White flag issue:

Two CID officers testify

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Two Criminal Investigation Department Officers who recorded statements of Derana and Sirasa News Editors yesterday testified before the Trial-at-Bar consisting of three High Court Judges hearing Sarath Fonseka’s white flag issue.

The two CID officers Inspector Asela Indrajith and Sub Inspector H M Janananda examined by Senior State Counsel Dilan Ratnayake said that they recorded statements of the Derana News Editor and Sirasa News Editor in connection with the news telecast over the two television channels about Fonseka’s speeches.

IP Asela Indrajith said that he joined the CID in May 2010. SI Janananda said that he was attached to the CID for the last 17 years. The Bench comprised 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.

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

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

Deputy Solicitor General Buvaneka Aluvihara 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 Fonseka.

Senior Attorney U R de Silva watched the interest of Derana and Sirasa TV organizations.

Court proceedings will resume again on January 25 at 10.30am.