Colombo: Gen Sarath Fonseka, the former
Sri Lankan Army Chief who led his forces to a comprehensive
victory over the LTTE, faced a court martial here on Tuesday on
charges of engaging in politics while in service, but disputed
the proceedings as "illegal" and refused to reply to charges.
Fonskea (59), a `war hero` who lost the January 26
Presidential Polls to his former boss Mahinda Rajapaksa, faced
charges that he prepared for contesting elections while still
in uniform, which could land him in jail for up to 5 years.
He faced a three-member panel consisting of three top-
ranking generals at the country`s Naval Headquarters. Fonseka
also faces charges of making irregular military purchases
during the war with Tamil Tigers.
Fonseka said he did not accept the court martial`s
jurisdiction in the three-hour hearing, where he was assisted
by his lawyer.
He said the court martial is "biased" as it comprises
two Generals, who were disciplined by him while in service and
the third was a close relative of the current Army Chief.
"We cannot accept this court martial panel. It is
illegal," Fonseka`s lawyers said.
The Sri Lankan Government had appointed two Court
Martials to inquire separate charges against the former Army
Chief, who was arrested on February 10 by the Army for
allegedly planning a coup against the government while in
service.
"I don`t accept your jurisdiction," Fonseka told the
court martial, according to Vijitha Herath, leader of the
Democratic National Alliance.
PTI
