Tissa Denies Mohan’s Claims

By Raisa Wickrematunge

J. S Tissainayagam

Senior Tamil journalist J. S Tissainayagam denied allegations that he “admitted his complicity” to an offence in order to gain a Presidential pardon.
The allegation was made on November 9, when a delegation led by Presidential Counsel and Senior Legal Adviser to the Cabinet Mohan Pieris answered questions raised by the Committee Against Torture on whether the Convention Against Torture was being properly implemented.
A delegate who said he was “personally involved” in Tissainayagam’s case claimed that the journalist had written to the President saying he was remorseful for his actions. “He had been convicted and sentenced, but his complicity in what he did was confirmed by his letter, which was sent through his lawyers. He did receive a pardon,” a UN press release said.
However, Tissainayagam denied this statement. “I wish to state that any allusion to my admitting complicity is completely false,” he said. He added that he did write to the President to receive pardon, but only to apologise in the event his writing had caused personal embarrassment to anyone.  “I am unaware that embarrassing the President or the Government of Sri Lanka is a crime and that was not the crime I was accused of,” he pointed out.
As such Tissainayagam categorically denied that he was complicit in or remorseful about a crime.
Tissainayagam was convicted by the Colombo High Court in September 2008 for “causing communal disharmony”. They also found him guilty of funding his publication with LTTE money. He was sentenced for 20 years, but was later released following a Presidential pardon.
Pieris was not available when The Sunday Leader attempted to contact him.
Below is Tissainayagam’s full response to the delegation:
It was brought to my notice that [a delegation led by] the former Attorney General and now Senior Advisor to the Cabinet on Legal Affairs, Mohan Peiris, had made reference to me in an official reply to the Committee Against Torture (CAT) in Geneva this month.
This is what was said, “Concerning specific cases raised by the Committee, a delegate said he had been personally involved in the case of J. S. Tissainayagam. Mr. Tissainayagam personally wrote to the President asking for a pardon, saying he was remorseful for what he did. He had been convicted and sentenced, but his complicity in what he did was confirmed by his letter, which was sent through his lawyers. He did receive a pardon.”
I wish to state that any allusion to my admitting complicity is completely false. I did write to the President, the letter which I now publish in full. Working as a journalist for over 20 years I never wrote to cause anyone personal embarrassment. I only wrote to highlight issues of public interest and in the hope the president and the government would take action to rectify the problems. If any of my writings had caused embarrassment to anyone (whether the president or anyone else) I had no qualms in apologizing as causing embarrassment has never been my intention.
I am unaware that embarrassing the president or the government of Sri Lanka is a crime and that was not the crime I was accused of in the High Court of Sri Lanka in September 2008. I wish to state that I have never committed any crime. Therefore, admitting remorse or complicity to any crime, in this letter to the president or otherwise, does not arise.

24th December 2009
H.E Mahinda Rajapakse
The President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
‘Temple Trees’
Colombo 3.
Your Excellency,

Appeal for the Pardon

I write this in relation to the conviction and sentence of 20 years rigorous imprisonment imposed on me by the High Court on 31st August 2009 in High Court of Colombo Case No. 4425/08.
I have been a journalist all my life, and as you know, a human rights activist like you for all communities.
The writings for which I have been convicted were never intended to hurt anybody or cause any harm to any person. However, I realise that it may have caused embarrassment to you and to the government of Sri Lanka. I deeply regret this and apologize for same.
I have been suffering from a degenerative eye decease which has been accentuated by my incarceration for nearly 2 years.
I have been married only for a little more than three years and for more than half that period I have been incarcerated. Both my parents are very old and they and my young wife have been badly affected by my incarceration.
I make this appeal to you to please exercise your prerogative and pardon me.
Yours Faithfully,
J S Tissainayagam

Army chief is jailed again for speaking out over war crimes

ANDREW BUNCOMBE 
SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2011

Sri Lankan general gets three years for alleging that atrocity was ordered by President's brother

The former chief of Sri Lanka's army was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday after he was convicted of alleging the country's Defence Secretary was involved in war crimes in 2009 at the conclusion of the long conflict with Tamil rebels.

A three-judge bench of the High Court delivered a split verdict in a case relating to an interview Sarath Fonseka gave to a newspaper while campaigning for the presidency later that year. The court found his interview breached emergency laws that were in place.

"I reject this decision with disgust," Mr Fonseka said. "I believe that the fair-minded people will correct this mistake one day, otherwise it will remain a black mark in the history of our judiciary."

The allegations centred on a notorious episode, reported by The Independent, which came to be known as the "white flag incident". Supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), as well as human rights campaigners, claimed several LTTE members were shot dead while trying to surrender in the final hours of the conflict.

Informed of their desire to surrender, a senior Sri Lankan official had sent messages that they should approach troops slowly, their hands raised and carrying a white flag. Several were killed. The government has always denied it shot them and suggested they may have been killed by angry LTTE fighters.

In the aftermath of the war, Mr Fonseka was hailed a hero by much of the country, along with the Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, brother of the President, Mahinda. But soon afterwards, the brothers fell out with Mr Fonseka, who announced his intention to stand down from his post and run in the forthcoming election. He gave an interview to the Sunday Leader newspaper in which he claimed the Defence Secretary had given an order that no one should be taken alive. Mr Fonseka later said he was misquoted.

He failed to unseat Mr Rajapaksa in the presidential contest of January 2010. Shortly afterwards, the former general was detained and charged by a military court with running for a political post while still a soldier. He was sentenced to 30 months and stripped of his rank and medals.

Yesterday, Mr Fonseka's wife, Anoma, said he intended to appeal against the latest verdict. "If you know the case, you know they have just made up a story," she said. Mangala Samaraweera, a senior opposition member, said: "We were not very surprised by this, but we were surprised that at least one judge had the courage to give a dissenting view." A spokesman for President Rajapaksa, Lucien Rajakarunanayake, denied there had been pressure on the court. "Sri Lanka has an independent judiciary," he said.

Earlier this year, a report completed by a UN panel said there were "credible allegations" that both Sri Lankan troops and the LTTE committed war crimes in the final stages of the conflict.

It suggested tens of thousands of Tamil civilians had been killed and called for an independent inquiry. Sri Lanka has rejected such calls and is instead is holding its own inquiry.

Last night Suren Surendiran, of the Global Tamil Forum, said: "The fact that the army commander who led the war alleged that war crimes were committed itself warrants an international independent investigation."

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Sri Lanka extends ex-army chief jail term

AlJazeeraEnglish

The Sri Lankan High Court has sentenced former army commander Sarath Fonseka to three years in prison after finding him guilty of making false allegations against the president's brother.

He was found guilty on Friday of "spreading disaffection" over comments in a newspaper that Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the country's defence secretary, had ordered the killing of Tamil Tiger leaders as they tried to surrender in May, 2009.

Fonseka says he was quoted out of context in the Sunday Leader article published on December 13 of that year.

He is currently serving a 30-month term after a court martial found him guilty of corruption in military procurements.

Al Jazeera's Minelle Fernandez reports from Colombo

Justice Warawawa faces death threats from MaRa regime

(Lanka-e-News -19.Nov.2011, 11.55P.M.) Justice W T M P B Warawawa , one of the judges in the white flag case has received death threats from the MaRa regime, according to reports reaching Lanka e news.

Following these threats the judge is facing after the white flag case verdict had been delivered , he had to change his route he usually takes to his house. He is compelled to take another route .

In the dissenting judgment in the white flag case , justice Warawawa was the dissenting judge . He exonerated Fonseka of all charges filed against Fonseka. Though he ought to have declared his reasons in support of his dissenting view in court , he was not permitted by Ms. Deepali Wijayasundara , the President of the panel of judges yesterday (18) . This decline constituted a blatant and gross breach of revered court traditions , practices and norms
Owing to this action , the declaration of Warawawa in the case was completely blacked out from reaching the media. This high handed action of Deepali Wijesundara had provoked a storm of protests from among the judges triggering controversies, reports say.

It is the consensus of judges who wish to carry out their duties honorably and independently that these threats held out to justice Warawawa is a very ominous signal to the profession as it is militating against the performance of duties of judges freely ,fairly and independently . They claim that immediate steps should be taken to stamp out this evil trend.

1095 day incarceration of a patriot is the gift (wrapped in curse) of Deepali Wijesundara to MaRa on his B’day

-Hereunder are details about Deepani who destroyed substantial part of a war hero cum patriot’s life

(Lanka-e-News -19.Nov.2011, 11.55P.M.-A Critic-) The three judge panel delivered a three year jail sentence to Gen. Sarath Fonseka on the 18th. This was a dissenting judgment with two judges for and one judge dissenting. The dissenting High court judge W T M P B Waruwawa exonerated former army commander of all three charges against him.. The other two judges Deepali Wijesundara (President of the panel ) and Ms. Zulfika Razeen declared that the accused is guilty , without permitting justice Waruwawa to cite his reasons as regards his decision. This is the first time in the history of courts such a measure was taken. By the panel disallowing the colleague in the panel to express his grounds for his stance not only contributed to the already fading and failing justice in Sri Lanka, but also made a dent in the already lost faith and confidence of the people in the judiciary. More >>

Deepali shows her gratitude for daughter’s wedding gift

Saturday, 19 November 2011

Lanka News Web has learnt of the valuable wedding gifts given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the daughter of High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera, who sentenced former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to three years in prison in the White Flag case. President Rajapaksa signed as the witness from the bride’s side for the wedding.

After signing as the witness for the wedding, the President has handed an envelop to the bride with a cheque signed for Rs. 1 million to Deepali Wijesundera’s daughter. The President had also sent a brand new unregistered vehicle to her house few days after the wedding.

A Captain from the Commando unit of the Presidential Security Division had taken the unregistered vehicle to her house.

Deepali Wijesundera had told her daughter that she would have to face some problems if the media found out about the unregistered vehicle and had made arrangements to sell the car.

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High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera.

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3 years jail sentence for Gen. Fonseka: infuriated public scream ‘ Deepali the bitch’ ; ‘ curse be on Rajapakses’…

(Lanka-e-News -18.Nov.2011,5.30PM) A little while ago the verdict on the white flag case was delivered sentencing Gen. Fonseka to a three year jail term along with an imposition of a fine of Rs. 5000/- by the High court of Colombo. It was a dissenting judgment with justice Waruwawa dissenting. Justices Ms. Deepali Wijesundara (President of the panel of judges) and M S Razeek delivered the judgment. These two justices did not even permit justice Waruwa to cite his reasons for his dissent. This sentence was based on the first charge , while on the second and third charges , Gen, Fonseka was exonerated. In other words , if the first indictment was false , the accused should have been acquitted . Gen. Fonseka making a statement in court said , he does not accept this verdict , and it is a judgment given under pressure and undue influence. No sooner the judgment was delivered than the judges left the bench and disappeared.. Lawyers in large numbers surrounded Fonseka and garlanded him. At this juncture , when the prison officials and police took Fonseka away after handcuffing , the Lawyers vehemently protested , when an argument erupted between the Lawyers and the officials. While within the court premises itself , the prison officials and police officers were attacked with chairs. The public obstructed the prison officials when Gen. Fonseka was being led to be taken away to the prison. The provoked public aimed stones at the courts in fury. A prison vehicle and a police jeep collided. Later Gen. Fonseka was led through the rear door to be taken to the prison. In any case the loud protests and demonstrations of the public outside did not die down. The people in large numbers screamed and yelled out , is this the sordid gift of Deepali to the dictator on his birthday ? , “Deepali the bitch. Long live the General .’ Jayawewa to General’. Curse be on Mahinda Rajapakse . Curse be on Gotabaya Rajapakse…..”. The police and Army did not allow even a lady on the road to have a coconut in her possession. UNP Deputy leader Karu Jayasooriya , Sajith Premadasa, Plitha Range Bandara, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Sujeewa Senasinghe, and a large group of politicians were present on the court premises . After Gen . Fonseka left , JVP leader Somawansa was seen heading towards the court. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MaRa sends General to jail and makes a beeline to Kelaniya temple to wipe away his sins since birth

(Lanka-e-News-18.Nov.2011, 11.55PM) Today is Sri Lanka ‘dictator’ MaRa’s 66th birthday. With the change of the planetary position , MaRa had been warned by the astrologers that he will be going through a tremendous evil spell .In order to ward off the dangers of the ominous spell , a dhansal (free meal center) is to be conducted for a whole year feeding thousand people every day. The venue chosen to hold this dhansala is a Hall near Ruwanweli seya ,Anuradhapura . The Govi jana seva Dept. under the Minister S M Chandrasena , the wild life Dept. and the S M Chandrasena foundation are organizing this Dhansala. It has been notified that those who wish to make their contributions in cash or kind shall contact on the phone No. 072 4280452 .. Meanwhile , today on the 66th Birthday, MaRa’s first greeting in his characteristic atrocious style went out to Gen. Fonseka when he saw to it that War hero and patriot par excellence Fonseka is sentenced to a 3 year jail sentence. Thereafter MaRa visited the Kelaniya temple and Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena to participate in religious ceremonies based on the Buddha’s preaching ‘ show compassion even to the enemy’ . MaRa perhaps believed stemming from his warped thinking that he is following this Buddha’s preaching when he sent Gen. Fonseka to jail , for Fonseka is indeed not his ‘enemy’ but his savior winning the war against terrorists for MaRa and the country . May be in Mara’s view Buddha wanted to show mercy only on enemies and not on Fonseka who is a true patriot , war Hero and MaRa’s savior. It is presumable that because Minister Mervyn Silva the notorious vermin and bosom pal of MaRa was also associated with MaRa on the occasion and whose thinking is as warped as MaRa or even worse, must have advised MaRa that all the sins committed from the day MaRa was born will be wiped out if he worships at the Kelaniya temple on MaRa’s birthday. The Kelaniya Rajamaha vihara chief incumbent, with a a Doctorate who abides by the Kollupitiya Mahinda MaRa’s tenets kicking aside the true Buddha’s preaching, tied a pirith (blessed) twine on MaRa’s wrist. The Vidyalankara Pirivena chief incumbent and the Kelaniya University Vice Chancellor who are firm adherents of MaRa , and Professor Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma the chief Sangha Nayake of the two districts , Colombo and Chilaw, who was installed in that position by MaRa are in these photographs. The photographs also depict the tooth relic being placed on MaRa’s head and MaRa receiving the blessings. Mervyn Silva is also in the picture.

Post-war situation in Northern Sri Lanka & Prospects for Reconciliation

*groundview journalism For citizens 

19 Nov, 2011

Searching and waiting for loved ones whom have disappeared

Changes since the end of the war:

30 months after the end of war, more people travel between the once off limits North[i] and the South and many of the travel restrictions have been eased. The dreaded Medawachiya checkpoint is no more, and since 2010, we have not taken a flight or ship to Jaffna, travelling by road instead. Displaced people who were detained for about 6 months have now been allowed freedom of movement and many have been allowed to go back to their places of origin. Many youth detained in “rehabilitation” centres have been released and allowed to go back to their families and communities. Death certificates have been issued to few of the people killed during the war. Few schools, hospitals, and some main roads and bridges have been built and glamorous ceremonies held to open these by government and military officials. Three major elections have also been held in the North.

Continue reading »

Thalaimannar IDPs 'made refugees again'

Nearly 600 families are now made refugees in their own village, they say, as their ancestral land has been taken over by the military Nearly 600 families recently re-settled in their ancestral lands in Thalaimannar say they were made homeless again due to "land grab" by the military. The families who were evicted from Thalaimannar by the Tamil Tigers in 1990 were recently requested by the government to resettle in their ancestral lands. But once resettled, they say, they were once again evicted by the police and military. The families are currently camping in a land belonged to local mosque. No facilities “We thought we would be offered some kind of relief once resettled here but now the navy and army say we should not live in these lands,” one woman said. The refugees are even finding it difficult to find drinking water The villagers have been living in various parts of Sri Lanka after the LTTE eviction until the government made a special request for them to come and re-settle in their original lands. But the officials have told them, they say, that the lands in which they previously lived now belonged to the government. “Police evicted us saying that these are state lands,” said another man. Joseph Neville Francis, 65, says that nearly 600 families are now made refugees in their own village as their ancestral land has been taken over by the military. The refugees are even finding it difficult to find drinking water, journalist Dinasena Rathugamage who visited the camps reports. “No facilities at all here. If someone falls ill we don’t know what to do,” another refugee said. "These are our ancestral lands, not government lands. The president must give us our lands back," said another. Local government officials told BBC Sandeshaya that they could not respond without prior approval from the ministry of resettlement.

NORWEGIAN EVALUATION REPORT ON THE BREAKDOWN OF THE PEACE PROCESS IS WORTHY OF STUDY TO ASCERTAIN THE LESSONS FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION

Written by Administrator

Friday, 18 November 2011 11:06

Sri Lanka's internal war and terrorism lasted for three decades and ended in May 2009 with the military defeat of the LTTE.  The overall cost in terms of lives lost, property destroyed, development opportunities foregone, emotional suffering and migration of Sri Lankans is incalculable.  The bitterness and animosity that the last stage of the war caused would be a permanent scar on the inter-ethnic relations unless there is a genuine reconciliation between the government and the Tamil leaders on the one hand and between the ethnic communities on the other. The Norwegian government's effort to facilitate a peace process in the period 2002-06 was the last attempt to achieve peace through peaceful means. The National Peace Council supported this final effort, and it is our regret that we could not generate a people's movement for peace that would have put pressure on the warring parties not to go back to the battlefield.  It was and remains our conviction that the outcome of peaceful negotiations would have been superior to those of a military solution and would have made a smoother transition to peace while providing a political solution.  If it had succeeded much loss of lives and property would have been avoided. The several efforts made to end the war through peaceful means were necessary and courageous attempts even though they failed.  The war and terrorism arose out of a long festering ethnic conflict, the roots of which were not adequately addressed, and still have to be addressed even though the war has ended.  The Norwegian-facilitated peace process had the goal of a peaceful solution through negotiations, and even reached a point where the government and LTTE agreed to explore a power sharing solution within a united Sri Lanka.  But we must study the reasons for its failure and seek to apply the lessons from such failure. The willingness of the Norwegian government to subject its peace initiative to independent scrutiny, even critical scrutiny as in this case, is an example of transparency and openness. Now that the war is over, we urge Norway and the international community to support Sri Lanka to achieve a political solution and post-war development. Members of the international community, including the United States, European Union, India and Japan that were directly involved in the peace process need to continue with their efforts to ensure peace with justice in Sri Lanka.

TNA insists on extensive devolution of powers

FRIDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2011

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has sought devolution of executive, legislative and judicial power as a means of resolving the north and east question, a TNA parliamentarian said yesterday.

The government and the TNA will meet on December 5, 6, 14 and 15 for extensive talks on areas where the TNA has sought devolved power. 

When asked for comments about Wednesday’s talks with the government, TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said police and land powers, the unit of devolution, the powers of governors and the powers to be vested with the government were among the matters to be discussed widely during talks with the government next month.

“With regard to the powers to be vested with the government, we have to discuss whether a second chamber should be established or not. It needs to be agreed whether the unit of devolution should be the north or the re-merged north-east,” he said and added that the interests of Muslims should be considered in deciding on the unit of devolution.

TNA leader R. Sampanthan said his party was committed to a reasonable, durable and workable solution within the framework of a united and undivided Sri Lanka and when asked whether the entire negotiation process would be wrapped up after the four meetings in December, Mr. Sampanthan said his party expected much progress in this respect.

On the TNA’s recent visit to the United States, he said, “It is a long story. Anyway, talks with the US representatives were useful and constructive.

Responding to the allegation that the TNA excluded the members of its alliance partner TELO in all high profile meetings, Mr. Sampanthan said his party was not in the business of excluding or including anyone and that decisions were based on certain circumstances. (By Kelum Bandara)

Sri Lanka ex-army chief jailed for three years

 By Amal Jayasinghe  AFP – 39 mins ago

Sri Lanka's former army chief, Sarath Fonseka waves to supporters as he arrives at …

A Sri Lankan court Friday jailed former army chief Sarath Fonsekafor three years for alleging that the president's brother had ordered the execution of surrendering Tamil rebels.

Fonseka, who ran against President Mahinda Rajapakse in 2010 elections, is already serving a 30-month prison term after a court martial convicted him on corruption charges.

In a 2-1 split verdict, the three-judge Colombo High Court benchfound Fonseka guilty of violating emergency regulations by "spreading rumours and causing public disorder" in an interview with a weekly newspaper.

He had alleged that the president's brother, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, had ordered field commanders to kill white flag-carrying Tamil rebels in the final stages of Sri Lanka's separatist conflict in May 2009.

The defence secretary firmly denied the allegation while giving evidence during the 16-month trial.

Fonseka, who also testified in his own defence, insisted that the newspaper had used his comments out of context.

"I don't accept this guilty verdict ... This conviction happens under a dictatorship," Fonseka told the court.

"People will rise against this judgement and only then will the independence of the judiciary be restored," he added.

The charges had carried a maximum prison term of up to 20 years.

The three-year sentence specified "rigorous imprisonment" which means Fonseka will be expected to perform manual labour.

Security was tight around the Colombo High Court, with hundreds of armed police guarding the complex.

Fonseka supporters had staged demonstrations during previous hearings and a large crowd turned out Friday to cheer the former army chief as he arrived for the verdict.

Fonseka's lawyer, Nalin Laduwahetty, said he would appeal against the verdict.

A retired four-star general, Fonseka led the Sri Lankan army to its 2009 victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), ending the island's 37-year separatist conflict.

He subsequently fell out with the government and says the legal cases against him are politically motivated.

He faces yet another case in which he is accused of harbouring military deserters who he allegedly used as bodyguards during his failed election challenge against Rajapakse.

He was arrested shortly after the 2010 presidential poll.

In September last year, a court martial sentenced him to 30 months for corruption related to irregularities in military procurements. He also lost the parliamentary seat he won in April 2010 legislative elections.

An earlier court martial had found him guilty of interfering in politics while in uniform and stripped him of his rank and pension.

The United Nations estimates that at least 7,000 ethnic Tamil civilians were killed in the final months of fighting between government troops and the Tamil Tigers.

Fonseka angered the government by saying he would willingly testify before any international tribunal probing possible war crimes charges.

Friday's verdict coincided with President Rajapakse's 66th birthday and the roads leading to the courts complex were decorated with huge portraits of the president. Those entering the area were frisked by police as part of security.

Lal – Fredrica duo the key figures in white flag case flee country fearing people’s reprisals following verdict

                                            

(Lanka-e-News -17.Nov.2011, 11.55PM) While the white flag case verdict is to be delivered on the 18th , Sunday Leader infamous Editor Fredrica Janz and its owner who implicated Gen. Fonseka in this case have fled the country this morning (17th) in fear of people’s protests . By now they are headed for UK , and both have booked the same room in the same place of abode., reports say. Though we have details of their destination , we wish not to reveal them to their detriment who are away on security grounds. It is a universal fact that journalists who exposed the truths had to flee the country in fear of the despotic Rajapakse regime, but in this instance , the two of them have fled this country , on the contrary in fear of people’s mass reprisals against them for publishing untruths which engendered the jailing of Gen. Fonseka. In the past Fredrica Janz was provided with heavy security blanket by officers of the security service by defense Secretary Gotabaya . When another attempt was made after the false publication regarding Fonseka , to give a spurious impression via a notice that they were being targeted for attack by Minister Mervyn Silva the notorious vermin , and thereby stifle the people’s resentment against them , Lanka e news exposed their dubious plan resulting in the duo’s plan turning into a flop. ----------------------------------------------------  Lasantha Wickrematunge (BROTHERS)   Lal Wickrematunge --------------------------------------------------- Why the media silence on Sri Lanka's descent into dictatorship? Edward Mortimer Monday 12 July 2010 Local journalists who speak out against human rights abuses fear for their lives and the world press turns a blind eye Lasantha Wickrematunge lies in state during his funeral ceremony in Colombo. Photograph: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images It is now over a year since the president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, claimed victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE). But war is still being waged on the "paradise island" – by the government, against the country's journalists.    Full Story>>>

Frederica who got a court case filed against Fonseka leaves the country

Thursday, 17 November 2011

The editor of The Sunday Leader newspaper, Frederica Jansz, who got a case filed against former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka over the controversial “White Flag” statement, has reportedly left the country this morning.

The chairman of the newspaper company, Lal Wickrematunge has also left the country.

The judiciary is also discussing Frederica’s sudden departure when the verdict of the White Flag case is to be delivered tomorrow (18). It is also reported that she would not continue as the editor of The Sunday Leader after the newspaper was purchased by well known racketeer Asanga Seneviratne.

Frederic Jansz carried out the White Flag conspiracy against Sarath Fonseka together with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

A senior official from the Attorney Generals’ Department speaking about Frederica’s sudden departure told us that she may have decided to leave the country due to the massive public outrage that could arise once the verdict on the White Flag case is delivered.

However, the official said that there was a likelihood of the verdict of the case being delayed till the 21st and Sarath Fonseka would be given a 10 year jail term.

He also added that there was a rumor at the Attorney General’s Department the President may grant the former Army Commander a pardon tomorrow after a harsh verdict is delivered. The President’s birthday is tomorrow.

UNP deputy leaders Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa have asked the public to be present at the High Court premises when the verdict on the case is delivered.

UNP Western Provincial Councilor Shiral Lakthileka has organized a special bodhi pooja for Sarath Fonseka this evening to be held under the patronage of the UNP deputy leaders.