Democratic Party leader Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka took oaths as a Member of Parliament a short while ago.

He was appointed by the UNP through the national list, to fill the position vacated by the demise of former Lands Minister M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena.

Born on December 18, 1950, Fonseka led the Sri Lanka Army in the last years of the war against the LTTE. He later entered politics, and contested the 2010 Presidential Elections. After his defeat, he was arrested under controversial circusmtances and was imprisoned until his release in 2012.

He supported Maithripala Sirisena in the 2015 Presidential Election.

On March 22, 2015, Sirisena promoted Fonseka to the rank of Field Marshal.