Military Tribunal Postponed Amidst Objections

The military tribunal to be held at the naval headquarters today against Gen. Fonseka had to be called off until 9th April when lawyers representing Gen. Fonseka raised preliminary objections.

When the proceedings commenced lawyers representing Gen. Fonseka raised a preliminary objection against the judges of the military tribunal. The lawyers pointed out that Maj. Gen. H.L. Weeratunga, the president of the tribunal is the brother-in-law of the present Commander of the Army, Maj. Gen. D.R.B. Jayatilleke is an officer who had been demoted for an offence while Gen. Fonseka was the Army Commander and Maj. Gen. A.L.R. Wijetunga had been found guilty of an illegal tender dealing.  

However, the tribunal of judges did not accept this objection and commenced proceedings. Three instances of Gen. Fonseka engaging in politics while he was the Chief of Defense Staff were presented to the military tribunal. Gen. Sarath Fonseka rejected all these allegations and declared that he was not guilty of any of those offenses.

At this the lawyers representing the General brought up another objection pointing out that the military tribunal had no legal authority to inquire into such offenses. When judges asked the lawyers to present their case they said the military tribunal was hastily convened and they needed time to file details. As such, the tribunal had to postpone the proceedings until 6th April.

Ten lawyers including President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsakularatne and Lawyer Sunil Watagala went before the military tribunal to represent Gen. Sarath Fonseka.