Sri Lanka has been hit by sharp international criticism as troops arrested the defeated opposition candidate, just two weeks after an election that had raised hopes of turning a new page.

The United States voiced worries that the arrest late Monday of former general Sarath Fonseka would worsen divisions on the island, which last year emerged from a bloody 37 year ethnic war.
 

"We are following the situation closely and we have concerns that any action be in accord with Sri Lankan law," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told AFP.
 

"There is a tremendous need for the government of Sri Lanka to work to overcome the fissures that exist within its society," he said.
 

Under Sri Lankan military law, the armed forces can arrest and try personnel who have left service for up to six months after their departure, defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told a press conference. "Still investigations are going on and information is emerging from the investigations," he said.

Unspecified crimes
Sri Lankan state media said Fonseka, a former army general who led the campaign that killed the leadership of the Tamil Tiger rebels, would be charged with unspecified "military offences."

"Sarath Fonseka's arrest continues the Rajapaksa government's post election crackdown on political opposition,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s (AI) Asia-Pacific Director.

Amnesty International hoped that the January election would give Rajapakse a chance to improve human rights, said Zarifi. "Instead, we're seeing less and less tolerance for criticism.”
 

The timing of the arrest is troubling given reports that Fonseka had announced earlier in the day that he was prepared to testify before an international court on war crimes charges against the Sri Lanka government, an idea fiercely opposed by the current President.

Several of Fonseka’s key supporters have also been arrested since his defeat in the election. Journalists with the state media suspected of supporting the opposition candidate have also faced threats and violence.

Fears of betrayal
Sri Lanka's Government Information Department on Tuesday said Fonseka's comments to reporters, quoted by the BBC, that he would testify in a war crimes probe proved his disloyalty to the troops he led to defeat the Tamil Tigers rebels and end the war.
 

"This report of BBC confirms beyond doubt that the retired general was hell bent on betraying the gallant armed forces of Sri Lanka who saved the nation from the most ruthless terrorist group in the world," the statement said.

Fonseka was commander of the armed forces during a period when Sri Lanka’s army was accused of violating humanitarian law, including firing heavy weaponry into an area packed with civilians. He also faces credible allegations of war crimes and rights groups believe he should also be subject to investigation and accountability.

“Allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka should be subject to an independent international investigation,” said Zarifi.

Rajapakse and Fonseka had both claimed credit for defeating the Tigers. But Fonseka in particular reached out to Tamil voters in hopes they could tip the race between the two members of the Sinhalese majority.
 

Opposition politicians who backed Fonseka's election have condemned his arrest, and vowed to seek legal redress.
 

"To all of us it is evident that this is a government which is not simply dictatorial but fascist and they are all out to humiliate him, harass him and go on a journey of vendetta," Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem told reporters.
 

Hours after the arrest, President Rajapakse sacked the national parliament, clearing the way for a national election two months ahead of schedule, his spokesman said.

The president signed a decree dissolving the national assembly with effect from midnight Tuesday, said spokesman Lucien Rajakarunanayake.