Oslo: The former Norwegian mediator to the
Sri Lankan conflict said today the arrest of ex-army chief and
defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka raised "major
concerns".
"There is no doubt that this arrest is a cause for major
concerns," said Erik Solheim, Norway's environment and
international development minister, told news agency NTB.
"The arrest will have consequences on the possibility to
progress towards lasting political stability" in Sri Lanka, he
said, adding "many other events since the election justify
being worried."
Fonseka, who lost to President Mahinda Rajapakse in the
January 26 election, was arrested yesterday by military
police, hours after he vowed to give evidence at any
international probe into the final stages of fighting against
Tamil Tiger rebels last year.
An official said today the 59-year-old former four-star
general is to face a court martial for "military offences".
Fonseka led the army to a victory over the rebel Tamil
separatists last May, a month after the government of Sri
Lanka officially put an end to the Norwegian-led efforts to
facilitate the peace process in the country, which had started
in 2000.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, February 09, 2010, 22:07