Sarath Fonseka

'Fonseka a pawn in game to checkmate Rajapaksa'

Colombo: While Sri Lanka's state media chose to ignore Sarath Fonseka's release from prison, pro-government newspapers said on Tuesday that the former Army Chief had become a "political pawn" in the hands of foreign countries against President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The story of Fonseka's release on Monday dominated the local media on Tuesday, with many a speculation about the war hero's future political plans. The English, Sinhala and even Tamil press leads with Fonseka's comment that he would dedicate himself to serving the people, a hint that he would continue to lead his Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

The state media's silence over Fonseka's release, however, was deafening.

Out of the editorial comments, the Sinhala nationalist 'Divayina' was the most hard hitting; "Fonseka earned the wrath overseas for saying that Sri Lanka is the nation of the Sinhalese. But these countries later became his supporters not because of their love towards him but a love caused by the hatred of these countries towards Mahinda Rajapaksa. The former Army Commander who made many sacrifices during the war needs to realise that politics is a dirty game. He became a political pawn and ended up in prison."...more

12:00 PM, May 22, 2012

Sri Lanka to free jailed ex-army chief Fonseka

by Reuters

Colombo: A member of parliament in Sri Lanka said on Wednesday he believed President Mahinda Rajapaksa would soon order the release of the country's former army chief Sarath Fonseka, revered by many of his compatriots for helping end a 25-year civil war. The jailing of General Fonseka has prompted criticism in Western countries, and if he were freed it would be seen as a sign that Colombo is addressing concerns...

02:24 AM, May 17, 2012

SL ex-Army chief loses appeal against jail term

by Press Trust of India

Colombo: A Sri Lankan Appeal Court on Friday rejected a former Army chief Sarath Fonseka's plea against his 30-month jail term. The Appeal Court in a unanimous decision upheld the verdict of the court martial which sentenced Fonseka in September of 2010. The military court martial found Fonseka guilty of following wrong procedure in procurements when he headed the Army between 2005 and 2009. Fonseka was also sentenced to a...

06:44 PM, Dec 16, 2011

Ex-SL army chief get 3 more years in jail

by Press Trust of India

Colombo: Jailed former Sri Lankan army chief Sarath Fonseka was on Friday sentenced to spend three more years in prison after a court convicted him for alleging that the powerful brother of the country's President had ordered the execution of surrendering Tamil rebels. Fonseka, a member of Parliament, was found guilty by a split 2-1 decision by the High Court in the 'white flag' case, for violating emergency regulations by...

03:09 PM, Nov 18, 2011

Imprisoned Fonseka now loses parliamentary seat

by Press Trust Of India

Colombo: Sri Lanka's former army chief Sarath Fonseka's brief stint as an MP has come to a sudden end in the wake of his 30-month imprisonment for corruption in defence deals, amid reports that the President may consider pardoning him if a plea is made personally by him or a family member. Sri Lankan Parliamentary Secretary General Dhammika Kithulgoda on Thursday informed Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayaka that the parliamentary seat...

05:07 PM, Oct 07, 2010

Fonseka begins his 30-month jail term today

The general who led the war against the LTTE was found guilty of making irregular purchases by a military court. ...

11:48 AM, Oct 01, 2010

Ex-Lanka army chief held guilty of corruption

by Press Trust Of India

Colombo: Already stripped off his military rank and medals, former Sri Lankan Army chief Sarath Fonseka was on Friday held guilty of corruption charges by a second court martial and sentenced to a prison term of three years. Now an opposition lawmaker, Fonseka, who led Sri Lankan Army to a spectacular victory over the LTTE last year, was found guilty of corruption in defence deals at a hearing held today,...

08:28 PM, Sep 17, 2010

Ex-Lanka Army chief stripped of rank, medals

by Press Trust Of India

Colombo: A Sri Lankan military court on Friday stripped the country's war hero and former Army chief Sarath Fonseka of his rank and medals after finding him guilty of dabbling in politics, while in service. The 59-year-old General was convicted by the first court martial against him, which began deliberations five months back. He faces another military court on charges of corruption in defence deals. The three-member military court ruled...

06:55 PM, Aug 13, 2010