Fonseka in brief hunger strike: DNA vows to fight for release

By Chamitha Kuruppu

Two years after he was taken into custody, former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka yesterday launched a brief hunger strike, protesting his not being taken to hospital for medical treatments.

However, Fonseka called off the fast immediately following measures taken to take him to the hospital for treatments.

“The former Army Commander was in courts; from there he was scheduled to be taken to a private hospital,” explained Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Parliamentarian Tiran Alles.

“But without doing that, from the backdoor Fonseka was taken to the vehicle. They took him straight back to the Welikada Prison without taking him to the hospital,” Alles pointed out.

“Fonseka wanted to protest over that. Then he almost started the hunger strike. But later he was taken to the hospital and then called off the fast” he added.

The appeal of the White Flag trial which was heard yesterday was postponed to 2 May 2012. Fonseka appealed the verdict given by the High Court in the White Flag case.

Meanwhile, a protest was organised yesterday by the Movement to Restore Democracy headed by the Fonseka’s wife Anoma Fonseka. The protest, which was held with the participation of many political parties, including the UNP, began in front of the Supreme Court complex amidst heavy Police presence. The protesters later marched towards the Welikada Prison, where the former Army Commander was being held.

“Negotiations to free the former Army Commander are going on. If he is not released, these protests will continue. We will do whatever we can; we will go to whatever forum we can go. We will continue our struggle until he is released,” emphasised Alles.