Fonseka named in new Sri Lanka case

Defeated opposition candidate accused of employing army deserters in run-up to vote.

sri lanka
Fonseka, an opposition member of parliament, is in military custody facing two courts martial [AFP]

He was named as an accused in a criminal court hearing on Monday and formal charges are expected when the court reconvenes on July 26.

If convicted, Fonseka faces a possible 20-year prison sentence.

Vijitha Herath, an opposition legislator who is part of Fonseka’s Democratic National Alliance coalition party, said: “This is a political vendetta against a war hero.”

Fonseka is currently in military custody, facing two courts martial for allegedly dabbling in politics while in uniform and illegally awarding contracts to a company where his son-in-law had an interest.

The government pressed 21 new charges against him on Monday in connection with the irregular contracts case.

Fonseka led the Sri Lankan army to a spectacular victory against the separatist Tamil Tigers in May last year, ending the island’s 37-year ethnic conflict.

But he fell out with Rajapaksa afterwards over who should take credit for the military success.

Source: News Agencies