Sri Lanka President does not have power to challenge court martial verdict - Minister

Acting Cabinet Spokesperson of Sri Lanka, Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena says the President cannot challenge the ruling of a court martial. Referring to the pardon given to former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, Abeywardena has told the media that
Fonseka's pardon was granted according to powers vested with the President in the Constitution. He has observed that if Fonseka was granted a pardon from court martial, then 7,500 personnel who were found guilty through courts martial during Fonseka's tenure as Army Chief would also have to be granted pardons. Abeywardena has explained that Fonseka could engage in politics according to his pardon, but could not contest elections. According to him, Minister S.B. Dissanayake, who was imprisoned for two years and lost his civic rights, was granted freedom in two stages - freedom at first stage and right to contest in the second stage. The President had granted a pardon to Fonseka although he had been found guilty as a mark of gratitude for his service to the country as a military officer.