Mahinda Rajapaksa approves court order to strip Sarath Fonseka of rank, medals

Former Sri Lankan Army chief Gen Sarath Fonseka was today stripped off his rank, medals and pension after president Mahinda Rajapaksa ratified the verdict of his conviction by a court martial.

The court martial had found Fonseka guilty of dabbling in politics while heading the country's military last year.

"The president in his capacity of commander-in-chief of the armed forces has confirmed the findings and the punishment handed down by the first court martial," a military official said.

By the decree signed by Rajapaksa, Fonseka will lose his right to wear rank, medals he has won in his 40 year long career in the Army, as well as his pension.

Fonseka was pronounced guilty by a three-member military court of trying to secure place in a political party while in active service.

Although Friday's military court ruling did not hand out any prison term for the former general, Fonseka, according to officials, will continue to remain in prison.

He is also being tried by another court martial for corruption in defence deals.

The 59-year-old general was pronounced guilty yesterday by the military court, which began deliberations five months back.