Fonseka cannot be released to attend Sri Lanka parliament without a written directive

Sri Lanka's Commissioner General of Prisons has said today that former Army Commander and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Sarath Fonseka would not be allowed attend parliament until a written directive is issued to the Prisons Department by the Speaker or the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Secretary.

Commissioner General of Prisons, Retired Major General V. R. Silva has told the local media that the Prisons Department needed a written directive to permit Fonseka to attend parliament.

According to Silva, Fonseka can be released to attend parliament if either the Speaker or Parliamentary Affairs Secretary issues a directive to the effect.

Fonseka, who was found guilty by a court martial of violating military procurement procedures during his tenure as Army Commander, is currently serving a 30-month long jail term.