White flag issue:

District Judge gives evidence

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Nugegoda District Judge former Colombo Chief Magistrate Champa Jayaki Rajaratna yesterday giving evidence before the Trial at Bar comprising three High Court Judges hearing Sarath Fonseka's white flag issue, said that on an application by the prosecution the Court issued notice on Sunday Leader Editor Frederica Jansz to produce her note book that she took for the interview with Sarath Fonseka.

District Judge Champa Kumari Rajaratna examined by Deputy Solicitor General Buvaneka Aluvihare, who is leading the prosecuting team, said that Frederica Jansz produced the notebook before Court assisted by her Attorney N M Zahid.

The District Judge later directed the Court Registrar to keep the notebook in court custody in the safe.

Attorney N M Zahid examined by Deputy Solicitor General said his client Frederica Jansz produced the notebook in open court as ordered by the court earlier. Cross examined by Senior Defence Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetti, Attorney Zahid said that Frederica Jansz produced the notebook she took for the interview with Sarath Fonseka in open court on June 21, 2010.

The Bench comprise 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.

Kalutara High Court Judge, former Colombo High Court Judge WM Kumarihamy, Sirasa News Editor Aruni Omaya Madawila Vithanage, CID, Woman Sub Inspector Pushpa Kumari Abeyratne, who recorded the statements of several prosecution witnesses, also gave evidence before the Trial at Bar yesterday.

Sarath Fonseka earlier pleaded not guilty to the three charges preferred against him namely making a false statement to Sunday Leader Senior Journalist Frederica Jansz that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had told Brig. Shavendra Silva to eliminate the LTTE cadres who come with a white flag to surrender during the final stage of the war.

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

Deputy Solicitor General Buvaneka Aluvihare with Senior State Counsel Dilan Ratnayake, State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama and State Counsel Riaz Bawa appeared for the Attorney General. Senior Attorney Nalin Ladduwahetty with Nilanthi Peiris, Ajith Pathirana, U L G Bandara, Mervyn de Silva, Wasantha Pitigala, Niroshan Perera, Namal Rajapaksa, Swarna Bandara and Chathura Anushka Amarasinghe appeared for Sarath Fonseka. Senior Attorney U R de Silva watched the interests of Derana and Sirasa TV organizations. The Court proceedings were due to resume today at 10.30 am.