In Sri Lanka, former army chief and presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka has been arrested on suspicion of undermining the state. Witnesses said he was dragged from his desk by the soldiers who were arresting him.
Last month, the retired general lost a bitter presidential election battle with sitting President Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, he has not conceded defeat, saying the election was rigged.
The Sri Lankan government has arrested 37 of General Fonseka's aides and supporters since the election in what appears to be a witch-hunt. The United States describes the situation as worrying and fears Sri Lanka's divisions could resurface after years of civil war have just ended.
General Fonseka worked closely with President Rajapaksa to lead an army offensive against the Tamil Tiger rebels. The government finally defeated the rebels in May, bringing their 25-year struggle for independence to an end.
Sarath Fonseka
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Fonseka is arrested because the government fears i.the threat of international investigation of war crimes and ii.Fonseka is going to let the cat out of the bag.
Mr. Sarath Fonseka was reportedly assaulted many times before he was dragged along by the Sri Lankan Military police. Mr. Fonseka was alleged that he was going to reveal the circumstantances on how Mr. Lasantha Wicramatunge, Chief Editor of the Sunday Leader was murdered by the Rajapakse regime. Though Mr. Fonseka is co-alleged on the war crimes which killed about 50,000 Tamil population in a mass carnage in early last year and killing the surrendered Tamils. Sri Lanka has a ministry for Human Rights and the minister is now in Geneva to explain the UN officials the circumstances on the summary execution video on unarmed Tamil victims and the revelation made by Mr. Sarath Fonseka about the Defence Secretary, (President's brother) who oedered to kill the Tamils surrendered with white flags. Mahinda Rajapakse, President is off to Russia to sign an arms deal. Many analysts question why Sri Lanka is buying $300 million worth of arms on loan at a time the leaders are on the dock of war crimes and allegations on squandering $4B from the $40B worth of national economy.
The disgraceful way Mr. Fonseka was assaulted and dragged along is a testimony how the Tamil civilians were killed en masse during the war and the treatment they receive in the squalid camps.
Many analysts believe that the dismal silence which UN and the international community observed during the war without witness and stringent blackout conditions is the reason for the Rajapakse regime to continuosly behave in an uncivilized manner. The Hindu newspaper claims that Mr. Fonseka is detained. Mr. Ban is yet to make a statement as his spokesperson said UN did not get any information on the arrest yet.
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