White flag issue:

Fredrica gives further evidence

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Sunday Leader Chief Editor Fredrica Jansz questioned at length about the notebook she took for the interview with Sarath Fonseka said that her lead story in the Sunday Leader on December 12, 2009 was merely based on the interview that she had with Sarath Fonseka on December 8, 2009.

Jansz giving evidence before the Trial at Bar consisting of three High Court Judges examined by Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Navaratne Bandara yesterday said that on a request made by Sarath Fonseka on a subsequent date after having lengthy discussions with several Sarath Fonseka's friends including Mangala Samaraweera and several others she carried a clarification on the Sunday Leader on December 20, 2009 stating that LTTE leaders who were killed met with their end not while they were carrying white flags but during the war.

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

After Sarath Fonseka's interview appeared in the Sunday Leader several persons inquired from her about the authenticity of the story. Later she telephoned Sarath Fonseka and told him about it. Then Sarath Fonseka had several discussions with his friends including Mangala Samaraweera, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Vijitha Herath and requested her to carry the clarification. Sarath Fonseka refused to carry a correction but only a clarification.

After Sarath Fonseka's clarification issue she spoke to Minister Basil Rajapaksa and several others and informed them about it. She was trying to contact Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa but failed.

Examined at length by DSG Bandara, witness Jansz said that Sarath Fonseka never denied the story which appeared in the Sunday Leader on December 12, 2009 nor did he tell her to withdraw the interview he (Sarath Fonseka) gave her.

The notebook which was sealed and kept in Court custody was opened yesterday in open Court with the Court's permission.

The DSG perusing the notebook observed that the pages of the note book was not marked. The Witness said that she refused to give her notebook to the CID, but later CID took several photo copies of the notebook.

The witness said that she questioned Sarath Fonseka about his life in order to obtain his bio-data and about the Presidential election campaign. But her final question was about the white flag issue.

Jansz said that she did not take a tape recorder when she went to interview Sarath Fonseka. She also said that she never thought that she will have to give evidence in Court in respect of her interview with Sarath Fonseka.

Sarath Fonseka pleaded not guilty to the three charges preferred against him, which were read out to him for making a false statement to The Sunday Leader Senior Journalist Fredrica Jansz that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had told Brig. Shavindra Silva to eliminate the LTTE cadres who come with white flags to surrender during the war.

Sarath Fonseka had given a time on December 9 for the interview, but later he changed the date and requested her to come for the interview on December 8 at 6.30 pm.

The Sunday Leader Chief Editor said that she went to interview Sarath Fonseka to his office with four others including Lal Wickrematunga.

Sarath Fonseka is charged on three counts under the Criminal Procedure Code and under the Emergency Regulations Sections 28 and 29.

On an application by Senior Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, the President of the Trial at Bar directed the Prisons authorities to allow Sarath Fonseka to obtain medical treatment and also permit him to appear before Parliament on due dates.

Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Navaratna Bandara with State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama, State Counsel Yohan Liyanage and State Counsel L Ratnayake appeared for the Attorney General.

Senior Attorney Nalin Ladduwahetty with Nilanthi Peiris, Ajith Pathirana, ULG Bandara, Mervyn de Silva, Namal Rajapaksa, Swarna Bandara and several other attorneys appeared for Sarath Fonseka.

Attorney-at-Law N M Shahied watched the interests of witness Fredrica Jansz.AP Wijesekera assists the Court by translating the evidence led in English.

The case will be called again Monday, October 11 at 10.30 am.