Second Military Court Against General Indefinitely Put Off

The military tribunal against Gen. Sarath Fonseka that met today decided to put off the sessions indefinitely. The same Army officers who participated as judges participated as judges today as well. When counsels representing Gen. Fonseka raised objections the judges suddenly decided to put off the hearing stating they would have to consider whether the tribunal could be continued.

Maj. Gen. H.L. Weeratunga as president and Maj. Gen. D.R.B. Jayatilleke and Maj. Gen. A.L.R. Wijetunga who appeared as judges yesterday participated in the case today as well. Yesterday Gen. Fonseka’s lawyers objected to the tribunal stating Maj. Gen. H.L. Weeratunga, the president of the tribunal was the brother-in-law of the present Commander of the Army, Maj. Gen. D.R.B. Jayatilleke was an officer who had been demoted for an offence while Gen. Fonseka was the Army Commander and Maj. Gen. A.L.R. Wijetunga had been found guilty of an illegal tender dealing.  

The president of the tribunal stating it was necessary to decide whether the panel of judges could continue the case suddenly put off the hearing indefinitely and left the court.