A military court had convicted the once-time presidential candidate and former army chief. President Rajapaksa confirms the sentence. Fonseka’s party says government is persecuting him after he became Rajapaksa’s main political adversary.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa confirmed last week the 30-month jail term imposed on former army chief Sarath Fonseka following his conviction by a military court of irregularities when he led the fight against Tamil Tiger rebels.

The court martial had recommended three years, but the president settled for two and half, a source in the government said off the record.

The conviction on September 17 came after Fonseka was stripped of his rank and pension at another court martial that found him guilty last month of engaging in politics whilst in uniform.

In a public statement, Fonseka's Democratic National Alliance (DNA) said the military court process was seriously flawed and announced that it was appealing to a civilian court against the verdicts.

Fonseka fell out with the government after he unsuccessfully tried to unseat Rajapaksa in last January’s presidential polls.

Fonseka was arrested two weeks after his defeat in the elections and has remained in military custody ever since. However, he won a seat in parliamentary elections in April allowing him to attend parliament.

The former military chief has consistently accused the government of trying to keep him out of politics and seeking revenge for his decision to stand against the president.

Fonseka still faces charges of revealing state secrets—an offence that carries a 20-year jail term. In turn, he has challenged Rajapaksa’s re-election in the Supreme Court.

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