Sri Lanka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Special Task Force officials have raided the office of the common opposition candidate General Commander Sarath Fonseka today and arrested 13 suspected army deserters.
The police personnel searched Fonseka’s office in Colombo on Friday for army deserters hiding at the location and illegal weapons hidden, sources said.
Several opposition members who visited the scene and tried to enter the premises were prevented by the police.
United National Party Kotte organizer Shiral Lakthilaka has told the media gathered at the premises that the police had taken some computers and CDs from the office into custody.
Citing sources the Ada Derana said there were around 35 deserters and or retired security personnel in the office when it was being searched by police.
Following his loss at the presidential election on Tuesday by a wide margin to the incumbent President, General Sarath Fonseka alleging that his life is in danger barricaded himself in a five-star hotel in Colombo with a group of army deserters and retired army personnel.
The government alleges that Fonseka was hatching up plans to assassinate the President and his family with the support of army deserters.
Fonseka has refused to accept his defeat at the polls alleging that the government has rigged the voting despite the conclusion by all international and local election monitoring groups that the election was free and fair.
source:colombopage