The former Sri Lankan Army chief, Sarath Fonseka, is to lose his parliamentary seat following his recent indictment by a military tribunal in a case of irregularities in military purchases during his tenure and consequent 30-month rigorous imprisonment.
Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Kithulgoda on Thursday informed Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayaka that the seat represented by Mr. Fonseka (59), who leads the opposition Democratic National Alliance (DNA), has fallen vacant.
The parliamentary system allows the candidate securing the second highest preferential votes to succeed an elected member of the respective constituency in the event of the incumbent's demise or disqualification.
Earlier this week, opposition leader Ranil Wickremasighe had requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to release Mr. Fonseka and restore his military honours.
