“We heard that the military is trying to take action against this officer who was an innocent man assaulted by the thugs. The Generals in command are showing their cowardice by trying to take action against the army officer before the Police take action against the culprit,” he said.

Mr. Fonseka said if an incident of this nature had occurred during his tenure in the Army he would have ensured that the culprits were arrested.

“Fortunately we were professional officers and nobody would go down to the level of treating any officer or soldier like this. I would have definitely ensured that legal action is taken against the culprits and I would have gone to any extent to do this. If I was the Army Commander I would have ensured that Malaka Silva was arrested,” he said adding that there was an attempt to cover up the incident right from the beginning.

“We have information to say that when the Army Major who was injured was admitted to hospital the Director of the National Hospital had tried his utmost to discharge the Major without treatment but the doctors had refused to do so,” he said.

The former presidential candidate and leader of the Democratic Party said this wasn’t the first time that the law did not take its normal course.

“This isn’t the first time similar things have happened sons of government politicians have continued to misbehave and there was no proper action taken against them. There is a minister and also a man in charge of the law enforcement authorities in the country. He seems to be deaf and blind and this is a very pathetic situation. I don’t think this type of thing would happen in any civilized country. It happens in this country because the culprits are being looked after by powerful politicians. There is no action taken against them and therefore there is no place for people to go seeking redress,” he said.

Responding to statements made by Minister Mervyn Silva who reportedly said that Fonseka had to hand over his son in law first to the Police prior to calling for the arrest of Malaka Silva, the former Army Commander said his son-in-law would face the court of law when the law applies equally and judiciously to all citizens.

“My son in law is not with us and we don’t know where he is. This man Malaka Silva is out in the open and even went to the Kelaniya temple with his father who is a minister. My son in law is in hiding for three years because during the presidential election my opponents planned to arrest him on bogus charges and kill him. He will come out when there is law and order in this country,” he said.