Fonseka will be disqualified as MP if convicted: NLF

A key partner in Sri Lanka's ruling coalition has said that Fonseka will not be able to enter Parliament on winning the polls if he is convicted of any of the charges.

On the eve of the general elections,a key partner in Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition has said that detained ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka will not be able to enter Parliament on winning the polls if he is convicted of any of the charges for which he is being court-martial ed.

59-year-old Fonseka,who is being held at the Naval Headquarters here since his arrest on February 8 for alleged involvement in politics and illegal defence deals while in uniform,is heading the JVP-dominated opposition alliance DNA in tomorrow’s polls.

“They (the opposition) are very well aware that if Sarath Fonseka is found guilty he will receive a sentence from any court and if he obtains a Parliamentary seat,it will be cancelled after he is convicted. Thereafter,a member from JVP will come forward in his place,” Wimal Weerawansa,leader of National Liberation Front (NLF) — a key constituent of the ruling UPFA,told reporters.

“If an individual is affected by any of the disqualifications stated in the 89th provision (of the Constitution),that individual cannot remain a Parliamentarian. He has no right to take up the seat in Parliament or use vote in Parliament,” he said.

As many as 7,620 candidates from 36 political parties and 306 independent groups are in the fray for tomorrow’s general election,which is seen as a litmus test for Fonseka,who is contesting from Colombo district.

Reacting to Weerawansa’s remarks,the general secretary of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA),Vijitha Herath,said the NLF leader “has made up a story.”

“He (Weerawansa) does not have even the basic knowledge of law. He said Gen Sarath Fonseka cannot enter Parliament if he is court-martialled. Northing of that sort is mentioned in the Constitution.

Story continues below this ad

“We challenge him (Weerawansa) to come forward after going through the Constitution properly,” Herath said and also charged the government with trying to keep Fonseka under detention for a long time.

“Fonseka will win the 8th April Parliamentary elections from Colombo district and will get preferential votes,” he said,adding that the former army chief will also make his maiden speech soon after the new Parliament is convened later this month.

The hearing of court-martial proceedings against Fonseka was postponed yesterday following restrictions by the Supreme Court’s Court of Appeal.

The Opposition United National Front led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has vowed to get Fonseka released if his coalition wins the Parliamentary elections.

Story continues below this ad

The elections will mainly witness a triangular contest involving the ruling UPFA and opposition DNA and UNF alliances.