South Asia News
Sri Lankan president leaves for Britain amid protest fears
Nov 29, 2010, 12:52 GMT
Colombo – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa left Monday for a private visit to Britain amid fears that he would face protests there demanding the release of the country's former army chief.
Sri Lankan organizations in Britain have already held demonstrations calling for the release of Sarath Fonseka, who spearheaded the military operations that led to the defeat last year of ethnic Tamil rebels but has been jailed on corruption allegations.
After quitting the military late last year, Fonseka ran against Rajapakasa in presidential elections held in January and was arrested less than two weeks after his defeat. Government critics have called the charges politically motivated.
The Government Information Department said Rajapaksa has been invited to Britain by the Oxford Union and the Sri Lanka Society of the Oxford Union.
Rajapaksa is to address the Oxford Union Thursday on the topic Strategy Toward Empowering the Rural Economy of Sri Lanka, the department said.
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