Eradicating the new terror threat that has come in the wake of the Easter bombings would take a minimum of two years, United National Party (UNP) MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament yesterday.
Speaking at the adjournment debate on the prevailing situation in the country, Fonseka said that contrary to the pronouncements of some that it can be done in just two months, strengthening intelligence and completely eradicating the threat of Islamist terror in Sri Lanka would take at least two years.
“Some say they will finish it in two months. Even those in the Security Council say they can finish it in three months. The way I see it, we have to destroy this germ the way we finished the LTTE. To give the country such a guarantee, we need to lay a foundation over a period of at least two years,” he said.
The former Army Commander went on to say that strengthening intelligence would take time.
“It won’t happen just because 10,000 [operatives] are hired. To strengthen intelligence, to stop these germs from entering the country and to create an environment where people can live without fear, it will take a minimum of two years,” he said.
Foneska also made references to a remark allegedly made by a Government minister about a possible deal between the former Commander and then Secretary to the Ministry of Defense and presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
“I even saw cartoons about me supposedly protecting Gotabaya Rajapaksa. I have said from the start that, with respect to this issue, I try to look at it from the point of view of the country rather than any particular party, government or opposition.”
“My opinions on the Rajapaksas have not changed. What I said was that I don’t think [Rajapaksa] did it. I also said he doesn’t currently have the capacity to do something like it,” he said.
One minister in particular, he said, had misconstrued this statement of his to suggest a deal between himself and the former ministry secretary.
(Republic Next)