White Flag case order on Nov 18

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Trial-at-Bar hearing the White Flag case where former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is charged on three counts, yesterday reserved the order for November 18, after the conclusion of oral submissions by Senior Defence Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty.

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.

The three charges preferred against Sarath Fonseka is that he made 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 also charged under the Criminal Procedure Code and under the Emergency Regulations Sections 28 and 29.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Sunday Leader senior journalist Frederica Jansz, Court Registrar and several others gave evidence for the prosecution. UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya, JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sukumar Rockwood. Prof Ashley Halpe and several others also gave evidence for the defence.

Sarath Fonseka made a dock statement during the trial.

Deputy Solicitor General Buwaneka 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 appearing for Sarath Fonseka. The Court will be resumed again on November 18, 2011 at 11.30 am.