Sarath Fonseka has dropped a political bombshell, alleging that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared a secret ceasefire in 2009, giving LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran the chance to escape. Instead of fleeing, Prabhakaran struck back, killing nearly 500 soldiers.
Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka has accused ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa of allowing LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran a chance to escape during the final phase of the war in 2009. Fonseka said that between January 29 and February 1, Rajapaksa declared an emergency ceasefire, ignoring the advice of the Security Council.
According to Fonseka, the ceasefire was intended to create an escape route for Prabhakaran. However, instead of fleeing, the LTTE leader used the opportunity to regroup and launch a fierce counterattack. This move, Fonseka claimed, cost the lives of nearly 500 soldiers under his command.
Speaking at a ceremonial gathering, Fonseka directly challenged Mahinda Rajapaksa’s long-standing claim that the Rajapaksa family single-handedly ended the war. “If they ended it, let Mahinda clearly explain to the nation how it was done,” he said.
Fonseka’s statement reopens old wounds in Sri Lanka’s post-war narrative, raising questions about secret deals, political maneuvering, and the real story behind the war’s end.
