Colombo: President Mahinda Rajapaksa is
willing to review the 30-month rigorous imprisonment given to
former army chief Sarath Fonseka if the latter appeals to him,
a report said on Friday.
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that the
President was ready for a re-evaluation of the recommendation
of the Second Court Martial on the basis of a plea by MP
Fonseka, the Island Newspaper quoted the top defence official
as saying.
The Convening Officer of the Second Court Martial
President Rajapaksa, as the Confirming Authority, yesterday
ratified the ruling that Fonseka be sentenced to 30 months.
The former Chief of Defence Staff was charged in
accordance with provisions in the Army Act under Section 109
(C) on disgraceful conduct.
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said Fonseka's conviction
wasn't a political issue and it couldn't be resolved by
protests or intervention by third parties, the paper reported.
PTI
First Published: Friday, October 01, 2010, 15:51