Colombo, June 29 - Whilst highlighting that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sarath Fonseka is a man of ability who never gives up, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said Sri Lanka will get the opportunity of enjoying the services of the former in the near future.

"Fonseka is still able to work for the nation. We need such people. There is a saying that old soldiers never die. They just fade away. Fonseka won’t fade away. He is still here.

Therefore, the country will get the opportunity of obtaining his services in the near future," the President said at the launch of MP Fonseka's book titled "An Army Commander's Pledge to the Nation" in Colombo yesterday.

“Fonseka is a person who fights on during adversity. We all must remember that fact. He is a man of vast experience. When you talk of experience, we see someone who fought against him some time back. It is Minister Douglas Devananda. Minister Devananda fought against the security forces and then joined us and fought together with us against the LTTE,” he said.

"Sri Lanka's security forces were not initially trained to face a war. They almost suffered defeat. However, they had to be trained. They emerged strong right until 1987. The Indian Army then took over the war. Former Army Commander Cecil Waidyaratne who was close to me, once predicted that Fonseka is a shining figure and has a bright future. His prediction came true as Fonseka did have a bright future. I remember what he said after the war was concluded. Fonseka said everyone must now strive for peace now that the war is over. Therefore, I am prepared to work for permanent peace in the country,” the President added.

Field Marshal Fonseka said Sri Lankan forces had to be trained with non-traditional tactics of war during his tenure in the army. “These non-traditional war tactics only brought the end of terrorism in Sri Lanka,” he recalled.

Also, he said he had included details on blunders made by certain persons which resulted in setbacks to the forces. “I remember former military men publicly stated that forces cannot end the conflict and it has to be ended with a political solution. However, the forces were able to end terrorism. I made two promises during my tenure as Army Commander. I said I would not keep the task of ending terrorism to another army commander. Then I said in 2008 that I would not allow the LTTE leader to commemorate his heroes’ day the following year. I am happy that I have been able to fulfil both these promises,” he said.

A distinguished crowd including heads of foreign missions, clergy and politicians were present at the launch. The absence of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) hierarchy was noticed. However, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem, MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka, Charitha Herath and Nimal Siripala de Silva and A. H. M. Fowzie were present.