Times of India (09/03) - Fonseka calls up daughters, suspends fast
The Associated Press (09/03) - Sri Lanka’s opposition leader ends hunger strike
The Hindu (08/03) - Sri Lanka Army completes summary of evidence against Fonseka
08 MarFonseka is on a hunger strike – oh the irony
Times of India – Fonseka goes on hunger strike after barred from using phone
Former Sri Lankan army chief Sarath Fonseka facing detention under treason charges, now at a naval facility today went on a hunger strike for not being allowed to speak to his daughters on telephone who are overseas.
The Associated Press – Sri Lankan opposition leader on hunger strike
Times of India – Detained Sri Lankan ex-general starts hunger strike
AFP – S.Lanka’s detained leader threatens hunger strike
Indian Express (04/03) – Lanka cricketer house raided for Fonseka kin
28 FebFresh charges against Fonseka & elections
All articles from 25/02
The Hindu – Fonseka to face more charges
The Sri Lankan government on Thursday made it known that fresh charges would be framed against the defeated opposition common consensus presidential candidate, retired General Sarath Fonseka, in civil courts under the Penal Code and Exchange Control Act in two weeks.
Minister of Export Development and International Trade G.L. Peiris told a news conference here that the former Army Chief would be charged on counts of fraud, condoning fraud, plotting against the government, creating unrest within the Army and keeping army deserters under his protection.
General (retired) Fonseka is in the custody of the military on a number of charges including treason.
The commander-turned-politician was picked up on the night of February 8 after a raid on his election office by a group of military personnel. The raid and the subsequent detention triggered a furore within and outside Sri Lanka.
One of the allegations faced by General Fonseka is that he had favoured the company partly owned by his son-in-law in award of contracts for defence supplies to the Army.
The CID had informed the local courts that when he was the Army Chief, the General had approved of four suspicious tenders to a firm allegedly run by his son-in-law Dhanuna Tilekeratne.
Hindustan Times – More charges against Fonseka
Indian Express – Charges to be framed against Fonseka in civil courts
Business Week – Sri Lanka Says General Fonseka to Face Civilian Court
Reuters – Sri Lanka opposition coalition splits ahead of polls
BBC – General Sarath Fonseka to stand in Sri Lanka election
Washington Post – Detained ex-army chief to contest Sri Lanka vote
22 FebSri Lanka Envoy on Fonseka’s arrest
ITMNTV – Envoy of Sri Lanka to India, Prasad Kariyawasam, gives the reasons for Fonseka not being arrested earlier and only after his defeat in the Presidential elections.
17 FebPetition filed against alleged vote rigging
Times of India – Fonseka moves top court against ‘poll fraud’
Defeated Sri Lankan presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka, now in military custody, has filed a petition against what he alleges is vote rigging in last month’s poll, his lawyers said on Tuesday.
Hindustan Times – Fonseka petitions court to cancel election result
OneIndia -Fonseka files petition against Rajapaksa’s victory
15 FebSL’s Monks demand release of Fonseka
Times of India – Free Fonseka, Lanka monks appeal to Rajapaksa
AP -Sri Lankan Buddhists: Release opposition leader
Senior Sri Lankan Buddhist monks urged the president on Sunday to release his main rival in last month’s presidential election, who was detained on allegations of conspiring to overthrow the government while serving as army chief.
AFP – Sri Lanka monks back arrested ex-army chief
Hindustan Times – Army unmoved by growing support for Fonseka
Reuters Canada – Sri Lankans, police clash again over detained general
14 FebMore about Sarath F
Weekend news :
The Associated Press – Sri Lanka president pledges due process for rival
Straits Times - The General’s wife steps forward
Indian Express – No person is above the law: Rajapaksa
Hindustan Times – Buddhist clergy appeals for Fonseka’s release
The Hindu – Rajapaksa’s assurance on Fonseka release
Ottawa Citizen – I shed no tears for Sri Lankan ex-commander
12 FebGotabhaya says Fonseka maybe jailed
Indian Express – Fonseka may be jailed for 5 yrs, says Gotabhaya
Times of India -‘Fonseka to be tried soon, may get 5-year jail’
Hindustan Times – Fonseka could face five years in jail
The Hindu – Fonseka guilty of treason, says Gotabaya
Economic Times – India hopes Fonseka will get justice
Times of India – India hopes `due process of law’ will be followed in Fonseka case
Straits Times – Fonseka ‘a liar’
Indian Express – Fonseka was not assaulted during arrest: Sri Lankan military
The Hindu – Fonseka warned against speaking to international bodies on ‘war crimes’
10 FebWhat is Mrs F saying?
Oh the irony…….
Aljazeera – Wife outraged by Fonseka’s arrest
IBNLive - Gen Fonseka’s wife says Lanka govt framing him
Times Online – Arrested Sri Lankan opposition leader being treated ‘like an animal’
10 FebATC in the media
The Wire – Sri Lankan opposition leader arrested
Produced by Jacinta Patterson
In Sri Lanka, the main opposition leader has been arrested after the government accused him of what it termed ‘military offences’. Sri Lanka held its general election last month – the first since the end of the country’s lengthy civil war. Former military leader General Sarath Fonseca ran an unsuccessful campaign against his former commander-in-chief, President Mahendra Rajapaksa. His arrest came just hours after he told reporters he’d be willing to give evidence about war crimes he alleges took place during the conflict. Featured in this story: Dr Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress; Dr Jake Lynch, director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at Sydney University.
