By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) plans to inform the Commonwealth Parliamentary Union (CPU) Secretary General about the government’s attempts to prevent General Sarath Fonseka from attending the CPU conference to be held in Kenya.
He added that the government has no right to prevent Fonseka from travelling to Nairobi since the Speaker has given the greenlight.
“The Speaker gave permission and parliament is the supreme institution. If the government tries to breach Fonseka’s parliamentary privileges, we will have to inform the CPU president and the secretary general. This will be discussed during the conference and it will show the status of democracy in Sri Lanka,” DNA General Secretary Vijitha Herath told LAKBIMAnEWS.
He added that neither the Supreme Court nor any Court Martial had convicted Fonseka of any crime, nor issued a directive barring him from travelling abroad.
“Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has no idea what he is talking about. What does the government want when it says Gen. Fonseka should get clearance from the Supreme Court? Does it want to create a conflict between the judiciary and the legislature? This will only end in disaster for the whole nation.”
Earlier this week Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that General Sarath Fonseka has to get legal permission to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Union (CPU) conference in Kenya for his visit, despite the permission given by the Speaker, since he is under military detention.