I refer to the letter by Narada Wickramage (NW) under the above caption in "The Island" of 18th November 2009.

NW compares the careers of the two soldiers. Both were outstanding military leaders. Gen Eisenhower went on to become an outstanding President of the United States. He took a stand against racism in the United States. One recalls that he ordered Federal Troops into Little Rock, Arkansas to enforce racial integration in schools – an unpopular action at the time.

NW refers to the role of President Franklyn D Roosevelt. He was a Polio victim and was wheel chair ridden. The real force behind him was his wife, the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. While there is no doubt that FDR (and Winston Churchill) provided the political leadership the war itself was fought by the military leaders such as Eisenhower, Patton, Montgomery and so on. This is very similar to the roles of President Mahinda Rajapakse and General Sarath Fonseka.

No one can dispute the major role Gen. Fonseka with his hand picked commanders played in finally defeating the LTTE. It is doubtful whether the politicians would have been able to resist all the international pressure without the forces under Gen. Fonseka delivering victory after victory over the terrorists. We also must not forget that over 5,000 of our soldiers sacrificed their lives in the final stages of the war.

It is pertinent to look at several other military leaders who went into politics. Gen. Charles De Gaulle, who transformed France from being the ‘sick man of Europe’ into a country, which can take its place proudly among other nations of Europe and divested of the last vestige of Colonialism – Algeria.

Gen Fidel Ramos of Phillipines, a highly successful President in the post Marcos period. And Gen. Susilo Bang Bang Yudhiyono of Indonesia who recently won a second term by a landslide.

NW states that Gen. Fonseka has allied himself with pro-Eelamists. The General has not so far announced his intentions or alliances so, it would not be proper to pre-judge the issue. However the UNP with people such as Karu Jayasuriya cannot be pro – Eelamist.

Even Ranil W, perhaps would have been President today if Prabhakaran had not ordered the Tamils to boycott the last Presidential Election. Unlikely to be a pro – Eelamist.

Mano Ganeshan and the TNA may fit NW’s description. Perhaps we should await the General’s announcement.