Sarath Fonseka to be hospitalised for treatment

By T. Farook Thajudeen

Colombo High Court yesterday ordered the Prison authorities to hospitalise the former Army commander Sarath Fonseka to a private hospital to take immediate treatment for Asthmatic Bronchitis.

High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa made this direction to Prison authorities following the submissions made by Senior Counsel Saliya Pieris at the onset of yesterday’s hearing.

The counsel submitted a report from Consultant Chest Physician Vajira Tennakoon (under whose care the army commander is in) for injuries he sustained as a result of the suicide bomb blast that took place in 2008 and recommended that Fonseka be hospitalised immediately.

The counsel further said that Fonseka is not in a position to appear for the trial and moved to postpone the hearing.

Senior State Counsel Damith Totawatte appearing with Senior State counsel Riaz Bary submitted that Fonseka has not got the doctor’s report. However he said that he would not object for the defense and moved court to take appropriate on its own discretion.

Fonseka and his Personal Assistant Senaka Haripriya de Silva are indicted by the Attorney General under Sections 128 and 133 of the Penal code for committing mutiny and insubordination of the Government and for harboring army deserters.

Senior State Counsel Damith Totawatte with Senior Counsel Riaz Bary appeared for the State. Senior Counsel Saliya Pieris with Rukshan Nanyakkara   instructed by Nilanthi Pieris and Shehana Anif of  Paul Ratnayake Associates appeared for the first accused Sarath Fonseka. Counsel Upul Jayasuriya with Kelum Kumarasiri Madubashana Ariyawansa and Sandamal Rajapaksa  appeared for the second accused Senaka Haripriya de Silva. The case was postponed for 4 May.