Fonseka loses appeal to retain Parliament seat

Former army chief Sarath Fonseka today lost an appeal in the Sri Lankan Supreme Court to retain his seat in Parliament.

Former army chief Sarath Fonseka on Tuesday lost an appeal in the Sri Lankan Supreme Court to retain his seat in Parliament.

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The Supreme Court ruled that the court martial which indicted Fonseka was an accepted court under the country's Constitution.

Fonseka had submitted a petition to the Appeal's Court that his Parliament membership couldn't be cancelled as the court martial that indicted him for corruption was illegal.

Chief Justice Ashoka de Silva and judge Salim Marshuk presented separate verdicts to the Appeal Court on Monday, stating the court martial was an accepted court under section 89 of the constitution.

Fonseka is serving a 30 month jail sentence and after today's development he will lose his right to vote.