Lanka president confirms 30 months jail for ex-army chief
Friday, 1 October 2010
COLOMBO, Sept 30 (AFP): Sri Lanka's president has confirmed the 30-month jail term imposed on former army chief Sarath Fonseka following his conviction by a military court, an official said Thursday.
President Mahinda Rajapakse approved the prison sentence for a period of two-and-a-half years after returning Wednesday from New York where he addressed the UN General Assembly, a senior government official said.
"The court martial has recommended up to three years in jail, but the president has decided he will be in prison for 30 months," the official, who did not want to be named, said.
Fonseka, 59, was charged with four counts of making irregular purchases for the military when he was its commander at the height of fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels.
President Mahinda Rajapakse approved the prison sentence for a period of two-and-a-half years after returning Wednesday from New York where he addressed the UN General Assembly, a senior government official said.
"The court martial has recommended up to three years in jail, but the president has decided he will be in prison for 30 months," the official, who did not want to be named, said.
Fonseka, 59, was charged with four counts of making irregular purchases for the military when he was its commander at the height of fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels.