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| Sri Lanka |
| Sri Lankan opposition fights to be heard |
| 2010-02-26 |
| Street protests that erupted in Colombo and other cities following the February 8 arrest of defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka have yet to gain wider support from non-political groups. The protests began on a fiery tone when about 2,500 pro-Fonseka protesters chased down by pro-government supporters braved tear gas and water cannons to hold their first rally near the country's highest court on February 10. They vowed to continue the movement until the former army commander was released. Fonseka was arrested on charges of corruption and attempts to topple the government while he was in public office. The government has maintained that there is no political motivation behind the arrest of Fonseka. "We have repeatedly said that there is no political motive behind this. The law of the nation has been followed," Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Aberyawardena told the press. Although no formal charges have been filed against Fonseka, the government has accused the losing presidential candidate of plotting to overthrow the government in a military-style coup. Protests and processions held in the city have been boisterous but peaceful. But several staged in cities outside Colombo have turned violent with protesters clashing with police. The People's Liberation Front (PLF) and the United National Party (UNP), the two main political parties that formed the foundation for Fonseka's failed presidential bid, have mainly been leading the protests. There have been attempts by non-political groups to lend support to them, but they have not been able to bring large numbers of protesters. "The arrest is a reflection of our freedoms. It affects all of us mothers, wives, widows. This has to become our struggle," Vishaka Dramadasa, one of the protestors, told Inter Press Service (IPS). |
| Posted by:Fred |