dailymirror.lk

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) yesterday vowed to take legal action if its leader Retired Gen. Sarath Fonseka was produced before a court martial by the military.

DNA frontliner and former JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a news conference that there was no provision in the Army Act to produce a former Army Commander before a court martial.

“Our legal team is studying this matter further Gen. Fonseka is the only four star military officer in Sri Lanka. They cannot appoint a panel of judges for a court martial against him as a result.

If any military officer is to be taken before a court martial, the panel should comprise officers who hold higher ranks than him,” Mr. Dissanayake said.

So far, he said, the military had failed to issue any charge sheet against Gen. Fonseka despite ‘vociferous allegations’ by Army Spokesman Maj. Gen. Prasad Samarasinghe.

“They have recorded summary of evidence under two counts. One is about an arms procurement deal during the time of Gen. Fonseka as the Army Commander. However, the Army Spokesman has noted that Gen. Fonseka will be charge sheeted under five counts. It was the lead news in several national newspapers. However, they have not mentioned what those charges are,” Mr. Dissanayake said.

He said Gen. Fonseka was allowed to talk to his wife Anoma Fonseka only for two hours a day, and it was an inhuman treatment.

Mrs. Fonseka said she was not allowed to take even the computer printouts of emails sent by her daughters to Gen. Fonseka.

“My husband is given only state run newspapers to read,” she said.