Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka admitted that he was approached by President Maithripala Sirisena approached him for a top defence job.

“The President first indicated that he wanted to offer me the Army Commander’s post. I raised my hands and refused. Then he said he wanted to offer me the Chief of Defence Staff’s job. Again I refused. Then he said he wanted to me intervene in resolving some issues that have arisen in the light of recent trade union actions,” Fonseka said, speaking to journalists in Kelaniya, last evening.

“There are trade unions operating with political objectives. Politcal parties are behind them. Sometimes, we see massive poster campaigns launched by trade unions. We all know they don’t have money for that. It is clear that political parties with vested interests are pumping money into unions,” the former Army Commander said.

“I am ready to take up any job on behalf of the country. If the country wants me, I am always available,” Fonseka said, indicating that he was positive about the new job.

However, top government sources added that the scope of Fonseka’s new job and his new position is yet to be finalised. At the weekly cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said Fonseka agreed to take up a new portfolio, if he was given necessary powers.