News

Second court martial named

Three separate Major Generals to hear charges against Gen. Fonseka in the second charge-sheet

A new General Court Martial (GCM) to hear charges of fraudulent military deals against retired General Sarath Fonseka is to comprise Major General Milinda Peiris (President), Major General Lalith Daulagala and Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe.

Their formal appointment, the Sunday Times learns, now awaits the signing of a Convening Order by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

Gen. Fonseka

Major General Peiris is Commandant of the Kotelawala Defence Academy, whilst Maj. Gen. Daulagala is Security Forces Commander (South) and Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe is Security Forces Commander, Jaffna.

They will replace a three-member General Court Martial appointed earlier to hear allegations in two different charge sheets against retired General Fonseka.

Charge Sheet 1 relates alleged political activity the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) had engaged in whilst serving in office. This is by making contacts with two former United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians. Charge Sheet 2 deals with alleged fraudulent activity involving a company where his son-in-law Danuna Tillekeratne was a key player.

Earlier, one General Court Martial was appointed to hear both charge sheets. It comprised Major General Harsha Weeratunga (President), Major General Lalith Wijetunga and Major General Aruna Jayatilake. Maj. Gen. Weeratunga is Director General, Financial Management at Army Headquarters. General Wijetunga is Quarter Master General and Maj. Gen. Jayatilake is Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF).

The GCM met on March 16 to hear allegations on Charge Sheet 1 and adjourned sittings until April 6. However, the second GCM did not convene the next day, March 17. They adjourned abruptly on the grounds that it would have to obtain instructions from the convening authority – President Rajapaksa.

The Sunday Times learns that conflict of interest prevented the second GCM from conducting proceedings. Two of the members, Maj. Gen. Weeratunga (President) and Maj. Gen. Wijetunga, had sat on Tender Board meetings that were chaired by then Commander of the Army, Gen. Fonseka. They had done so in their official capacities.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other News Articles
Second court martial named
No foreign monitors: UNP blames polls chief
Poll card postmen deliver strike note
Norway tries eight youth
NAM drops opposition to UN advisory panel
No US military training for Lanka
Sitting on problems
Talk at the cafe Spectator
Judges accountable above all to society, says Indian legal luminary
NGO bank accounts under government scrutiny
Abducted schoolboy found dead: 3 students arrested
US sees LeT terror network in Lanka
Piano diplomat not present for inquiry
IGP launches inquiry into conduct of officers
From book politics to dot com politics
Sri Lanka names its national butterfly
Gampaha District UPFA lead candidate and UNP’s youth candidate speak to the Sunday Times -- Interviews
Lankan writer and convert to Islam held by Mirihana Police
FM hangs on to hostages’ wages
CWC blamed for attack on UNPers
Gen. Fonseka’s arrest: Case resumes on Tuesday
Candidates : What they have to say
The Sirasa attack: Was Akon just an excuse?
Saying ‘aye’ with a 2/3 majority

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2010 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution