Sarath Fonseka charged with illegally harbouring rider-soldiers

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Former Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonseka is charged before Colombo High Cour t Judge Sunil Rajapaksa with illegally harbouring 12 rider-soldiers after his retirement from service.

According to the charge sheet, Sarath Fonseka as Chief of Defence Staff had no legal right to use the rider-soldiers after retirement from service. This is an offence under the Army Regulations.

Col. Senaka Harippriya de Silva is charged with aiding and abetting Sarath Fonseka.

Brig. Asoka Weerasinghe gave evidence led by Senior State Counsel Damith Totawatta yesterday.

Senior State Counsel Damith Totawatta with State Counsel Riyas Bary appeared for the Attorney General.

Senior Attorney Saliya Peiris with Rukshan Nanayakkara and Nilanthi Peiris instructed by Paul Ratnayake Associates appeared for Sarath Fonseka.

Senior Attorney Upul Jayasuriya with Kelum Kumarasinghe, S. Ranasinghe, Madubashini Ariyadasa appeared for Senaka de Silva.

Further hearings will commence on March15 at 1.30 p.m.