Colombo: A government spokesman says Sri Lanka's president has approved a 30-month jail term for his ex-army chief and political rival.
Spokesman Lucien Rajakarunanayake said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has signed papers endorsing the court-martial's sentence against Gen. Sarath Fonseka.
A court-martial two weeks ago found Fonseka guilty of bypassing military procedures in purchasing equipment and involving his son-in-law in the dealings.
Fonseka was already dishonorably discharged following an earlier conviction. He has described the prosecutions as political.
Once allies, Rajapaksa and Fonseka were both considered heroes for ending Sri Lanka's quarter-century civil war. But they had a falling out months after the war ended.
