In Sri Lanka a military trial has begun of the former head of the army General Sarath Fonseka on charges including getting involved in politics while in uniform. The General was detained shortly after being defeated in the Presidential election in January. His supporters say the charges are politically motivated. He lost to incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Protests against his arrest and court martial have been held in Colombo. Gen Fonseka was in charge of Sri Lanka's army when it defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels last year after 25 years of civil war.