Maha Sangha urges president to release Fonseka from custody

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Mahanayaka Theras of the four Chapters have asked President Rajapaksa to “retract the charges leveled against gen. Sarath Fonseka and release him from custody and also provide him with adequate security.’’ In a letter to the president yesterday the Mahanayakas have stated that they find the arrest of general Fonseka unacceptable.
“The government has embraced individuals such as Karuna Amman and Pilleyan who once massacred Bhikkus at Aranthalawa, carried out a bomb attack on the Temple of the Tooth, and mercilessly attacked civilians and military personnel and so it surely can overlook the alleged offences committed by a man who made enormous sacrifices to unite and safeguard the territorial integrity of the country,” the letter stated.
The letter further states that it is unacceptable to arrest a gallant officer who sacrificed so much, due to petty political differences.
“General Fonseka played a major role in eradicating terrorism and it is not acceptable for the government to arrest and slander the general and other military officials based on the friction created by statements made on the political stage,” the letter further added. “Lord Buddha taught that ‘hatred will not end hatred.’ So please forget the differences with former Army Commander Gen. Fonseka who sacrificed so much to eradicate terrorism from the Motherland.”
“The Sangha has always come forward to settle disputes between various people of the country regardless of their status and this tradition has prompted them to take this action,” the letter added. Earlier this week the Mahanayakas convened a meeting of Buddhist monks and decided that on February 18 the Sangha should pass a resolution pertaining to the present political developments in the country.