9 August 2010 11:40 am
The first Court Martial against Gen. (Retired) Sarath Fonseka regarding his alleged involvement in politics while in active service was heard without defense lawyers today.
The Court Martial Tribunal decided to go ahead with the hearing without defence lawyers when the accused Gen. Fonseka informed the court that he could not make a statement without instruction from his lawyers.
At the last hearing on August 2, the Court Martial Tribunal had fixed the hearing from August 9 to 13, the first week of court vacation for lawyers.
On the said senior defence counsel, Rienzie Arsecularatne PC was not present but it was stated earlier by his junior that Arsecularatne would not be available on the given dates.