Field Marshal being MP unconstitutional – Sarath

 

December 25, 2016, 7:41 pm 

One-time Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera told President Maithripala Sirisena last week that war winning Army Commander Sarath Fonseka couldn’t hold the rank of Field Marshal and be a member of parliament simultaneously.

The President was told that National List MP Fonseka had been appointed Field Marshal in violation of the Constitution.

Former UPFA Digamadulla District MP pointed out to President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces that because a person holding the rank of Field Marshal was considered to be in active service for life, Fonseka couldn’t be a member of Parliament in accordance with the Constitution.

The Navy veteran raised the issue when a delegation from the National War Heroes’ Front met President Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat last Wednesday.

Weerasekera asked President Sirisena whether he had been aware of Field Marshal Fonseka participating at the recent passing out parade of 124 Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) Officer Cadets including women officers at Diyatalawa.

Weerasekera stressed that the government shouldn’t violate the Constitution to please any individual. (SF)