SO MANY COURT MARTIALLED

As many as 421 military officers and 5205 other rankers were courtmartialled since 2006 and among them was Commodore T.M.P Mendis who was convicted of failing to take adequate safety measures and counter actions to protect the Galle Naval Base from the terrorist attack on October 18, 2006, Parliament was informed yesterday.

The government gave these details to the House as an answer to a question by United National Party (UNP) MP Ravi Karuna- nayake.

Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane answered the question on behalf of the subject minister. According to the answer, 12 officers were tried before a court martial in 2006, 38 in 2007,36 in 2008, 184 in 2009, 63, 2010, 59 in 2011, 24 in 2012 and five this year so far.

Among them, Commodore Mendis was taken before a court martial for his failure to take counter action to protect the Galle Port, the Navy camp, ships and boats and employees from the attack. Also, he had been

We all know the former commander was taken before several court martials. You have not detailed out action against him

taken to task over the neglecting of orders by the Navy Commander to remain in the Southern Naval Base.

The Chief Whip said that this naval officer had not obtained the approval of the Navy Commander before leaving the camp on that particular day. Raising a supplementary question, Mr. Karunanayake asked as to why the details about action against former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka were not included in the answer.