Buddhist monk begins fast unto death demanding release of Fonseka

[TamilNet, Saturday, 03 April 2010, 09:06 GMT]
A Buddhist monk affiliated to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) launched a fast unto death campaign Saturday morning opposite Fort railway station in Colombo demanding early release of Retd. Gen. Sarath Fonseka who was taken into custody following the presidential election held on January 26. He was defeated by the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapakse in the election.

Meanwhile, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), in a press release issued Saturday, questioned the government if there is an attempt to target Anoma Fonseka, the wife of General Sarath Fonseka, citing a statement made by government minister Dulles Allahaperuma.

The minister had said at a media briefing that Anoma Fonseka should take care of her own security instead of being concerned about her husband now under detention, the press release informed.

The Minister’s statement has fuelled suspicion that a conspiracy is being hatched by the government to harm Anoma Fonseka and to put the blame on a third party, the DNA said in its statement.