Prisons Chief explains

9 May 2011 11:10 am

Prisons Chief Major General V.R. De Silva yesterday explained reasons to the Court of Appeal why petitioner Sarath Fonseka was not produced in Court in time during the last hearing of the case filed by Fonseka challenging the removal of his parliamentary seat.

The Court of Appeal accepted the explanation given by the Commissioner General of Prisons and insisted that it should not happen in future and to take precaution to bring the Petitioner in court in time, expecting the congestion of traffic.

The Court brought to the cognizance that order had already been made that the Petitioner should be available in Court. The Court also advised the Prisons Authority not to shift the Petitioner here and there.

The Court had, on May 3, issued notice against the Commissioner General of Prisons to be personally present in Court on May 9 to show cause as to why the Petitioner Sarath Fonseka was not produced in Court.

Commissioner General of Prisons Maj. Gen. V.R.de Silva was present in Court today and explained as to why the Petitioner could not be available in Court in time. He told Court that the Petitioner Fonseka had a case in the High Court in the morning on the day in dispute.

He added that at 10.45 a.m. the Officer-in-Charge contacted the Superintendent of Prisons seeking his permission to bring back the Petitioner to Welikade Prisons. Petitioner Fonseka was brought to the Welidake Prisons and kept for 45 minutes. He explained that Petitioner could not be brought to Court in time due to the congestion and condition of traffic. (S.S.Selvanayagam)