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'Raid' on Sri Lanka candidate HQ 'Raid' on Sri Lanka candidate HQ
(about 2 hours later)
The Colombo campaign office of defeated Sri Lankan presidential candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka has been raided, his supporters say.The Colombo campaign office of defeated Sri Lankan presidential candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka has been raided, his supporters say.
One of the general's aides told the BBC that he believed special forces were engaged in the operation.One of the general's aides told the BBC that he believed special forces were engaged in the operation.
Another said that he believed that the raid was being carried out with the aim of breaking links between Gen Fonseka and those who worked with him.Another said that he believed that the raid was being carried out with the aim of breaking links between Gen Fonseka and those who worked with him.
Gen Fonseka has refused to accept his defeat in the elections.Gen Fonseka has refused to accept his defeat in the elections.
He argues that his supporters were intimidated and the result was fixed.He argues that his supporters were intimidated and the result was fixed.
On Thursday the general told the BBC Sinhala service that he wanted to leave the country because of death threats.On Thursday the general told the BBC Sinhala service that he wanted to leave the country because of death threats.
As votes were being counted on Wednesday, troops surrounded him inside the hotel where his campaign was based on suspicion he was plotting a coup.As votes were being counted on Wednesday, troops surrounded him inside the hotel where his campaign was based on suspicion he was plotting a coup.
AcrimoniousAcrimonious
A senior government official, Laxman Hulugalle, would only say that "a process of investigations is going on" in relation to Gen Fonseka.A senior government official, Laxman Hulugalle, would only say that "a process of investigations is going on" in relation to Gen Fonseka.
Hotel stand-off Sri Lankan views on election href="/2/hi/south_asia/8484216.stm">Winning formula class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8484216.stm">Hotel stand-off Sri Lankan views on election
He would not confirm a raid was in progress or say what was being investigated.He would not confirm a raid was in progress or say what was being investigated.
All journalists have been stopped from entering the street where the campaign office is situated.All journalists have been stopped from entering the street where the campaign office is situated.
But reporters in the area say they believe up to 100 special forces entered the site.But reporters in the area say they believe up to 100 special forces entered the site.
The government denies Gen Fonseka is being investigated because of his decision to stand in the acrimoniously fought elections.The government denies Gen Fonseka is being investigated because of his decision to stand in the acrimoniously fought elections.
On Thursday Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said the government was considering taking action against him.On Thursday Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said the government was considering taking action against him.
Mr Rajapaksa said Gen Fonseka had allegedly divulged sensitive information to the public.Mr Rajapaksa said Gen Fonseka had allegedly divulged sensitive information to the public.
He told BBC News he was angry with Gen Fonseka for making false allegations against him in public.He told BBC News he was angry with Gen Fonseka for making false allegations against him in public.
Mr Rajapaksa said Gen Fonseka had been wrong to tell a newspaper the defence secretary had ordered the killings of three senior Tamil Tiger rebels as they had tried to surrender in the final stages of the conflict last May.Mr Rajapaksa said Gen Fonseka had been wrong to tell a newspaper the defence secretary had ordered the killings of three senior Tamil Tiger rebels as they had tried to surrender in the final stages of the conflict last May.
Gen Fonseka later retracted his statement and said his words had been taken out of context.Gen Fonseka later retracted his statement and said his words had been taken out of context.
But Mr Rajapaksa told BBC News the retraction was not enough.But Mr Rajapaksa told BBC News the retraction was not enough.
'Many mistakes''Many mistakes'
"He accused me of saying that I gave wrong orders. It came out in the newspapers. So we will follow legal procedures. If he has violated certain laws then we will take action."He accused me of saying that I gave wrong orders. It came out in the newspapers. So we will follow legal procedures. If he has violated certain laws then we will take action.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa (left) is a close confidant of the presidentGotabaya Rajapaksa (left) is a close confidant of the president
"He had done many mistakes, remember. He was a member of the security council. He only left three months ago. He divulged certain security information to the public. He did a wrong thing there."He had done many mistakes, remember. He was a member of the security council. He only left three months ago. He divulged certain security information to the public. He did a wrong thing there.
"But we will not arrest him because he was the opposition candidate.""But we will not arrest him because he was the opposition candidate."
The president won six million votes compared with the four million cast for Gen Fonseka in the vote held earlier this week.The president won six million votes compared with the four million cast for Gen Fonseka in the vote held earlier this week.
Analysts had predicted a closely fought contest between the two architects of the government's victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels.Analysts had predicted a closely fought contest between the two architects of the government's victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels.
But President Rajapaksa captured 57% of the vote in Tuesday's polling, while Sarath Fonseka won 40%, according to the election commission.But President Rajapaksa captured 57% of the vote in Tuesday's polling, while Sarath Fonseka won 40%, according to the election commission.
The independent Centre for Monitoring Election Violence said there were reports of irregularities but no evidence to suggest large-scale fraud.The independent Centre for Monitoring Election Violence said there were reports of irregularities but no evidence to suggest large-scale fraud.
Some 70% of Sri Lanka's 14 million-strong electorate voted. However, turnout in the Tamil areas in the North East, where the fiercest fighting occurred during the conflict, was less than 30%.Some 70% of Sri Lanka's 14 million-strong electorate voted. However, turnout in the Tamil areas in the North East, where the fiercest fighting occurred during the conflict, was less than 30%.