SRI LANKA’s former army chief appeared before a military court yesterday on charges of engaging in politics while in uniform. Such charges carry a jail sentence of up to five years.
The court martial trying Gen Sarath Fonseka (59), now a sworn political enemy of President Mahinda Rajapakse, whom he challenged in January’s presidential elections, was adjourned to April 6th after the former army chief’s lawyers challenged the court’s legitimacy and questioned the composition of the military tribunal.
They claimed the three-member military panel was biased, as it included two officers Gen Fonseka had disciplined when he was army chief, while the third was a close relative of the current military commander who initiated the court martial.
“The general said he is neither pleading guilty or not guilty because the court has no power to hear and try these charges,” Nalin Ladduwahetti, one of eight lawyers appearing on Gen Fonseka’s behalf, said.
Gen Fonseka, who faces charges of illegally engaging in politics while in service and of making irregular material procurements while in office, has denied the allegations, claiming they were politically motivated and aimed at denying him the opportunity to participate in the April 8th parliamentary elections. He also argued that an army commander cannot face court martial.
The court convenes again today to hear allegations of irregularities relating to military purchases.
A national hero last year after crushing the island nation’s 37-year-long civil war launched by Tamil Tiger guerillas for an independent homeland in the north and east, Gen Fonseka stepped down as army chief last November.
Judicial activists have expressed concern that Mr Rajapaksa is using all his powers to quash any opposition to his rule.