White Flag issue:

Case resumes today

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Trial-at-Bar consisting of three High Court Judges hearing the Sarath Fonseka white flag issue will resume today, April 20, 2011.

The Bench comprising 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 the Senior Defence Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty the Court issued summons on five witnesses to appear in Court today.

Sarath 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 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 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 Sarath Fonseka.

Court proceedings will be resumed again on April 20, 2011.