527,000 in Any Private Bank Vault" authored by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. The former Army Commander and Member of Parliament is renowned for his exceptional leadership in election fund-collecting during the 2010 Presidential election. The funds, given to him by the mother of his daughters' ex-husband as a Forex loan, became the subject of much controversy.
The launch event, held with much fanfare, saw President Wickremasinghe in attendance, raising eyebrows about the political dynamics at play. Field Marshal Fonseka's support for the unelected President Wickremasinghe as a potential presidential candidate has been speculated to be tied to his efforts to retrieve his funds frozen in a private bank.
The Finance Ministry recently granted permission to release USD 527,000 and 100 Sterling Pounds that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka had received as campaign donations during his 2010 presidential bid. These funds were held in a private bank account and later frozen.
Field Marshal Fonseka noted that the funds were temporarily held by the mother of his daughter's then-husband. Following a legal battle, she admitted to an offense under the Exchange Control Act, confirming that the funds belonged to Fonseka. A high court case ensued, leading to a decision by the Finance Ministry to release the funds.
Upon accessing the private bank vault in Thimbirigasyaya, Field Marshal Fonseka discovered that termites had devoured much of the cash. The remaining foreign currency notes were either too faded or discoloured, with some no longer in circulation. Approximately Rs. 50 million was salvageable, leading Fonseka to request the Finance Ministry to restore the lost funds.
Field Marshal Fonseka's political journey has been tumultuous. Once a celebrated military commander, he lost his parliamentary seat after a military court sentenced him to 30 months in jail for corruption in arms procurement. The opposition questioned the legality of the military court and whether it should cost him his parliamentary seat, planning to appeal the verdict.
Despite the controversy, Field Marshal Fonseka was elected to parliament in April 2010, following his loss to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential election. The dynamics between Fonseka and President Wickremasinghe now add a complex layer to the political landscape in Sri Lanka.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka's book promises an intriguing read, delving into his political and personal battles over the years, as he continues his fight to reclaim his lost funds.
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by (2024-06-29 18:20:34)
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