Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka’s wife Anoma said yesterday their lawyers were discussing the terms of her husband’s release after it was confirmed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa when she met him on Wednesday night.
Ms. Fonseka said she was invited to Democratic National Alliance (DNA) MP Tiran Alles’s home to meet President Rajapaksa who confirmed to her that her husband would be released.
She said however it was uncertain whether it was a full pardon and the date of his release was still to be decided. “The lawyers are discussing the terms of his release,” Ms. Fonseka said.
She said the talks between President Rajapaksa and Mr. Alles had gone on for several months and that she was included in the discussions as a formality since the family had to be informed before the prison release.
Mr. Fonseka contested for the presidency in 2010 but lost the election to incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He was arrested in February 8, 2010. In his first court martial he received a 30-month prison sentence after he was found guilty of engaging in political activities while he was in the Army.
In a second court martial Fonseka received a three year prison sentence for questionable military procurement procedures. He was also convicted in the controversial white flag case in 2010.
The Colombo High Court recently postponed a case filed by the Attorney-General against Mr. Fonseka for harbouring army deserters during the 2010 presidential election. Mr. Fonseka was recently admitted to the Nawaloka Hospital for treatment for bronchial complications.
(Olindhi Jayasundere)
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