Colombo, Jumada II 30, 1433, May 21, 2012, SPA - Sri Lankan former Army commander Sarath Fonseka was released after more than two years in jail by order of the President Monday, officials said. Fonseka was released from the high-security jail at Welikada in Colombo after the clemency order of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was officially conveyed to the Justice Ministry, according to a report of DPA. Rajapaksa granted the pardon before leaving on an official visit to Qatar on Saturday night. The President granted a remission of the remaining jail term, but stopped short of giving Fonseka a full presidential pardon. That will prevent the former general from entering politics for seven years. --SPA 14:51 LOCAL TIME 11:51 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1000442