President Mahinda Rajapaksa has signed the necessary papers for Sarath Fonseka’s release and had handed them over to the chief of Presidential staff before leaving for Qatar last night, an official said.
The President had signed the papers on May 18, Presidential spokesman Bandula Jayasekara told Ada Derana, adding, that the release papers are scheduled to be sent to the Ministry of Justice on Monday (21).
Sarath Fonseka is currently serving a three-year jail term having been convicted by the high court in the ‘white flag’ case, charged with causing public disaffection of the state through his statement.
Decisive discussions regarding the release of Sarath Fonseka, between DNA MP Tiran Alles and the President, had ended last week while the former army commander’s wife Anoma Fonseka had also met with the President on Wednesday (16).
She later said President Rajapaksa had expressed desire to release the army chief at the earliest.
On Friday (18) the Colombo High Court granted bail to Sarath Fonseka in the case over harboring of army deserters during the presidential election.
President leaves for Qatar
Meanwhile President Rajapaksa departed on Saturday night on a state visit to Qatar, to attend the Doha Economic Forum on the invitation of Emir of State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.
He is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Forum and will be in Qatar till May 22 as a special Guest of the Emir.
The President was accompanied by External Affiars Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga. (AdaDerana)
