Court Martial sentences Fonseka three years in prison

[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 September 2010, 08:02 GMT]
The second court marital Friday sentenced Sarath Fonseka, to a prison term not exceeding three years, on being found guilty for violating tender procedure in purchasing arms while being the Commander of Sri Lanka Army. The second court martial further said the sentence is to be served or not is to be decided by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Mr. Fonseka, the defeated candidate in the last Sri Lankan presidential election held in January this year is being detained in the Sri Lanka Navy quarters since he lost to the incumbent president Mr. Rajapaksa.

Fonseka is to file appeal against the sentence in the Court of Appeal Monday, according to the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) parliamentarians Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The first court martial after inquiry found Sarath Fonseka guilty for the involvement in politics while serving as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and ordered him to be stripped of his rank General as a punishment.

The sentence was later ratified by the Rajapaksa.

Fonseka is a parliamentarian from the Colombo district and the leader of the DNA.