India hopes Sri Lanka govt will follow law in Fonseka case

New Delhi which has been rather subdued after the re-election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Jan 26 elections, broke its silence on the detention of former Sri Lankan Army chief Gen. Sarath Fonseka. India on Thursday said it “trusts” that the Rajapaksa government would “observe” due process of law in the case.

The External Affairs Ministry said India was in touch with the Sri Lankan authorities over the detention. “We have been in touch with the Government of Sri Lanka over the detention of Rtd Gen. Sarath Fonseka,” the Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said in a statement.

“As a friend and neighbour, we trust that due processes of law will be observed in democratic Sri Lanka in this matter,” Prakash said.

Gen. Fonseka was taken into custody by the military on February 8 with the government alleging that he was planning a coup against President Rajapaksa. Gen. Fonseka’s wife has moved the Supreme Court against his detention saying she fears for her husband’s life. She has also appealed to India to ensure the safety of her husband.

Sarath Fonseka, was detained by a team of investigators late on Monday night for "certain fraudulent acts and military offences" from the 'safe house' he had been living in since he lost the January 26 election.

Three days after the poll outcome, the government had accused the commander-turned-politician of plotting a coup to overthrow President Mahinda Rajapaksa and assassinate his family members.

The former Army chief, who led the war against LTTE with success, had developed differences with the President. Subsequently, he contested the presidential elections as the opposition candidate against Rajpaksa but lost.

- Asian Tribune -