CID records statement from Gen. Fonseka

Detained Gen. Sarath Fonseka has given a statement to the CID with regard to four questionable tender dealings of the Army when he was its commander.

The CID informed Colombo Fort magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today (Feb.

17) the statement had been recorded three days ago.

Gen. Fonseka had been the chief of the Army's tender board for the

dealings in question.

He has told police that he had followed the proper procedures with

regard to these tenders and the purchases had been made on the

recommendation of the Army's technical evaluation board.

The General has also said in his statement that he was not aware of

the identities of the owners of British Borneo or Hicorp that had been

involved in the said dealings, and that his son-in-law Danuna

Tilakaratne had nothing to do with the dealings.

The CID informed the court that the assistance of Interpol has been

sought to find out about the two foreign companies.

The Colombo Fort magistrate further remanded a director of Hicorp,

Wellington de Hoedt, until March 03, in connection with the case.

Meanwhile, Colombo magistrate Champa Janaki Rajaratne ordered the

release of 14 political supporters of Gen. Fonseka detained by the

Terrorist Investigation Division.

The magistrate determined there was no evidence to support conspiracy

charges against the men - retired Army and Air Force officers as well

as civilians.