UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has called on authorities in Sri Lanka to ensure the rights and safety of the defeated presidential candidate and former army chief, Sarath Fonseka.
Ban Ki-Moon said he intends to speak to the country’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss the issue, according to UN News Centre.
General Sarath Fonseka, the challenger who received 40 per cent of the vote in the 27 January presidential election, was arrested Monday by Sri Lankan troops for alleged “military offences.”
Mr. Rajapaksa is also reported to have ordered the dissolution of Parliament with effect from midnight on Tuesday.
Mr. Ban is following developments in the South Asian nation with concern, UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters in New York.