Govt. must show backbone to probe deals between political leaders and Prabhakaran: Sarath Fonseka

Accuses MR of declaring a ceasefire in early 2009 to facilitate the escape of senior LTTE leaders

- By YOHAN PERERA

Former MP and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has called on the current government to demonstrate political will by appointing a powerful commission to investigate alleged deals between past political leaders and the LTTE, particularly during the final stages of Sri Lanka's civil war.

Speaking at a public meeting in Matara yesterday, Fonseka launched a scathing attack on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, accusing him of declaring a ceasefire in early 2009 to facilitate the escape of senior LTTE leaders. He further alleged that Rajapaksa paid $3 million to the LTTE in exchange for suppressing Tamil voter turnout during the 2005 Presidential Election.