The resignation of the Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka has been accepted by the Sri Lankan President. General Sarath Fonseka has written a three-page letter citing 16 reasons to proceed on retirement from 1st of December. Speaking to media at a Buddhist temple at Keliniya on the outskirts of Colombo on Thursday evening, Gen. Fonseka said, he had been serving the country in the past and he will serve the country in future as well. Asked whether he would join politics, the General said that he could not comment as he was still in uniform. He said that he will decide his future once his retirement comes into effect at the end of this month.According to reports, even as the General was inside the temple, a group of persons staged a demonstration outside against him. The timing of the resignation is important as President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to announce dates for the general election and a possible presidential election at the convention of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Sunday.