Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka yesterday alleged that a group of Military Police personnel, led by a Colonel, on Wednesday night (Nov 25), made an abortive bid to remove several vehicles assigned to him.

He said that the army should never have raided his residence at midnight and tried to remove vehicles, he told Maharaja Television Network. Denying involvement in any wrongful activity, including attacks on the media and procurement of arms, the former Chief of Defence Staff said that he was ready to cooperate with investigators. He vowed to continue with the investigation even if the government did not.

Fonseka, who was named as the common candidate by the UNP,

JVP and the SLFP (Mangala faction) at the forthcoming presidential election said that his life was at grave threat due to pruning of his security contingent. He accused the government of trying to curtail his movements by imposing restrictions on his security.

He called for public support and agitation to ensure his security.

Earlier in the day Mrs. Anoma Fonseka told The Island that the army had humiliated them by sending troops to forcibly remove vehicles. She regretted that the army which her husband once commanded and led to victory over the LTTE was now harassing him.

Meanwhile, a section of the JHU yesterday hit out at Fonseka saying he was a part of an international conspiracy aimed at making way for the intervention of foreign troops into the country.

JHU Parliamentarian Ven. Uduwa Dhammaloka Thera said the former army commander had become a pawn to forces bent on destroying country.

"In the event of a Fonseka victory a multi-national force will soon set foot in this country which will prove disastrous," the Thera said but refused to elaborate when pressed for more details.

He also claimed that Fonseka was not a patient man and therefore not suitable for political office, President or otherwise.

The credit for winning the war must also be shared by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa. "He (Sarath) cannot take all the credit for himself," he said.