Case against Fonseka put off for April 25

Sarath MALALASEKARA

The case against former Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonseka, who is charged before Colombo High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa with the illegal harbouring of 12 rider-soldiers after his retirement from service, was yesterday put off for April 25, 2012.

According to the charge sheet, former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka as Chief of Defence Staff, had no legal right to use the rider-soldiers after retirement from service. Col. Senaka Haripriya de Silva, is charged with aiding and abetting Sarath Fonseka.

Brig. Asoka Weerasinghe was cross-examined by Sarath Fonseka's Senior Counsel Saliya Peiris yesterday. Senior State Counsel Damith Totawatta, State Counsel Riyaz Bary with Army Legal Officer Maj. Nuwan Liyanage, 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 hearing to commence on April 25 at 2 p.m.