* Sri Lanka to probe how ex-military leader sent letter to Channel 4
Mon, Mar 22, 2010, 10:51 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 22, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government intends to investigate how the former military commander General (Retd.) Sarath Fonseka sent a hand-written letter to UK's Channel 4 Television station while detained under tight security in the Navy Headquarters.

In a hand-written note to Channel 4 General Fonseka complained that he is detained in junior quarters of the Navy and the facility has no hot water or air conditioning. He has drawn a sketch of his quarters to illustrate his claims.

Answering to a set of questions Channel 4 smuggled into the high security facility, the former Army Chief has said that he has been set up and that the charges he is facing are bogus.

Director General of the Media Center for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle told the media that the retired General is being provided with the best facilities a detainee could have and the allegations he has made in the letter were not true.

Hulugalle said the after investigation, legal action would be taken against General Fonseka and others involved in smuggling the written letter.

Government Spokesperson Minister Dullas Alahapperuma accused the Marxist party JVP of helping Fonseka to smuggle the letter out and said that the letter and the interview given by General Fonseka to the Channel 4 were false and were part of an operation launched by the JVP.

The retired General is being charged for his alleged participation in political activities while in military and contravention of laid down procedures related to military procurement and facing two court-martials.