Clashes Erupt in Sri Lanka Following Arrest of Defeated Presidential Candidate

Thousands of supporters of Gen Sarath Fonseka have clashed with government forces and those loyal to the nation’s leader after the defeated presidential candidate was arrested Monday evening.

Foneska lost the recent presidential election to incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a bitter contest that included accusations of voter fraud and intimidation. Election results showed Rajapaksa winning the January vote by a comfortable margin but Fonseka and his supporters rejected the outcome.

On Monday evening authorities arrested Fonseka and charged with conspiring with “anti-government forces,” an accusation the general has denied.

That arrest led to his Fonseka supporters protesting in the streets of Colombo but according to reports they were attacked by a group loyal to Rajapaksa. That group hurled stones and bottles at Fonseka supporters igniting a counter-attack which then led to police firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.

At least eight people were injured in the clashes.

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