10 February 2010 11:29 am
A Fundamental rights violation petition challenging the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of General Sarath Fonseka was filed before the Supreme Court today. His wife Mrs. Anoma Fonseka and New Democratic Front Secretary Ms Shamila Perera filed the Petition for and on behalf of General Fonseka.
The Petition stated that commencing immediately upon his proclamation as the Common Opposition Candidate, there were additional security threats posed on him by those opposing his candidature; which included direct and/or indirect threats from the incumbent administration who were fielding the President as a candidate for re-election to office.
The petition was filed for the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights to the freedom of thought and conscience, freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, right to equality and equal protection of the law, freedom from discrimination on the grounds of political opinion, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, freedom from unlawful detention, freedom of speech and expression and freedom of association guaranteed in the Constitution.