Mahinda Rajapakse ratifies Second Court Martial findings against Fonseka

[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2010, 16:10 GMT]
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse as the Commander-in-Chief ratified the Second Court Martial recommendation against Sarath Fonseka Thursday with an endorsement that he should serve only thirty months in prison instead of thirty-six months. The Second Court Martial had recommended that Fonseka should serve thirty-six months in prison on being found guilty for irregularities violating tender procedures in purchasing arms to Sri Lanka Army. Meanwhile, military spokesman Major General Ubaya Medawala said that Sarath Fonseka would be serving a rigorous imprisonment.

Meanwhile, security has been increased around the Welikada Prisons where Sarath Fonseka is expected to be transferred to later in the day from the Naval Headquarters where he has been held since February 8 this year.

Sarath Fonseka who was elected from Colombo district on the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) ticket polling the highest number of preferential votes in the general election held in April 8 would not be eligible to sit as a Member of Parliament with immediate effect as a result of SL President endorsing the 30 month jail term, SL Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said .

He said that constitutionally Sarath Fonseka will be deprived of his seat.