All ranks, privileges and pension restored for former ex-Army Chief Fonseka

Thursday, 29 January 2015 01:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

All ranks, privileges and pension have been restored for the former Army Commander of Sri Lanka Sarath Fonseka following the full Presidential amnesty granted to him by the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, the Army said. Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence has accordingly confirmed that he is entitled to his rank of Four Star General, medals, pension and other privileges which were stripped off in 2010, by two Army tribunals before he was cashiered and imprisoned.

The four-star General could now wear Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP) and all other decorations which had been awarded to him during his career. The former Army general who led the decisive war against the LTTE to end the terrorism in Sri Lanka was stripped off of his ranks and rights by the previous government. Fonseka was dismissed from the Army and imprisoned after he was found guilty in two Army tribunals. Having served more than two years of his jail term, General Fonseka was finally released in May 2012. He afterwards took to politics. President Sirisena acquitted General Fonseka of all charges filed against him by the previous government and granted complete amnesty by the powers vested in him under Article 34 of the Constitution.