Former Sri Lankan army chief Sarath Fonseka was set to face a military court on today on charges of engaging in politics while in office in a trial likely to raise political tensions in the island.
Mr Fonseka, who lost a presidential election to incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier this year, was arrested last month following allegations that he was plotting a coup against the government. He is also accused of violating procedures for military supplies.
The former army commander and Democratic National Alliance leader has denied the allegations, claiming they are political motivated and aimed at denying him the chance to run in parliamentary elections next month.
Street protests, strikes and labour unrest could have a ripple impact on Sri Lanka's $40 billion economy, which is forecast to grow more than 6 per cent this year.
Mr Fonseka's allies questioned the logic of trying him in secret in a military court when he no longer was in uniform.
"The arrest and detention are illegal as General Fonseka does not fall under military law," said Somawansa Amarasinghe, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna (JVP) party.
A military spokesman declined any comment on the court martial.
Mr Fonseka and Mr Rajapaksa worked together to end a 25-year war against Tamil Tiger separatists last year but soon fell out.
Mr Fonseka lost by an 18 percentage point margin to Mr Rajapaksa in the January poll, after which he accused the president of rigging the vote.
Reuters