The Supreme Court today refused to release General Sarath Fonseka from custody but allowed access to him to his immediate family and lawyers. This followed the hearing of the Fundamental Rights petition filed by him through his wife Anoma Fonseka.

The Supreme Court Bench comprising Actg. Chief Justice Shiranee Bandaranayake and Justices Jagatha Balapatabendi and K Sripavan examined the petition.

The petitioners, wife of the General, Anoma Fonseka, and Attorney at law Sharmila Perera in their petition claimed that the General was forcibly and wrongly arrested under the military laws when he is now not in Army service, and requested the Court to release him.

Further hearing will take place on 26th April.