Gen Sarath Fonseka,the former Sri Lankan Army Chief who led his forces to a comprehensive victory over the LTTE,faced a court martial here on Tuesday on charges of engaging in politics while in service,but disputed the proceedings as "illegal" and refused to reply to charges. Fonskea (59),a 'war hero' who lost the January 26 Presidential Polls to his former boss Mahinda Rajapaksa,faced charges that he prepared for contesting elections while still in uniform,which could land him in jail for up to 5 years. He faced a three-member panel consisting of three top-ranking generals at the country's Naval Headquarters. Fonseka also faces charges of making irregular military purchases during the war with Tamil Tigers. Fonseka said he did not accept the court martial's jurisdiction in the three-hour hearing,where he was assisted by his lawyer. He said the court martial is "biased" as it comprises two Generals,who were disciplined by him while in service and the third was a close relative of the current Army Chief. "We cannot accept this court martial panel. It is illegal," Fonseka's lawyers said. The Sri Lankan Government had appointed two Court Martials to inquire separate charges against the former Army Chief,who was arrested on February 10 by the Army for allegedly planning a coup against the government while in service. "I don't accept your jurisdiction," Fonseka told the court martial,according to Vijitha Herath,leader of the Democratic National Alliance.
