Sri Lankan President informs UNP leader that General Fonseka could take oaths as a MP

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (19) had informed main opposition United National Party leader Ranil Wickremasinghe that there was no obstacle for Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader and former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka, who is currently under military custody, to take oaths in the Parliament as a member of parliament.



The President had made this statement during a meeting between him and Wickremasinghe yesterday when the latter had said that General Fonseka although in military custody should be given the opportunity to take oaths.

The President had said though General Fonseka would be allowed to enter the parliament, he would have to remain in military custody until the ongoing courts-martial against him were concluded.

However, there are still doubts as to whether General Fonseka will be allowed in to the parliament on Thursday to attend the inaugural session and to take oaths with the Defence Ministry's decision to refer the matter to the Attorney General's Department.

The DNA has already sent a formal request to the Secretary General of Parliament to make the necessary arrangements for General Fonseka to take his oaths on Thursday.

The request however, has been forwarded to the Defence Ministry for clarification as General Fonseka is currently detained by the military and facing trial at two general courts-martial.

The parliament officials as of yesterday had not received a response either from the Defence Ministry or the Attorney General's Department.