The petition, filed through Fonseka’s lawyers, alleges the polls were tainted by electoral malpractices and rigging and that the government was involved. Fonseka has been in detention since February 8.

The government has accused him of plotting a military coup, a charge he denies. Fonseka received over 40 percent of the popular vote, well below President Rajapaksa, who secured nearly 58 percent of the ballots. Fonseka’s arrest has sparked protests across the country. Opposition parties have regularly staged protests to demand his release.

The country’s influential Buddhist monks, including the guardians of the island's holiest shrine, the Temple of The Tooth, have appealed to the President to free Fonseka. The UN, EU and the US have also expressed concern over the situation and urged the government to respect the law.

EU suspends trade benefits

Meanwhile the European Union has decided to suspend Sri Lanka’s preferential trade benefits over Sri Lanka’s human rights record. The EU Commission says its decision comes after an intensive investigation, which has 'identified significant shortcomings' in Sri Lanka’s implementation of UN human rights conventions.

The commission also says that the decision will take effect in six months, as it wants to give Sri Lanka some time to address the problems. Apart from the country’s garment sector, exporters of tuna, fresh fruit and vegetables are likely to be the most affected by the decision.

du/AFP/Reuters/dpa
Editor:Grahame Lucas