A Fundamental rights violation petition challenging the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of Retired General Sarath Fonseka was filed before the Supreme Court in Colombo today. His wife Mrs Anoma Fonseka and New Democratic Front Secretary Ms Shamila Perera filed the fetition for and on behalf of Sarathl Fonseka. The Petition stated that commencing immediately upon his proclamation as the common opposition candidate during the recently concluded Presidential elction, there were additional security threats posed on him by those opposing his candidature; which included direct and/or indirect threats from the incumbent administration who were fielding the President as a candidate for re-election to office.The petition was filed for the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights to the freedom of thought and conscience, freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, right to equality and equal protection of the law, freedom from discrimination on the grounds of political opinion, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, freedom from unlawful detention, freedom of speech and expression and freedom of association guaranteed in the Constitution.Meanwhile hundreds of people gathered today opposite the Court Complex at Hultsdorf in Colombo to protest against the illegal detention of retired Gen. Sarath Fonseka by the Government. The demonstration was organized by the political parties that supported Fonseka during his bid as the opposition Presidential candidate. What began as a peaceful protest in Colombo against the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka turned violent after it came under attack by another group. Police had to use teargas to control the protestors.In the districts of Galle , Matara and Ampara, teargas were used by the police to disperse opposition protestors . According to police media spokesman SP Preshantha Jayakody, protesters had not informed the police about the demonstration against the arrest of Sarath Fonseka.Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, government supporters and thousands of opposition activists have clashed in Colombo. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. Officials said, at least eight people were hurt in the violence near the Supreme Court, officials said. The opposition is angry at the arrest of losing Presidential candidate, Gen Sarath Fonseka, on Monday night. The protests came a day after President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolved parliament, paving the way for elections by April.