Fonseka to be court martialed on next week

Retired General Sarath Fonseka will be court martialed on seven counts under the Army Act by a three member bench which will begin hearings on March 16, Military spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe said today.

The bench will comprise Major General H.L.Weeratunga (Chairman), Major General A.C.R.Wijetunga and Major General D.R.A.Jayatillka.

The Judge Advocate in the hearings will be Rear Admiral; W.W.J.S.Fernando.

The seven counts on which General (retd) will be charged will be for illegal involvement in arms procurements and involvement in political activities while serving in the Army. 

There will be two seperate hearings into the charges.

Meanwhile the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) will file a case in the Colombo High Court this week, challenging the government’s decision to court martial former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka (SF), the JVP said.

According to media reports, the military will appoint three major generals, Weerathunga, Jayathilaka and Wijethunga to the Court martial panel which is likely to be held this week.

Speaking to media, JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said that they opposed the government’s move to court martial the General and will take the matter to courts. “The DNA will file a case against the court martial of General Sarath Fonseka. This is wrong as the bench at a Court Martial hearing should comprise of officers senior in rank to the one who is being tried and as there is no officer senior in rank to General Fonseka in Sri Lanka, he cannot be tried under the Army Act,” he said.