Violent clashes as Sri Lanka's ex-army chief arrested
Posted: 10 February 2010 1933 hrs

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COLOMBO : Tensions escalated Wednesday over the arrest of Sri Lanka's former army chief, Sarath Fonseka, with violent clashes outside the Supreme Court, where his wife petitioned for his immediate release.

Opposition parties who backed Fonseka in his failed challenge to President Mahinda Rajapakse in January elections also demanded his release and said they feared for his safety in military custody.

Fonseka was arrested by troops at his office in Colombo on Monday night and, according to the defence ministry, will be court-martialled on charges of conspiring against the government.

Anti-riot police used tear gas and water cannon on Wednesday to break up a clash between thousands of Fonseka supporters and ruling party activists outside the capital's Superior Courts complex.

Several bystanders were wounded, an AFP photographer said. The opposition had called for a peaceful sit-down protest, but violence erupted after they were stoned by ruling party supporters.

As order was restored, Fonseka's wife arrived to file a petition for her husband's release. Supreme Court officials said a hearing had been fixed for Friday.

Opposition parties said they believed Fonseka, who is being held at the naval headquarters in Colombo, was in danger.

"We have good reason to believe that the extra-judicial arrest of General Fonseka may be followed up with assassination while in custody," they said in a joint statement.

The increase in tensions came as President Rajapakse dissolved parliament on Tuesday night and called snap legislative elections for April 8.

Rajapakse was returned to power for a second term last month after easily defeating Fonseka at the end of a bitter presidential election battle.

The government has yet to spell out the charges against Fonseka, but defence ministry spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters the general had colluded with opposition politicians last year while still heading the army.

Asked if he stood accused of treason, Rambukwella said: "It could be one of the charges."

Fonseka and Rajapakse fell out after the army's crushing defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels in May, as both sought to take credit for ending the 37-year separatist insurgency.

Opposition lawmaker Karu Jayasuriya said the combined opposition was seeking the support of the influential Buddhist clergy in pressuring the government to free Fonseka and curb a crackdown on dissidents and rival politicians.

"We are speaking to all religious leaders and will have a series of religious events to seek the release of General Fonseka from custody and ensure more democratic freedoms," Jayasuriya said.

Sri Lanka's former peace facilitator, Norway, joined the United Nations, France and the United States in expressing concern over Fonseka's arrest, saying it risked impeding progress towards "lasting political stability".

Earlier this month, Rajapakse sacked a dozen senior military officers in an unprecedented purge. The defence ministry said the officers were a threat to national security. Party workers from Fonseka's office were also arrested.

The Sri Lankan government is also concerned about Fonseka's apparent willingness to testify at any probe into alleged war crimes committed by Sri Lankan troops last year in the final stages of the conflict with Tiger rebels.

"I am not prepared to protect anyone, if they have committed war crimes," Fonseka said before his arrest.

The government has resisted international calls for a probe, following claims that a senior defence official ordered the killing of surrendering rebel leaders.

The United Nations says 7,000 civilians died during the final stages of the conflict.

- AFP/vm