2ND LEAD (Adds details)

Dissanayake released

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 February 2006, 18:26 GMT]
Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse, Wednesday, ordered the release of S.B.Dissanayake, a senior politician from United National Party (UNP), who was serving a two year jail term for his criticisms of Sri Lanka's Supreme Court, a media release from the President's office said.

Mr Dissanayake was officially released after a letter written by Mr Rajapakse requesting his release was handed over to the Minister of Justice and Law Reforms, Mr Amarasiri Dodangoda, Wednesday. Copies of the letter were handed over to Mrs Tamara Dissanayake and to the Commissioner of Jails, Mr Ruby Mazoor, political sources in Colombo said.

However, United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Mr Rajith Senaratne told the press Wednesday night that Mr Dissanayake is expected to leave the jail only on Friday.

Mr Dissanayake, on leaving the jail, is expected to visit his supporters at the Vihara Mahadevi park where they have been carrying out a protest campaign to release him.