Fonseka to stand trial on army deserters
Former general maintains innocence, says charges politically motivated
Former general Sarath Fonseka after his release from prison last month
- ucanews.com reporters, Colombo
- Sri Lanka
- June 8, 2012
The Colombo High Court said yesterday it had set a trial date to hear a case against former army chief Sarath Fonseka and his secretary Senaka Haripriya de Silva on charges of harboring army deserters during presidential elections in 2010.
Saliya Peiris, the attorney representing Fonseka in the case, said the trial would begin on June 21.
“Both are charged with breaking the state allegiance of 12 soldiers, harboring them, paying them wages, and committing mutiny and insubordination.”
Fonseka, a former general credited by many with orchestrating the end of the civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009, was released from prison two weeks ago by presidential pardon. The charge of aiding army deserters was still pending upon his release.
He had served most of a three-year sentence in prison following his arrest in January 2010 after his defeat in a bid for the presidency.
Fonseka, who has been barred from contesting elections for seven years, said he would continue to fight for democracy and the rule of law in Sri Lanka.
“[Government leaders] need to suppress me and take away my political rights. These agendas are still continuing,” he told ucanews.com today, maintaining that he and his secretary are innocent of any wrongdoing.
“They could put me behind bars but they have not been able to suppress my vision for the future of this country.”
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have campaigned for a full pardon for Fonseka and have urged the Inter Parliamentary Union Human Rights Committee to continue its efforts on Fonseka’s behalf.
Saliya Peiris, the attorney representing Fonseka in the case, said the trial would begin on June 21.
“Both are charged with breaking the state allegiance of 12 soldiers, harboring them, paying them wages, and committing mutiny and insubordination.”
Fonseka, a former general credited by many with orchestrating the end of the civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009, was released from prison two weeks ago by presidential pardon. The charge of aiding army deserters was still pending upon his release.
He had served most of a three-year sentence in prison following his arrest in January 2010 after his defeat in a bid for the presidency.
Fonseka, who has been barred from contesting elections for seven years, said he would continue to fight for democracy and the rule of law in Sri Lanka.
“[Government leaders] need to suppress me and take away my political rights. These agendas are still continuing,” he told ucanews.com today, maintaining that he and his secretary are innocent of any wrongdoing.
“They could put me behind bars but they have not been able to suppress my vision for the future of this country.”
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have campaigned for a full pardon for Fonseka and have urged the Inter Parliamentary Union Human Rights Committee to continue its efforts on Fonseka’s behalf.
