| NEWS ARCHIVES |
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| Ban raises Fonseka arrest with Sri Lanka president |
| 11 Feb 2010 |
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has discussed the arrest of defeated Sri Lankan opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka with the country's president and expressed concern about events in the nation.
In a telephone call, Mr Ban also agreed with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that UN envoy Lynn Pascoe would visit the island soon after the presidential inauguration this month.
Tensions have risen in Sri Lanka since General Fonseka was arrested on Monday by military police on charges of engaging in politics against the president while still in uniform.
The arrest triggered clashes between thousands of Fonseka supporters and ruling party activists outside the capital's Superior Courts complex yesterday.
Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protestors.
General Fonseka and Mr Rajapaksa worked together to end the war against Tamil Tiger separatists last year, but soon fell out.
938LIVE's Tamal Mukherjee speaks to political scientist Dr P Saravanamuttu in Colombo, to know more about the serious charges that have been levelled against the former army commander.
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