Fonseka Release

Former Sri Lankan Army chief Sarath Fonseka was formally freed from prison on Monday following a presidential pardon. Large crowds gathered outside the prison to greet Fonseka, who was imprisoned in 2010 just days after he lost to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential election, Xinhua reported.

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the early release from jail of his highest-profile political rival Sarath Fonseka, the president's spokesman said on Sunday, in an apparent bid to quell international criticism of the government's human rights record.

Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe on Friday asked President Mahinda Rajapaksa to release the Gen Sarath Fonseka immediately and expressed his willingness to meet the detained former Army Chief.

Former Sri Lankan Army chief Sarath Fonseka was formally freed from prison on Monday following a presidential pardon. Large crowds gathered outside the prison to greet Fonseka, who was imprisoned in 2010 just days after he lost to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential election, Xinhua reported.

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the early release from jail of his highest-profile political rival Sarath Fonseka, the president's spokesman said on Sunday, in an apparent bid to quell international criticism of the government's human rights record.

Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe on Friday asked President Mahinda Rajapaksa to release the Gen Sarath Fonseka immediately and expressed his willingness to meet the detained former Army Chief.