Five-member bench to examine the legality of former Sri Lanka Army commander's court martial

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court yesterday appointed a five-member bench to determine the legality of the military court martial that handed out a prison sentence to the former Army Commander and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Sarath Fonseka.

The Supreme Court took the decision in response to a petition filed by Fonseka in the Appeal Court. A three-judge bench of the Appeal Court has referred the petition to the apex court.

The five-member bench chaired by the Chief Justice Asoka N. Silva is to determine whether Fonseka's court martial had been established according to the Constitution.

Supreme Court Judges Dr. Shiranie Bandaranayake, Nimal Gamini Amaratunga, Saleem Marshook and K. Sripavan are the other members of the bench.

Fonseka, who was found guilty by a court martial of four charges related to alleged irregularities in military procurements during his tenure as Army Chief is currently serving a 30-month rigorous prison sentence. He lost his parliamentary seat as a result of the incarceration.

The DNA MP filed a petition at the Appeal Court seeking permission to attend parliamentary sessions.