Opposition petitions for Fonseka’s freedom

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has appealed to the President to use his powers to pardon the imprisoned former Army Commander and Democratic National Alliance Leader, General (retd.) Sarath Fonseka.

In a letter addressed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Wickremesinghe has said that as the leader of the opposition he is acting on a behalf of an opposition parliamentarian and urged the President to consider the services rendered by General Fonseka.

The jailed General served the nation with honour and distinction and as the Army Commander was responsible for defeating the LTTE on the ground, Wickremesinghe has pointed out.

Considering the services rendered by him to the country the opposition is of the view that the retired General and DNA parliamentarian should not be jailed, Wickremesinghe has told the President.  The opposition leader visited the imprisoned Commander at the Welikada Prison yesterday, the local media reported. He has reportedly inquired from the prison authorities about the facilities provided to Fonseka.

The Opposition Leader with the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Somawansa Amarasinghe launched a public petition campaign in front of the Fort Railway Station demanding the release of Sarath Fonseka.

Members of the Opposition and DNA members along with jailed commander’s wife Anoma Fonseka participated in the signing of the petition.

Fonseka began his 30-month jail sentence last week at the Welikada Prison following the President’s ratification of the court martial decision. The Court Martial had found the former military commander guilty of violating military procurement procedures during his tenure as Army Chief. (www.colombopage.com)