Ex - Sri Lankan Army
Chief On Trial
Sri
Lanka's ex-army chief, Sarath Fonseka has appeared before a
military court for participating in politics while in uniform.
Although the trial was adjourned until 6 April, General Fonseka
will return to court on Wednesday on separate charges of
violating military procurement procedures.
Fonseka said the charges were politically motivated and an
attempt to bar him from forthcoming elections.
The courts martial are being held at naval headquarters in the
capital, where General Fonseka is detained.
He is being tried, completely in secret, by a panel of officers
junior in rank to himself.
General Fonseka was arrested by the army last month after he
lost to incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January.
He was in charge of Sri Lanka's army when it defeated the Tamil
Tiger rebels last year after twenty-five years of civil war.
Sri Lanka’s military spokesman said General Fonseka can appeal
to the higher civilian courts if he is found guilty.
Ahead of the court martial, General Fonseka's Democratic
National Alliance party said he would not co-operate with the
proceedings.
BBC/Williams/Yinka
