Oct 11, Colombo: The Army Major, who has been found guilty by a military Court of Inquiry for providing security to a casino owner outside of his Army duties, may a request a military court martial, according to a local media report.

Army Intelligence officer, Major Chandana Pradeep Susena could request a court martial to acquit him of the Court of Inquiry charges, a highly placed Army official has told the Ceylon Today.

If he acknowledges the findings of the Court of Inquiry he will have to accept the punishment determined by the Colonel Commandant.

If the Major wishes to defend his charges he has the option to request a court martial and he could be represented by his own lawyers at a trial.

However, if he is found guilty by court martial he will have to face the penalty decided by the court martial according to the provisions of the Army Act which may be harsher than the punishments given at summary proceedings.

According to Army sources, the Army Commander based on the report of the Court of Inquiry has decided the Major was guilty of bringing disrepute to the Army.

The Court of Inquiry probed the alleged assault on the Army officer by a ruling party Minister's son at the car park of Jaic Hilton in Colombo on September 8.

The investigation has found that the Major has been providing security for a long time to a casino owner, named Nalin Fonseka using his service weapons outside of official duties and maintaining a relationship with him.

According to the report Major Susena got into a brawl with the Minister's son while providing security to the casino owner.