Protestors demand freedom for detained army chief

Hundreds of Sri Lankan opposition activists demanded the release of a detained opposition leader and ex-army chief who is being tried by court martial.

The protest in the capital Colombo today came a week after a court martial hearing began against Sarath Fonseka.

He is accused of participating in politics while in office and violating military procurement procedures.

The protesters called the trial “fraudulent”.

Mr Fonseka was arrested by the army last month after he lost a January presidential election to incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa.