Sri Lankan general who beat Tamil Tigers stands trial for sedition

A general who led the army to victory in Sri Lanka's civil war and was then defeated in his bid for the presidency appeared before a court martial today.

Sarath Fonseka was accused of sedition at the country's naval headquarters. Reporters were barred.

Major General Prasad Samarasinghe said Fonseka was charged with preparing his presidential campaign while still in military uniform.

The case has been condemned by the opposition and human rights groups, who accuse the government of retaliating against a man who dared to challenge president Mahinda Rajapaksa in his re-election bid.

Sam Zarifi of Amnesty International said: "Sarath Fonseka's arrest continues the Rajapaksa government's post-election crackdown on political opposition."

Police used tear gas and batons to disperse a protest in support of Fonseka and arrested 14 people. Fonseka's wife, Anoma, said she would not attend the hearing because the charges were "a joke".

Rajapaksa and Fonseka were allies in their campaign against the Tamil Tiger rebels and ended their 25-year armed war for independence. After defeating the rebels last May, both were hailed as heroes by the country's Sinhalese majority. Fonseka quit the army, challenged Rajapaksa in the January election and lost by 18 per cent.