Fonseka’s FR petition dismissed

The Court of Appeal on Thursday (15) dismissed the petition filed by Democratic Party leader, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, to seek an order to reclaim his lost Parliamentary seat and revoke the appointment of Parliamentarian Jayantha Ketagoda.

In 2011, Ketagoda became a Parliamentarian to fill the seat left vacant by the imprisonment of Fonseka who was sentenced to serve a three- year jail term by a military court.

Earlier, the court also dismissed another FR petition, which was filed by Fonseka’s Secretary Senaka de Silva, claiming that the former Army Chief is eligible to be reappointed in his position, since all charges have been dropped against him (Fonseka). The petitioner also notified that all civic rights and army titles of Fonseka have also been restored following a directive issued by the President.

Ketagoda, who was a strong member of the DP, left the party and joined the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to support former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on 8 December 2014.