Lanka military denies General Fonseka was manhandled

Sri Lanka military denied reports that the military officers who went to arrest the former military commander and defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka manhandled him during the arrest on Monday night.

Issuing a statement Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe today at the Media Center for National Security (MCNS) said that various misinterpretations are being spread about the circumstances related to the arrest of former CDS/Army Commander.

Explaining the circumstances of the arrest, the Spokesman said the military officers, who had gone to arrest the General, had requested him to cooperate, but the General had refused and scolded them.

Totally denying any assaults during arrest the Military Spokesman said though the General resisted the arrest, no physical force was used, and later, the General had been led to the vehicle.

He said the former commander is being treated befitting a General. He has been given maximum security and all facilities in the Naval Headquarters.

According to the Major General Samarasinghe General's wife Mrs. Anoma Fonseka visited the General with the lawyer, President's Counsel Wijayadasa Rajapakse, and spent three hours Tuesday evening and also took him meals.

She visited her husband today (10), the spokesman said adding that the press reports to the effect that the General's wife has not been able to visit him are false.

The General Sarath Fonseka was arrested under section 57(1) of the Army Act on the evidence so far gathered, the Military Spokesman emphasized. Officers/Soldiers are bound to abide by the clause 57(1) of the Army Act even six months after leaving the Army, the Spokesman explained.

Answering a query the Military Spokesman said the General has been arrested on the basis of certain evidence gathered. Charges will be framed based on the summary of evidence and decision taken whether to court martial or not. Anyone found guilty at the Court martial has the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court. He has unhindered access to his lawyer, Major General Prasad Samarasinghe stressed.