Ample facilities for Fonseka in jail

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

The Government says claims that Sarath Fonseka is not being given proper facilities in prison are politically motivated as he is given all the facilities recommended by the High Court and the Medical Officer of the Welikada Prison.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara told the Sunday Observer that the hidden motives are clear from the two contradictory statements made by Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on 'serving tea' by Sarath Fonseka.

"Dayasiri says when he visited Fonseka he (Fonseka) prepared tea for him; no prisoner has the facility for preparing tea inside their cells. Now Wickremesinghe says Fonseka was not served even tea. Both statements are lies and show their motive", he said, adding that three weeks ago Wickremesinghe told him that he had visited Fonseka and that there had been no complaints from Fonseka.

Commissioner General of Prisons Maj. Gen. V.R. Silva said following the directives of Minister Gunasekara special measures had been taken to strengthen Fonseka's security. His food security had also been looked into.

"Especially trained jailors from a special unit of the Welikada Prison are assigned for his security in and out of the prison. When he is taken to Courts, we have a special security arrangement with the support of the Police", he said.

Maj. Gen. Silva said though Fonseka was a normal convicted prisoner, he was transported in a special vehicle to the Court while other prisoners were taken to Courts tucked in a common overcrowded bus along with over 60 other prisoners.

"The other prisoners are locked up in cells in the Court house until their cases are called and also until the Court session is over. But Fonseka is returned to the prison as soon as his case was heard", he said.

According to the Prison's Chief, following the Court Order Fonseka is given a TV in his cell. Following recommendations of the Prison doctor he is also given a bed and mattress after his complaint about a backache.