(April 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Today, a peaceful, non-violent protest of fasting by four leading Buddhist monks demanding the immediate release of the defeated presidential candidate at the last presidential election, General (Ret.) Sarath Fonseka, was disrupted by the forcible removal of the monks by a large number of policemen, led by some senior officers, and many others who were in civilian dress. Prior to the removal of the monks, the crowds were dispersed by the police.
The court martial proceedings against the retired General are to be held tomorrow by two panels of judges. One case is to be held in the morning and another in the afternoon. The speculation is that the decisions in both proceedings are pre-arranged.
The parliamentary elections are due in two days, on the 8th of April. The retired General Sarath Fonseka is one of the candidates at the elections, contesting as a member of the opposition. The general speculation among the observers is that the pre-arranged verdict is made with the view to prevent him from sitting as a member of the parliament.
Lawyers on behalf of the retired General made applications to the higher courts to stay proceedings in the court martial until the court makes a decision on the objections taken on behalf of the retired General to the proceedings of the court martial. The courts did not grant such stay orders, which were requested by the General’s lawyers.
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