Opposition protests against Fonseka's arrest

Sarath Fonseka’s arrest did not come as a surprise. For weeks, there had been rumors that the highly-decorated former general was planning a coup against President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Fonseka had repeatedly denied the allegations.

However, his denials were not enough to protect him from being arrested by the military police on Monday night in the capital Colombo.

“Several dozen soldiers pulled the 60-year-old from the building, “one of his bodyguards said.

Other witnesses reported that Fonseka argued at the scene that as a former officer he should be arrested by the police, but a defense spokesman said military laws still applied six months after retirement. He added that Fonseka would thus be tried in a military court.

Accused of conspiring against Rajapaksa

The government accuses Fonseka of preparing a presidential bid on the part of an opposition coalition while still in office as army chief – essentially of conspiring against Rajapaksa. He is also accused of creating divisions in the army when he was commander-in-chief.

Opposition parties have protested against the arrest and accused the military police of abducting Fonseka, who until recently was celebrated by the government as a national hero for leading the army to victory against the LTTE last year and bringing the 25-year-old brutal civil war to an end.

It is when Fonseka was demoted to the ceremonial post of defense chief of staff that his troubles with Rajapaksa began. In November, he decided to campaign against the president in the January elections.

According to the official results, he won 40 percent of the vote to Rajapaksa's 58 percent. But he has accused the government of manipulating the results. He had been expected to contest the results in court this week.

He was also planning to stand in April’s parliamentary elections on an opposition ticket.

Fears of government crackdown on dissent

His arrest shows how far Rajapaksa and his government are prepared to go to crush criticism. Over 20 members of Fonseka's staff have been arrested since the elections. Observers worry that the incident could signal a massive wave of suppression against all political opponents.

Paikiasothy Saravannamuttu from the independent Centre for Policy Alternatives in Colombo said that the situation had “rapidly deteriorated in the past three to four years. There is a culture of impunity. The media in particular are being attacked but not only them.”

Another concern is that Fonseka's court martial will take place away from the public eye and the media. At least 10 political parties are planning a sit-in near the Supreme Court in Colombo on Wednesday.

There are general fears among the opposition and civil society that Sri Lanka, which has a long, democratic tradition, is sliding into autocracy.

Author: Sabina Matthay/act
Editor: Thomas Bärthlein