General Sarath Fonseka to stand in Sri Lanka election

Defeated Sri Lankan presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka - currently detained in military custody - is to stand in April’s parliamentary polls. Party sources told the BBC that he would lead a new opposition alliance. Sri Lanka’s authorities have meanwhile announced a raft of possible civilian charges against Gen Fonseka in addition to any military cases against him. Earlier this week he argued he should not face military charges because he had retired from being a general. But the government argues he is subject to military law for up to six months after quitting the army. The authorities accuse Gen Fonseka of having worked with what they call anti-government forces, but no specific charges against him have been brought.   news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8536413.stm