Pandemonium in parliament over Fonseka punishment

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 August 2010, 10:38 GMT]
Pandemonium reigned in the Sri Lanka ‘s Parliament when it resumed its sittings Tuesday afternoon when the main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) demanded a full debate on the verdict of the first Court Martial against the former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Sarath Fonseka.

JVP parliamentarians protested over the manner the first court martial hearing was conducted and verdict issued without giving room for the defense during the inquiry.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition and UNP leader requested the government to table all records pertaining the first Court Martial hearing against Fonseka in the parliament for perusal.

Government parliamentarians stood up and shouted at the opposition leader and JVP parliamentarians when they spoke.

Commotion prevailed in the House. The Deputy Chairman of the House Murugesu Chandrakaumar adjourned the sittings as the situation went out of control, parliamentary sources said.

The first Court Martial found Sarath Fonseka guilty for his alleged involvement in the politics while in service without the presence of the defense and ordered to strip his medals, promotions and pensions as punishment.

The sentence was later ratified by the Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse.