Sri Lanka's president approved a 30-month jail term for his former army chief and political rival Thursday, confirming a military court verdict that he was guilty of fraud. The decision may disqualify the ex-general from continuing as an opposition lawmaker. President Mahinda Rajapakse endorsed a court-martial decision on former Gen. Sarath Fonseka Thursday and “has recommended two and half years in his endorsement in keeping with the maximum period for the offense in accordance with the law,” a statement from the president's office said. Fonseke's party, the Democratic National Alliance, cried foul at the jailing, calling it personal and political revenge. Party lawmaker Vijitha Herath told reporters that Fonseka will appeal the military court's decision in a civilian court. Once allies, Rajapakse and Fonseka were both considered heroes by the country's Sinhalese majority for crushing Tamil Tiger rebels last year, ending a quarter-century civil war that killed 80,000 to 100,000 people. But they had a falling out months after the war ended and the general quit the army after accusing Rajapakse of sidelining him, suspecting a military coup. Their relationship further deteriorated after Fonseka challenged Rajapakse in a presidential election earlier this year.
