Cry for Fonseka’s release grows

A group of Sri Lankan lawyers held a protest yesterday afternoon at the main Colombo High Court premises in Hulftsdorp calling for the release of former Army Commander and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader retired General Sarath Fonseka.

Fonseka’s supporters holding placards protested the President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to uphold the prison sentence delivered by the court martial against the former war hero.

Fonseka’s wife Anoma Fonseka flanked by the DNA parliamentarians including Vijitha Herath and Tiran Alles joined the protest organised by the Lawyers for Democracy at the Colombo High Court premises where Fonseka was brought for the hearing of another case yesterday.

Outside the court Fonseka flashed a victory sign to the crowd and promised to fight for democracy and not to give up the struggle.

Main opposition United National Party lawmakers Ravi Karunanayaka, Karu Jayasuriya, Sajith Premadasa, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Gayantha Karunaratne, Sujeewa Senasinghe and New Left Front leader, Wickramabahu Karunaratne, and Democratic People’s Front leader, Mano Ganeshan also joined the protest.  Protests calling for Fonseka’s release were also held in Kalutara, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Balapitiya and many other areas in the country.  Fonseka began his 30-month jail sentence last week at the Welikada Prison following the President’s approval of the court martial decision. The former military commander was found guilty of violating military procurement procedures during his tenure as Army Chief.

Karu says Govt. responsible for Fonseka’s life

SRI LANKA’S main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday said there was no adequate security for former Army Commander and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Sarath Fonseka and the government has to take full responsibility for his life.

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya made this statement to the media outside the Welikada Prison after visiting Fonseka inside the prison premises.

Jayasuriya said it was sad to see how a war hero who defeated the terrorists and brought victory is being treated now in a prison.

Jayasuriya told the media that there is a rumor that three suspected LTTE suicide cadres have been released and that they could pose a serious threat on Fonseka’s life.

He noted that Fonseka could be harmed or even his food could be poisoned within the prison.

Jayasuriya said that the government should take full responsibility if anything happened to Fonseka.