Follow due processes of law in Fonseka case: India

India on Thursday asked Sri Lanka to follow due processes of law in the detention of former army chief Sarath Fonseka who was arrested for allegedly conspiring to topple the government.....

India on Thursday asked Sri Lanka to follow due processes of law in the detention of former army chief Sarath Fonseka who was arrested for allegedly conspiring to topple the government.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India was in touch with the Government of Sri Lanka about the detention of Gen Sarath Fonseka (retired).

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

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MEAs reaction came a day after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said India ,the worlds largest democracy,cannot approve of Gen Fonsekas arrest and detention. We are disturbed by the news reports about the arrest and detention of Gen Fonseka. We call upon President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ensure the safety and well-being of the opposition leader and request his release immediately, Swaraj had said on Wednesday.

Fonseka,the former Chief of Defence Staff who had led the Sri Lankan military to victory against the Tamil Tigers,was arrested on Monday after being charged with conspiring against the Rajapaksa government,his former friend,and creating rifts in the army. Fonseka had stood against Rajapaksa in the recent presidential elections.

Lankan authorities have been saying that Fonseka will face immediate court martial for treason and could be jailed for up to five years.

Lankan Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe was also in India to appeal for Fonsekas case on Tuesday. There is no basis for his arrest. After the (presidential) elections,he (Fonseka) has been victimised, Wickremesinghe told reporters at the Chennai airport.