First Court Martial concludes:

Fonseka cashiered

[ Sarath Fonseka ]

* Joined military service in 1970

* Appointed Army Commander on December 6, 2005

* Appointed Chief Defence of Staff on July 15, 2009

* Resigned as CDS November 12 , 2009

* Contested Presidential election in January 2010

* Contested General Election in April , 2010 under the Democratic National Alliance

* SLA arrested him on February 08, 2010

The first Court Martial yesterday convicted former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka of dabbling in politics and stripped him of all ranks, medals, honours that he won during his military career.

The court sentenced him for a dishonourable discharge from rank pending approval of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Commander-in -Chief, a military official told the Daily News yesterday.

Army officers loose the rank and all the awards and honours received as a military officer when they are cashiered by the Court Martial. The prosecution on Thursday concluded the presentation of evidence against Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.

According to military sources, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Commander in Chief has to ratify the sentence. The guilty verdict has been read out to the commander by the judges, a senior military official told the Daily News.

UNP Parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne today gave evidence before the first Court Martial against former Army Commander.

Seneviratne is the third witness in the first Court Martial against the General for his alleged involvement in politics while in uniform. Fonseka faces two military tribunals. Tribunal one hears the charges of political involvement against him while in uniform. The second tribunal will hear his alleged contravention of military procurement procedure.