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S Lanka military chiefs dismissed S Lanka military chiefs dismissed
(20 minutes later)
A group of senior Sri Lankan military officers have been dismissed for what defence officials called being a "threat to national security".A group of senior Sri Lankan military officers have been dismissed for what defence officials called being a "threat to national security".
The defence ministry said the officers had been "sent on compulsory retirement".The defence ministry said the officers had been "sent on compulsory retirement".
The move follows a bitter general election campaign in which incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa defeated former army chief Gen Sarath Fonseka.The move follows a bitter general election campaign in which incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa defeated former army chief Gen Sarath Fonseka.
Both have claimed there have been assassination plots against them.Both have claimed there have been assassination plots against them.
The BBC Sinhala service has learned those dismissed included at least nine high-ranking officers.The BBC Sinhala service has learned those dismissed included at least nine high-ranking officers.
A senior military source told the BBC they included three major-generals and four brigadiers.A senior military source told the BBC they included three major-generals and four brigadiers.
A number of the officers worked for Gen Fonseka's campaign in the recent elections.A number of the officers worked for Gen Fonseka's campaign in the recent elections.
'Party politics'
National Security Director-General Laxman Hulugalle said in a statement that the men had been "involved in party politics".National Security Director-General Laxman Hulugalle said in a statement that the men had been "involved in party politics".
"They are a threat to the national security of the country," he said."They are a threat to the national security of the country," he said.
Election 'fixed'
Gen Fonseka has refused to accept his election defeat, saying his supporters had been intimidated and the result fixed.Gen Fonseka has refused to accept his election defeat, saying his supporters had been intimidated and the result fixed.
What now for Sri Lanka? Hotel stand-off Sri Lankan views on election
A military source told AFP news agency the officers had been sacked to thwart any attempted coup by Gen Fonseka's supporters inside the military.A military source told AFP news agency the officers had been sacked to thwart any attempted coup by Gen Fonseka's supporters inside the military.
In a statement, the defence ministry said an undisclosed number had been "sent on compulsory retirement" because they were considered a "direct threat to national security".In a statement, the defence ministry said an undisclosed number had been "sent on compulsory retirement" because they were considered a "direct threat to national security".
Before falling out, President Rajapaksa and Gen Fonseka were close allies in the military offensive that defeated the separatist Tamil Tigers in May.Before falling out, President Rajapaksa and Gen Fonseka were close allies in the military offensive that defeated the separatist Tamil Tigers in May.
There has been mounting concern in Sri Lankan media about a government crackdown on its critics.There has been mounting concern in Sri Lankan media about a government crackdown on its critics.
"Now that the president has been re-elected, there appears to be a settling of scores with critics of the government," Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said on Friday."Now that the president has been re-elected, there appears to be a settling of scores with critics of the government," Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said on Friday.