By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Human rights groups have expressed significant concern about the recent arrest of General Sarath Fonseka.  The General was apprehended earlier this week by the government military forces of Sri Lanka.

The General was once heralded as a hero of the Sri Lankan military for his prowess during battles with the Tamil Tigers liberation group.  The General was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s victory over the Tamil Tigers, ending a civil war which lasted over twenty-five years.  Despite the General’s achievements for the army, he was allegedly dragged out of his campaign offices by the Sri Lankan government.

The General has been charged with numerous human rights violations, but vehemently denies all charges.  Allegations include fault for the over 7,000 civilian casualties who fell victim to the civil war and underhanded tactics during the war.  Human rights violations charges against the Sri Lankan government also include the mistreatment of members of the Tamil ethnic minority during and after the civil war.  The Sri Lankan government was lambasted by the international community for the sub-human conditions and lack of essential resources in its refugee camps to house internally displaced persons.

General Sarath Fonseka was also charged with cooperating with anti-government organizations.  The current President of Sri Lanka, who recently fell out with General Sarath Fonseka over the post-war elections in Colombo, arrested the General as part of a program aimed at capturing everyone he considers a threat to national security.

General Fonseka’s capture has given many opposition leaders a reason for concern.  They fear that the government will execute an extra-judicial killing in secret while they have General Fonseka captive.  An Asian human rights group has made a claim that the government of Sri Lanka has denied General Fonseka the right of due process.  Because of the military procedure being afforded the General, as opposed to hearings in civilian court, the group seems to suggest there is an element of unfairness against the General.

The General’s capture has also incited rioting in Sri Lankan streets.  The government has yet to release a statement concerning the General’s fate.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Fonseka Challenges S. Lanka Outcome – 16 February 2010

AsiaNews – Colombo under tight control, waiting for General Fonseka’s trial – 12 February 2010

BBC News – Sri Lanka Supreme Court hears Fonseka arrest challenge – 12 February 2010