Fonseka provided exercise equipment in jail after court order

Prison officials said they have handed over an exercise machine given by a well wisher to the former general who is now serving 30 months rigorous jail term after being convicted by a court martial on charges of dabbling into politics while in uniform and corruption.

The move came after a court ordered that the general be provided adequate facilities to maintain his health.

The former army chief has been attached to cleaning work of the prison premises and allowed to exercise thrice a day.

The prison department has also repaired the roof of his cell, which was leaking during heavy rains, officials said.

Fonseka carries multiple injuries by a failed suicide bomb attack on him in April 2006.
He ran for the presidential election in early this year as the common opposition candidate against President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Fonseka was arrested and tried after the election that Rajapaksa won with a thumping majority.