Main opposition party of Sri Lanka accuses government of violating internationally accepted laws

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) today accused the government of violating internationally accepted laws.

The party said the government has proven the allegation leveled by the international community that the rule of law is not upheld in Sri Lanka with its decision to imprison former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.

UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella told a press conference today that Fonseka has now become another political prisoner among 8,000 such persons put behind bars without being charged.

He said the European Union and the UN have always accused Sri Lanka of not upholding the rule of law.

Kiriella also noted that protecting human rights is not one of government's interests and that according to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), there are over 8,000 political prisoners in Sri Lanka and the government is violating internationally accepted laws.

The government has repeatedly said that Fonseka, who was sentenced to a 30-month imprisonment by a military tribunal, is not a political prisoner.