The Channel 4 has continued to engage in partial and subjective reporting on events related to Sri Lanka, stated Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at a media briefing yesterday (18. Mar.).

Having found common cause with those expatriate elements of the LTTE and others inimical to Sri Lanka’s national interests, Channel 4 has been faithfully answering the call by keeping the focus on Sri Lanka negative and vindictive, the Minister said.

Commenting on the Channel 4 News Report on General Sarath Fonseka he said, ‘General Sarath Fonseka, the former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and former Chief of Defence Staff, Sri Lanka has been arrested under the Army Act of 1949 of Sri Lanka and his arrest is well within the law of the country.’

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued notices to the respondents when the petition filed by the spouse of General Fonseka challenging the legality of the arrest in a fundamental rights application on 23 February 2010. The application for the bail has also been refused by the Supreme Court, the Minister stated.

The summary of evidence has been concluded and the charge sheet has been served to General Fonseka accordingly. His denial of any wrong doing would be considered by the Court, he added.

The Minister stated that General Fonseka has been accommodated by the government with all amenities and his statement to the effect that the living conditions are difficult is not acceptable.

The Court Martial against Sarath Fonseka is ongoing and he has the right to appeal before the superior courts of the land challenging the verdict of the Court Martial.