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Sri Lanka arrests former army commander, presidential challenger

Posted Tuesday, February 9 2010 at 08:48

Sri Lanka's defeated opposition presidential
candidate Sarath Fonseka (foreground) and
opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe

Michael Edwards

Sri Lanka has arrested former army commander and losing presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka.

He will reportedly be court-martialed for allegedly planning to overthrow the government.

General Sarath Fonseka was taken into custody by Sri Lankan troops who stormed the offices of the main opposition alliance which had backed his candidacy.

He will reportedly face charges of 'military offences' allegedly committed while he was the head of Sri Lanka's armed forces.

Sri Lanka's opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has condemned the arrest.

"The arrest of presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka is illegal, and undemocratic," he said.

"It is contrary to the military law, contrary to the normal law of the country, it's a violation of the constitution and it's a violation of democracy."

Last month, General Fonseka lost the presidential election the incumbent Mahinda Rajapakse.

He rejected the results and has vowed to challenge them in court.

General Fonseka was in charge of Sri Lanka's military when it defeated the Tamil Tigers after a three decade civil war.

Since then, he's fallen out with President Rajapakse, and after the election said he feared assassination or arrest.


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