Sarath Fonseka Calls For Disciplinary Action Against Kamal Gunaratne

September 26, 2016

Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka called for disciplinary action against Retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne for not carrying out his orders in 2009.

In an interview with the Irida Lankadeepa dated September 25, Fonseka said that he had ordered the identity card and the dog tag of the slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran be returned to Colombo.

He said that he could not check on whether they arrived in Colombo but got to know recently that Gunaratne had the ID with him when he told the media that he will hand over the ID to the army museum.

Fonseka asked as to how Gunaratne keeps it with him as he had ordered it to be returned. He will request the current army commander to take action against this breach of discipline, Fonseka said.

He also explained as to why he must have reprimanded Gunaratne, as described in the book "Road to Nandikadal" when Gunaratne called to inform of the death of the terrorist leader. Gunaratne said that any child could identify the body, but one had to do it with proof. Many in the army had not seen Prabhakaran in real life. That is why he sent Karuna to identify Prabhakaran's body, Fonseka said, adding that they also carried out a DNA test.