February 10th

Yesterday, Sri Lankan civilians rose up to demand a valid, reasonable answer for my father's arrest. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking for an answer. The people were holding non-violent rallies all over Sri Lanka. When thugs began throwing rocks at the protestors, the police only stood by and watched (http://sl-tube.com/video/Battle_in_Colombo_a_Protest_Demanding_Release_of_Sarath_Fonseka ).It has been over 48 hours that the government has held my father without charge sheets. They have intermittently come up with reasons such as: my father conversed with the political parties while he was serving the country as general. My father clearly mentioned and showed to the public that he would not do or say anything regarding politics while he was still serving the country in uniform ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSzNfY26wLI ). After the elections took place, their allegation was that my father was conspiring to start a military coup against the government to assassinate the president. This is a pointless argument because if he had wanted to do such a thing, he could have easily done it while in the army. He had no such intention.

On the 8th of February when my father was arrested, a feeling of tremendous helplessness overwhelmed me. I called up my mother and was unable to bear hearing her cry. I wanted to speak up, speak out but I didn't know where or how to start. I felt weak. The last time I had heard her cry so was when my father had been taken to the hospital after the suicide bomb attack. She's been the rock of strength in our family and when she faced the media on the 9th and spoke her heart out through tears, so many mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers cried with her. It felt to me like Sri Lanka was weeping, too. The reactions and support we've had since has given me the courage and hope to be strong, knowing that our family hasn't been left alone. I've been getting messages asking how my father is, prayers and concerns for my family from Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and Sri Lankans of every ethnicity. People have risen against injustice non-violently and it was encouraging to see that people are refusing to be blinded again; religious leaders such as Ven. Malwathu Mahanayke (http://www.lankatruth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4678:-this-leader-doesnt-listen-to-us-only-pretends-he-takes-our-advice-ven-malwatu-mahanayke&catid=35:local&Itemid=50) and Mahanayake of Asgiriya Chapter are some examples (http://www.lankatruth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4686:arrest-of-gen-fonseka-is-illegal-and-unacceptable-mahanayake-of-asgiriya-chapter&catid=35:local&Itemid=62 ).

I do not affiliate myself with politics. I write this blog as a Sri Lankan, a civilian, and a daughter. I respect those who are risking their lives for my father but I do not want others to lose their fathers, mothers, brothers, or sisters either. I realize that my father is not just my father but that he has become a symbol for the nation. And yet, because he is my father I cannot express enough gratitude to the people who have risked their lives for his and for our country. Because of your commitment, my mother was allowed to file a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court against my father's arrest. We have also made an appeal to the Red Cross ICRS requesting to make arrangements for my father's military doctor who is familiar with his medical history since the suicide attack to attend his medical needs. He still has a lot of shrapnel parts in his body and needs regular medicine for them to heal. We hope that the appeal will work. My family will never forget the sacrifices and commitments you've made, big or small. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.


Yours sincerely,
Aparna Fonseka