White Flag judgement today

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Trial at Bar which heard the White Flag case where former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is charged on three counts will deliver its order today.

The Bench comprised Colombo High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera, (President), Colombo High Court Judge WTMPB Warawewa and Colombo High Court Judge MZ 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 Emergency Regulations Sections 28 and 29. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Sunday Leader senior journalist Frederica Jansz, the Court Registrar and several others gave evidence for the prosecution.

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya, JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sukumar Rockwood (NGO), 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, ULG Bandara, Mervyn de Silva, Wasantha Pitigala, Niroshan Perera, Kelum Ubeysekera, Swarna Bandara and Chathura Anushka Amaratunga appeared for Sarath Fonseka.