The Government levelled fresh allegations against General Sarath Fonseka yesterday asserting that his relatons were involved in weapons purchasing for the Sri Lankan security forces. Addressing the government news briefing at the Mahaweli Centre yesterday, Power and Energy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said General Fonseka had purchased military hardware through a wcompany held by his relations.“What is interesting is that the Hicorp International Inc. has started to deal with the Sri Lanka Army days after General Fonseka assumed duties as commander of the Sri Lanka Army, which is highly suspicious,” said Mr. Aluthgamage.

“The Army Commander has the authority to make emergency purchases to the value of Rs. 25 million at a time outside of the tender procedure. General Fonseka has exploited this facility to make purchases through his son in law,” he said. (Read More)

“We are now supporting the government candidate unconditionally; but if General Fonseka wins we will think about joining his government. But that remains to be seen at that time,” said Mr. Sivalingam.

He explained that the CWC’s decision to support the government was based on the amount of development achieved in the estate community in terms of roads and schools. The government has, for the first time, begun to provide housing loans and grants of up to four lakhs to the estate community, he said. (Read More)

Dissanayake pledged his unconditional support to Rajapaksa at the presidential election.

Addressing a news conference at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Dissanayake announced his resignation from all posts he had held in the UNP and that he would contest the next parliamentary election on the SLFP ticket. He said he was confident that he would poll the highest number of votes in the Kandy District.

In an interview with the Indian magazine, the Outlook, published in its latest issue, Fonseka has reiterated his willingness to go beyond the existing 13th Amendment in granting devolution of power. His first declaration to that effect came at a press briefing on Nov. 29 in Colombo, where he announced his decision to enter politics and take part in the presidential race.

TNA Leader R. Sampanthan said that he had a very cordial and lengthy discussions with the Opposition’s common candidate General Sarath Fonseka on Sunday night. At that meeting Fonseka revealed his stand on the Tamil people and the goals he stood for.

The talks were held at UNP Deputy Leader MP Karu Jayasuriya’s residence. The talks centered mainly on the immediate, midterm and long term concerns of the Tamil people.

Sampanthan said "We would explore all avenues that are open to the Tamil people based on the manifestos of the two main candidates. Following this, we would consult all sections of the Tamil Community including the Tamil Diaspora before arriving at the final decision."

Deputy Leader of the TNA, MP Mavai Senathirajah said that R. Sampanthan had initially held very cordial and lengthy discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday.

Meanwhile TNA sources said that in response to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s invitation to the 22 TNA MPs, all of them, except for M. K. Sivajilingham who is in India, had decided to respond and at a meeting scheduled to take place on a date acceptable to both parties at the latter part of this week.

He said that people like S. B. Dissanayake, Johnston Fernando and Azath Salley could crossover to the government side but such minor members could not create an effect as the majority of the opposition parties were with him. "The politicians have a democratic right to leave any party and join forces with another party. These are the political realities and we must expect such events," he said.

The General Secretary of the UPFA, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha deposited Rs. 50,000 on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Elections Secretariat yesterday, an election official said.

Eight other candidates who had placed deposits by yesterday were: Siritunga Jayasuriya of Eksath Samajavadi Peramuna, M. B. Thaminimulla of the Okkoma Rajawaru Party, J. A. Peter Nelson Perera of Sri Lanka Pragathiseeli Peramuna, Sarath Manmendra of the Nawa Sihala Urumaya, Achala Asoka Suraweera of the National Development Front, P.D.P.S.A.  Liyanage of the Sri Lanka Kamkaru Pakshaya and Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera of the Janasetha Peramuna.

An independent candidate must deposit Rs. 75,000 and he or she must be at least a former sitting Member of Parliament to be eligible to contest at the Presidential Election, the official said.