SRI LANKA ARRESTS GENERAL WHO CHALLENGED PRESIDENT IN ELECTIONS

News out of Sri Lanka continues to distress. The general who challenged the incumbent in recent presidential elections was arrested today and accused of trumped-up charges. Sarath Fonseka was dragged by his hands and feet out of his office and thrown in jail. His real crime was having the temerity to stand as an opposition candidate against the ruling elite.

The BBC reports:

""Gen Fonseka's wife confirmed to the BBC that her husband had been detained after the security presence around his office in Colombo had been stepped up during the day.

"Gen Fonseka's secretary, Senaka de Silva, was also said to have been arrested. Gen Fonseka was meeting a number of politicians who had supported his candidacy.

The Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem told Reuters news agency: "He was dragged away in a very disgraceful manner in front of our own eyes." Mr Hakeem said the action was "authoritarian and vindictive"."