AG tells SC:

Eight military personnel detained

Hiran Senewiratne

Eight retired military persons out of 18 who were taken in to custody at Presidential Candidate Sarath Fonseka’s election office were detained under a detention order, the Attorney General told Supreme Court, yesterday.

Senior State Counsel Riyas Hamza appearing for the Attorney General in the fundamental rights applications filed by the detained officers informed court that 10 out of 18 persons arrested have been already released.

The court directed the respondents to allow the petitioners’ lawyers to meet them at any time, which was restricted earlier.

According to the court directions, relatives of the petitioners’ can visit them on both Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9.00 am to 12 noon. The Court also gave time to support the Fundamental Rights applications on two dates, on February 26 and on March 4, respectively. The petitioners, security persons of Sarath Fonseka stated that they were illegally taken into custody in violation of their Fundamental Rights, by the Terrorist Investigation Unit just after the Presidential Election.

The Bench comprised Acting Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice N. G. Amarathunga and Justice P.A Ratnayake PC. Counsel Viran Corea, Chrishmal Warnasuriya and R. Ameen appeared for the petitioners.