Thaindian News

Colombo, Jan 28 (DPA) The defeated candidate in Sri Lanka’s presidential election, former army commander General Sarath Fonseka, expressed fear for his life Thursday after accusing the government of endangering his security.
General Fonseka told a news conference that his 80-member security cover and vehicles had been withdrawn by the government and replaced by four armed policemen, making him vulnerable.

“I am a man who safeguarded my life from terrorists, but now I am hiding to protect myself from state terrorism,” said the general, who led the country’s battle against Tamil rebels.

Fonseka said his name had been given to airports by the government to prevent him leaving the country, though he did not have any criminal charges against him.

“I am aware that the government is accusing me of trying to create a coup from a five-star hotel as the results were coming in after the elections. That’s not the best place to stage a coup,” he said.

As preliminary results of the Jan 26 elections were announced, troops surrounded a Colombo hotel where Fonseka was staying, but the government denied it was trying to arrest the candidate.

Wednesday, a Fonseka spokesman confirmed that the siege had ended and the general had been able to leave the hotel.

The former general led the military campaign against Tamil separatist rebels, a campaign which the government won in May, and the removal of his security could pose a danger to his life, politician Vijitha Herath said.

Meanwhile, a government spokesman claimed Fonseka had planned to assassinate President Mahinda Rajapaksa and seize power.

“We had information that Fonseka, along with some former army personnel, were planning the coup,” spokesman Lakshman Hulugalla said.

Earlier, Brigardier Udaya Nanayakkara confirmed that four vehicles, including a bulletproof car and 20 army personnel, had been withdrawn from Fonseka’s security assignment.

The spokesman declined to comment on any other security arrangements the general may be entitled to as the army’s former chief.

Fonseka lost Tuesday’s poll to incumbent Rajapaksa, who was officially declared winner for another six-year term with 57.88 percent of the vote.

Fonseka claimed the results were “manipulated” and said he would challenge them in the courts. He alleged that the president had misused the state media and abused other state property by using officials, vehicles and government buildings for his campaign.

In a related development, the government Thursday claimed that it had arrested a Tamil rebel who was involved in planning a suicide bomb attack in the capital two years back.

We have appealed to the public to be aware of such infiltrations, Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

As supporters of Rajapaksa continued their celebrations, a hand grenade was lobbed at the residence of a mayor who campaigned for Fonseka in the eastern district of Batticaloa.

But no other serious incidents of violence were reported overnight or Thursday, and Sri Lankans started returning to work after a public holiday Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the government began preparations for parliamentary elections.

“Parliament will be dissolved, and elections will be held shortly,” Maithripala Siirisena, a senior cabinet minister, said.

The parliamentary term officially ends in April, but Rajapaksa is likely to dissolve the legislature earlier and go for elections in a bid to capitalise on his presidential victory.