White flag issue:

Trial-at-Bar put off

Sarath Malalasekera

The Trial-at-Bar comprising three High Court Judges yesterday put off the trial against Sarath Fonseka for October 4. Fonseka, who is charged for making a false statement to The Sunday Leader Senior Journalist Frederica Jansz that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had told him to eliminate the LTTE cadres who come with white flags to surrender, during the war.

The three Judges are Colombo High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera, (President), Colombo High Court Judge W T M P B Warawewa and Colombo High Court Judge M Z Razeen.

On an application by Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Navaratne Bandara the Court directed first witness Frederica Jansz and the second witness Lal Raj Wickrematunga to appear in Court on the next date, October 4.

The CID investigations had revealed that Sarath Fonseka had made a false statement to the English week-end publication. He will be charged under the Criminal Procedure Code and under Emergency Regulations Sections 28 and 29. Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Nawaratna Bandara with State Counsel Yohan Liyanage appeared for the Attorney General.

Senior Attorney Nalin Ladduwahetty with U L G Bandara, Ajith Pathirana and several other attorneys appeared for Sarath Fonseka. The case will be called again on October 4.