A protest organised by ‘The People’s Movement for Democracy’, calling for the release of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, to mark the second year of his imprisonment, on multiple charges, was held at Hultsdorp yesterday, following a failed attempt by the Keselwatte Police to prevent it through a Court order.
The demonstration also coincided with the Supreme Court hearing of the appeal by Fonseka, against the verdict in the ‘White Flag Case’. However, Court postponed the case for May 2.
The police wanted the Hultsdorp rally banned on the grounds that it would disturb Court proceedings, but the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court denied the request, stating that the law could be enforced if the gathering became unruly.
While the demonstrators marched from Hultsdorp to the Welikada Prison, Fonseka launched a hunger strike against the authorities failure to take him for his monthly medical check up. He gave up the fast only after being admitted to hospital.
Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing the gathering, which also included members of the Democratic National Alliance, outside the Hultsdorp Courts complex, said that restoring law and order was of paramount importance since the absence of it had led to a chaotic situation including the harassment of a war hero such as General Fonseka.
The Movement to Restore Democrcy, he said would continue with its campaign until human rights was restored in the country.
by Zacki Jabbar
IS
The demonstration also coincided with the Supreme Court hearing of the appeal by Fonseka, against the verdict in the ‘White Flag Case’. However, Court postponed the case for May 2.
The police wanted the Hultsdorp rally banned on the grounds that it would disturb Court proceedings, but the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court denied the request, stating that the law could be enforced if the gathering became unruly.
While the demonstrators marched from Hultsdorp to the Welikada Prison, Fonseka launched a hunger strike against the authorities failure to take him for his monthly medical check up. He gave up the fast only after being admitted to hospital.
Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing the gathering, which also included members of the Democratic National Alliance, outside the Hultsdorp Courts complex, said that restoring law and order was of paramount importance since the absence of it had led to a chaotic situation including the harassment of a war hero such as General Fonseka.
The Movement to Restore Democrcy, he said would continue with its campaign until human rights was restored in the country.
by Zacki Jabbar
IS