White flag issue:

Further hearing put off for April 20

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Trial-at-Bar consisting of three High Court Judges hearing Sarath Fonseka's white flag issue yesterday put off further hearing for April 20, 2011.

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. Prison authorities yesterday informed Court that Fonseka is sick and unable to attend Court.

On the last occasion Senior Defence Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty informed Court that his client is unable to attend Court as he was suffering from a backache.

On an application by Senior Defence Counsel, Court issued summons on five defence witnesses to appear in Court on the next date, April 20.

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 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 Emergency Regulations Sections 28 and 29.

Deputy Solicitor General Buvaneka Aluvihara with Senior State Counsel Dilan Ratnayake, State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama and State Counsel Riyaz Bary 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, Kelum Ubeysekera, Swarna Bandara and Chathura Anushka Amaratunga appeared for Fonseka.

The Court proceedings will resume again on April 20, 2011.