Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is most likely to be released from jail next Saturday – on the day of the third year anniversary of the war victory against LTTE separatists, the Daily Mirror learns.

A Senior Cabinet Minister told Daily Mirror yesterday that United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) seniors have pointed out that if something unfortunate were to happen to Mr. Fonseka while in jail, the government might have to face disastrous repercussions locally and internationally.
“Therefore it is likely that President Mahinda Rajapaksa will announce a special decree as executive president to pardon Mr. Fonseka and release him from jail,” the senior minister said.

Meanwhile, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) parliamentarian Tiran Alles who was for a long time engaged in a dialogue with the government confirmed the release of Mr. Fonseka and said it would be, ‘as early as possible’.

“I had an hour-long cordial and successful discussion with President Rajapaksa this morning at Temple Trees and I am confident he will release him soon,” Mr. Alles said yesterday.

He said there were a few minor issues to be sorted out before the announcement of the presidential decree and expressed hopes that the process could be finalized in a day or two.

Mr. Alles who spoke to us from the Navaloka Hospital while visiting Mr. Fonseka said he was having a cough and other than that he was in good health.
Mr. Fonseka, contested the general election in 2010 and was elected to parliament from the Colombo District polling more than 98,000 votes.
Mr. Fonseka was an MP till he was sentenced to serve a two and half year jail term and lost his seat in parliament.

By Sandun A. Jayasekera
Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)