The second Court Martial to hear charges of alleged contravention of military procurement procedures against Retired General Sarath Fonseka unanimously decided to adjourn its sittings and refer the composition of the tribunal to convening authorities after lawyers of Fonseka questioned the authority of the panel.<br/><br/>The Army today said that the tribune, considering submissions maintained that although the provisions in the Army Act empower same members of one Court Martial to sit for another tribunal, provided alleged prosecuting charges are of different nature, it prefers to be reconvened for the sake of maintaining high degree of transparency and unprejudiced nature.<br/><br/>Last week the Army had announced that Sarath Fonseka will be tried in two court martial and a tribunal consisting of three Major Generals was constituted to enquire into charges of indulging in political activities while still in uniform and making military purchases in contravention of the set procedures. The same panel was empowered to try the retired General in both Courts Martial<br/><br/>Sarath Fonseka faced the proceedings of the first day of the first Court martial yesterday on three charges including that of engaging in politics while in office. During the proceedings Fonseka was present along with his lawyers. It had its sitting at the Navy House. The next sitting for the first court martial is fixed on 6th April, two days ahead of the Parliamentary election.<br/><br/>The military spokesperson said that process of court martial may take a few weeks or sometimes months before a final determination is made by the jury.<br/><br/>The court martial proceedings against the retired General Sarath Fonseka are the first ever military trial against an officer of the highest rank in the history of the Sri Lanka Army.<br/><br/>The Court Martial is being held in accordance with the Sections 124 (1), 102 and 109 of the Army Act.<br/><br/>Separately, a delegation of senior officials of the Government of Sri Lanka on a visit to Brussels is engaged with the European Union in a bid to persuade the later to continue with the GSP+ concessions extended to the apparel sector. A few days ago the EU announced that with effect from August the concessions would be withdrawn as Colombo has failed to fully adhere to three specific international conventions on human rights.<br/><br/>A statement by the Government said that the delegation met with EC Trade Commissioner Mr. Karel De Gucht and held substantive discussion on GSP+ related concerns.