Colombo, May 25 (ANI): Former Sri Lankan army chief General (retired) Sarath Fonseka has been barred from political office for seven years, despite being freed from jail, his lawyer has said.

General Fonseka had lost the presidential elections against President Mahinda Rajapaksa two years ago and was imprisoned shortly afterwards, The BBC reports.

General Fonseka's lawyer, Nalin Laduwahetti, said that the terms of his release prevented him from joining the office.

Laduwahetti said that they were trying to look at all political and legal possibilities to try and secure a more complete pardon for Fonseka.

President Rajapaska had remitted General Fonseka's two-and-a-half year jail sentence for corruption, but has not pardoned him or annulled the sentence already served.

This means he is subject to a seven-year restriction on his civic rights.

The government is interpreting the constitution that he can vote, but cannot contest an election in that period. (ANI)