Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday said
charges will be framed in two weeks` time against detained ex-
army chief Sarath Fonseka in civil courts for allegedly
plotting against the government and creating unrest within the
force.
Under the Lankan Penal Code, 59-year-old Fonseka will be
charged with "fraud, condoning fraud, plotting against the
government, creating unrest within the army and keeping army
deserters under his protection," Government Spokesman G L
Peiris told reporters here.
In addition, charges will be framed against him under the
Exchange Control Act for violating foreign exchange laws and
condoning their violations, Peiris, also a senior minister,
said.
Fonseka also faces the possibility of being tried in a
military court separately.
Soon after his arrest on conspiracy charges on February
8, Minister of Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena had said the
General was held under military act 57(1)for divulging secrets
while in service.
Abeywardena had said a possible court martial could flow
from the summary of evidence being collected by the military.
Fonseka, who is being detained at the Naval headquarters
here, was the joint opposition candidate in the January 26
Presidential polls and was defeated by incumbent Mahinda
Rajapaksa.
Now, he is set to contest the April 8 parliamentary polls
as a candidate of the opposition Marxist JVP-dominated
Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and has already signed his
nomination papers.
PTI
