Sri Lankan President approves court martial ruling against General Fonseka

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Saturday authorized the verdict of the first court martial against former Army Commander and DNA parliamentarian General (Retired) Sarath Fonseka resulting in the latter losing his military ranks.

The first court martial yesterday (13) delivered an order sentencing General Fonseka for a dishonorable discharge from rank for allegedly being engaged in politics while being in active service.
According to Army sources following the President's approval, the 59-year-old retired military chief would be stripped of his ranks and medals he earned during his 40-year carrier.
General Fonseka and the DNA have however objected to the ruling claiming the court martial proceedings were biased as it was held without the defence counsel present.
General Fonseka, who survived a LTTE suicide attack, was credited for the Army's victory over LTTE rebels last year.
He contested as a common opposition candidate at the January 26 presidential polls and lost against President Rajapaksa but got elected to the parliament under the Marxist Democratic National Alliance (DNA) at the April 8 general elections.