Gen. Fonseka granted conditional bail

Colombo High Court Judge Sunil Rajapakse, yesterday granted conditional bail to General Sarath Fonseka. His passport was impounded. He could go overseas only with the permission of the Court.

The quantum of bail was fixed at one million rupees in cash, with two sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. The Registrar of the High Court was directed to visit Nawaloka Hospital to obtain the signature of Gen. Fonseka, wherever necessary.

Saliya Pieris, Counsel for Fonseka, at the outset told the Court that the Cabinet of Ministers had already approved that the President may order the release of Fonseka, therefore a remand order could be in conflict with such a move.

In this case, Fonseka was charged with having given shelter to 12 army deserters between, September 15, 2009 to January 1, 2010.

Saliya Pieris appeared with Nilanthi Pieris, Rukshan Nanayakkara and Dayaseeli Jayasekera for Fonseka.

Senior State Counsel, Riyaz Bhari, appeared with Senior State Counsel Damith Thotawatte for the Attorney General, who did not object to the bail.

Courtesy: The Island / Pix by Reuters