Lanka rubbishes Indian hand in Fonseka sacking report

Sri Lanka today dismissed a Pakistani media report which claimed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had influenced removal of Gen Sarath Fonseka from the post of Army Chief as India feared coup in this country.

"Sri Lanka has a sovereign government and all its administrative matters (of the army) are with the President and commander in chief (Mahinda Rajapaksa) and defence secretary," Defence Spokesman and senior cabinet Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told PTI.

"Such appointments are governed by their action," he said. After all there are certain traditions on promotions or removals in the armed forces.

If there is advice it is welcome but decisions are based on the system that are within the country and within the administrative system," he said without naming India.

'The Nation', a Pakistani newspaper yesterday quoting "well placed sources in Colombo" had reported that Fonseka was removed at India's behest on fears of a coup.

"The Sri Lankan General Sarath Fonseka who led troops to victory, defeating Tamil separatists after decades of war, was replaced on the advice of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who conveyed to Sri Lankan leadership that he had received credible intelligence about the possible coup against the Sri Lankan government," the Nation had reported.