Sri Lankan govt reinstates 'controversial' former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka

The new Sri Lankan government has reportedly reinstated controversial war-time Army Chief Sarath Fonseka as an Army General after lifting punishments imposed on him by the previous dispensation.

It has also restored Fonseka's right to vote and stand in elections along with quashing a corruption case against him, reported the BBC.

The former Army Chief was removed from post after being jailed for corruption and other crimes.

He and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had earlier led a military campaign against Tamil rebels in which thousands of civilians are believed to have been killed.

The two later fell out and Fonseka stood opposite his former ally in the 2010 presidential election.

Shortly afterwards, he was jailed and deprived of his political rights.

He had already been pardoned and freed by Rajapaksa but the move by current Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena would quash his previous convictions.