Sri Lanka opposition protests court martial of former army chief

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
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Opposition parties staged a protest inside Sri Lanka's parliament against the court martial of former army commander Sarath Fonseka, who defeated separatist Tamil rebels last year.

Parliament met for the first time since a three-member tribunal of military officers ruled Friday to dishonourably discharge Fonseka.

'Shame, shame,' and 'War hero sentenced as terrorists get pardoned,' were among the slogans chanted by the United National Party and Democratic National Alliance legislators.

Fonseka, also a member of parliament, was present but did not get involved in the demonstration.

The ex-army chief was sentenced for alleged political involvement while serving as the commander of the army, but the government has yet to give a clear explanation of the charges.

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe called on the government to submit to parliament full details of the court martial proceedings.

The ruling was ratified by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Fonseka led the military to victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in May 2009, ending the 26-year civil war. But he fell out with the president shortly afterward, and entered politics.

He challenged Rajapaksa in the January presidential election but lost. Two weeks later, he was arrested by the military and court martialed, but contested the parliamentary elections and won a seat.

Fonseka remains in custody, allowed out only to attend sessions of parliament.

© DPA