On My Beat: His wife, children and lawyer are free to visit Fonseka any time

Anoma Fonseka yesterday visited her husband twice-- in the afternoon as well as in the evening. Her evening visit was at 7 PM and she was alone with her husband for more than one hour.

Earlier in the afternoon, around 2.15 PM, Anoma Fonseka and Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, the lawyer of Sarath Fonseka, visited for the second consecutive day the arrested former Army Commander and the Chairman of the Defence Staff at the Senior Navy Officers apartment, near the Colombo Port, which is located in High Security Zone.

This visit was consequent to Army authorities informing Anoma Fonseka that she and her family members can have unhampered visit to meet Fonseka any time they wanted and also the lawyers at any time to meet Fonseka.

Yesterday, when Anoma visited Sarath Forseka in the afternoon, along with the lawyer, she took with her lunch and dinner to Fonseka. The three were together for more than an hour.

When Asian Tribune asked why Sarath Fonseka was deprived of his medicines for more than 24 hours, an Army source told that on the 8th evening he was arrested after 9.30 PM and he was taken direct to a Navy apartment.

Subsequently, at 12.30 in the wee hours, the Army Medical Officer on duty went to examine Sarath Fonseka , but he said that he does not want the Army Medical Officer to examine him as he was fit enough and no medical attention was needed.

Subsequently, around 12 midday on the 9th, Army informed Anoma that they are prepared to co-ordinate with her and Foneka’s lawyer to visit Sarath Fonseka. They have also informed Anoma Fonseka to bring with her the necessary medicines for the retired General.

As Anoma was interested in crying before international journalists and to their cameras to evoke sympathy, she delayed her visit up to 18.00 Hrs. After that she and Fonseka’s lawyer Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa were together with Fonseka for three long hours.

When Asian Tribune asked about the facilities available in the Senior Army Officers apartment where Fonseka is held, it was said that all basic facilities with attach bathroom and toilet are available.

A source in the Army told Asian Tribune yesterday morning they delivered Daily News and Dinamina newspapers to Fonseka, but he rejected those two dailies saying they are pro-government papers.

Fundamental rights violation petition challenging the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of General Sarath Fonseka was filed before the Supreme Court today. His wife Mrs. Anoma Fonseka and New Democratic Front Secretary Ms Shamila Perera filed the petition for and on behalf of General Fonseka for the immediate release of Sarath Fonseka saying his fundamental rights were violated.

The respondents cited in the petition are Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya, Army Commander Major General Sumith Manawadu, OIC – in charge of Colombo Security, Sri Lanka Army Head Quarters, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Secretary, Defence, Brigadier Wijesiri, Head of Military Police, Slave Island and the Attorney General.

In the meantime the UNP stalwarts Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana and Dayasri Jeyasekera led a group of anti-Government supporters and protested in the Country’s Courts Complex, located at Hulftsdorp, Colombo.

Also another group supporting the ruling party opposed the anti Government protest, and both groups were seen clashing.

Both groups are said to have hurled stones and were involved in a fisticuffs. Police were forced use tear gas and water cannon.

According to a police report, the Courts proceedings were disturbed and also 3 police vehicles and 6 civilians vehicles which were parked were damaged.

The High Court No 1 Judge Depani Wijeyasundera summoned the police and asked them to produce report on the protest and clashes and also ordered the police to produced those involved in the protests.

According to a police source as far as the Government side was concerned the protest was not led by any important personalities. They were ordinary civilians who were agitated when hooligans and thugs of the Opposition gathered in the name of Non-violence protest started attacking civilians.

The National Freedom Front leader, Wimal Weerawansa speaking to reporters at his party office yesterday said that during the period Sarath Fonseka was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Army, he had held discussions with JVP's Tilvin Silva to obtain advice from Silva on matters relating to military affairs, thus clearly violated the statute of the Army, eroding required discipline.

He further claimed that General Fonseka has had discussions over the phone from USA with Tilvin Silva and the recent public statement to that effect from Silva was by itself sufficient evidence to prove that charge. “An UNP MP who is also aware of certain developments in this regard has already revealed evidence”, Weerawansa noted.

Weerawansa pointed out that any army officer was bound to respond to charges up to six months after retirement as specified by military law. "If we do not take action against Fonseka for violating military discipline, we would not be able to uphold discipline in the defence establishments", he noted.

On the 8th of this month Polices raided the Queens Road house Sarath Fonseka and found a pistol in his house.

As a retired Army personnel Fonseka was not eligible to have in possession any lethal weapons including a pistol.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne yesterday refused an anticipatory bail application by Danuwana Tillekeratna, son-in-law of General Sarath Fonseka.

On an application by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) the Judge made an order impounding the passport of Danuwana Tillkeratne. The Judge also directed the Registrar of the Court to inform the Controller of the Immigration and Emigration about the Court order.

In the meantime Anoma Fonseka has asaked her daughters to send as much as SMS possible to all over the world regarding the arrest and detention of Sarath Fonseka.

You may also receive one. Ready to receive it in your mobile phone – a deceptive move to cover up Sarath Fonseka’s excesses and antigovernment, anti-country activities.

- Asian Tribune -