Supreme Court receives petition seeking Gen. Fonseka's release

The Supreme Court has received a fundamental rights petition that seeks the immediate release of Gen. Sarath Fonseka from custody.

The General's wife Anoma Fonseka and secretary of the Democratic United National Front Sharmila Perera filed the petition this afternoon (Feb. 10).

The respondents cited in the case are the Army commander, the Defence Secretary and the Attorney General.

The area near Hulftsdorp Courts Complex, where the Supreme Court is located, was the scene of a clash between rival political groups earlier in the day.

Supporters of Gen. Fonseka, who had gathered there to protest his arrest, were attacked by a group said to be led by ruling party politicians.

Riot police had to intervene and fire teargas to disperse the unruly mobs.

United Socialist Party leader Sirithunga Jayasuriya who was a participant of the protest, lost consciousness after inhaling the teargas.

He was taken to a nearby church, where a doctor attended to him and he soon regained consciousness.