Million signature campaign launched

The Peoples Movement for Democracy, that launched the campaign in front of the Fort railway station on Tuesday plans to collect million signatures.

Several opposition parties were represented at the launch.

Gave freedom to the Nation

Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, who earlier handed in a letter to the president requesting the release of Sarath Fonseka said that it is the military leadership of the former commander that gave people the freedom to demonstrate in Colombo.

But what happened to him? He cannot move around freely. He has been confined to Welikada jail. I said in parliament, it is contrary to parliamentary procedure Ranil Wickramasinghe

"We met here today to sign a petition to demand the freedom of Sarath Fonseka. We can meet here today thanks to Sarath Fonseka who defeated the LTTE ground forces in the Vanni and in the East. Therefore we are free from fear. We are free from the fear of bombs. We are free from the fear of suicide bombers. We can move around freely".

Jail term violates the rights

Opposition leader said the hero who gave that freedom to the nation has lost his own. "But what happened to him? He cannot move around freely. He has been confined to Welikada jail. I said in parliament, it is contrary to parliamentary procedure. It is in violation of his rights as a member of Parliament", said Ranil Wickramasinghe.

Leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Somawansa Amarasinghe said that they have launched a struggle to get the former general released from Jail. "The new alliance will launch a peaceful campaign for the release of Sarath Fonseka", said the leader of the JVP.

Left parties

The leader of the United Socialist party, Siritunga Jayasuriya said the ruling by the military court is a threat to democarsy. "This ruling marks the death of democracy in Sri Lanka". He said.

Vicrmabahu Karunaratne of the Left Liberation Front said the legitimacy of the conviction is questionable. "The military court that convicted Sarath Fonseka has no legitimacy"