Colombo: On the eve of the general elections,
a key partner in Sri Lanka`s ruling coalition has said that
detained ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka will not be able to
enter Parliament on winning the polls if he is convicted of
any of the charges for which he is being court-martialled.
59-year-old Fonseka, who is being held at the Naval
Headquarters here since his arrest on February 8 for alleged
involvement in politics and illegal defence deals while in
uniform, is heading the JVP-dominated opposition alliance DNA
in tomorrow`s polls.
"They (the opposition) are very well aware that if Sarath
Fonseka is found guilty he will receive a sentence from any
court and if he obtains a Parliamentary seat, it will be
cancelled after he is convicted. Thereafter, a member from JVP
will come forward in his place," Wimal Weerawansa, leader of
National Liberation Front (NLF) -- a key constituent of the
ruling UPFA, told reporters.
"If an individual is affected by any of the
disqualifications stated in the 89th provision (of the
Constitution), that individual cannot remain a
Parliamentarian. He has no right to take up the seat in
Parliament or use vote in Parliament," he said.
As many as 7,620 candidates from 36 political parties
and 306 independent groups are in the fray for tomorrow`s
general election, which is seen as a litmus test for Fonseka,
who is contesting from Colombo district.
Reacting to Weerawansa`s remarks, the general secretary of
the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Vijitha Herath, said
the NLF leader "has made up a story."
"He (Weerawansa) does not have even the basic knowledge
of law. He said Gen Sarath Fonseka cannot enter Parliament if
he is court-martialled. Northing of that sort is mentioned in
the Constitution.
"We challenge him (Weerawansa) to come forward after
going through the Constitution properly," Herath said and also
charged the government with trying to keep Fonseka under
detention for a long time.
"Fonseka will win the 8th April Parliamentary elections
from Colombo district and will get preferential votes," he
said, adding that the former army chief will also make his
maiden speech soon after the new Parliament is convened later
this month.
The hearing of court-martial proceedings against Fonseka
was postponed yesterday following restrictions by the Supreme
Court`s Court of Appeal.
The Opposition United National Front led by former Prime
Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has vowed to get Fonseka
released if his coalition wins the Parliamentary elections.
The elections will mainly witness a triangular contest
involving the ruling UPFA and opposition DNA and UNF
alliances.
PTI
