General Sarath Fonseka may have violated the official secrets act by accusing Sri Lankan Defence Secretary of ordering the killing of surrendering LTTE leaders, a Presidential legal adviser has said.
Sri Lankan President's Counsel and legal expert Gomin Dayasir told reporters that as the then Army Commander (Fonseka) had by that statement brought the entire Army and the nation into "ridicule".
"The General had made a serious statement at a time the world was making allegations about war crimes", he said on Monday. Fonseka had by his statement to the "Sunday Leader" accusing the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and then Brig.
Shavindra Silva of having executed some LTTE frontliners carrying white flags to surrender violated Section 6 (E) of the Official Secrets Act of 1955.
He pointed out that Fonseka in his capacity as a candidate aspiring to be a future President would certainly be called as a witness before such a War Tribunal if proceedings are initiated against Sri Lanka.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Attorney Kalinga Indatissa said Fonseka had no right to make such a serious statement on hearsay as stated by him to the newspaper.
{{/usCountry}}Speaking on the occasion, Senior Attorney Kalinga Indatissa said Fonseka had no right to make such a serious statement on hearsay as stated by him to the newspaper.
{{/usCountry}}He pointed out that if Fonseka says he is misquoted in the newspaper, he should without any further delay correct that report.